With virtually the same pool of raw horsepower to deal with as its GameCube predecessors, the third first-person Metroid has to rely solely on gameplay shake-ups to refresh the five year old Metroid Prime series. And from the very get go you can see that the formula is very, very different thanks to Wii.
Gone is the traditional bleak and foreboding intro the series has become used to, instead replaced with an opening scenario about as detached from previous Metroid instalments as you can possibly get. Onboard a federation starship (they're the UN of the space-hopping generation) Samus gets to meet and great a whole colony of friendly, not dead, space marines - and in a first for the series, they're all sporting gun-ho American voices.
It's different alright; your world is no longer confined to the inside of Samus' lonely Chozo helmet. Instead you've got generals and computers blurting directions over an intercom to help you finish off Dark Samus. There are similar revelations in the world you explore too.
Instead of a single, barren planet with inter-connecting environments, Samus now uses her trusty gunship to explore the galaxy and hop between worlds. The gunship gameplay is a great addition to the Prime series; using the Command Visor you can call your ship to pre-determined co-ordinates for bombing runs or pick-ups, and hoping between landing platforms feels completely natural inside Metroid's traditional exploration.
And the environments themselves, amid the radical additions of voice acting and space travel, thankfully haven't suffered a bit in the transition; Corruption - completely down to genuinely fantastic art direction - is the most beautiful game on Wii so far. From corrupted canyons to majestic cities in the sky, Prime 3 is a visual and artistic tour de force and we absolutely cannot wait to see what Retro comes up with next.
The puzzles are just as complex yet wonderfully intuitive, there's tons secret nooks and crannies, and it's just as satisfying when, upon backtracking with a new toy, a plan all comes together in a typically-Metroid visual spectacle.
Just as accomplished as the art direction are the new Wii Remote controls, which truly show the rest of the games industry how a first-person shooter should work on Nintendo's console. Quite simply it's the most responsive, fluid FPS setup of any console shooter. Ever.
From the very beginning Metroid has been about aiming and shooting and less about the power of your gun, which is why Corruption's Wii Remote control method fits flawlessly into the series formula. The Nunchuk and Wii Remote are the perfect armchair alternative to a mouse and keyboard; with short, simple Remote movements you can aim Samus's gun with fantastic precision, and thanks to some excellent tuning vision movement feels tight and isn't jarring at all (unlike the loose aiming circle of Red Steel).
The more accurate, swifter method of aiming naturally brings with it fire fights a notch above anything possible in previous Prime games. Instead of darting from baddie to baddie with an instant lock-on, Corruption's system allows you to track targets as they dash and dive away from your cursor. This allows for far more intense gun fights and baddies like the jetpack pirates, which can dash out of the way of your fire.
By pressing the minus button you can switch visors with the flick of the wrist. At first this takes some getting used to, but quickly it's a totally natural way of switching between views.
Aiming for specific areas of the body is also played around with; certain enemies will require you to aim at chinks in their armour, and swarms of drones test your reaction speed with shields and teleports. Sure, PC shooters have had this level of accuracy for years, but for console FPS games and the Metroid Prime series (which let's not forget, previously relied on an incredibly primitive lock-on system) it really is a breath of fresh air.
It's almost as if the Wii Remote was meant for Samus. The other great focus point of the Prime series, immersion, is also greatly enhanced by the addition of the Wii control scheme; using your own mitts you can now push switches, pull leavers and grapple enemies yourself. It looks fantastic and feels far more satisfying than simply mashing a button. For most games this sort of controller-tiling mischief feels tacked on, but for Metroid Prime it feels right at home with the visor raindrops and visceral grapple beam swings.
The third game's greatest strength is in its items, that as noted before now work even better thanks to the immersive qualities of the Wii Remote. The Nunchuck can be used to fling items across the screen and in parts you can even use Samus' gun as welding device to repair wires. After this, we can't imagine Samus without motion controls.
Where corruption falls down is in the fact that it lacks the bundles of atmosphere that the series has become famous for. From the very beginning in the NES original, Metroid gushed bundles of mood and emotion above any other game - and Retro managed to retain that bleak, foreboding atmosphere in its transition to 3D.
Unfortunately, what's left in Corruption isn't the feeling of isolation - that Samus really is the only girl in all the world - that we know and remember from previous instalments. Instead we've got voice-acting, chatty comlink buddies and human space federation story points that are really rather generic. Some of the hardcore fanbase are bound to be upset.
The fact that it's graphically (fantastic art direction aside) pushing the same number of polygons with the same amount of enemies on screen, also means you're bound to be less impressed or surprised than when you first wandered into snowy Phendrana Drifts five years ago.
There's also another tedious fetch-quest chucked in at the end. Didn't Nintendo get the idea from the outcry following the last game's horrible treasure hunt? No more please.
But it'd be a damn shame if you passed up Corruption just because it breaks the convention of the past; it's a beautiful, wonderfully executed finale to the Prime series (even if the formula is a little different). We wait with baited breath for which direction Metroid will take next...
I enjoyed the loneliness although it got a bit too lonely. I read a few reviews where the loneliness was criticised! Oh well, definate purchase for me ^^
If I didn't already have Phantom Hourglass, I'd be sorely tempted to get this. I definately will one day, but at the moment, I'm just enjoying drawing maps on screens.
that said, I am worried. I liked the first game because it was a true explorers game. This seems far more like a shoot-em-up. I liked scanning stuff and reading all the data. Things like that, little details really make a game feel more like a world.
I'm not a fan of FPS but I'll buy this simply because there hasn't been a single thing on the Wii of interest for months! Be nice to finally have a reason to turn the console on again.
Theres just too many games to play through at the moment Pro Evo comes out 2moro as well, I still haven't brought Zelda yet or Bioshock cos I've been playing through Paper Mario and Halo 3 and then next month there's Mario Galaxy! Has gaming ever been so good?
but I'm really not keen on the fetch quest... I really couldnt stand it after playing through Metroid Prime... I skipped the next game and sold Hunters after a few days... it gets a bit dull... not enough time for it all.. and what with Galaxy coming out before chrimbo I might just have to put off buying this until next year... well done Nintendo.. you've done yourselves out of a purchase just because of your terrible UK release dates... 2 weeks earlier and I'd have already finished it!
Metroid Prime 3 sounds like my kind of game, I liked the original but the endless, oppressive loneliness, loved by many, kind of got on my nerves for a while. The gameplay felt a tad monotonous and the controls a little clunky, but there were some stunning environments to explore and it did have some areas of cool action.
MP3 seems more action-orientated and a little more linear from what I've heard, and normally this would displease me in a game. But it doesn't here as I reckon I could really get into Metroid if they were a tad less ambiguous in what you have to do. MP3 gives you set objectives apparently which is all the help I'll need.
it's been pre-ordered for months,nothing will stop me raping this on veteran out of the box-i've heard normal difficulty has been dumbed down for casual players. it should get me over until cod4,mario galaxy and mass effect. have to agree with the guy above,it's the best time for gamers in my memory(though i may have alzheimers ).there's never been so many "blockbusters" at once for every possible format (exclusive or not before someone mentions a certain console).
so this game actually gives a reason to Wii owners to turn their console on?! plus COD4 will let you down, its nothing special, its basically COD3 with modern era guns and a title stating 'Modern Conflict' ohhhhhh original. I insist you all check out a reviewer called Yahtzee.
absolute f**king sickener. it never came in the post this morning,so it looks like something WILL stop me raping this on veteran out of the box. bugger.
Just got this today.... have been playing it all evening.
I was in two minds as to whether to buy it today, especially as I am utterly addicted to Halo online at the moment. However I am 200% sold on this game, I can't believe how different it is and the new controls are really good, more FPS Wii games need to adapt the same control method.
If you have any doubts, five minutes in they WILL be gone. So far it almost feels like a new Metroid game, not the third in this trilogy.
Anyway folks, this Corruption is excellent. I did feel that the beginning was a bit of a bore, but after my first boss battle, I started to get enthusiastic.
Don't give too much credence to the phobia regarding the "Fetch Quest". It really never materialized for me...I remembered thinking that I missed huge portion of the game as I was approaching the finish. Then I realized that I had completed the Quest without it even seeming like this arduous task that many talked about.
Start at Veteran, play with Advanced controls. Send some Friend Vouchers and pass the word!
I don't know why Nintendo keeps screwing you folks in PAL-land, but at least you've got Corruption now. More good games to come for the Wii.
Now to reconnect my consoles (finally have a chance to resettle after the Southern California fires!) and play some games!!
As you can tell by my name, I signed up to cvg with Metroid Prime 3 fresh in my mind.
I for one think the changes have been an improvement, which in itself is a mighty thing for a series already as good as the Metroid Primes. I think it still feels dangerous and lonely when you're in the ethereal fog of an abandoned alien settlement fighting off the locals, but has the advantage of more character interaction, development etc. and more plot and motivation behind the tasks that make up the gameplay. It never gets in the way either, the way scenarios are set up is very basic and the dialogue is brief and to the point but it would have to be to work.
As for Halo 3 I like both games, but the single player experience simply mauls Halo 3's. How Halo 3 got a 10 when it is far from perfect as most games are, is beyond me. I can accept 92 for MP3 though, its a very good score. Although i would give it slightly more, say 94/95
regarding this review i think its a good review but i have to disagree with the reviewer on saying(with virtually the same horse power to deal with as the gamecube primes)not through wii's gpu runs at 242mhz,cubes runs at 162mhz,wii's cpu 729mhz cubes 485mhz big difference.also saying that the game looks good through art and not down to wii's power is stupid statement,answer me this wud prime 3 look as good as this on ps2 wud it even run on it the answer is no,why?because ps2 doesnt hav enough power.prime 3 is the best looking prime to date,you say its throwing the same polygons around as the frist prime and we wudnt be as impressed as we were with prime 1,rubbish i am well impressed with prime 3's graphics.for a start theres now a shine off the characters,theres a larger draw distance,more added textures extra fx wen you fire and charge you weapon and bloom lighting something the cube didnt have in prime and it all runs at 60 fps with all this extra stuff so if your saying this is just art and no extra processing power your wrong.
yay Metroid! I still wish Samus would speak (and Link too). This whole thing Nintendo has going on of "keep the player character silent so you can impose your thoughts and emotions onto them" is just bulls**t. Same with Gordon Freeman. It really inhibits the story you can tell.
You don't see Cloud Strife or Solid Snake staying mute, do you? Speak Nintendo, SPEAK!
I've been playing all weekend and it's one of the best games I've ever played, best on Wii by far! The graphics are incredible for "an updated GameCube", the controls are perfect, and it addresses all the "issues" that some (strange) people had with the first two games, such as back-tracking, infrequent save points, constant isolation, and scanning. Personally these weren't an issue for me, but it does make the game run more smoothly.
What I really love is the way that parts of the game make you feel so isolated, while others make you feel like you're part of a team, working with the Galactic Federation.
If you've ever doubted Wii for even a second (let's be honest, most of us have), then you NEED to play this game. I guarantee you won't be disappointed.
I think the one thing that's been criminally overlooked in most reviews is the boss battles. The one's I've played so far have been incredible: long, complex and very epic. Favourite so far is the ice dude at the end of the fire level on the first planet. Can't wait to see the rest.
I think the one thing that's been criminally overlooked in most reviews is the boss battles. The one's I've played so far have been incredible: long, complex and very epic. Favourite so far is the ice dude at the end of the fire level on the first planet. Can't wait to see the rest.
ICE dude on the fire planet? Can't we just give him 5 mins and have him melt?
has anyone seen samus' reflection further on in the game? i didn't expect THAT. quality title,the single player that halo 3 wasn't. the controls are excellent,the lighting is spot on,the artistic direction rivals bioshock.... my only complaint so far is : i miss switching between beams mp1 style.
wanna trade some vouchers? (pal metroid prime 3) here's my FC : 5891-1798-5913-1911. i've got 12 tokens to trade (so far) add me and i'll happily swap. leave your code here (on cvg) and i'll add everyone who replies (if anyone does).
I think i'm gonna have to go back and play the other 2 Metroids now if they are both as good as this one.
Really impressed with the game and i've only got past Rundas the ice boss. Watching samus's eyes follow the cursor when you have the scan visor up, the ease of controls, decent story and the best graphics on the Wii so far.
the much maligned 'fetch quest' is a strange thing, when i got to that bit i had already collected all the items bar one through normal playing, and the one i had left to get i knew where it was. didnt cause me a problem at all, and i quite enjoyed finding the items whilst i played anyway, isnt metroid just one big 'fetch quest' (with guns and aliens and heaps of awesome!) anyway???
the much maligned 'fetch quest' is a strange thing, when i got to that bit i had already collected all the items bar one through normal playing, and the one i had left to get i knew where it was. didnt cause me a problem at all, and i quite enjoyed finding the items whilst i played anyway, isnt metroid just one big 'fetch quest' (with guns and aliens and heaps of awesome!) anyway???
You and so many other of us in here North America experienced the same thing with regards to the "Fetch Quest".
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Smooth, accurate shooter controls
