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Metroid Prime 2 delivers in all respects

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: February 14, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Where to begin? This highly anticipated sequel delivers on all counts. It brings back enough of the old and introduces enough new elements to keep the game fresh and interesting.

In Metroid Prime 2, you once again are the intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran. You've been hired by the Galactic Federation to help some of their forces who've crashed on the remote world of Aether. Soon Samus is also stranded on Aether and learns that the troopers she was sent to help have been killed. The culprits: evil beings called the Ing. Your new mission becomes one to stop the Ing and save the good, and dying, Luminoth. Its not that easy though...

Gameplay
Like the first Metroid Prime, the gameplay is great. Retro has a great system down for control and they're sticking to it, even with some important addtions. The controls are easy to pick up and become quite natural. The non-dual-analog control continues to be one of Metroid's best innovations; its easier to use than dual-analog and is something that sets it apart from most other first-person games.

As far as the puzzles within the game itself, they are brilliant. A lot of thought went into designing these puzzles. You may sit in a room for a half hour or more trying out numerous different things until you hit upon the solution (at which point you feel like its the most natural idea in the world). If you lack patience, this probably isn't the game for you as some of the puzzles are quite difficult. Things have been ratcheted up a notch in this game. The challenge level at the beginning of Prime 2 is about the difficulty found halfway through Metroid Prime. Then again, most Metroid games aren't for those without patience.

The enemies are as interesting as the puzzles. There are numerous bosses throughout the game (you usually fight one to regain an ability in this one, so there are quite a few). They usually require a wide variety of skills to defeat. The tactics were fairly simple in Metroid Prime. In Prime 2, you need more skills and more control to defeat some of the more difficult bosses.

Graphics/Level Design
As I said, the puzzles and level design are brilliant. The graphics are no less so. The first Metroid Prime was a marvel when it came out. Now, Prime 2 out does it. I would say that the graphics here are the best I've ever seen in a game. They are extremely detailed. The texture sets are huge and there are little environmental things every where. Its astounding how much work was put into making the environments as real and detailed as possible. The last big area in the game is mind-numbingly incredible.

The scenery isn't the only impressive thing. All the enemies, bosses and even Samus are incredibly well done as well. Its hard to believe that this game was built completely from scratch in two years. It makes one wonder what possibilities there are for the Nintendo Revolution, graphically.

Sound/Music
Retro gets another A here. The music to Prime 2 is engaging, but subtle when it needs to be. The music is the perfect offset to the graphics, providing just the right mood. The soundtrack is a combination of old Metroid remixes (which new gamers likely won't recognize) and completely new tracks. The title screen and menu music is inspired.

As for the sound, it too is good, matching the graphics. No sounds seem out of place, and like the graphics there are many simply environmental sounds that just add to the overall atmosphere.

Multiplayer
The multiplayer has been much talked about and frequently demeaned. However, I sometimes wonder if reviewers have actually played the multiplayer. I recall one comment to the effect of "it has a lock-on so its really worthless." If you can make that comment, you probably have actually played the multiplayer. The lock-on does not make it easy. It makes it different. Just because there is a lock-on doesn't mean kills come easy. While some one has a lock on you you can still dodge and ball mode is quite useful in getting out of a lock or making an escape.

There are quite a few good things about the multiplayer. For one, you have many different weapons at your disposal (bombs, boost ball, power bombs, light beam, dark beam, annhilator beam, power beam, death ball, a turret) as well as other power ups (such as massive damage). For another, movement is distincting Metroid. Ball mode is extremely useful, as I said. You can boost, or use your spider ball to move along walls (one level is based around the spider ball) or use kinetic ball cannons to launch yourself across the level for a quick escape.

All in all, the only real problem with the multiplayer is that there isn't enough of it. Its the game's weakest area, but it could be stronger if there was more. You start with four levels and can unlock two more through the single-player, as well as several background music tracks. If there were a couple more levels and you could acquire a few more of Samus' abilities in some levels, it would be even better.

Overall
Echoes is a unique game, even among its predecessors. A new concept of beam ammo for your three new beams has been introduced. Its hard to get used to at first, but after playing with it for a while you learn when each type of beam should be used. You also figure out quickly why there is ammo. The new beams are really powerful and the ammo offsets that. It makes you think strategically about which beams to use.

I'd say that this game is a must for all GameCube owners, and certainly for Metroid fans. Its engaging and will provide you with hours of fun as you try to solve its puzzles and ultimately gain the elusive 100% items collected. The sense of accomplishment is its own reward.

Truly excellent.

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 21, 2005
Author: Amazon User

I must agree with many other people in that this game has a lot of redone enemies from the original. And, two of the beams are very similar (excluding the power beam because that is a mark of the series.) Yes, the powers get stolen frequently. However, the game is longer. The game has original bosses (Quadraxis and the boost guardian especially). The ammo system is well designed: The other beams are potent, and should be used sparingly. My favorite part was the scans. They really give the plot life. While it's no Fusion, it suceeded in surpassing the original in quality. Dark Samus has a cool cutscene whenever it appears. Samus isn't invincible seeming. You actually get tense in the begining of the Chikka battle. So, my only nitpick is the lack of snow. I miss Phenandra Drifts (but not the Shegoths).

Metriod Prime 2: a metriod fanatic's first look

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: April 29, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Before i start my review let me just say i have not gotten far in this game, i just want to give you a persepictive a person who has played many metriod games (only ones i haven't played is Metriod 2: return of samus and super metriod) and has just gotten to play metriod prime two. WHen i first turned on the game i took one look at the menu system and though "this is going to be hell" and if you try use for the first few times, you will probabley agree with me. YOu have to move the control stick and then all the options move. Let me just say one thing DO NOT move the menu at the beginning. It will be at single player when you start out so don't move it. it took me a long time to get it back to single player so don't share my fate. SO then i played the first 5 minutes of the game and i have to say it does not seem like metriod prime sequel. somebody from Zelda a link to the past help make this and after you beat the first temple you will agree when i say that is is very zelda-like. It is a very good game and i can't understand why some people say it is hard ( i can't understand why people said that about the first metriod prime either) but be warned, if you want to buy this game because you want something exactly like metriod prime you might be looking in the wrong place.

heavily underappreciated

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: June 10, 2005
Author: Amazon User

after i finally got those damn exams out of the way a few days ago, i got halo 2 and metroid prime 2(i know it's a little late) the question was which one should i play first. naturally, giving in to the hype i fired up halo 2. i simply must make reference to this game for my review of echoes. to my disbelief the game simply did not hold that much interest anymore, i was just tired of shooting everything that moves on screen. metroid prime 2 is such a humble and massive accomplishmnet that i stuck with playing it to the end. my god, the artistic side surpasses everyhting out there, even doom 3. if you want to play a real game that truly immerses you in a mysterious alien world where you will be continously amazed, challenged and rewarded buy this game!! i am so sorry to see that echoes' developer retro studios will not have the ability to produce the nex gen turok games, even though some of their current artists did work on turok 1. after playing this game (like mteroidprime1) you will truly be amazed of how far video games have come.

Same game, Different name, Who's to blame? Retro!

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: July 06, 2005
Author: Amazon User

Don't get me wrong, I love this game. So why do I give it a bad overall score? You'll see.
After completing this game (And the first) twice, I think I know what I'm talking about.

On the + side:

Prime Graphics
From the enviroments to the details, IT LOOKS AS FANTASTIC AS THE FIRST!

Prime Gameplay
As fun as the first! They got rid of the Chozo Ghosts, too!

Prime Controls
They didn't change, so they're as good as the first!

On the - side:

Unprime Sound
The effects are still great, and the music still isn't!

Unprime Multiplayer
This wins the PGOTY award! (Pointless Gimmick Of The Year) It seems to pass through your mind as if affected by a jedi mind trick.

Unprime Similarness
If you've played Prime 1, you've aleady played this game!
All the new features feel more like gimmicks, And the ammo system makes it frustrating.

Overall, this game is fun, but too similar to the original.
Retro, how come you took no risks in your sequel?

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 2 / 2
Date: December 02, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes excels in many areas.

Graphics:
It has the best graphics out of all the Gamecube games. The Gamecube has always had poor graphics, but Metroid's look as good if not better than many PS2 and xbox games. They are highly detailed and smooth, better than Halo's or Final Fantasy's.

Controls:
Many people have criticized it for its odd control scheme. You can't strafe and turn at the same time, but after about a half hour of gameplay the controls feel natural. In fact, I found it hard to go back to the traditional controls for games like Medal of Honor.

Gameplay:
The enemies you face through out levels are relatively easy, and if your unsure how to take them out you can use the scanner module to scan them and find their strengths and weaknesses. Echoes sticks to the traditional game design of a boss at the end of every level. They are, almost impossible to defeat unless you know how. However, if you scan them not only will you learn of their weak points, the lock on feature will lock on to them. There are some difficult puzzles throughout the game, as well as complications getting through rooms. I suggest getting a guide. Official Nintendo Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Player's Guide

Multiplayer:
The multiplayer is good, although the single player story mode is more emphasized. There are several normal modes, like capture the flag and death match. There are also some unique modes, like bounty hunter, where you collect coins from defeated enemies. There aren't many maps, however more can be unlocked by completing the single player mode. Up to four people can play at once.

In short, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is one of the best games available on any system. It has great graphics, an engrossing story, and a solid multiplayer.

Perfect could be better lately

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 6 / 16
Date: November 24, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This review is only for true Metroid lovers so prepare for some hair splitting. Ok I loved this game, but I won't give it a 10. I believe MP was the best game I have ever played, however it had a few problems. MP2 likewise is an amazing game (I favorite it overall to MP) but there are those issues from MP1 that remain unaddressed in MP2. Firstly, like MP, MP2 isn't big or long enough. I don't suck at videogames (like some of the
reviewers who thought MP2 was too hard. One of the reviewers from EGM even recommends you get a guide if you are new to the series. If you can't handle this boo hoo go play Halo 2 so you can walk through the last few levels in comfort.), and I found it a little easy. There isn't anything here on the difficulty level of say the Omega Pirate (even the Space pirates go down pretty easily or just disappear). Why would Retro waste everyone's time with a half-baked multiplayer game (did anyone really want this? I haven't even tried it.) instead using those resources to make MP2 a fuller and longer experience? Metroid games should be epical, since when was 20 hrs the standard for a "long" game? Secondly, the level design feels a little claustrophobic. The level of detail in this game is superb (that's right I own glitchy patchy loading Halo 2 and it can't touch MP2 single player) but there are few open spanses. Things just feel too tight here. Thirdly, the light suit, spin attack, echo visor and the devastator beam are all totally awesome and totally underapplied in this game. Simply compare the last battle of MP with that of MP2. Lastly, please never ever ever give me ammo when it comes to the blasters (missiles & power bombs I can understand). I wanted to have fun wasting everything with the different beams but instead I found myself always rationing them like they were precious. I dream of a 40 + hrs long Metroid game that is freakin really hard and really big. Now before I go I would like to say a word about Metroid Prime Hunters since I have now played the demo. It looks awesome and I actually like the controls..... but what the hell kind of game is this? Timed mindless shoot-a-thons suck, are dated and are completely why people play Metroid games instead of other FPS. The best way to get people to "think differently" about Samus is by evolving the existing concepts of exploration, puzzles, AI and weapons. Please give us a real Metroid DS game, this is the Mario-kart/tennis of Metroid games.

Very fun, except for a few things...

4 Rating: 4, Useful: 6 / 18
Date: November 26, 2004
Author: Amazon User

This isn't your average game. Like its predecessor, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a good game. Like all good adventure/action games, it has depth, good bosses, and a creative storyline. Thumbs up to Retro and Nintendo for making a game that somewhat competes with the likes of Halo 2 and Half Life 2.

Now to the cons:

The two "planets" are more like a collection of rooms than the huge landscapes that they should be. Rooms are good in some instances, but this is overdoing it. One side of the planet is probably just there to make it round.

There are less Save points in this game than there are people who work at a local McDonald's. This was a problem in the last game as well. We need automatic saves. Nintendo, we have lives to live. We can't play the same game for hours on end.

Overall, I think the game would have been better if Sony or Microsoft had a say in the production. But it's still good the way it is. I hope that Nintendo sells the Metroid franchise's rights to Sony so that next time a Metroid game comes out, it would not have the issues that plagues the others now.

Tough Enough

5 Rating: 5, Useful: 3 / 6
Date: February 14, 2006
Author: Amazon User

Any good shopper can get a GAMECUBE for less than $75 bucks. Order the memory card and Prime 2 from Amazon right now! If you like Halo and Resident Evil and can imagine them getting married and having a video game baby, this is your game. I love the weapons, puzzles, graffics, sound, and overall challenge. You will not finish this game quickly. You may get frustrated and sell it. It doesn't deserve to be treated like that.

This game didn't learn its lessons from the first Metroid Prime

2 Rating: 2, Useful: 5 / 14
Date: February 11, 2007
Author: Amazon User

This game is similar (and I mean really really similar) to the first Metroid Prime, except even more annoying.

The translation of style from sidescrolling Metroid to 3d was handled beautifully. Art, sound, level design, etc is all top notch, and the game sports some of the most impressive visuals to be found on the gamecube. Beyond aesthetics though, the game falls apart.

It's simply not fun to play. It has a somewhat awkward control scheme that even after you adjust to, is simply subpar to games that were being made in the N64 era. Nentendo tries to say that this is not a "First Person Shooter", but a "First Person Adventure" game. Well, you do occasionally have to shoot things in the first person perspective, and it's handled quite poorly, leading me to believe Nintendo's statement is really just a euphimism for "Bad First Person Shooter".

As already mentioned, the control scheme is poor. You cannot strafe and move at the same time (unless you're locked onto someething that moves your view while you're strafing), so enemies (the vast majority of which are extremely agile) can very easily get behind you. Aiming (which you also cannot do while moving) is so incredibly slow that it forces you to rely on the game's lock-on targetting system. Unfortunately, too many enemies (especially bosses) have moves that negate your lockon targetting making re-aquring them a painstaking effort. In addition to general slow aiming, your upward/downward viewing angle maxes out at about 30 degrees above/below the horizon, so when enemies get above you, it's very difficult to deal with them (as many flying enemies or bosses will often do). It makes the game challenging, but not in a fun way. It's challenging kind of like running a 20 mile marathon after having someone break both your knees with a sledgehammer.

And then there's backtracking. There is way way too much backtracking in this game. It's one thing to spend an hour in a game exploring new environments without making progress, it's another thing to constantly be forced to backtrack an hour through previously explored territory to retrieve a single item, and then spend an hour getting back, only to get another item, and use it to backtrack an hour someplace else, etc.

Making the backtracking even worse is the frequent forced encounters where doors will lock preventing you from leaving and you have to fight a particular enemy (Dark Pirte Trooper) until you either kill it or it leaves. Either method takes upwards of 5-6 minutes, because like many other annoying enemies in the game, it spends most of its time being completely invincible.

Metroid Prime 1 was a basically good game with some large flaws. This game took it upon itself to be a copy of the first game, and increase the size of all those flaws without adding anything good.

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