Sometimes a game doesn’t get the love it truly deserves. Whether it be a matter of contemporary critical taste, silly, unsubstantiated biases and arguments, or downright bad timing, there are times when a game doesn’t quite get its due. The original Metroid Prime game released years ago on the Gamecube scored highly with critics and gamers alike, but its sequel, Echoes, didn’t do as well. This is partly due to the reasons stated above.
And, of course, it was released at the same time as a little number called Halo 2. Enter Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Supposedly the game that would finally give the “leet hardc0re” something to play on Wii, Metroid Prime 3 Corruption (MP3) was released with much fanfare in the final week of August 2007. It also marks the first release of the powerful Nintendo fall/holiday combo also featuring Mario Galaxy and Smash Bros. Brawl. Would it escape the issues that kept Echoes from greatness? Is MP3 the stirring conclusion to the Prime trilogy that fans have been waiting for? In short, it is. It’s an instant classic in my book. So why isn’t it being treated that way?
First of all, MP3 was released a week after critical darling Bioshock. Triggering some of the most stupendously idiotic fanboy debates of all time, even certain critics weren’t immune to downgrading MP3 just because it wasn’t Bioshock. Obviously we are talking about two totally different subgenres within the broad spectrum of FPS games, apples and oranges. I kindly suggest that folks check their Bioshock goggles at the door when playing a Metroid game, please. Note: This is no rip on Bioshock, which I have yet to play. This has nothing to do with how great that game most likely is.
Also popping up in the enthusiast press is this usual culprit: The Sequel Penalty. This is where a game is downgraded because it is a sequel, even if it isn’t clear that the game is actually worse than the original iteration. Of course, I wonder if some critics understand what Metroid games are all about. There was one review that actually said that players would be confused by “the slower pacing.” Egad!
However, not every issue with MP3 is in the mind of fickle critics. Sometimes a game needs to understand what it is, and it shouldn’t try to be something it is not. MP3 tries to make itself a little more “uptempo,” and while some of this is effective (somewhat less backtracking and more dynamic combat are definitely appreciated), one thing is not: The voice acting. Yes, this game is the first in the series to have it, and while some of it is OK (your fellow bounty hunters seem well voiced), some of it is not (Admiral Dane in particular is pretty craptastic).
I have to downgrade the game a little bit for the music. No, the actual compositions are fine. But I do think it is time for Nintendo to fund a full orchestra, and not a sampled one. For some reason this didn’t bother me so much in Twilight Princess, probably because Koji Kondo was a little more skilled in using the sample library (there is an art to making it sound less “fake”). I do appreciate that Nintendo doesn’t just blast money down the development chute (like Sony clearly did for Heavenly Sword), but one would think that a little extra cash for a real orchestra and some better voice actors wouldn’t be outside the realm of possibility.
This is especially true when a game is as refined as MP3 is. Make no mistake; Corruption is a masterpiece of game design, art direction, and precision control. Every area is carefully crafted in what could be called the modern “Nintendo Style.” This means you can expect thoughtful, intelligent puzzles, beautiful, stylized non-realist art, and epic boss battles that require a synthesis of learned skills and quick thinking. The fact that Retro Studios, an American developer, has mastered Nintendo’s own formula so well is really something they should be proud of.
As for the celebrated controls, yep, they are fantastic. Buttery smooth and almost 1:1, this is clearly the future of console FPS games. Far better than any attempt on Wii yet, the control scheme for MP3 will have you circle strafing with ease. Anyone who doesn’t think that these are the absolute best controls for a console FPS are probably “corrupted” themselves. All hail the new king.
Graphically, the game has already been described by noted game blogger N’Gai Croal as, eh, let’s just say he really liked the graphics (printing his remark would be slightly inappropriate for this family oriented blog!). He’s right. The game is gorgeous, and can really hold its own with anything else out there for any other system. Of course, a comment like that will probably anger the 15 year olds that say thinks like “this gamme lo1234k likes deh buttz.” Oh well.
Plot wise, MP3 does a very respectable job in telling its tale via “scans.” Each planet has bits of lore than can be downloaded, and you’ll be surprised how you’ll find yourself really looking forward to the next bit. Of course, Metroid has always been more of a comic book than a novel, and that flavor especially holds true here, with the cheeseball voice acting perhaps pushing things a little too far in that direction for my taste.
It doesn’t matter though, because Metroid games are really about Samus Aran, and the player’s love affair with this heroic woman. Never in the history of gaming has a female been so powerfully and respectfully portrayed. I found that I wasn’t really affected by what happened to the other characters in the story as much as I was affected by Samus herself. When she acts brave, you feel brave. When she turns her head in horror, you likewise flinch. Nintendo has really built a special character here, and I am hopeful that the future will allow for more adventures for her.
Another component that made this game feel very special to me is that I managed to collect 100% of the game’s pickups, thus unlocking the “best” ending. I don’t think I’ve ever been a completist in any game, usually just rushing to finish it as quickly as possible. Not so here, and once again Samus is to blame! My utter fascination with this character really pushed me to make sure I got to see everything that happens to her at game’s end.
Like I said before, this is an outstanding game that will get a bit overshadowed by other releases that surround it. It is also created in a certain style that is viewed perhaps as a bit stale by some in the West; but I don’t think it is. I suppose if you are dead stone addicted to super fast action games like Gears of War, you won’t like this. But for real adults, this is a meaty, substantial endeavor that is not to be missed. Despite wanting a bit more in terms of presentation, I loved this game, and absolutely recommend it.
Grade: A-