Metroid Prime - Can't hang with the controls

[RadarScope1]

I pulled MP off my shelf today. Have had it forever, but never did get all the way through it.

But after a few years of playing true FPS games, I just could not get over the MP controls today. They didn't bother me at all back when the game came out because 1) I hadn't played many FPS games at that time and 2) it's really a 3D action game anyway, not an FPS. But as much as I kept point 2 in mind, I just couldn't help but feel something was missing because I HAVE played more FPS's and I'm just used to dual stick 3D controls. They're ingrained in my neurons by now.

Anyone else experience this kind of thing? Any advice? Should I just start a new game and hope the controls will take?

[Lanfear]

I would just give it time. Metroid Prime 1 doesn't even really feel like an FPS to me. But other than that I guess there is not much you can do..

[MrPopo]

So I've avoided all FPS's on consoles aside from the MP games and Goldeneye/Perfect Dark on the N64. The former, as mentioned, are more of first person action games (especially with the lockon) and Goldeneye and Perfect Dark are more like Doom, in that you don't need a mouse to really do well. As a result, I haven't experienced much of a problem with switching back to the MP games. That said, if you're willing to wait you can pick up the Wiimakes coming out later this year that will give them the MP3 controls (assuming you have a Wii, of course).

[Flak Beard]

I always thought the controls suited the game pretty well. Retro really made the best on the GCN controller they could.

You could always wait for the Wii re-releases. They'll are supposedly going to have MP3 controls.

[RyaNtheSlayA]

I pulled MP off my shelf today. Have had it forever, but never did get all the way through it.

But after a few years of playing true FPS games, I just could not get over the MP controls today. They didn't bother me at all back when the game came out because 1) I hadn't played many FPS games at that time and 2) it's really a 3D action game anyway, not an FPS. But as much as I kept point 2 in mind, I just couldn't help but feel something was missing because I HAVE played more FPS's and I'm just used to dual stick 3D controls. They're ingrained in my neurons by now.

Anyone else experience this kind of thing? Any advice? Should I just start a new game and hope the controls will take?

Yup. Cant stand prime or any "FPS" where I cant look up now.

[RadarScope1]

So dumb question - what's the lock-on button?? I thought there was one, but I just couldn't seem to activate it today.

I always thought the controls suited the game very well, too, when I first played it. I even remember having an argument with my cousin about this very subject, in which I tried to tell him MP was really an action game -- true to its roots -- and not an FPS. Think I'll just have to start over and I'll get back into the swing of it.

I don't have a Wii and haven't touched MP3. How you guys like those controls?

[MrPopo]

The Wii controls are as close as you can get to mouse and keyboard without a mouse and keyboard. The trick is to either go with the minimal or maximum sensitivity. The default setting in the middle is a bad compromise between the two. At minimal sensitivity the view only pans at the extreme edges, which lets you keep a static view while aiming. The maximum sensitivity has a very small bounding box, which closely emulates the mouse and keyboard. There is a bit of wiggle room so you don't make yourself dizzy, as you obviously won't ever hold the wiimote as steady as a mouse. The Conduit is another FPS coming out on the Wii that's also looking great. They've learned even more and now will have a customizable bounding box on the turn, similar to the PC standard of mouse sensitivity.

As for the lock on, I want to say that it's R to lock on and L to free look.

[blue_veilvet]

I also struggle with the Metroid Prime controls, but it's more like I'm not used to first-person based games at all. It really took me some time just to finish the opening mission.

I also think it is a bit on the annoying side that you have one shoulder button to look around and the other for lock-on. You also have to use the analog stick to walk and look around and the A-button to shoot, so you basically need four fingers somewhere on the controller constantly just to finish off some enemies. That is twice as complicated as in the older games, where you just needed the D-pad and a button to shoot

[RadarScope1]

I also struggle with the Metroid Prime controls, but it's more like I'm not used to first-person based games at all. It really took me some time just to finish the opening mission.

I also think it is a bit on the annoying side that you have one shoulder button to look around and the other for lock-on. You also have to use the analog stick to walk and look around and the A-button to shoot, so you basically need four fingers somewhere on the controller constantly just to finish off some enemies. That is twice as complicated as in the older games, where you just needed the D-pad and a button to shoot

2D Metroid = my fave retro franchise and quite possibly my top overall. I thought they did a great job bringing the proper atmosphere to Prime. But it just doesn't feel the same. I have been very resistant to dropping the money on a Wii, but if a new 2D game were announced for Wiiware I would be shopping for one the very next day.

[MrPopo]

I stay awake every night wondering when they'll release the next 2D Metroid. Hell, they could even do it in the 2.5D New Super Mario Bros. style if they do it right. I just want more Metroid.