Pros:
+ a tight, expertly designed journey that has lost none of its appeal
+ the feeling of discovering an alien planet is unmatched
+ the level design is of the highest order
+ pacing in the first half is absolutely perfect
+ collectables are plentiful and directly influence the difficulty
+ the platforming is precise and responsive enough
+ combat feels dirty, quick, and satisfying
+ weapon upgrades open up new combat choices
+ enemies scale in difficulty over the course of the game
+ the map is one of the best ever created for a 3D Metroidvania
+ updated graphics and lightning effects make the game feel brand new
+ each biome has a distinct look and feel
+ music is great throughout and sets the perfect tone
+ sound effects are iconic
+ hint system is helpful and optional...
Cons:
- ...but the notification can't be skipped
- scanning the environment gets tedious quickly
- scanner text windows are far too small
- the writing is dry and descriptive
- boss fights are few and simplistic
- noticeable difficulty spikes after the middle of the game
- Speed Ball and Grapple Beam are difficult to handle
- later enemies require constant change of weaponry
- changing visors and weapon systems mid-fight gets stressful
- the artifact hunt is as frustrating and time-consuming as it always was...
- ...and some are practically impossible to find without guidance
- cutscenes cannot be skipped
- the penultimate boss is a frustrating, tedious bullet sponge
Magic Moments: Beating the first bosses by the skin of your teeth and getting that precious weapon upgrade. Hearing the Magmoor music again after 20 years. Beating the final boss on the first attempt.
Playtime: 16 hours on normal difficulty, with 77% of progress. All health upgrades acquired, most objects scanned, and 160 missiles found.
Verdict:
Much has been written about this game since it first arrived on the Gamecube in 2002 and the impact of Retro Studio's creation is still felt to this day. This remastered version emphasizes the incredible strengths of the original - the worldbuilding, sense of place, and satisfying action - while presenting it with upgraded visuals and some quality of life improvements. While elements like the constant scanning of the environment and the time-consuming, late-stage artifact hunt still somewhat hurt the overall package, the incredible design of this dangerous but beautiful world and the feeling of discovering it slowly and carefully has lost none of its appeal.
Metroid Prime is an action-adventure of the highest order that everyone worth their salt has to play, and this Remastered version is the definitive way to play it.
+ a tight, expertly designed journey that has lost none of its appeal
+ the feeling of discovering an alien planet is unmatched
+ the level design is of the highest order
+ pacing in the first half is absolutely perfect
+ collectables are plentiful and directly influence the difficulty
+ the platforming is precise and responsive enough
+ combat feels dirty, quick, and satisfying
+ weapon upgrades open up new combat choices
+ enemies scale in difficulty over the course of the game
+ the map is one of the best ever created for a 3D Metroidvania
+ updated graphics and lightning effects make the game feel brand new
+ each biome has a distinct look and feel
+ music is great throughout and sets the perfect tone
+ sound effects are iconic
+ hint system is helpful and optional...
Cons:
- ...but the notification can't be skipped
- scanning the environment gets tedious quickly
- scanner text windows are far too small
- the writing is dry and descriptive
- boss fights are few and simplistic
- noticeable difficulty spikes after the middle of the game
- Speed Ball and Grapple Beam are difficult to handle
- later enemies require constant change of weaponry
- changing visors and weapon systems mid-fight gets stressful
- the artifact hunt is as frustrating and time-consuming as it always was...
- ...and some are practically impossible to find without guidance
- cutscenes cannot be skipped
- the penultimate boss is a frustrating, tedious bullet sponge
Magic Moments: Beating the first bosses by the skin of your teeth and getting that precious weapon upgrade. Hearing the Magmoor music again after 20 years. Beating the final boss on the first attempt.
Playtime: 16 hours on normal difficulty, with 77% of progress. All health upgrades acquired, most objects scanned, and 160 missiles found.
Verdict:
Much has been written about this game since it first arrived on the Gamecube in 2002 and the impact of Retro Studio's creation is still felt to this day. This remastered version emphasizes the incredible strengths of the original - the worldbuilding, sense of place, and satisfying action - while presenting it with upgraded visuals and some quality of life improvements. While elements like the constant scanning of the environment and the time-consuming, late-stage artifact hunt still somewhat hurt the overall package, the incredible design of this dangerous but beautiful world and the feeling of discovering it slowly and carefully has lost none of its appeal.
Metroid Prime is an action-adventure of the highest order that everyone worth their salt has to play, and this Remastered version is the definitive way to play it.