Metroid... There's not much to say about it. The very first Metroid game was among my least favorites in the series, second only to Metroid Prime Hunters on the DS. It was too hard. I couldn't beat it. But then came around the remake, Metroid Zero Mission. I wasn't sure what to think, other than that I'm a big fan of the series, so why not. I watched my favorite YouTube Let's Player LP this game, and I was completely blown away. This is another reason why I got a GBA emulator, before I had learned about this site. At first glance, this game just looks like the original Metroid, but with a graphics update. But it's much more than that. This is the BOMB!
Story
Remember how Metroid Fusion had such a great story? Well, there's not really much to say here. Space Pirates are trying to replicate a dangerous life form known as the Metroid, and, Samus has to stop them. But it's a step from knowing nothing. There's a twist at the end, too. What twist am I talking about? Sorry! Not telling!
Graphics and Sound
This game has great graphics, and one of the best soundtracks of any game I've heard. Not only does this game's graphics surpass even Fusion's, but it also cuts out all of the lag that Fusion had (or sounded like it had, I couldn't tell). It takes the whole soundtrack of the original Metroid, and makes it ten times better.
Addictiveness
Between this game and Metroid Fusion, I would have a very difficult time deciding which I would rather play. But like Fusion, I watched the same LP for this game a million times. Even if you don't feel like playing it, it just kind of... sucks you in! If there is one game on the GBA that's too much fun to put down, it's this one.
Depth
No doubt about it, there is so much more exploration in this game than in Fusion. Where as Fusion required you to follow a more linear style, Zero Mission lets you roam around, pretty much at will. Then there's the twist. Still not telling. Though, you gotta admit, they did a good job of modifying the game. They even officially added Crateria as an area to explore. Some of the powers like the Speed Booster were also carried over from Super Metroid. There are even more bosses. Often, you'll come to these special 2x2 blocks that can only be destroyed after obtaining these "unknown items" discovered throughout the game. You'll discover their real purpose later. Metroid NEEDED this update. And for some reason if you actually PREFERED the original Metroid, it can be played after you finish the game on Normal mode.
Difficulty
Most of the old difficulty has been zapped. On any difficulty other than Hard, this is pretty easy. On Hard mode... not so much. I never managed to beat Ridley on Hard. Probably because you have less ammo and energy on Hard. Fusion was boss heavy, and that was a game that was hard only if you were sloppy and careless, but was easy if you had good concentration. Zero Mission on the other hand, is just too easy, no matter how you cut it. Okay, okay, I admit it. Kraid CRUSHED me, but it was my first time playing a Metroid game, and it was really late at night, so give me a break, alright? This game is very easy to learn, but just hard to play. If you have a Gamepad, plug it in and get the keyboard out of the way.
Conclusion
To conclude, Metroid Zero Mission was a necessary update. The graphical and audio quality was greatly increased, and bringing back memorable powerups from past Metroid games. It's a game well worth checking out. Would I recommend this game over Metroid Fusion? That's a tough decision. I can't say for sure which game I like best. Neither are my favorite game, or my least favorite. But hearing Final Attack again is enough to make me sit down in the chair and play this game until I fall asleep, and then when I wake up, I'll skip the shower and immediately continue playing. So, the end. I'm gonna go play-- Wait... what is that?? Ah, it's a Metroid!!! *dies* Metroid... There's not much to say about it. The very first Metroid game was among my least favorites in the series, second only to Metroid Prime Hunters on the DS. It was too hard. I couldn't beat it. But then came around the remake, Metroid Zero Mission. I wasn't sure what to think, other than that I'm a big fan of the series, so why not. I watched my favorite YouTube Let's Player LP this game, and I was completely blown away. This is another reason why I got a GBA emulator, before I had learned about this site. At first glance, this game just looks like the original Metroid, but with a graphics update. But it's much more than that. This is the BOMB!
Story
Remember how Metroid Fusion had such a great story? Well, there's not really much to say here. Space Pirates are trying to replicate a dangerous life form known as the Metroid, and, Samus has to stop them. But it's a step from knowing nothing. There's a twist at the end, too. What twist am I talking about? Sorry! Not telling!
Graphics and Sound
This game has great graphics, and one of the best soundtracks of any game I've heard. Not only does this game's graphics surpass even Fusion's, but it also cuts out all of the lag that Fusion had (or sounded like it had, I couldn't tell). It takes the whole soundtrack of the original Metroid, and makes it ten times better.
Addictiveness
Between this game and Metroid Fusion, I would have a very difficult time deciding which I would rather play. But like Fusion, I watched the same LP for this game a million times. Even if you don't feel like playing it, it just kind of... sucks you in! If there is one game on the GBA that's too much fun to put down, it's this one.
Depth
No doubt about it, there is so much more exploration in this game than in Fusion. Where as Fusion required you to follow a more linear style, Zero Mission lets you roam around, pretty much at will. Then there's the twist. Still not telling. Though, you gotta admit, they did a good job of modifying the game. They even officially added Crateria as an area to explore. Some of the powers like the Speed Booster were also carried over from Super Metroid. There are even more bosses. Often, you'll come to these special 2x2 blocks that can only be destroyed after obtaining these "unknown items" discovered throughout the game. You'll discover their real purpose later. Metroid NEEDED this update. And for some reason if you actually PREFERED the original Metroid, it can be played after you finish the game on Normal mode.
Difficulty
Most of the old difficulty has been zapped. On any difficulty other than Hard, this is pretty easy. On Hard mode... not so much. I never managed to beat Ridley on Hard. Probably because you have less ammo and energy on Hard. Fusion was boss heavy, and that was a game that was hard only if you were sloppy and careless, but was easy if you had good concentration. Zero Mission on the other hand, is just too easy, no matter how you cut it. Okay, okay, I admit it. Kraid CRUSHED me, but it was my first time playing a Metroid game, and it was really late at night, so give me a break, alright? This game is very easy to learn, but just hard to play. If you have a Gamepad, plug it in and get the keyboard out of the way.
Conclusion
To conclude, Metroid Zero Mission was a necessary update. The graphical and audio quality was greatly increased, and bringing back memorable powerups from past Metroid games. It's a game well worth checking out. Would I recommend this game over Metroid Fusion? That's a tough decision. I can't say for sure which game I like best. Neither are my favorite game, or my least favorite. But hearing Final Attack again is enough to make me sit down in the chair and play this game until I fall asleep, and then when I wake up, I'll skip the shower and immediately continue playing. So, the end. I'm gonna go play-- Wait... what is that?? Ah, it's a Metroid!!! *dies* |