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Metroid Fusion.
Let’s face it; a lot of people were just plain pissed when they got wind that that Metroid was going to first person for the Game cube. How could they rob us of the best third-person platformer? In truth, they just shrunk it. Samus’s newest handheld venture picks up where Super Metroid left off, both in story and game play. I feel, and Game Informer magazine agrees with me, that this amazing little game beats out both Super Metroid and Metroid Prime as the best Metroid title. The game isn’t perfect, but if Retro continues along the path they started here, Metroid 5 just might be.
One of the things that separates Metroid Fusion from its’ predecessor is It’s brilliant control scheme. Rather than having to cycle though weapons, using various trigger buttons makes changing weapons a snap. Not only that, but now Samus can cling to ledges, and even go from this position right into the morph ball form. Save and recharge rooms are fairly abundant, but not to the point that it makes the game needlessly easy.
Graphically, this is hands down the best-looking Metroid game in the second dimension. Great affects, lots of attention to detail, and just plain cool enemies and moves. Although it doesn’t compare with Golden Sun, this game is still by all means a graphic powerhouse. The sound is simply amazing. It’s essentially a remix of all the classic Metroid tunes with some astounding newbies added in. I never found the music anything that slightly resembled not fitting for the stage. In some situations, you feel like you’re really in the game with the excellent stereo option with headphones. The SFX are also stunningly good. Voice acting is limited though.
As far as game play goes, this is quite possibly the best 2-D platformer to ever grace any system. All of Samus’s signature moves and weapons are back, with a couple of new goodies as always. Now if you’ve never played a Metroid game, you’re in for a treat. The sheer amount of secret hallways, fake walls and upgrades simply boggles the mind. This is quite linear by Metroid standards, but this is by no means a bad thing as now there is a story that progress throughout the game thru various cut-scenes. The bosses are a mixture of old favorite, and some shockingly new ones. But the thing that really puts this game above all the rest is fear. There’ll probably be certain points when you just scared of what’s going to happen to you next. A simply amazing job.
If this game has a weak point, then replay value is it. For first time Metroid players, it’ll take 3 to 5 hours on the first run though, but in classic Metroid fashion, if you want the best ending, get ready to work. I believe you must get though the game in less than 2 hours with 100% of the items. If you really love this game, you’ll NEED this ending and will surly put many more hours of effort into the game. And added incentive for beating the game is with Metroid prime and a Cube GBA link cable, you can play the original Metroid!
Did you read the review? The message is clear. GET THIS GAME! There’s points that you can actually feel the game touch perfection. -- Anonym. Contributor, PGNx Media
---- Jan 5, 2003
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