Game Name: Metroid: Other M
Publisher: Nintendo
Developer: Team Ninja
Platform: Nintendo Wii
Ever since I first played Super Metroid back when I was about 6 years old, I have been a huge Metroid fan. I have played every single Metroid game out there except for Metroid Pinball, which doesn’t really count as a Metroid game. With the exception of Metroid Prime 2: Corruption, I have thoroughly enjoyed every Metroid game (If a game has a dark world in it, there’s a good chance that I’m not going to like it). It is for this reason that I was a little bit shocked when I was disappointed by Metroid: Other M.
I had been watching videos and previews of the game since they started showing up on the internet, and I was extremely excited when I got Other M. When I started playing the game though, I was disappointed by how dark the scenery was (Albeit absolutely gorgeous when you COULD in fact see it… It was as if the developers didn’t want you to see just how good a job they did on the graphics).
Before I get too far into what I would change about the game, I do enjoy that they tied a ton of story into this game. Samus recalls her past multiple times, and it fleshes out her semi-mysterious back story. I was also happy with the fact that Samus could recharge her health if she was low enough, as well as her missiles (Which is especially helpful as enemies no longer drop items like they did in every other game). The cool action sequences / finisher moves are pretty sweet too, especially when you pull off a couple of them in sequence.
I’ve got to admit, I’m glad that Team Ninja tried to do something different to the Metroid series, but I feel that they didn’t pull it off in a smooth way. I mean, what’s with those so-called “detective sections” where you’re stationary and have to find one specific thing in the room, which is usually a tiny object? All those sections do is make players lose their suspension of disbelief because Samus sits there for so long (Or just makes them go to GameFAQs). Also, they could have done without those sections where the camera is behind Samus and you can’t run, fire, etc. I don’t really understand why these sections are even in the game.
I also hate the fact that the map doesn’t compensate for the levels being 3D. Metroid Prime did a GREAT job with this by making the map 3D as well. Why couldn’t this game do that?
Some other small things that bugged me about this game are the instant death quick time events and the reason that Samus “loses” her powers obtained in previous games. In this game she’s “not authorized to use them.” That’s just silly… Samus is a bounty hunter! Who cares if her old CO is in charge. And plus, why do things like her grapple beam have to be authorized?!
EDIT: Here‘s a link to Yahtzee’s Zero Punctuation review of Metroid: Other M. I noticed virtually everything he said while playing the game except for the fact that the bottle ship ties in with the whole mother theme.
Paul Kankiewicz 