Metroid Prime (Metroid Prime (GC))

Member Name: heekeer

Product:	Metroid Prime (GC)
Date:	23/08/09 (5 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good graphics, interesting way of storytelling, puzzle elements, unique

Disadvantages: None.

Metroid Prime is a shooter for the Gamecube developed by Nintendo.
The game follows the bounty hunter Samus Aran she starts out investigating a distress call of a Space Pirate ship and soon finds her old foe Ridley who has transformed in to Meta Ridley, you then follow after Ridley as he takes off and enters the Chozo ruins where Samus is able to discover more about her own race the Chozo. The actual storyline itself isn't very rich but there is a lot of detail and information to learn about your enemies and Samus herself.

The way you unfold the story is largely down to yourself, which is initially a bit strange as usually games have cutscenes that inform you of the various enemies and worlds you are exploring. You largely do this by using the Scan mode that Samus is equipped with, with this you can scan the area around you and anything of interest will have its own details and you can read through picking up information on the area or item. The scan mode is also used to show items you can interact with, like something you can destroy or grapple on to.

The combat in the game is pretty intense but the control scheme is different to a standard shooter, Samus can lock on to her targets and use her cannon which can fire single shots or be charged up for a more powerful blast. In addition to that you can use missiles too. You can free aim but you will only need to where you have to aim at something in the environment to destroy it, as Samus can't move while in free aim it isn't really helpful to use it in combat. The shooting is excellent and feels tight and accurate, nothing beats charging a shot and unleashing it into the face of an enemy.

The game also has some puzzle elements to it, you will perform a lot of jumping around and traversing environments in the first person, Samus even gains the power to turn into a Morph ball which can detonate three explosive charges to help her jump around in very enclosed spaces. The puzzling action is really tricky at some times and even the boss fights in the game incorporate puzzles which make them a real challenge! Thankfully you will come across upgrades which allow you increase your health and missile capacity.

Graphics are very good and the atmosphere in the game is really haunting as you really feel isolated, it's just you and your power armour against the world!

Metroid Prime is an excellent shooter with a lot of adventure features you wouldn't find in a normal shooter which make it well worth your time.

Summary: A very unique and fun shooter.