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Greatest GameCube Game to Date!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 12
Date: November 16, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Samus Aran has finally returned after a eight year hiatus and boy, was the wait worth it.

Metroid Prime is a first-person adventure game. Don't get it confused with a game like Halo or other first-person shooters because the emphasise of this game is on exploration, like in all Metroid games. Yes, you'll still be shooting at things but you'll also spend an equal amount of time running through the interiors and exteriors of the world of Tallon IV, which brings me to my next point.

A game such as Metroid Prime wouldn't be as convincing if the game didn't have surreal graphics. Guess what? It does. The graphics are extremely detailed and the texture work is crisp and clear, which is a good thing as the game will pull you out of reality and into the world of Tallon IV.

The sound in Metroid Prime is extremely well done as well. Although it lacks voice acting, the game makes up for that through the intense sound effects. Everything from the changing of weapons to the enemies on-screen is eerily convincing. Also, the music in the game is done by the original Nintendo development team that worked on the original Metroid games, which means that the music will definately live up to the Metroid name.

Many people believe that graphics make up a game but I stand with the others that believe that gameplay does. Metroid Prime has excellent gameplay mechanics and the controls are easy to learn too. No, the controls are nothing like typical FPS games which require you to manipulate two joysticks at the same time. This game uses a control scheme similar to that of The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time. This control scheme is really effective for an adventure game such as this.

Metroid Prime is the game to get for Nintendo GameCube! It packs about 20 hours of gameplay on the disc, and that's just the amount of time you'll spend beating the game. Add on top of that the special features that become available when you have both Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance and link them up. Get this, one of the extras is the original Metroid game... The original that started the whole Metroid saga. Metroid Prime is a really great game and it doesn't hurt that it's also one of the highest rated GameCube games out now. One should not miss the chance to own this for its appeal has no age limitations.
Five Stars!

November is a Long Time to Wait

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 9
Date: October 01, 2002
Author: Amazon User

It appears that the evil Space Pirates are up to their devious ways once again, only this time something has gone horribly wrong. Samus was called in to investigate and she arrives on the scene to find a disabled Space Pirate ship floating above the planet Tallon IV. With little to go on, Samus must venture forth and attempt to get to the bottom of things. Her adventure begins as she enters a mysterious derelict spaceship. Traverse a crippled spaceship and explore the vast worlds of Tallon IV in an all-new first-person perspective! Take advantage of Samus's many powers using new suits that enable her to gain new abilities and revisit earlier worlds to uncover many hidden secrets. Master Samus's combat, scan, and visors -- elements crucial to your success. Explore each area to find many familiar weapons, such as the Wave Beam and Freeze Beam, and some all-new ones as well. Choose the right weapon or ability carefully for the situation at hand. Samus will need to use all of the suit and visor abilities as well as many specialized weapons to navigate deadly Tallon IV.

Samus can do everything from 2D and then some in this game!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 18 / 26
Date: August 13, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Well first off the good news is Metroid in 3D is that it works just fine. At first I was skeptical about the whole first-person mode, but after endless hours of playing, I still couldn't get enough. The camera and controls are just perfect. A little worried about losing that great 2D feel from the past? Samus can do all the moves from the previous games and then some, plus the game just looks fantastic! You also have four viewing visors, remember that X-ray scope from Super Metroid? Its here, plus a combat, scanning, and thermal visor. You also have a targeting system for any nearby items of interest you will find with the L button, also you can use it to focus on enemies, switches and scanning points, launching your grappling hook(yes its back from Super Metroid!), or just to center your view and strafe side-to-side. Remember this button because you'll be using it a lot. Metroid Prime is much better than hardcore fans expected thanks to the controls and the awesome gameplay! But for those who still prefer the awesome 2D action of the classic games, Nintendo also has Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance! Get either one, heck get them both! They are both awesome!

One of the Greatest Games of All Time

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 10
Date: May 03, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Like many others, and like the other reviewers here, I was at first horrified by the idea of Metroid switching to 3D. I didn't think it could be pulled off believably.

I have never been more happy to admit I was wrong.

Metroid Prime is by far the best in the entire Metroid series, and by far the best GameCube game. In my own mind, it's the greatest game ever created for a console. The graphics are absolutely astonishing, and they're on a level of realism never before seen on a console. The environments are startlingly detailed, with high quality textures on every surface. The environmental effects are amazing, and really draw you into the game. My roommate and I were both stunned the first time we noticed raindrops splattering on Samus' arm cannon. Droplets hitting the visor were equally shocking. Then there's the heat distortion that appears after rapidly firing the standard arm cannon beam. The realistic water effects. The underground lava caverns almost make you feel hot, they're created so realistically. Taken individually, no one of these things is that significant, but when they're all combined, they produce an extremely realistic environment, that's extremely effective in making you feel you're actually there.

And none of that even touches on the enemies! Some of the boss creatures are terrifyingly huge, and you have to find time to scan them for weaknesses while avoiding getting smashed into a nearby wall. Other enemies can attack with little or no warning. Still more are nearly invisible if you don't yet have certain visors.

Some people don't think the music is all that impressive, but I do. It fits the game perfectly, setting the tone for every location and every event.

I played the game for hours on end until I finally managed to destroy Metroid Prime itself, and then I started playing again, this time being more careful to make sure I locate and scan every item and enemy in the game, to get that elusive perfect score. The average gamer will find many hours of enjoyment in this game. I for one am eagerly anticipating the sequel.

STRONGLY reccomended. If you don't try this game, you'll be missing out on one heck of an experience.

It's like Super Metroid...in 3D!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 7 / 7
Date: December 15, 2002
Author: Amazon User

First, I want to say that, Super Metroid is one of my favorite games of all time, and having to wait nine years for the next masterpiece in the series nearly killed me. After all of this waiting though, I have to say that it was definintly worth the wait!

Gameplay: 10/10

The reason Nintendo took so long to make the next installment of the beloved Metroid series is because of the tough transition to 3D. They suceeded nicely with Mario, and Zelda, and with the Nintendo Gamecube out, they figured it was time to try and bring Metroid into the 3D world. Many fans were dissapointed to find out that it was moved to the first person view, but finally, we can put all of our worries to rest; the gameplay is pretty much flawless, and many have said it's just like Super Metroid, only in 3D, which is a good thing.

The other problem that comes along with Metroid in first person is the platforming, which has always been a huge part of the series; the jumping, and everything is the best to be done in a first person game ever, and in no time you will be able to jump around on platforms in your sleep. Now on to the level design, which has always been the strong point in the series; dare, I say it's even better than Super Metroids? Well, I don't know about that, but it's extremly good, and you will never find yourself getting bored with it, even when your passing through that area for the fifth time or so, trying to find all of those extra goodies; and the magnificent artistic designs in this game only make it all the more interesting, and fun to play through.

ANOTHER worry(yes, I had many worries about this game)I had about this game was with it now being in first person, would it still have the exploration that made Metroid what it is, or would it become just another lame first person shooter? Thank god it's all there, and in some cases it's better than Super Metroid. The thing that really adds to the exploration like in past games, is the item finding; the extra weapons, power ups, and the like are all there, and while not as cleverly hidded as Super, they still present a fun challenge when you are trying to find them. The last thing I will touch on are the bosses; as we all know huge, and very intense bosses have been another one of the strong points in the series. There's massive bosses, small bosses, medium bosses, and some very clever bosses that require you to use your brain; overall I liked the bosses in this game even better than Super Metroid, and there's alot more of them.

Graphics: 9/10

The graphics are very good, with the only problem being that when you get up close to objects, they are pretty bland; I never payed attention to this more than once in the game though. The reason they look bland is because they wanted to keep the game running at a smooth 60 frames per second, and that is much, much more important than some bland objects. The graphics may not wow you, or your friends when playing the game, but the art in this game is amazing, and easily makes up for it.

Sound: 10/10

The Super Metroid music still remains some of the best in a videogame to this day, and the same guy that did that game has made a return for Prime. He reused some of the previous Metroid tunes, and they sound better than ever; while he also added new tunes into the mix. The music is just flat out great, and will not dissapoint!

Overall: 10/10 or 5 stars

Metroid Prime brings back the great atmosphere, gameplay, and fun of Super Metroid, but in an all new 3D world. It's an instant classic, and pretty high on my list of greatest games of all time; DO NOT pass this game up!

Great game that's loyal to the series

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 11 / 15
Date: November 14, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I only played the store demo, but what I gathered is this:

The graphics are unbelievable. The details really make this game. The charged shot warps the air around it. When you're scanning something, images of it appear on the sides of the screen as if you're really searching a database for it.

The controls take some getting used to, but they don't get in the way of it. It's not meant to be a first person shooter, so the controls don't play like a first person shooting. It's meant to be a first person exploration game, and it pulls it off nicely.

It really feels like a Metroid game. I was nervous about Metroid in 3D, but my fears have subsided - they didn't mess it up like I suspected they would. I get the same sense of wonder that I got years ago when I played Super Metroid, only now I feel more immersed.

I'll be buying this game the day it hits the store shelves, and I reccomend that you do the same if you're a Metroid fan or if you liked any Castlevania game since Symphony of the Night.

I purchased a GameCube because of Metroid Prime...

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: November 25, 2002
Author: Amazon User

I was shopping at Target and saw this game as a demo. After playing it for 10-15 minutes, I realized that this game is flat-out amazing, and nothing like I've ever played before. Immersive graphics, flawless gameplay...

I had to purchase a GC to play it, and it was worth every single penny.

In my 10+ hours of playing so far, I wish I could count the number of times myself or someone else in the room muttered the words "wow," or "are you kidding me?"

This game is revolutionary. Don't waste your time renting it. Buy it now...

The BEST Console Game to date!!

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: March 13, 2003
Author: Amazon User

This is my first Metroid game. I missed it on NES, and didn't own SNES. I bought the game with low expectations. I thought, at best, it would be a decent first-person shooter.

This game blew me away. I popped it into the GC for the first time around 4pm on a Saturday afternoon and played for 9 hours straight. The graphics and sound are both stunning: better than anything on PS2 or XBOX, or anything else on the GameCube for that matter.

This game is a lot more original than your standard FPS. You have grappler beam to swing from Point A to Point B. Then there's the morph ball. Samus can roll up into a ball and roll down pipes, through small holes, etc. There's a lot more to character navigation than walking, running, and jumping (standard for FPS games).

Yes, there are a lot of controls to get used to. And it's kinda hard to scan things when you're trying to blast everything that moves. But once you get into the flow of the game, you don't even think about scanning, maps, etc. It becomes a reflex.

The story is great. The bosses and levels get increasingly challenging. It's hard to get stuck in one place/lost for too long, which is one of my biggest pet peeves with most FPS games. The game does an excellent job balancing the shooting/action and puzzle-solving/thinking elements of the FPS "genre".

If you own GC, this is THE must-have game. If you're on the fence about buying the GC, this is the best reason to date to buy the system. There are about ten excellent games for the GC right now, and Metroid Prime is at the very top of the list.

Best game on the GameCube--so far.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 6
Date: January 01, 2003
Author: Amazon User

Gamespot and Gamespy recently gave this game "Game of the Year" honors for 2002. This was comparing Metroid Prime against all games for all systems in 2002, not just GameCube games. Does it deserve such accolades? Oh yes, absolutely. Not only that, but so far, Metroid Prime is easily the best game released on the GameCube, period.

It's easy for people who haven't played Metroid Prime to just lump it into the general first person shooter (FPS) category with the hundreds of other unremarkable FPS games available on all of the gaming platforms. True, there is shooting in Metroid Prime. True, it is first person. But is the game primarily a shooter? No, it definitely is not. Metroid Prime is primarily story driven. And, advancement depends on the ability to solve puzzles, just as much (if not more so) than the ability to aim your ice beam at some flying space pirates.

I'm a huge, longtime fan of the Metroid series. I consider Super Metroid on the SNES to be in the top 10 games ever made. Part of my evaluation of this game definitely depends on how well Retro Studios managed to capture the atmosphere and feel of the original Metroid games. I was worried that too much of what made Metroid so fun would be lost in the 3-D translation. But to my amazement, they did a truly excellent job in retaining the feel of the original Metroids.

One thing I particularly missed in Metroid Prime is the Screw Attack from Super Metroid. But, in thinking about this, I'm not sure how they could have possibly included it in a 3-D game. 2-D technology might be older, but there are gaming elements possible in 2-D that just are NOT possible in 3-D.

Another 2-D technology that should not have translated well into 3-D was the morph ball. The morph ball is too fundamental an element of Metroid to drop, however. They accomplished this feat by changing the perspective from first to third when you enter the morph ball state. This is done very smoothly, and works perfectly in the game. The morph ball is just as pivotal for solving problems, as are using the bombs and power bombs while in the morph ball state. It's the use of this morph ball system that helps remove the stigma of FPS from Metroid Prime.

There are huge, awe-inspiring levels. The visual effects in this game are truly amazing. There are a plethora of power ups, including missile expansion packs, energy tanks, power bombs, grapple beam, other beams and special upgrades to all of the beams. Unlike in some past Metroid games, you can switch between all of the weapons you pick up, anytime you like. As a matter of fact, you have to in order to solve the myriad puzzles you will encounter.

There is also a huge array of enemy monsters in the game. A lot of your old favorites from the older Metroid games are back, plus some new bad guys. There have been some complaints about the AI of the enemy monsters. I was actually impressed with the AI of some of the monsters, particularly the space pirates. They seem to dodge in and out of cover, jump all over the place avoiding your shots and move in close for the quick kill.

But the best enhancement is, hands down, the visor system. There are four visors: the battle visor, infrared visor, x-ray visor and scan visor. All of them or completely vital to completing the game, and add an incredibly rich element to the game play. The visor system's incorporation into the game is pure genius, and a very, very welcome addition to the Metroid series.

It takes a little bit of time to truly get into this game. But, once that happens, you will be completely hooked. I can whole-heartedly recommend this game to any Metroid fan... and to any owner of the GameCube. As a matter of fact, I consider this game the "killer app" that you could use to justify buying the GameCube just for this game.

Metroid Prime Final Review(includes storyline & game details

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 9 / 12
Date: December 01, 2002
Author: Amazon User

Metroid Prime is true to it's name and it is the BEST metroid game I have ever played! It is a first-person adventure. The game take place after the events of Super Metroid 3 but before Metroid Fusion(Metroid 4). After planet Zebes was destroyed a chunck of the planet flew through space and crashed on Tallon 4. Inside the crater was a metroid. The space pirates soon got word of this and went to retrieve it. After recieving reports of space pirate atctivity from Tallon 4 you (Samus) are sent to investigate. The game begins as you see a space station over Tallon 4 and dock to investigate. The graphics are so good their sick! The detail is so good you can see blood run down the visor as well as rain, samus's face reflection in her visor and heat from the gun. The controls are hard at first but after you get used to them you spend 100% of the time exploring and killing space pirates than worrying about the controls. There is a hint option in the game to help you if your stuck. The music is by far the best. You just can't get enough of those good tunes. The different regions on the Tallon 4 are quite large and expect about 10-30 hours of game play with this game. So little time till X-Mas and so far Metroid Prime has manage to sell a quarter of a million copies! See favorite upgrades such as the Grapple Beam, Space Jump, Morph Ball, Gravity Suit and many more as well as new once! So this holiday season step into the Gravity Suit, Behind the Visor for the best action thriller of the year. I recommend this game to anybody who is looking for a fun game and a great present for X-Mas.

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