Customer Reviews

Metroid Fusion

5 star:		(106)
4 star:		(54)
3 star:		(7)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

The famed 'Metroid' series really hit its stride with the release of "Super Metroid" for the Super NES platform. It did away with the monotony of "Metroid II" and enhanced the gameplay and environment of the original "Metroid". The puzzles and challenges presented by this version captivated all kinds of gamers. It re-hashed the original story and gave it some extra kick. New weapons and abilities were introduced, as were more complex storylines. Having never played any of the 'Metroid' games before this one, it was quite a spectacular introduction.

Now, fast foward a few years. Knowing that the new GameBoy Advance System is making quite a profit out of porting old Super NES games for handheld, I was interested to see if Nintendo was going to put "Super Metroid" on the GBA. Well, they did, sort of. The game that ended up being developed for GBA was called "Metroid Fusion" and it resembles "Super Metroid" in many ways. However, there are several distinctions. For starters, this takes place AFTER "Super Metroid" and adds a new wrinkle to story by creating a new nemesis called 'parasite X' which was able to procreate after our hero, Samus, wiped out all of the Metroids on SR 388. This parasite is a menace to the entire universe and all traces of it on SR 388 and the orbital research lab must be destroyed. "... Fusion" takes place entirely aboard the orbital research lab and employs most of the same gameplay that "Super Metroid" did. It's still a side-scroller and it presents many of the same obstacles of its predecessor. There are numerous different types of doors that are sealed and unable to be accessed unless certain criteria are met. There are other access points and hidden entries that can only be discovered if you have the right weapons or know where to look. In addition, throughout the game, there are several different bosses Samus must defeat in order recover certain powers.

It's hard to truly describe how satisfying this game really is. You really need to play it yourself to see first hand. Rest assured, though. If you liked "Super Metroid", you're going to love this game.

The problem with so many games for the Game Boy Advance is that they are repackaged SNES games. Metroid Fusion is a completely new sequel to Super Metroid. The graphics for this handheld game are simply amazing. Very few games look THIS good. You can even see Samus's new organic suit pulsate when she stands still if you look really closely. Not only that but it looks good while sounding equally good. The music is rich and there are no lack of sound effects. The story is the best by far. While you hunt the X virus cores your old X-infected suit (at full power) hunts you and your ship's compter is busily betraying you to your own government to help them keep a dirty secret about the space station. Many have complained that the computer giving out missions makes the game too linear and easy. Don't believe them! While this game is more focused, there is still plenty of exploration between mission rooms other than the objectives. Also to note, yes you can "beat" the game within 5 hours the first time through, but to get the best ending requires a complete mastery of the game which will take many many trips through and require you to explore every corner of the space station. And this station is so beautiful, mysterious, and interesting that it begs to be explored. Overall, this is one of the best games for the Game Boy Advance.

After an abnormally long wait and rumors that were flying about, Samus Aran finally returns, this time on the Gameboy Advanced in the game "Metroid Fusion." All the original creators of the series are back to bring you the next chapter of the Metroid saga.

And boy, did they succeed. What an involving game. The storyline is pretty good (Samus getting infected by the X-Parasite and must destroy it while dealing with the parasite's fusion to her) and the graphics are actually outstanding. It's not perfect, but they brought back the original style of "Super Metroid." They also improved the wall jump. The world map is a little more linear than Super Metroid, but so what? It's good nonetheless.

Looking at the reviews on Amazon, I cannot believe how much Prime is regarded over this. Fusion may not hold a candle to many of the classics, but considering today's video game market being dominated by ultra-cool graphics and cinema scenes, THIS GAME IS A BREATH OF FRESH AIR. If anything, this proves that an old school game can survive in this day and age. Gamers tend to forget the reason why games are awesome in the first place: GAMEPLAY. This game has it.

If you have a Game Boy Advanced, I HIGHLY SUGGEST YOU PICK THIS UP. This has classic written all over it and you should not be without this game, especially if you are a fan of the series. This is a worthy sequel to Super Metroid. So what are you waiting for?!

This is my fourth GBA game (first Metroid game), and it's the best one in my collection.
The graphics are okay. The background, cutscenes are in great detail. Samus herself is one of the worse ones, but you can't expect too much in a small screen like that.
The gameplay is great compared with my other games, but you have to collect all your powerups BEFORE your last mission, or your CO will lock all the sectors up. It's also a bit short than what I had expected, but the variety of arsenals and suits you can get makes up for it.
The controls get annoying at times (esp. space jumping), and for some of the boss battles and puzzles you'll have to need pixel-perfect movements to win or achieve.
The sound effects are great, but the music is not. You would usually like to turn the volume to zero, as it's dodgy.
As the powerups are just too well-hidden, and that there are five endings, there is high replay value. I only got a 51% completion for the first time, and it's not with a help of a walkthrough did I get 100%.

Graphics 16/20
Gameplay 36/40
Control 10/15
Sound 7/10
Replay Value 13/15

Total 82/100

Every once in a while, a game comes along, which redefines very essence of gaming and sets a standard for all other games to follow. It could be graphic, game play, music, innovation, originality, and experience. When I play a game, the most important factor I see and cherish ultimately comes down to experience. I can pick only three games; Ico, the masterpiece which shouldn¡¯t be missed by anyone, and Metal Gear Solid, another masterpiece where everything was masterfully controlled. Lastly, I pick Super Metroid for SNES, which literally made me cry for 3 hours, and almost, almost made me to determine to never play video game again back in college years. So you see how much I¡¯ve been anticipating for true sequel of Metroid. Now the question is does this fourth ¡®true¡¯ sequel of Metroid lives up to its legacy? Now just finishing Metroid Fusion for the first time (you will get goosebump all over when you hear that classic Metroid title music, SERIOUSLY). I can¡¯t help but being immersed in this world of, you tell me, like world of exceedingly wonderful mood-

This very sequel, Metroid Fusion, will mesmerize you with the time-tested foundation of previous Metroid games with enhancement on every aspect. Graphic looks so vibrant and vivid that you will literally go WOW, seriously. Music wise, I would say they sort of took out that out-in-the-space atmosphere more and inserted more of movie score like, making it feel like more of movie. You know, that¡¯s true because previous Metroid games had almost one objective, like destroy the Space Pirate, or exterminate Metroid, and that was it. However, Metroid Fusion contains many objectives, as part of story line, and yet they don¡¯t feel like an individual objective, which would cut the flow of story, but it makes it like a well-made movie. You know, that was really nice addition because not only you are playing this classic of classics with all the great element intact but also with great story line like a sci-fi movie. Really, you will see what I mean. There¡¯s this one aspect, a great aspect of the game which will be revealed toward the end of the game, which elevate this already a great game into something good enough to compete with games like Ico and Metal Gear Solid.

You know, I can¡¯t help but to make a comparison with this recent game, Castlevania :H of D for GBA. Actually Castlevania implemented the concept from Metroid starting from PS version, Symphony of the Night (or may be back in NES time), which forces you to obtain certain item in order to proceed to next area. Not only Metroid Fusion kept that tradition, but also they threw in lot of secret passages. Seriously, as I was playing, I got really stuck and thought of it as bug. But there is always way to get out and proceed with the game. One thing I sort of didn¡¯t like about Navigation Room was that it does somehow take away that full sense of exploration since it literally tells you where to go, unlike Castlevania. Ok, going back to the comparison, without a doubt, the Metroid Fusion really shines compares to Castlevania: H of D when it comes to boss fight. Yes, in Castlevania, boss fight wasn¡¯t that hard because you literally have countless potion to heal yourself. However, in Metroid Fusion, you will have to either defeat them or you will be defeated. This really distinguishes Metroid Fusion apart from rest of games out there because you will have to really try hard, not only just trying hard but also maneuver Samus quickly and cleverly. You can¡¯t just beat the boss by jumping and shooting some missiles without putting any thought into it, you will actually have to decide your move carefully. You see, in previous Metroid games, when you have, let¡¯s say, 8 Energy tanks, you are like undefeated, right? THAT¡¯S SO WRONG in Metroid Fusion because trust me, even if you have 10 Energy Tanks, the way they balanced your health/energy point is almost insane, one hit will take away more than half of your whole energy tank, not just boss but also regular enemies. So there¡¯s this constant tension, even if you are walking with 10 Energy tanks with 150 missiles because just ¡®mere¡¯ enemies can inflict tremendous damages, mark my word.

The very first game I played for Nintendo was Metroid, and it really showed me what an excellent video game is all about. After defeating that Mother Brain, and evacuating the planet within limited time to see ¡®another¡¯ Samus, it gave me this sense of ¡®fulfillment¡¯. When I finished Metroid 2 for GBC (I personally consider Metroid 2 as the best GBC game along with Zelda DX), I was left with this sense of ¡®completeness¡¯ with brilliance of Metroid game. When I finished Super Metroid, I was crying like a baby for 3 hours (seriously, you gotta play for yourself to really ¡®experience¡¯ the experience) with sense of ¡®Emotion¡¯. Now, you have Metroid Fusion, which will give you the sense of fulfillment, completeness, and ultimately emotion.

Like this one review of Metroid 2 said, ¡°IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE BRILLIANCE OF NINTENDO, PLAY METROID"

DON¡¯T MISS IT. REALLY.

For those who have not played a Metroid before, it's a side scrolling sci-fi adventure that takes you through an incredible world and the way you get through this world is with your gun that can be powered up by missiles, charges and bombs. For those who have played a Metroid game before, Samus (Metroid's heroine) has been infected by a parasite. A parasite that has now infected everything onboard a space lab! A lab is not exactly a world; in fact it is blatantly divided into eight levels. Samus is lucky though, because she is already infected, so every mutated monster that she reverts to its normal self (by shooting it), the parasite leaves the body, where Samus can catch the parasite for energy or a replenishment of missiles, but if she does not, the parasite can fly around to find another creature to mutate. Basically enemies can indeed come back to life. There are an entirely new cast of enemies, monsters and bosses, but the most interesting enemy is a clone of Samus that follows just a step behind! The game is very straight forward, there are many features for Gameboy Advance, such as save points are everywhere, there are places to fill up your energy all the way, and everything is easy to find because of navigation rooms that make a map and mark where you should go, so that way it keeps the game moving forward. Its great Metroid fun with an entirely new cast of enemies, a new mission, blatant levels of the game, but still with Metroid secrets.

When I found out there was a new Metroid game coming out, I got a little excited. When they called it Super Metroid on [drugs], I got really excited. Got it the day after it came out.

Ok, I'll break it down to the basic aspects.

Controls: 5/5
I considered four, but I gotta go with five. It does seem a little glitched once in a while when you fire a shot from the air, but overall it really is perfect. The learning curve for the controls is only about 20 minutes, then you've got it. The old Super Metroid attacks are easier to control, Space Jump and Boost Jump in particular.

Graphics: 5/5
The cut scenes are truly epic for a portable system. In game, its very smooth, has the same feel as Super Metroid. The backgrounds are just the right shade so that movement on the screen is easy to see and you don't have the problems like you do in some of the other GBA games. The enemies aren't cloaked in the darkness of the screen.

Sound: 6/5
This is the best. The music is perfect for the game, and you have got to use headphones. There is a headphone mode for it. When enemies enter the screen from the right, it goes off in your right ear and the music in one section alternates sides. Very cool effects.

Replay: 5/5
You are going to have to play this game a lot of times to get the real ending, and its worth the work to get it. You can complete the game in 2 hours, but to beat it you are talking up in the 30s and 40s.

Overall: 5/5
Its not perfect. No game is without weaknesses, but this is as close as they have come to perfection on GBA. I would definatly buy it, especially since most places don't rent GBA games anyway. I will say this though. I still believe Super Metroid on SNES was better, but not buy much.

I'll level with you... this game is fun. It's got style, and a story line that doesn't quit. But do I feel it's on par with it predesessors?

Let me answer that by saying this:

1. The animated story sequences improve the game by a long shot, and it's needed for the Game Boy Advance's small screen. However some of these animated sequences I found to be annoying, especially when the computer just simply HAS to tell you what to do next. Don't go into this game thinking it's Super Metroid (SM), because it's not. There is no free exploration, at least not in the sense of SM. The computer tells you to enter certain areas and in doing so limits you from entering other areas by locking doors respectively.

2. The map layout is not on par. It's structure is very simple. At first all the different sections are distinctly seperated and not connected, although very late in the game they do become connected, but those passages are a nuisance when compared to anything in SM. Also the level layouts are not as advanced as SM. The puzzles are simpler, and not as much thought has been put into some of the redundant passageways. I must admit a few of the puzzles are tricky, but overall they don't conjure up as much problem solving.

3. The X. The X have replaced the normal health replenishment from earlier games. Anytime you defeat an enemy you must chase down your powerups to regain health. It can be annoying, but it's cool to see the X taking over parts of the ship. When you come back to that part of the ship later, you discover some have metamorphosed into bigger badder creatures. My own feeling is that the X was only created to make the elusive character SA-X, a clone of your character from SM (w/same suit!). It is VERY COOL to see SA-X romping around and you almost blundering right into it. I can recall at one point where I was dangling from a ledge being very quite and motionless, as SA-X was walking below me searching... listening... wanting to destroy something! It was awesome.

4. The bosses are pretty good. Although none are as rememberable as earlier incarnations of Metroid, or Super Metroid. The coolest boss that comes to my mind was the Gravity Phantom. Your missiles at one point literally get dragged to the floor. But besides that boss most are just generic unoriginal rehash. But their strategies on defeating them aren't bad, mind you. And another point, Metroid Fusion regurgitates a boss in this game. The second time around this boss is very annoying, and challenging. Well challenging isn't the right word. But you will need a lot of patience for the boss the second time around, let me just say it involves timing of your missiles and/or plasma wave beam.

My overall feeling? Well I'm glad I played the game.. it WAS fun. But it does not have the replay value such as that of a classic. I could see myself playing this game again in another year. But beyond that, I wouldn't bother with it. Oh and surprise surprise..... If this game is about the X, then why don't they call it X Fusion? (Of course it's the name of the series, but..) Well I'll just end this with: The Metroids are back again, albeit late in the game. ...

This is the first Metriod game I have ever played, and after rI had finsihed it I felt compelled to play some of the other games in the series. This is one of the best games I have played in a while. The storyline is great and the weapons are awesome. Here's is what I thought of the game overall,

Controls: 7/10. The controls are pretty much okay, although they let me down in a few situations. One of the biggest problems is how you have to use the shoulder buttons (the L and R buttons) to fire missles (R) and to fire diagonally (L) I know that this was probably the most convientent way to do those things, but it is still very annoying. One of the most annoying things is when you have to fire missles diagonally. Otherwise, the controls are okay.

Storyline: 10/10. The storyline is the best I have seen in a Metroid game (I haven't played Metroid 2 or Super Metroid, so forgive if the storylines are better.) The story starts with Samus helping out a team for Biologic Space Labs capture some of the creatures of SR388. Since the metroids have been destroyed by Samus, the other creatures have had a chance to breed and flourish. One group of creatures in particular were the parsitic X's. Samus encounters an X, and before se can destroy it it infects her. After a near-death experience, she is transported to the Galactic Federation HQ. Everyone there though she was going to die because of the X, yet a vaccine made from a cell culture from the last metroid hatchling saved her. When she awoke, SAmus was sent to back to Biologic Space Labs to inspect a mysterious explosion there. When you arrive there you learn the the X's had taken over the station and it is up to you to stop them. Guided by your ships computer you try to elimate the X while recovering your abilties that you lost during the x infection.

Gameplay: 9/10. The gameplay is pretty solid. It is similar to the gameplay in Metriod Zero Mission. Basically you travel from the six sectors of BSL destroying the animals that the X are controlling and restoring abilties. You are given your missions by your ship computer. The gameplay is fun and easy to get used to.

Graphics: 9/10. Pretty good, nothing exceptional.

Music: 10/10. THe music in this game is really, really, really good.

An excellent addition to the Metroid saga with some unexpected plot twists I hope to see used in future Metroid games (hint hint Nintendo!) I think this is definately a must have for those who have enjoyed the previous Metroids and something that everyone with a GBA should at least try. Agreed, for the newcomer the hiding places of some of the games items are remote and difficult to find on your own, but getting there is half the fun as they say! Graphics are exceptional and the controls are tight and intuitive. The music is top notch as well. Pick this one up, even if it's just to try. You can thank yourself (and maybe me) later.