If exploring an immersive game-world, finding hidden nooks and crannies, and indulging in comparatively cerebral boss fights are things that give you a warm fuzzy glow on the inside, then you’ve just found your Game Of The Year. If you want big-stinky high-budget action that makes you start giggling like a mentalist, this isn’t it. If Halo 2 is the equivalent of the latest Will Smith blockbuster, then Metroid Prime 2 is an on-stage production of ‘classic’ Chaucer. It will change your life and make you want to shout it from the rooftops, or else, it'll send you straight to sleep and give you weird dreams.
SPOnG Rating: A+
Metroid Prime 2 is one of the Gamecube's finest moments. It takes such an original approach (excepting its prequel) that you simply can't argue with it. There are things that will turn off the more casual gamer, but there's a great deal to love for those more serious about their preferred hobby. And if you're already a Metroid fan this will have the power to make you an extremely happy bunny.
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Comments
Ditto 26 Nov 2004 11:21
1/4
Another cracking review Spong!
Just a couple of points:
* If you scan by holding down L and then keep the button held down while pressing A you can read the text on-screen without going into the menu. Much easier. The scanning is a way for making you explore rather than being spoon-fed all the information needed to complete the game - important in making an in-depth game.
* The controls are amazing. I love Metroid Prime's controls. Having spent far too long playing 2D games I just cannot use the controls of most FPS - they're beyond me. Metorid's controls are perfect for the exploration theme of the game and are easy to pick up and use. My main worry for Prime 2 was that Retro would remove the amazing control scheme. It plays like the 2D version.
Otherwise an excellent review which will hopefully convince people to try one of the best two games of the current generation.
Just a couple of points:
* If you scan by holding down L and then keep the button held down while pressing A you can read the text on-screen without going into the menu. Much easier. The scanning is a way for making you explore rather than being spoon-fed all the information needed to complete the game - important in making an in-depth game.
* The controls are amazing. I love Metroid Prime's controls. Having spent far too long playing 2D games I just cannot use the controls of most FPS - they're beyond me. Metorid's controls are perfect for the exploration theme of the game and are easy to pick up and use. My main worry for Prime 2 was that Retro would remove the amazing control scheme. It plays like the 2D version.
Otherwise an excellent review which will hopefully convince people to try one of the best two games of the current generation.
bunny goes squish 26 Nov 2004 15:50
2/4
Excellent review, especially the analogy to cigarettes - absolutely spot on.
I myself had a copy of the first Metroid Prime sitting at the bottom of my stack of games, barely played for a long long time wondering why the hell it was so highly rated. Sure it looked pretty but so much of it was extremely frustrating. I'd start the game, get so far in, get frustrated/bored of it and not touch it for ages. A couple of months later, I'd try to get into it again, load up an old save file, realise I'd forgotton where I was upto or what I was doing, get annoyed again and leave it for another week. It'd then tempt me back once more, i'd restart, play it again but get that bit further.
It wasn't till the third time around the above cycle, that I actually properly got into MP, understood what it is all about and completed it.
All its elements fit together perfectly and it's only when you begin to look at them as a whole, rather than individual bits, that you truly succumb to its' wonder. The first is one of the most perfectly formed games I've ever played and I cannot wait to get my hands on this sequel.
I myself had a copy of the first Metroid Prime sitting at the bottom of my stack of games, barely played for a long long time wondering why the hell it was so highly rated. Sure it looked pretty but so much of it was extremely frustrating. I'd start the game, get so far in, get frustrated/bored of it and not touch it for ages. A couple of months later, I'd try to get into it again, load up an old save file, realise I'd forgotton where I was upto or what I was doing, get annoyed again and leave it for another week. It'd then tempt me back once more, i'd restart, play it again but get that bit further.
It wasn't till the third time around the above cycle, that I actually properly got into MP, understood what it is all about and completed it.
All its elements fit together perfectly and it's only when you begin to look at them as a whole, rather than individual bits, that you truly succumb to its' wonder. The first is one of the most perfectly formed games I've ever played and I cannot wait to get my hands on this sequel.
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Ditto 26 Nov 2004 18:04
3/4
Having played this game a bit more throughly now, I think that it's good but not as good as the first one.
I miss the old scan visor with small coloured blocks rather than ugly lumps and your comment about the absurd menu system that becomes very irritating very quickly is spot on. It also sets itself to multiplayer at the beginning when most peope will want single.
I get the feeling less care was taken in this game's production that the previous game. The storyline at the start doesn't hold together, and I don't have the same sense of wonder as I got in the first. There's also less scan text.
But still good - a tad disappointed though.
I miss the old scan visor with small coloured blocks rather than ugly lumps and your comment about the absurd menu system that becomes very irritating very quickly is spot on. It also sets itself to multiplayer at the beginning when most peope will want single.
I get the feeling less care was taken in this game's production that the previous game. The storyline at the start doesn't hold together, and I don't have the same sense of wonder as I got in the first. There's also less scan text.
But still good - a tad disappointed though.
Ditto 30 Nov 2004 08:56
4/4
Ahh! I've got it - sorry about making another post.
When you scan something that is "sent to the log book" you don't need to go through the annyoing menus. Simply press Start.
Above the text it kinda flashes "press START to go to the logbook" - press Start and it takes you directly there.
I must admit, it took me a while to get that!
When you scan something that is "sent to the log book" you don't need to go through the annyoing menus. Simply press Start.
Above the text it kinda flashes "press START to go to the logbook" - press Start and it takes you directly there.
I must admit, it took me a while to get that!