Playing Metroid Prime again after seven years and a major changing of the technology guard, Im struck by just how well Retro Studios was able to distill the spirit of Metroid while working with rather primitive 3D tools and experience, and on a canvas entirely removed from the 16-bit classic. This is the most satisfying and complete of the three Metroid Primes. Dont agree? Well, you can decide for yourself without breaking the bank: 50 bucks gets you the entire Prime series in one packageMetroid Prime Trilogy.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is the black sheep of the bunch. Its a good game in many regards and extends a lot of what made Metroid Prime hum, but the reliance on a dark/light mechanic as its central theme is overwrought and just not that great in execution. Its required playing for Metroid nuts, satisfying as the middle chapter in this trilogy, but move onto Prime 3: Corruption and youre in for that same exceptional craft and artistry that powers Prime 1.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption came at an awkward time, when 360 and PS3 were in an exciting, virginal state of scintillation and some of us werent quite ready to embrace the Wii. Accustomed to the typical gritty realism and real-world aesthetic employed by so many rival games, Metroid Prime 3 seems even more relevant now, in its slightly aged state, revealing an absorbing world dominated by color and shape over a sophistication of detail. The game is less retro and more an entirely unique experience, one built on a framework of fantasy and traditional gamemaking.
What I really love about these games is their reliance on more pattern-based action shooting elements over first-person run and gun strategizing. All three games are built on adventure, establishing nifty puzzles and little platforming touches like Samus terrifically fun ball mechanic. And with Metroid Prime 3, you are getting one of the better games of the year, and one of the more overlooked games of its time. I know a lot of people, myself included, who didnt give it a fair shake when it debuted on Wii. Granted, its not typical in todays scene, and thats part of its fantastic appeal.
The big additions worth mentioning to the first two Primes in this trilogy are a wide-screen presentationyes!and the reworking of the controls to fit with the Wii Remotenot sure Im sold. I have yet to praise a Wii game for benefiting from motion control, but Primes more space-shooter presentation avoids the ambiguity of connection to the space so often created on Wii. Debate amongst yourselves the merits here. Whats most important is you get a collection of superb action-adventure Metroids that are an admirable interpretation of one of the most respected early-era titles in gaming.
score 9.0 out of ten
verdict All three Metroid Prime games in one box, for 50 bucks, pumped through the wide-screen framing of the Wii and controlling with its Remote. You make the call.
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