Metroid Prime

Anyone think this game is overrated? The control is pretty good (although a lotta people hate it, halo controls better), and the graphics are fantastic. But it's the backtracking that really ruins this game..... I realize that the old Metroid games were all about backtracking, but then again the old Doom games were all about finding keys...... Some things gotta change IMO. It's annoying to go backtrack halfway across the world to realize you still don't have the right weapon to blow apart that rock made out of Benzuium or whatever.........

I just hope Metroid Prime 2 is more linear.

well the only thing is the back tracking... they should have added more little shortcuts that you could take... and i dont think that the game is over rated, it's perfect.

It was one of the few games that I have really enjoyed for quite some time.
Sure, some people wont feel the same, but for me it was quite a unique experience in this day and age.
I liked the sense of exploration, although rather linear, it was still better than what most games pull off these days.

Well what makes a Metroid game a Metroid game is the backtracking, without it it wouldnt feel the same, the backtracking is in part what makes you love or hate the Metroid Games, and about being overrated, i dont think so the game has exactly what everyone says, and it was not easy for Retro Studios to realize the way to transform Metroid to 3D, so i think the rating is just perfect.

For some reason, backtracking has grown very unpopular over the years.

Of course, if you happen to be playing Resident Evil and find out that you have to go to the other side of the damn mansion/ police station/ city/ compound/ smaller mansion.....

Backtracking makes the game. Part of the fun of it is playing through the same areas multiple times, and finding new things in each instance. I'd rather be backtracking than only visiting each environment once or twice. Consider the polar opposite.... a game such as Dungeon Siege.


I'm not a huge fan of the control scheme, but it's justified in part as marginally mirroring the side-scrolling Metroid titles, with limited vertical control. It does become a bit cumbersome at times, though.

The game is great, IMO. However, the backtracking does get a little annoying, especially because of the fact that it often takes forever to get somewhere, and then you realize you don't have the right upgrade. The combat is also a bit frantic, because there is often too much dodging and not enough cover to use. It would help if you could hide in places while you decided what stratagey to use next.

Yeah, the control scheme never went down well with the majority of gamers.
I've read of people fumbling with the controls, having to look at the control pad to see what to press and just generally not getting there heads around it.
For some reason, I never had a problem with the control scheme. I found it quite fluid and simple.
But, that’s what happens. There are people who will like the controls for a game, and there are people who will not.

I thought that the GC controller was made for this game, is very good and ingenious.

The control was fine IMO. The lock on feature limits the ability to engage multiple enemies or even lead an enemy with projectile fire, but that's a small trade off....

The problem with the backtracking is usually I have no idea where to go. Unless you have a walkthrough you basically have to guess, and if you guess wrong, you just spent 30 min+ wasting time. And I hate relying on a walkthrough just to play a game.

Resident Evil had backtracking, but it was able to pull it off well because of two things. One, I knew exactly where to go, no guess work involved. And two, it was scary. If I walk down that hallway again, a zombie might burst out of the door and chew on my neck. That to me made the game perfect.

Metroid didn't have either of these aspects.

The reason people (a.k.a. casual gamers) didn't like the controls was because the game was in first-person. They expected it to control as FPS games normally do. I had trouble getting the controls down because of playing TS2 so much, and whenever I come back after awhile from playing normal FPS games, I have to re-learn the control scheme.

you kids are just too lazy to backtrack, games are too easy these days. this game was absolutely amazing.

for the real experience, play this game on a 29" or larger tv with 5.1 surround sound. w00t!

I don't have surround sound, but I do have a very nice sound system. The speakers are better than average surround sound speakers (eg. not those tiny cheap ones), as well as a very good bass. I also have a 25 inch TV. The picture on it is very clear for the size, and especially for when it was made. It's at least 3 years old, if not 5, and the picture quality is better than most TVs out today.

Originally posted by Aaron-X
you kids are just too lazy to backtrack, games are too easy these days. this game was absolutely amazing.

for the real experience, play this game on a 29" or larger tv with 5.1 surround sound. w00t!

Finally, the voice of reason!

Originally posted by Aaron-X
you kids are just too lazy to backtrack, games are too easy these days. this game was absolutely amazing.

for the real experience, play this game on a 29" or larger tv with 5.1 surround sound. w00t!

i would play it on a big screen but for some reason my parents dont want my GC on the TV.... i have no idea why.
i did it once and OMFG!!! it was so awesome!!! 48" dolby digital!!

dolby digital is audio. i have thx certified speakers.... w00t!

i ment a 48" screen and dolby digital.