Ranking Metroid/Appreciation Thread

[dunpeal2064]

The original is still one of the weirdest games out there to me, it's just so dark and creepy for an NES game and I think it's aged fine, I still replay it off and on throughout the years with no problems.

I'm actually playing through it for the first time, and I also think the game has aged just fine. While I agree that Super Metroid upped the ante, I am still finding a lot to love about the original. I actually like the lack of a map. The game isn't without flaws, but I am having a lot of fun with it.

On a side note there however, I won't hesitate to say that I think Blaster Master totally beats out the original Metroid.

Now I can't wait to play Blaster Master! I picked it up in the same lot as Metroid, but had no idea it was in the same vein.

[Xeogred]

Yup, Blaster Master is one heck of an impressive NES game, it's huge, amazing graphics, and everything. I checked the dates again after my post there and I guess it came out two years after Metroid... so I can cut it a little slack, but yeah Blaster Master still trumps it all around for me.

Now, the only "thing" about Blaster Master... is the lack of saving AND passwords. There's 8 stages and the game gets pretty brutal towards the last few stages, you'll probably need a lot of patience and trial and error to get through it. You get a few lives/continues, but it's not infinite. The final boss is kind of a pushover, but it's getting to that point that can be incredibly hard, the final stage is just straight up torture and wants you dead every inch of the maps. It's hell, even looks like it haha.

But yeah, it's got the same formula. Large interconnected world, powerups that'll enable you to access new areas, etc. It's kind of hilarious how much I played the game as a kid though... probably more than Mario and stuff, but there are a lot of the overhead areas that lead to nothing, and I can imagine it would be hard for new players to figure out where to go at some points (backtracking to get to stage 4, etc). But yeah it's worth it, definitely one of my top favorite NES games by a long shot.

It's also got a bit of a shmup trope, you gain gun powerups for the overhead segments and you lose them everytime you get hit. I'm not kidding but I think some of the later bosses are practically straight up impossible if your gun isn't upgraded enough, haha. So that gets tough to manage sometimes.

I actually like the lack of a map.

Cool, cause Blaster Master is the same deal haha. But I'd say the level design is a LOT more... "organic" in flow if you will, than Metroid. The first Metroid is a big blocky looking at the entire map and how everything is connected, but Blaster Master's levels are a lot more varied, natural, and less maze-like I'd say. So it's easier to visually remember the layouts and get around.

[MulishaSoldier929]

I refuse to waste my time with Other M or even acknowledge it.

If you take away the fact that they destroyed Samus as a likeable character, the game was actually really solid. It isn't even close as my favorite Metroid, but I would recommend picking it up if the price was right. My only advice would be muting the tv during cutscenes or leaving the room to make a sandwich or something

[MrPopo]

The biggest problem with the map of the original Metroid is that there's very little incentive to go anywhere. The actual paths you take once you get out of Brinstar are extremely linear. When you compare it with Metroid 2 and Super you see that the later games have much better level design that gets you to explore much more of the map, both because you have to and because it guides you to those areas better. This deficiency was corrected when they redid things as Zero Mission.

[Luke]

I have no clue as to why someone would compare Blaster Master to Metroid other than stating "both games are great". Apples and oranges.

No clue why someone would write off Other M without even playing it.

But back to Blaster Master. The game has one of the best soundtracks in the NES library, and some of the best boss battles as well. It took me years to beat Blaster Master. Years.

Besides the last boss (and not using cheats), if you get hit once you're almost done for. Having the gun at full power is crucial to beating the game. And the crab boss. Oh how I loathe him.

Back to Metroid. It's pretty amazing how Nintendo nailed a space adventure that almost made you feel claustrophobic. I always feel a bit trapped while playing it.

[Xeogred]

You're right, there's no similarities between the two at all. Same goes for Symphony of the Night and the GBA Castlevania's that followed. Who knows where Shadow Complex pulled influences. Nothing in common with that other Sunsoft game Ufouria too. Yup these games have nothing in common game design wise, nothing at all! Yup!