Time for a short video game nerd rant! · 4:30am Jan 8th, 2016
Dear FIMFic,
So, I'm sure many of you know I am a gamer. What you probably don't know is I am a huge Nintendo fan. My first game ever was Super Mario World on the wonderful SNES, followed by the absolute best game I've ever played, The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening (rest in peace, glorious Gameboy Color!). Many followed, mostly for the Gameboy since I couldn't afford an N64, but I managed to scrape by until I hit a milestone in my life: buying myself a Gamecube. With that, I was shown a wonderful world outside of handhelds with great games like Super Smash Bros. Melee, The Legend of Zelda: Wind Waker and Star Fox Assault.
But today, I received a bittersweet reminder of a game franchise that introduced me to the First Person Shooter genre, one that actually defined and rekindled my interest in darker science fiction and, personally, changed how I viewed what a video game could do.
That game was Metroid Prime.
I hadn't played many video games that weren't handhelds in the SNES era and hardly touched an N64. Heck, my first encounter with Samus was in the original Super Smash Bros where I predictably thought she was a he. Since I was more of a Zelda sheep at that point, she meant little to me. I didn't really care about the goofy orange spacesuit thing with a gun for an arm and didn't bother to research that Super Metroid was available for my SNES.
But when I got my copy of Metroid Prime, a lot of things changed.
Some Nintendo fans will call me a casual and I'm just fine with that, but until I met Samus up close on the Gamecube, I wasn't much for shooters or complex lore in video games. I didn't know how alone you could feel from just wandering around a planet, how small you really were to bosses and how much like a badass you felt like when you got that power-up and destroyed that extremely irritating obstacle. Halo was a foreign concept to me then, Call of Duty was just a WW2 shooter and franchise shooters like Gears of War, Fallout and the like hadn't been invented yet. Samus took my console gaming/shooter virginity and I truly loved every second of it. Meta Ridley was terrifying and a blast to fight, the scanning made the world feel so much bigger and the diversity (in hindsight, it's very stock, but whatevs) of the levels blew me away so well, not even Wind Waker could match it.
So, why am I reveling about Metroid Prime?
You see, I know I'm a year or two late, but I really am saddened about how poorly the Metroid franchise has been treated by Nintendo, especially on the series' 25th anniversary. Sure, Samus and Ridley began their feud the same year Link and Ganon did, but for Nintendo to brush off a staple franchise like Metroid just makes the memories of how much I loved meeting her seem bitter. It would be easy to point at games like Ocarina of Time, Majora's Mask and even Wind Waker as reasons why Nintendo would ignore Metroid, but so many people rave about Super Metroid (which I still haven't finished) and how Metroid Prime was in the running for one of the best games ever made, right there with Ocarina of Time.
Honestly, Samus feels like the Sonic of Nintendo's library. She was edgy and cool when she was introduced, being the first woman protagonist in video games and taking on a darker, more grim future setting that Star Wars made popular, but in recent years and the atrocity of the story of Other M, it really feels like Nintendo just wants her to die already, very similar to F-Zero and the Earthbound/Mother series. I played Other M and while the story made me want to hurl, the game itself is extremely fun to play, mixing Super with Prime in a really smooth and almost natural way.
So, I suppose it really doesn't make a difference at this point, though. With the damage already done to her and Nintendo redirecting efforts to another futuristic shooter (Splatoon) and keeping flagships running (Triforce Heroes), I guess I'm not going to see Samus and Ridley for a long time, which makes remembering Prime so much worse. If it wasn't for her and that game, it probably would have been years before I picked up Halo, Destiny or even Splatoon since shooters weren't that fun back then. They were, and still are, just shoot a bunch of people online and prove you're the best at pulling a trigger.
Just Metroid Prime changed all of that for me. It wasn't about how fast you could blow the other guy's face off or how many trickshots you could pull, it was about exploring a world and digging up an epic story that gave meaning to you blowing off the other guy's face. It was about slowly sinking you in to a world that was alive, alien and most certainly hostile, much like what Destiny tried to do.
Maybe I should buy a Gamecube again. It would be nice to see the galaxy from Samus' visor again. Don't get me wrong, though, I still love Hyrule, but maybe it's time to give Link a rest and let Samus out for a while.
Still love you, Metroid, even if Nintendo doesn't anymore.
Do tell me what you guys think of Metroid, Legend of Zelda and games in general.
Regards,
C.B.
That ass tho....
My first video game was also Super Mario World, I loved that game. But my first introduction into shooters was a relatively unknown game called Battlezone 2 for the pc.
Sad thing, they seem to be doing the same thing with StarFox, just doing a clean slate with it and not even doing much to the new StarFox game. Honestly I know the EA company is not great, but I'm starting to think Nintendo is going down the same path.
Now I feel sad... Samus is super cool.
Personally, I always loved the Metroid games. While I was also a huge fan of Legend of Zelda growing up, I was a bigger fan of Metroid for a long time; it was actually Smash Brothers, interestingly enough, that changed my perception, as Link became my favorite character in that game.
Mostly, I prefer the medieval setting, and I found myself relating to Link a bit more as a protagonist partially as a result of that (Guns aren't my thing; sorry, Samus). On the other hand, Super Metroid was, for myself and almost everyone I knew at that time, the "mysterious" game; there were SO MANY mysteries to discover (Sequence breaking tricks, beam combos, Samus' hidden regeneration power, among others), it just felt like a game that had no limit to its depth. We kept coming back to it; it felt like more than a game to us, like it could somehow keep expanding when we weren't looking.
On the other hand, Zelda, especially Link to the Past, challenged me on an emotional level. I think that what really struck me about it was how unfair the world was; Link didn't want to be a fighter, and he had to lose his family, and then see his world go to hell around him... and he just had to do something. I found that very empathetic at that age, for personal reasons. All told, I loved both series.
In more recent years, I did enjoy Prime very much (never beat Prime 2 or 3, though), and I also really enjoyed Metroid: Fusion and Metroid Prime Hunters. Story-wise, Prime and Fusion both grabbed me - but especially Fusion. In many ways, it felt like Metroid had almost taken a Zelda-like approach; suddenly, there was a dramatic story to be had. Unfortunately, Fusion also didn't have the sheer level of depth and mystery that had drawn me to Super Metroid, but it was also a portable game; I hotly anticipated that someday, they would make a sequel that would have the best of both worlds.
Sadly, that day has not come, and I agree with you that the way Nintendo has treated the series is shameful. There is so much potential, there, but they seem to have no idea why these games meant so much to us...
The Metroid Prime Trilogy is on the Wii U, just so you know.
Metroid was the series that I started out with. The game that showed me into the world of action adventure and awesome moments. I.... I miss fighting Ridley. I miss the moments when I figured something out on my own as Samus. No walkthrough or anything. Just me being smart...... I miss those moments.... and I think LoZ is overrated. There's only so many times you can repeat a story like it before it gets repetitive and boring which Legend of Zelda has become.
Im not sure if you know and to be honest i hate to even mention it, but they are going to have a new metroid game on the 3ds. The reason i dislike mentioning it those is while its part of the metroid universe you wont be playing samus but an aliance grunt and it supposed to be a multiplayer game. To be honest this sounds horrible but its supposed to be the start of another story and you will get to play as samus in a sequel. Though i dont expect that to happen as i expect this game to flop.
3671804
ISDF Thunderbolt + Fountain Mines = MAYHEM
3671806
EA definitely isn't the best, but with Battlefront, I could see them trying to put some effort into bringing back what made the originals so fun. Nintendo, though, just really treats some of their IPs in a way that I bet even EA cringes at, most notably Metroid, F-Zero and Star Fox.
3671807
She is and she always will be.
3671809
I agree that Zelda felt like it had a much bigger story, especially since my first console outing was Wind Waker. I still have no problem running with Link and he did become my favorite Smash fighter in Melee, I just think he needs a break before it spirals out of control. Heck, Sakurai left the Kirby series because of how many sequels he had to pump out, so how long before Aionuma or Miyamoto begin to break when Zelda or Mario eventually become too much?
Still, I missed the draw of Super Metroid and have difficulty with it now because I was so invested in the Prime games, but I do hope Samus does eventually get released from Smash and back to her own games. I'd take that over a new Fire Emblem any day.
3671820
I do, just nostalgia demands a Gamecube controller in my hands to play Prime and Echoes.
3671823
I wouldn't call Zelda overrated, but I would call it overused. Sure, games like Link to the Past and Ocarina were fantastic, but other fantastic games didn't tie down their franchises like Final Fantasy 7 or CoD: Modern Warfare 2 or even Super Metroid. With Zelda, it seems like those two games, along with their successors Wind Waker and Twilight Princess, are restricting them more than pushing them in the right direction like Prime did with Metroid.
3671829
I do know, and that's part of what made me look back at Prime. Can it even be called Metroid if you're not Samus? I'm hoping it's not a complete flop, but I don't expect it to do Metroid any favors to bring it back to the console where it belongs.
3671859 Also the Federation Force I actually think will be interesting due to the fact that.... well it's pretty much NOT centered around Samus. That in of itself should be interesting. IT's going to have story mode and Samus will be apart of it but you're not PLAYING her. You're playing what technically counts as Red Shirt Fodder.
3671837 I'm so happy someone else knows about Battlezone 2, me personally I loved the Warrior + ISDF Plasma cannon.
3671862
I'm fine with Red Shirt Ricky getting his chance at a game, but still, Metroid is Samus' story, not Red Shirt Ricky or even the Federation.
3671868 While that's true I fear that it won't be just Nintendo's fault but the fandom as well.
3671859 actually, you're also forgetting Majora's Mask, so really for Zelda, it's Link to the Past, Ocarina of Time (my personal favorite) majora's Mask, Wind Waker (That triforce hunt was SUCH BULLSHIT), Twilight Princess, and Link between worlds however I wouldn't say those games are also restricting their series either. considering the success that is Hyrule Warriors, where it's basically good old dynasty warriors, with Zelda characters/themes slapped in. kinda like Dynasty Warriors Gundam is. it's also a LOT of fun in my opinion. great music nice large diverse set of characters, Mm! I mean how can you not like a game where you can actually play as not only Link, but also Zelda, Impa, Midna, Zant, Ghirahim, Darunia, Ruto, Sheik, a particular boss character who equates to a humanoid version of Volvagia, a Wizrobe, Agitha the big Princess (?), Fi, the two newest characters added in, Cia and Lana, Zant, Oh, and let's not forget the DEMON KING Ganondorf himself? and if you buy all the DLC, you get to add Tingle (the hay?) Twili Midna, and Young Link, (Who's focus spirit power up mode makes him turn into Fierce Deity Link), to the character roster.and one mode where you get to take control, of the BEAST. GANON. YOURSELF. HOW CAN YOU NOT LIKE SUCH A GAME!?
side note, Ocarina, and Majora have been remade for the 3DS, also Wind waker is remade for the Wii U, Twilight Princess soon shall also be remade for it as well...I loved metroid prime too. and from one gamer to another? it was my very first outing of Metroid. heh. I actually remember how it came about. I had a gamecube, It (Metroid Prime) was my very first purchase online, and it arrived in the mail. I was actually on restriction at the time so I wasn't supposed to be allowed to play any video games. but I had asked my mom and dad to let me play it since I had just bought it. thankfully, they were kind enough to let me do so. I still to this day, have that very same copy of it. I'm staring at it right now in fact.
if I may ask, what are your opinions on Ocarina of Time, and on Hyrule Warriors as well?
3671859 ...wow. Good to know SOMEONE doesn't break their wrists from the GC control scheme.
EDIT: Because I've heard several complaints about it.
3671885
I didn't mean Legend of Zelda was bad in any way. I think I did mention Majora's Mask with Ocarina of Time and Wind Waker as being massively popular enough to overshadow the Metroid games, but it feels like Nintendo wants you to focus only on them. Sure, having a reboot on the 3DS and WiiU is nice, but they're barely old enough to be considered classics and, in the case of Twilight Princess, probably isn't even considered old yet. While this is in no way to infer they are not worthy of their following, I personally think there are more deserving franchises sitting in a dark vault, dreaming about being released yet again with brand new content rather than just polishing some graphics and throwing a still wildly popular game back out to people, which is what Ocarina and Majora felt like.
As to how I personally feel about Ocarina and Hyrule Warriors? I've never played Hyrule Warriors, though I've been tempted to since Midna came back in her imp form. Ocarina, though fun, felt underwhelming to me. Sure, when it was on the N64 it was revolutionary and considered art, but the age on the game is showing and it still feels clunky and choppy even with the polish. Majora feels the same as Ocarina, especially with their infamous Water Temple/Great Bay Temple.
Still, it doesn't mean they're not worth getting a rerelease, just if that's where everyone wants to stay, the Legend of Zelda is going to fall apart by being held down by those games.
3671878
If Sonic the Hedgehog is anything to go by, Nintendo would do well to keep the fandom for Metroid out of the game and refocus on making it great again.
3671921 *sigh*
Nevermind. I'll just stop right now then and avoid causing a scene.
3671927
You're not making a scene. I just want Nintendo to bring back what is good about Metroid, not just pander to fans the way they did with Other M. Sega did that with the Sonic series and turned out some good, but mostly awful stuff.
Also, this blog is for video games in general. Unless I ask someone to stop, it's all fair game.
3671921 yeah, Midna's an imp. basically Hyrule Warrior's plot is kinda a mish mash of Ocarina, Twilight Princess and Skyward Sword's plots...and characters. so, the reason she (Midna) is an imp again, is because Cia cursed her and made her an imp....and Midna's True form is available as a dlc character too btw. as for Ocarina and Majora not being Old enough to be considered classics? Ocarina came out back in 98...so yeah...it's been about 18 years since it came out...so I'd say it's pretty much a classic by it's 10th year or 15th year anniversary...now I admit I don't know when Majora came out. it's either 99 or 2000. but it's a pretty good classic either way. PLUS, in Majora's mask 3D, they've given the game some major upgrades, and I'm not just talking about the prettier facelift given to it and Ocarina. in Majora, you get
a New clock style that shows you the exact time it is in the world, allowing for better track of time when dealing with the sidequests.
new, altered boss battles, where in some cases makes them more interesting/brand new practically.
The Giant's mask, has a new moveset/functionality for that same boss fight we used it in.
the bomber's notebook has a nice big upgrade as well in it's own right
Zora form can now swim slowly underwater normally, and dashing is linked with the magic meter and the electric shield (Kinda stupid but whatevers)
owl statues can be used by any form/opened by any form.
the bank is now in south clock town, at the north end, (facing the entrance to north clock town)
the Song of Time No longer permanently saves the game. Owl statues are now your ownly source of saving. (there are also feather statues for saving that are more temporary)
and the biggest best one.
THe song of Double Time, Now lets you warp forward One hour, to any hour of the exact day your on, or right to the next day.
(what's that? Anju Kafei side quest needs me to be at the kitchen at 11:30? well let me skip forward right to 11 pm. what's that? I've gotta be at romani ranch to stop the aliens at like 3 or 4? let me skip to 2 am!). this is SO much of a great upgrade.
the shared upgrade on both versions by the way now, is the additon of a seperate control button, for the Ocarina, (so now it's no longer gonna be stuck to one of the C buttons), FOUR total item slots on the touch screen (I, x, y, and II. so Yes.)
also this.
well, now this is gonna be a bit better.
whilst the great bay is still a huge chore...
Water Temple has been fixed tremendously by one simple problem. the biggest complaint is due to the fact that you always had to pause the game to change boots. No you don't. In Ocarina 3D, the Iron boots and Hover boots are now seperate items, so you can easily put them on one of the touch buttons, to make them easier to use when needed!
as for hyrule warriors, I can tell you it's fairly fun. but you'll need to ask yourself this question (on whether you'll enjoy it or not, as I personally enjoy it and the little bits of humor it adds in as spicey flair as well.) are you willing to spend hours of your time, playing as your favorite zelda character from this cast, and use them to beat the SHIT, out of hundreds to thousands of foes, (Sometimes (depending on the character chosen) with different weapons entirely, as link alone for instance, (And rightfully so) has probably the most amount of alternate weapons, having Hylian sword/shield combo, Magic Rod, Gauntlets, Master Sword, Horse (part of DLC I believe....or maybe it's an update I don't recall.), and if you use a Link Amiibo, the Spinner weapon from Twilight Princess! oh, and the Great Fairy weapon...who's more like a full playable character...considering she can fly about, and cause fun chaos on the battle field. where's Link? he's inside a bottle she's carrying around. heh. she's carting him around in a tiny bottle just like HE'S done to fairy's for all those years. lol.), with over the top but sometimes repetitive combat? if so? you'll enjoy this game. I'd say give it a shot if you can. I find it fun but hey, it's your choice in the matter.
I never got to play any of the Metroid games, super sad 'cause they looked super cool and fun to play! But i still love the Metroid series due the story involved. But I think i still got in a good gaming experience playing Fire Emblem. Being the game i started on it's given me an edge with strategy games that my friends can't match, even if i'm sub-par with CoD and Halo. It also game me a love of medieval/melee games over syfy or shooters, and The Legend of Zelda is a great example of this. Nothing me smile quite like Link running around being a hero, and then figuring out the terrible hints of what may actually be happening. But one of the things i loved most about it was running around as Wolf-link. It was one of the most unique things i'v gotten to do in a game, so Twilight Princess has been my favorite of the series for a while.
Still, cool to know another person that likes the Metroid series.
All snes games are a few years older than me but I grew up playing Super Metroid, Super Mario World, and Donkey Kong Country. Super Metroid may be one of my favourite games of all time. Even though the Metroid franchise has been dying, it's not like people never hear about Super Metroid (that game may be eternal), it's in all sorts of speedrun events.
God damn I want another good Metroid game.
I have never been much of a console gamer (Never owned one to begin with, except maybe a handheld or two) but I have a reason to respect Prime. The studio that made it also created Star Wars Republic Commando, probably one of the greatest tactical shooters ever and the similarities are everywhere.
Hmm... it seems I'm a bit late to this discussion, aren't I? I can tell you one thing, though, all of the praise for the Metroid series has made me happy beyond compare. Let me explain.
When I was a little bittle baby Cambi, my father was in love with the Metroid series. He still is, mind you, but he was a super nerd way back when. Most of my early life, he tells me, consisted of me being asleep in his lap while he was jamming away at Space Pirates. First song I ever figured out on the piano on my own was the Metroid theme, our internet name was Zebes, and the password "Chozo took my baby!" It still is, so if you ever get the chance to drop by, heh, free wifi, right?
In fact, hello, it's nice to meet you, my name is Samantha. I was named after the god damn protagonist of every Metroid game there is. (Mum wouldn't let him go full on Samus, so a Samantha I was born...heh...) My sister couldn't escape, either. Her middle name is Ridley. No, really. Her legitimate name is Charlotte Ridley. How's THAT for epic?
Actually, I think I've got my Samus amiibo sitting right here. Ergh, I'm rambling...what I'm saying is, we've got a SUPER bunch of respect in my house for Metroid, and I'm so glad that other people do to. I've never played any of the Zeldas, so I can't speak for them, but...
I think Samus's got them beat.
I've never played a single Nintendo game, Zelda, Mario, Metroid, or otherwise. I played: assets.vg247.com/current//2014/09/city_of_heroes.jpg (best mmo ever)
and:
i.ebayimg.com/images/g/YsQAAOSwrklVWklS/s-l300.jpg
for the PC, and only just recently got into a 360 with cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/17460/header.jpg?t=1447351599 encrypted-tbn1.gstatic.com/images?q=tbn:ANd9GcToTr2nNfug3TcyyVWJ5BS2Tyx7y9Pbx_6Z1CtwHYD6Keotv0_V
and
cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/22370/header.jpg?t=1449019604
3672204 That's beautiful. Just..... BEAUTIFUL.
3672247 Why THANK you.
...woah, I didn't know that having a cool Metroid story warranted a FOLLOW, you're awesome!
3672869 I followed you because you're cool I didn't know about the Metroid story.
3672881 In any case, it's much appreciated. You're not bad yourself, sir.
I played metroid back before it was a thing. I've always loved samus, always will. I actually have her power armor in MH4U XD so I'd be all for that. Give link a rest and let samus take the reigns for a while.
Well, this is the part where I feel really old. My first FPS was Wolfenstein 3D. No, not that one. No, not that one either. The first one.
I can remember the transition to Doom. Doom dropped my damn jaw. Everything about it. Two years ago I think, I discovered the Brutal Doom mods along with the soundtrack composed with live instruments. Laughed like an idiot and enjoyed that immensely. Just a nonstop cranked to 11 Heavy Metal stereotype experience.
First video game I ever owned was Zelda on the NES, the second was Metroid. At the time, I was outraged to learn Samus was a woman. It's not uncommon for little dudes to go through a phase where girls are the enemy. I'm cool with it now, she's outstanding. Other M does not exist to me.
Prime was a gem among videogames.
Talon IV, the Chozo, the pirates, all of it was amazing. I still listen to the OST when I'm about walking and jogging and need some ambient music. I'd put it up there with Dark Souls in rankings of games with best level designs and lore.
However... I'm not exactly in a hurry to see Samus come back. Gaming today is... not in a good place... for many reasons. A female protagonist in today's climate is just, ehh.
Were she and the series to come back, I'd want something in the vein of Super Metroid, or Metroid Prime. And honestly that just doesn't seem like what would happen. Instead we'd get another Other M situation.
No thank you.
I've never played a single Zelda game or Metroid game. Something I really wish to change in the coming years, once I get a job/source of stable income.