Review: Metroid Prime Hunters
Hunters is the latest entry to the Metroid series, and it is more of a spin-off then even the Prime games were. This game isn't concentrating on translating the Super Metroid experience, but at making a good Metroid themed first person shooter.
The story goes that a message has been sent from the Amblic Galaxy (more like Amblic solar system), and Samus now has to obtain multiple keys to obtain the "ultimate weapon" before any other bounty hunter does.
Graphics/sound: The graphics are good, being at least at the same level as late N64 games. The game almost always is smooth (rare exceptions online), and the art style is very much in tune with the earlier Prime games, but still puts in its own niche. Of minor note, the videos are good, although short.
Controls: The controls are great. Using the touch screen makes for precise aiming that only a mouse could previously give. While it feels awkward at first, mostly because there hasn't been anything like it before, it will become second nature fairly quickly.
One problem most people seem to face here is in using the thumb-strap giving terrible pains. I have been using the stylus (steadying my aim by cradling the DS in the palm of the same hand) and have yet to feel any pain what so ever. I suggest people try to find their most comfortable configuration, which is the most difficult part of this.
Gameplay: This game really is split between the single player and multiplayer.
The single player is good, but flawed. You have to go around finding keys and octoliths (the keys to the final level). There are four planets to explore, and few power-ups to find. Certainly a departure to the previous Metroid games, but still comes out good. You still experience puzzles, but this game is more action based. Often times, you will be fighting enemies, including other hunters. The game actually works well with this emphasis.
There are two main problems that draw away from the experience. First, there is only one save point: your ship. This means that you'll either have to back-track to save, or slogg on until you get to a teleporter. Unfortunatly, there are only two teleporters per world. While the worlds aren't that large, they are just large enough to make this an annoyance.
Then there's the bosses. Of the eight octoliths you have to obtain, each is guarded by a variation of two bosses. Yes, for almost all essential purposes, you fight only two bosses four times each. While there is a seperate final boss, it just feels like the designers ran out of creativity too quickly.
Otherwise, this game is good, although you probably won't play it too often after the first time through.
Then there's the multiplayer; the real emphasis of the game. Here you get to play one of seven hunters, six never before seen. Each has a special ability related to their affinity weapon and their own morph-ball (or morph-ball-like) abilities of their own. Trace can cloak with the sniper weapon, while Spire can burn opponents.
Four players can play in all multiplayer modes, even with only a single card (albiet those without a game play only a Samus). Many modes of play are offered when playing Multi-card, including capture the flag and king of the hill.
The Wifi Find Game is similar to what you found in Mario Kart DS, although rank matching is a seperate option. Friends (and Rivals, which are friends you obtain in the Find Game mode) is much better implemented. Here, you play like a multi-card wireless, but it's online. You get all the modes, all the hunters, all the control over how you play. You can even talk to Friends (but not Rivals) while in the lobby.
The game does play solidly. Despite the lack of cover, it does seem like the game is split with skill and stratagy. Figuring out effective attacks and counter-attacks is essential to winning. I can best describe it as Metroid meets Quake, while retaining the goodness.
There is just one major flaw at this moment: when the server is busy (often at night), errors pop up, disconnecting you. This means that you will either play only against one other player, or you have to play in the morning for the real multiplayer experience. It's a major problem that Nintendo should have accounted for, and fixed. Games, of all things, are something that you just want to work with no hassles. Until Nintendo fixes this, considering dropping a point from the total score. It hurts it that much, especially for those who don't have too many friends (small f, as in people you know personally) with DS's.
Overall: It is a great game, but one that is best as a multiplayer game rather then single player. If you don't have access to a Wifi network or don't have friends with DS's, I still suggest renting. Otherwise, get this game now. It is the first good first person shooter on the DS, and is the best multiplayer experience on a portible system period.
Graphics/Sound: 9/10
Control: 9/10 (needs physical adjustment at first, but plays well once you're set up)
Gameplay: 8.5/10 (Single player's flaws put it down, but the multiplayer is 9.5/10)
Overall: 9/10 (subtract 1 if you don't have Wifi; subtract 1 for current Wifi problems)
Buyability: 5/5 (3/5 for single player only)
The story goes that a message has been sent from the Amblic Galaxy (more like Amblic solar system), and Samus now has to obtain multiple keys to obtain the "ultimate weapon" before any other bounty hunter does.
Graphics/sound: The graphics are good, being at least at the same level as late N64 games. The game almost always is smooth (rare exceptions online), and the art style is very much in tune with the earlier Prime games, but still puts in its own niche. Of minor note, the videos are good, although short.
Controls: The controls are great. Using the touch screen makes for precise aiming that only a mouse could previously give. While it feels awkward at first, mostly because there hasn't been anything like it before, it will become second nature fairly quickly.
One problem most people seem to face here is in using the thumb-strap giving terrible pains. I have been using the stylus (steadying my aim by cradling the DS in the palm of the same hand) and have yet to feel any pain what so ever. I suggest people try to find their most comfortable configuration, which is the most difficult part of this.
Gameplay: This game really is split between the single player and multiplayer.
The single player is good, but flawed. You have to go around finding keys and octoliths (the keys to the final level). There are four planets to explore, and few power-ups to find. Certainly a departure to the previous Metroid games, but still comes out good. You still experience puzzles, but this game is more action based. Often times, you will be fighting enemies, including other hunters. The game actually works well with this emphasis.
There are two main problems that draw away from the experience. First, there is only one save point: your ship. This means that you'll either have to back-track to save, or slogg on until you get to a teleporter. Unfortunatly, there are only two teleporters per world. While the worlds aren't that large, they are just large enough to make this an annoyance.
Then there's the bosses. Of the eight octoliths you have to obtain, each is guarded by a variation of two bosses. Yes, for almost all essential purposes, you fight only two bosses four times each. While there is a seperate final boss, it just feels like the designers ran out of creativity too quickly.
Otherwise, this game is good, although you probably won't play it too often after the first time through.
Then there's the multiplayer; the real emphasis of the game. Here you get to play one of seven hunters, six never before seen. Each has a special ability related to their affinity weapon and their own morph-ball (or morph-ball-like) abilities of their own. Trace can cloak with the sniper weapon, while Spire can burn opponents.
Four players can play in all multiplayer modes, even with only a single card (albiet those without a game play only a Samus). Many modes of play are offered when playing Multi-card, including capture the flag and king of the hill.
The Wifi Find Game is similar to what you found in Mario Kart DS, although rank matching is a seperate option. Friends (and Rivals, which are friends you obtain in the Find Game mode) is much better implemented. Here, you play like a multi-card wireless, but it's online. You get all the modes, all the hunters, all the control over how you play. You can even talk to Friends (but not Rivals) while in the lobby.
The game does play solidly. Despite the lack of cover, it does seem like the game is split with skill and stratagy. Figuring out effective attacks and counter-attacks is essential to winning. I can best describe it as Metroid meets Quake, while retaining the goodness.
There is just one major flaw at this moment: when the server is busy (often at night), errors pop up, disconnecting you. This means that you will either play only against one other player, or you have to play in the morning for the real multiplayer experience. It's a major problem that Nintendo should have accounted for, and fixed. Games, of all things, are something that you just want to work with no hassles. Until Nintendo fixes this, considering dropping a point from the total score. It hurts it that much, especially for those who don't have too many friends (small f, as in people you know personally) with DS's.
Overall: It is a great game, but one that is best as a multiplayer game rather then single player. If you don't have access to a Wifi network or don't have friends with DS's, I still suggest renting. Otherwise, get this game now. It is the first good first person shooter on the DS, and is the best multiplayer experience on a portible system period.
Graphics/Sound: 9/10
Control: 9/10 (needs physical adjustment at first, but plays well once you're set up)
Gameplay: 8.5/10 (Single player's flaws put it down, but the multiplayer is 9.5/10)
Overall: 9/10 (subtract 1 if you don't have Wifi; subtract 1 for current Wifi problems)
Buyability: 5/5 (3/5 for single player only)
posted by SeanM at 1:38 PM
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