Metroid has always been one of the Nintendo series I had never tried. I knew almost nothing about it only that it was a cool platformer and that series were not named after the protagonist just like the Zelda games. So when I couldn't think of a good game I decided to give this
game a try and I was really surprised and although I stopped with it when I played it a few minutes, a few days later I picked it up again and finished it in a few days since it really amazed me and I wanted to finish as soon as possible. Since I haven't done a review about this or any other game in the Metroid series, I thought now would be the right time to do so!
Story: 8
Metroid Fusion is the latest game chronologically in the timeline (it follows Metroid Other M for the Wii, one that many hardcore Metroidfans despise) Samus Aran her adventure doesn't take place on one or multiple planets but in the Biologic Research Station, also known as BSL. Just before she ended up there, Samus went to SR388 again (the planet from Metroid II: Return of Samus for the Gameboy) to help the Biologic's research team when she sees a lone creature. Not hesitating a moment, Samus fires her armgun and kills the monster when a weird flying thing comes out. Samus shoots at it but it doesn't harm the creature and suddenly it attaches itself to Samus. Not knowing what it is, Samus flies back in her spaceship to the BSL when the parasite takes over her central nervous system and knocks her unconscious, causing her spaceship to fly off into an asteroid belt!
Luckily, Samus has an escape pod and is recovered by the Biologic's vessel and is taken to the Galactic Federation HQ. Many parts of her suit are infected and surgically removed but Samus herself is given a minimal chance to survive. However, somebody discovers that the cell structure of the last infant Metroid can be used as an vaccine, and so Samus is saved again by a Metroid! The unknown creature gets the name 'X-parasite' and it's said it might be even more dangerous than the Metroid.
Now, Samus is flying to the BSL because there has been a big explosion recently. She's unsure what she'll find there, but she's prepared for the worst...
Personally I think the backstory is pretty intriguing. Samus is almost killed so easily that it's a wonder how her life is saved at the last moment and that there's a foe that might be even more dangerous than the Metroid, who were always known as the most dangerous species in the universe. Samus's suit has also changed drastically, giving her more of a blue and yellow suit that also makes her immune for X-parasites now. Throughout the game there isn't much of a story, Samus her only companion is a computer voice who orders her around with instructions from the HQ. At the end of the game however, it turns out this simple ship computer is more precious than you might expect...
The only disappointment for me in the game would be that there is an unknown person who sometimes appears in conversations between Samus and the computer but never throughout the game is his identity revealed, so nobody knows who it is.
Graphics: 10
I don't know any major Nintendo game that didn't have great graphics, and Metroid is no exception. There are places in the game with tropical plants in the background, scenes that look like creepy haunted labs and places that look like giant caves, and all of them have an unique atmosphere. Samus herself looks pretty good too with or without suit and she looks like she's always ready to save the world! The monsters look either strange or really terrifying as well, coming with strange eyes and mouths and they have the strangest moves as well, just like what you would expect from aggressive aliens. There are tons of bosses in the game as well that all look like they have come out of your dreams, one of them is even called 'the Nightmare' and he's sure a creepy and strong fellow. There are some close-ups sometimes and at the end credits you get to see some cool drawings as well depending on how well you finished the game. I seriously don't have any complaints with the graphics, even Samus her idle animation shows her suit kind of twitching which is impressive.
Sound: 10
Some games will go for catchy music that will stay in your mind, but Metroid Fusion is more the kind of game that uses music to set the atmosphere. So that's why a lot of tunes probably won't be in your head all day but when you hear them you can instantly think of something like 'That's the creepy boss!' for example. Metroid Fusion is one of the creepiest games I've every played for a Nintendo game that is rated Everyone by ESRB because the music really made the atmosphere very creepy, most of the time you get the feeling like there will be a dragon that will be in the next room ready to crush you the very moment you set foot inside, or like one of the FNAF animatronics is going to jump at you. The music also does a good job at using sounds that fit well with the 'Sector' you are in. The BSL has 6 sectors all based on various natural environments, like a jungle, a night zone, an aquarium and many more things. So you will hear some sounds in the music to emphasize this. There are all kinds of weird lab sounds as well, and all the animals have weird sounds as well, especially one of the later bosses has really intimidating screams. You'll never get the feeling that you're alone in the BSL, there's always something around here or there...
Gameplay: 8
Most of the Metroid games have been platformers, except for the Metroid Prime games and Metroid Other M. So what makes Metroid so special? Well, probably that Samus has an arm cannon as her primary weapon, making her great for far-range attacks but close attacks like Mario or Sonic can do is something that isn't easy to do with her. However, while in the beginning this arm cannon can only shoot one tiny little shot it can later get piercing shots and other cool upgrades. Since Samus her arm cannon doesn't have enough power alone, she also get bombs and power bombs, as well as ice missiles. So don't think that Samus won't be very strong at the end of the game, she becomes a powerhouse instead! The only thing is, all these abilities are absorbed by a bunch of X-parasites who together are capable of becoming an unique creature and boss, thus every boss battle leaves you with a great new power up, which makes the boss battles even more menacing. Samus will also be able to absorb X-parasites to heal herself since the vaccine has made her immune, so one of your biggest foes now is your biggest help! How awesome is that?
In terms of levels, Samus her whole adventure is in the BSL. There are 6 sectors where Samus will be sent to by the computer sometimes to download new data (for weapons) or open new locks to make traveling easier. She is often sent to the sector where there is something dangerous occurring or where it's safest for her instead, so that's a strange thing to think about sometimes. There are some moments though where you get to explore the rest of the BSL which is probably the most interesting thing as there are many secret rooms and things indicating how the BSL used to look like before the X-parasites took over. It helps to make the atmosphere better and more mysterious in my opinion and I also love to get new weapons especially when you hear the cool 'Metroid tune' as I would call it.
This game is kind of linear though, other Metroid games are known for having a more approach. It was however not a big problem for me, I like to play bit by bit getting coordinated and having clear instructions, although an open approach is cool too. And the game was very clear for me, even though I was new to the series I could understand most of it very easily.
Addictiveness: 9
Do you know why some platform games are said to be like 'Metroidvania' games? That's because both series are really good and addictive. As Samus has lost much of her powers you will start out like a weak canary but since there are many power ups spread throughout the game you will feel like a mighty hawk at the end of the game! What's very addictive for me is that there many monsters you can shoot and that there are many secret power ups hidden for those who try out everything or look at flaws in the wall. The bosses are all also really addictive, they're very different from one another and they have the weirdest styles and designs, making them more and more interesting. I think that the game can be less addictive because it is a little hard when you're new to the series but once you get the hang of it it's much more interesting and easier, making it more fun to play. And the game is often rewarding for returning to places you've been to earlier to look for new power ups which making searching for them cool as well.
Depth: 8
One of the few things that might be a bit disappointing for the game is the depth. I finished the game in a bit more than about 5 hours if I recall and that's considered a slow time, as you are able to finish it in under two hours if you're really good. That makes it sound like the game is really short in terms of time which is somewhat true, but if you look at the time you need to understand and beat bosses and to look for power ups you will soon notice that the game is twice as big as you might have expected. And since it's pretty addictive you'll probably play it again just like I did to look for more power ups you forgot, or to beat that certain boss again, or just for the experience. So it's somewhat short for a platform game but that makes it less repetitive and it leaves you with an unique experience.
Difficulty: 9
When I started with this game, at the very beginning I thought 'Huh, it's kinda easy so far.', but when I reached the first boss I already had some big problems as he uses a powerful move that I didn't know how to dodge. There were some other bosses in the game that took me more than an hour to beat so it sure is a difficult game, not to mention that the stronger you get the stronger enemies get as well, and there are enemies like some kind of caterpillars you encounter early in the game that later become raging hornets, making them a lot more annoying to beat. There are parts where rooms are too hot or too cold for you early in the game and when you enter them you rapidly lose energy, hence it's a shock when you enter these rooms the first time and see your energy plunging down. But when you have finished the game once it gets noticeably easier the second time you play it, something I didn't like.
Pros and cons!
New part here! I have decided to add this from now on: Pros and cons about the game, here they come!
+Pros -Cons
* Creepy atmosphere * Still somewhat short
* Lots of awesome bosses and weapons * Can be difficult for not so experienced gamers
* Very clear and lots of interesting missions * Frustrating at times, especially some bosses
* Difficult but addictive enough to keep trying
I think that's the end of this review, I hope you liked to read my review and maybe that it inspires you to try out the game if you haven't done it yet. Respond and tell me what you like/didn't like and/or how I can improve and/or your opinion! See you next time
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It's exciting and a great platformer, you really should try a Metroid game once (although I don't recommend the NES version a lot, the GBA remake called Zero Mission is better).
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