Metroid Prime 4 & Metroid: Samus Returns Discussion

[Exhuminator]

Anyway...

I haven't played a game on its release day in a very, very long time. But, I'm about to go sit down with Samus Returns for a couple hours. I'll report opinions later tonight. I'm stoked to play a new official 2D styled Metroid for the first time in 13 years.

[Xeogred]

I anticipate the praise from you guys.

13 years of torture.

[Gunstar Green]

Just grabbed the Varia Suit and Wave Beam and I'm going to stop for the night. So far so good, I didn't know what I thought of the melee thing at first but now that I've got the hang of the controls it feels pretty good.

I'm relieved to be enjoying it as much as any good Metroid game, it's pretty tough in that the enemies hit like trucks like in Fusion. I really like what they've done with the spider ball so that they could put it in without making it completely broken. There's also been a lot of nice puzzles already that force you to make clever use of it. The level design so far is top notch and already I've had a few head-scratchers that lead to satisfying "aha" moments.

I'm also really digging the aesthetics, some of the backgrounds are really pretty. I feel at times like I'm playing a 2D Prime in both visual style and presentation which is a good thing.

I also like that they added checkpoints before and after Metroid fights so you don't have to worry about being sent all the way back to the last save point if you blow it or if you end up dying because you have low health post-battle. Very good thinking on this one especially because things are surprisingly tough.

I've only got two of the new ability things so far but both are pretty useful.

My only real complaint so far is sometimes you'll get hit by a charging enemy that was off screen that you had no chance to react to. This has caused some pretty frustrating falls while exploring all the nooks and crannies.

I hope the game does well because it's definitely a return to form for the series melding what worked before with new ideas that mesh well with the core gameplay.

[Tanooki]

Just popped into Area2 on mine about a half hour ago. I have 2 Etanks and 57 missiles along with the normal suit/blaster parts you must get from the opening and area 1. I'm for the most part enjoying it, the parts I'm not are my issue, not exactly the game.

My hands are hurting a bit juggling the use of the L button, and also I can not for the life of me accurately by any means time the counter swing on a metroid. I've pulled it off maybe 4-5x and that's it, so I keep getting killed. The last couple I got mad enough I was like screw this and just started jumping over and then ice beam/missile blasting them into submission as I was fed up with the restarts. It has me concerned if it becomes a necessity later as I'll never finish the game if that happens. I know it. They come in so fast compared to anything else in game to this point I seem to just swing late and its system breaking infuriating really.

That downer aside the atmosphere is really nice, liking that pulse to creep open the map, but not liking the save spots no longer refresh you but usually those are fairly near by still so far. The game unless it's just me seems a bit more brutal with the damage, not Fusion insane where sometimes 2 hits are a whole E-tank, but it's not the light touch of the 80s/90s stuff either so it causes you to be more careful.

I've been so far playing it in my chair which I put a pair of altec lansings next to with L/R reversed so they're on the right side if you sit down there. The audio all around (music, sfx, etc) is insane out of a good little set of speakers -- like gamecube disc clean quality stuff.

[Exhuminator]

I put 2 hours in tonight, killed 5 metroids so far, made it to the third area.

Samus Returns has reminded me just how much I've missed proper 2D style Metroid. As a remake, Samus Returns is on par with Blaster Master Zero and that's no easy task. Literally the only complaint I have right now, is that you have to touch the bottom screen to change wave blaster types. The Select and Start button do the same thing, so the Select button could have been mapped as an alternate wave blaster change button, in case you didn't want to use the touch screen. Also, I'm glad that this game is tougher than I expected. If you love Metroid buy Samus Returns ASAP. Let's send a message to Nintendo.

[Sarge]

I assume you're not trying to counter when they're in their electrified state. I did that for a bit, and then realized, oh, right, I probably shouldn't do that.

As for how I feel about the game so far, it's really good. I can see some of the vague outlines of the original game, but this is, in effect, a brand new Metroid experience. Very much more a re-imagining than a remake. Wasn't sure how I'd like free-aiming, but it works very well. My only real gripe about it is that you have to hold the R button as well to do missiles, so holding both to lock in place and shoot missiles gets annoying. I'd much prefer a toggle instead.

Aesthetics... holy cow. I mean, I thought it looked kinda iffy in all the videos, but in person on the system? Yeah, it looks great. It's got some of the same issues as Mirror of Fate in that things can blend a bit because of the color schemes at times, but if you turn on the 3D, it's absolutely gorgeous. It gives everything a sort of sense of space that actually justifies the 3D on the system. I love it when games actually use the 3D well; I just wish I had a New 3DS to take advantage of the more-stable 3D.

I can see why some folks are griping, too. Enemies take a lot of hits unless you melee counter them. The timing actually isn't all that strict, though; I've had very little issue in most circumstances whacking them. Of course, if they catch you by surprise or while platforming, then things can go awry, and multiple enemies can do the same. Still, the counter is fine. You just have to stay on your toes. Oh, and if you don't counter, those enemies hit hard. This is not an easy game so far.

I've only fought Alpha Metroids so far, and some of them have some tricks up their sleeve. I've died at least once from not figuring out exactly what I needed to do. But the checkpointing is, well, on point. I realize the backtracking after dying was part of the original experience, but you have to admit, it's nice to not die on a return trip to a save point and lose all your progress.

I like that some areas have been revised so that the Spider Ball isn't overpowered, although I do miss the freedom it brought. I'm also hoping I get some better weapons soon, it'll be nice to have a Spazer or Plasma beam.

Think I'm done for the night with it, I'll pick it up a bit tomorrow hopefully. Good times, good times. Samus has indeed returned.

[MrPopo]

I'm in Area 5, and am only missing two major items. I've also got all the new abilities. I found that for the mid part of the game the best way to go is to go ice beam and missiles to kill stuff, but later on you get enough beams stacked that you can switch back to regular attacking and some countering. The Metroid fights have been fun as well; I definitely feel myself getting better at managing their attacks.

While AM2R tried to keep the same general layouts while fixing them to actually fit on a single map, this game basically redoes everything. So previous experience with Metroid 2 really isn't going to help you much. Area 1 remains the closest, but each subsequent area gets more and more unique. And I've run into a few surprise setpieces that were pretty cool.

Of course, tomorrow I'm completely busy, so I probably won't finish until Sunday.

[Exhuminator]

I assume you're not trying to counter when they're in their electrified state. I did that for a bit, and then realized, oh, right, I probably shouldn't do that.

I just charge-freezed them, then unleashed missile barrages until they disintegrated. Also, it's pretty cool how the metroids will slightly alter their timing on the sweep attacks, keeps you guessing.

I won't be playing this again until tomorrow evening. I know most of you will beat this game before I do. Let's keep these posts spoiler free as possible please!

[Tanooki]

I can't seem to counter the metroids, the timing makes no sense to me so I get hit almost every time. I hope it's not a required mechanic later in the game or I'll never finish it. As for now I just let them fly by after learning that the hard way on the first few. On the last two I jump them as they dive, turn around and bake em with missiles and ice.

I really wish they hadn't overall required too much use of that feature as it's a bit of a drag as it doesn't feel very optional.

[Gunstar Green]

Do you have the lightning armor yet? That thing makes the counter range huge and I find it very helpful.

Just played for another few minutes and cleared area 2. I'm glad they give you the scan pulse because some of these metroids are really well hidden.