Metroid Prime

Metroid Prime was a big gamble that Nintendo took when it gave the responsibility of this franchise to a small known "TEXAS" based developer. The end result is nothing short of spectacular. People who "bash" this game for having no story or "cut scenes" are just the few (or many?) that are accustomed to having their stories played out for them "FINAL FANTASY" like and who are too lazy to read. The story isn't something that is playing out as you progress, but rather a history of the inhabitants of the planet and how it may tie to your character. The game layout is magnificent and the sound of the surrounding ambiance is a treat for the ears. The developers even threw in little details into the graphics that make you get a sense that the programmers really do care and they put a lot of effort into this game. I bought the game and had it sitting in my closet for over a year without ever playing it (I bought it because it was giving to me REALLY cheap). Once I picked it up, I smacked myself silly and asked myself over and over why I had waited so long to take a dive into this future classic. 9.5 out of 10.

OK I'll start off with the graphics; Flawless and beautiful! Man, the way the morph ball leaves streams of light as it rolls around is awesome. Oh and if you are quick enough to notice that when your close to a bright blast, you can see Samus' eyes on the inside of the visor.(What a beauty touch, eh) The gameplay is sick! 2 thumbs way up for whoever decided that Prime would be a FPS!! I love the way the music and the lighting add a sense of fear to playing. When I first battled the Chozo Ghosts, man, it was like "AAAHH, where are you bitches!" Another good touch was the HUGE bosses, and Metroid Prime itself is such an incredible final boss. And how could I forget the return of Ridely. Great battle against him. The best part of this game is the story! How such an advanced, peaceful race was nearly wiped out by the destruction a meteor caused when it slammed into their planet Tallon IV. How the space pirates are manipulating the radioactive material known as Phazon to build stronger and more effective soldiers and weapons. The levels are beautiful and very massive and of course they had to stick to the usual Metroid levels of a lava level, water level, surface area level, frozen ice level, and temple ruins level. Plus the whole Impact Crater is sooo sick. Great controls and abilities this time too. All around this game rules. If you have a Gamecube and dont have this game, you NEED to go get it!! and if you dont have a GC, go get one and buy Metroid Prime as your first game! MIBALZ have spoken!!

I'm absolutely in love. This game has knocked me off my feet. Having read all the early reviews and seeing it being touted as one of the greatest games of all time, I honestly did not know just how good it would be, were they overhyping it? Not at all -- this is perfection. Getting out of the water and seeing it stream down your helmet's faceguard is just such an amazing little touch that adds so much. Metroid Prime has things such as this in spades.

The controls were easy for me to pick up and after you've mastered them are a dream. The music, the graphics, the atmosphere -- it's all here, it screams Metroid goodness and the transition from 2D to 3D is absolutely flawless. Coming into the research facility, seeing the Metroids in the test tubes just sends shockwaves up and down your spine. Soon after that the lights of the whole place going out and you have no ice beam to freeze them... hearing the glass breaking all around you -- it's just pure and utter gaming bliss.

It is easily the finest effort on any system since The Ocarina of Time, which is without a doubt one of the 10 greatest ever. Panzer Dragoon Saga, Ocarina of Time and Skies of Arcadia are the only 16+ bit titles in my all-time top 10, but by the time I'm done with it, I'm guessing Prime will be assured a spot.

Retro Studios and Nintendo have created a true masterpiece, once again setting standards and defining a genre all over again.

It's a massive title, too. The 30-hour mark is definitely something most gamers will hit. There's so much to it. Most impressive to me is that Tallon IV's seperate worlds -- lava, ice, water, etc -- are all connected. It's just like the old Metroids, and load times are nearly nonexistent; a truly amazing feat.

It is Super Metroid brought into 3D. All the naysayers who said it couldn't be done right -- including myself -- are completely wrong. I need some time to absorb it, but it's absolutely as great a game as Super Metroid, and perhaps...better.

When I say the game is amazing, I mean it. From level design, to rewarding the player for exploring, to power-ups, to the bosses, to the music, Metroid Prime is amazing.

Example: I'm in the Phendrana Drifts, the ice area, and I see a sheet of ice blocking a hole that leads downard. After scanning it, you realize it must be melted. It was a very long time before I returned to explore that pathway. This is one example of at least 100. You see so much -- grappling hooks, spiderball tracks, ice beam, etc, etc. -- that you realize you must return to later.

Like I said, the game is Super Metroid in 3D. There are even some extravagant vertical platforming areas. You won't believe how good the first-person jumping is. It's the best I've ever seen. It feels totally natural and not even remotely frustrating.

As for the music, that also made be very happy. It's stunning: very atmospheric, TONS of interactive audio cues that make SENSE, and lots of throwbacks to the tunes in Super Metroid.

The story is very involved. A lot more detailed and rad in a sci-fi way. It's really rewarding to read through the scans.

The difficulty is no slouch. It keeps you on your toes by ramping it up through the whole game. You will be frustrated -- for the better.

Graphics-wise, it's the best engine I've seen on GameCube. No loading, really. Brilliant texture diversity. Stellar architecture. Your jaw will drop. Most of all, it's the art direction that is stunning.

Everywhere you go to look is so pretty! Everything is a Kodak moment. The artists have to be some of the best in the industry.

Definite system-seller.

Absolutely my favorite on GCN.

This is the best Game for the last .....well it's one of the best ever. The Graphics are stunning, you actually feel that your there on Tallon IV. The bits which made me gasp were things like Samuses face reflecting on the inside of the helmit, the condensation when you go neer a waterfall.

The atmospheric sound effects and music are the best on gamecube, PS2 or X box. Exept the music acumpining Meca Riddly, which was pants.

When i first heard that this game was NOT going to be made by Nintendo, but by Retro Studios, i almost cried, me being a massive fan of the whole secries, but to make me dred this even more was when Nintendo shut down Retro's other project, Raven Blade, for looking and playing like a piece of old tarmac. But much to my relefe Retro proved me wrong, thank the lord.

Buy this game, if you dont have a Gamecube, buy one and get this game, I Will give this game 97%, or 10 out of 10, easy.