Metroid: Other M Review

So it's been three years since the incredible Metroid Prime Trilogy concluded, and Nintendo decided it would be a good idea to go back to a more 2D third person approach... er 2.5D... whatever. Seeing as I absolutely love Super Metroid, I was totally stoked (Gross, I just realized it is impossible for me to say that word without sounding like a douche). Anyway, then they announced Team Ninja (Creators of Ninja Giaden) were the ones who were making it. Cue another freakout! It looked to be the old Metroid I love with some awesome finishing moves thrown in. Judging from the videos I saw, it looked incredible. Sure, I was worried that the inclusion of a cut-scene driven story might be a little odd, but I have to admit that I was intrigued.

Fast forward to the present and I have beaten the game. To stream-line the review, I am going to cover a few categories followed by my overall score. These categories are as follows: Story/character, combat, and progression (item collection, power obtaining, and general pace of the game).

STORY/CHARACTER
"Chris, is the rest of the game this pretty?" "You mean besides some cut-scenes or Samus' suit?... No."

To be fair, this is the first time a Metroid game has focused on a cut-scene driven story and character (Notice how I started this section with "To be fair"? Yeaaaaaah). The problem with the story is that it is a really good one that happens to be told badly. The dialogue is cheesy and in most cases delivered poorly. Before you ask, no this has nothing to do with Samus' voice. Samus having a softer voice isn't a problem at all. She might be experienced, but she isn't old. The problem is that she sounds almost disinterested and bored, especially when she recalls something. If she wasn't telling me how she felt all the time I would honestly have no idea. Some of Adam's dialogue is actually delivered decently, and Samus DOES have her moments, but I found it all-together lacking.

Character is a whole different story. I know that Samus has never been super expanded upon, but her actions didn't make a lot of sense to me. It's hard to go into great detail about these situations without spoiling anything, but an example would be her basically freezing up at an important moment. A hardened bounty hunter does not act that way. Also, and I'll talk more about this later, the way she handles orders from Adam is somewhat ridiculous. I know that this is a Metroid game and Samus needs to have her powers taken away, but I would have rather she lost them than Adam tell her she cannot use them. First of all, his reasoning doesn't make a lot of sense. The thing is, he is afraid of the effects they might have. Samus, respecting the authority he used to hold over her, follows his commands and doesn't use her abilities until he okays them. I'm sorry, but she is an independent bounty hunter. She is perfectly capable of determining these things for herself. Also, I seriously doubt using a grapple beam can screw up the mission in any way. The thing is, Samus will encounter a situation that needs action immediately, but she will just stand there until Adam says she can use the power she needs. That... Is.... Stupid. I know she respects Adam, but I doubt she would act like a total dependent just because he tells her too. She is an experienced bounty hunter. She knows how to handle situations. Adam might be a commanding officer in the Galactic Federation, but Samus has EFFING SAVED THE GALAXY MORE THAN ONCE! Sorry, it just irks me. Moving on.

COMBAT

OOOOOOHHHH YEAAAAAAH. YE-YE-YEAH. SNAP INTO AN ALIEN! *Ahem* Sorry, I was under the impression Randy Savage impressions were popular again. Actually, I'm not sorry. I had fun dammit.

This is where the game shines. Some might say the finishing moves (for lack of a better term) get a little repetitive, but excuse me if I never find throwing a giant bug across the room fun. It's quick and dodging soon becomes second nature. I finally got the feeling that Samus is as quick and deadly as she is beautiful (In a classy way you pervs). Also, the weapon upgrades are useful and fun to use, especially when you use them in interesting ways against bosses. However, using missiles is a (censored) pain in the ass. Whoever thought that stopping in your tracks to shoot them is a fool. For one, it ruins the quick pace of combat, and for two... I shouldn't even have to elaborate.... YOU HAVE TO FREAKING STOP!!! Remember the old Metroid games where you could switch between your cannon and missiles? Apparently they didn't want to use some unused buttons on the wiimote and decided that this was a better idea. Attention everyone who makes a major game on the Wii: Stop shoehorning in motion contols. It didn't work for Zelda; it won't work for Metroid.

Excuse me mister enemy sir, could you please sit still while I shoot missiles at you? It would really suck if you hit me while I was stuck in position.

I know I started out praising most of the combat, but if the rest wasn't so good, this might have ruined it for me. Luckily, it was. NEXT TOPIC!

PROGRESSION

This one is a bit of a toughy. I've already talked about how stupid the system for getting your weapons back is, but they do seem to come around at just the right time... although you can't use power bombs usefully until the segment after the credits. Looking for upgrades is also done very well. There are also plenty of them. I loved looking for the next secret just as much as I did in the older Metroids, and once I figured out a new move would allow me to get an old upgrade I missed I rejoiced. The whole system is just very satisfying.

Unfortunately, the pacing could be better. It took a very long time for me to get into the game. The last few hours are awesome, but the beginning is super slow and a little boring. If the whole game was as exciting as the last, let's say, three hours were, I would be giving it a higher score. Another issue happens later when some heavy gravity rooms show up limiting some of your powers and negating another. I'm sorry, I wanted to progress, not be forced to remember what playing the game was like before I had a certain power. The game has enough recollection as it is. One of the major boss fights in the game (spoilers people, I'm avoiding them), is also a major let down, as it basically consists of you standing in place keeping things away from you while looking to aim at someone. The section after the credits, though... Ho-ly f**k, it's awesome. That is where you will find one of the best boss fights I've played through this year as well as the iconic escape moment you get from Metroid games.

Overall, the game had a lot of potential and could have been so much more than it was. I like the direction they are going in, they just need to do it better. In the meantime, I can only praise its good qualities and call out its mistakes. Here's hoping they nail it down next time. It was a fun ride (in its later stages) that had one too many flaws.

7 out of 10 energy tank upgrades