Metroid Prime is in contention (against Super Metroid) for my all-time favorite video game. I know this game like the back of my hand so much… that I finished this “remaster” 100 % - DESPITE the fact I haven’t played this game in nearly a decade. No one was more hyped and happier to see this game brilliantly re-released to new textures and oh so much more than me. But would the dream be real or just that, a dream?
I know this brings up much debate, but for my money this is practically a remake. Yes, I’m aware it’s the same code and they used the same Rude engine that powered the first game (though obviously the engine has been upgraded to match what the Switch can do), but to me there is too much drastic change to not call this a remake. The world looks gorgeous, the particles and textures make you believe its running on Unreal Engine 4 (to be fair, the Rude engine was based on a heavily customized Unreal Engine 2), and even small changes were made to character models such as Meta Ridley, who adds some of the known purple design back to the character. There is no doubt that this, for me, has surpassed Luigi’s Mansion 3 as the best looking Switch game.
But outside of looking prettier does it still hold up two decades since its Nintendo GameCube release? Short answer is hell yes. You could come in this game, thinking it’s the first release and you could not tell it’s a GameCube era game. This is one of those titles that shows the timeless work that Nintendo puts into their games. The sense of being alone in a mysterious planet with some of the best atmospheric video game music to boot is still very much there. The sense of discovery with the scan visor as you explore Tallon IV’s different geographical areas and find yourself uncovering more on the mysteries of Phazon. Nothing in this game ages badly, it’s still a must play game for any gamer, especially fans of the Metroidvania genre.
Metroid Prime: Remastered is a dream come true for a fan of the franchise like me. One of the greatest games ever made, with modern upgraded graphics and now easily accessible for a new generation to play. Twenty years later, this game is STILL a masterclass in game design. It was one of those games that truly showed me what video games can be back in the day, and two decades later I still feel that way. I truly cannot tell you how much of a MUST PLAY this game is. Jump into the suit of the most badass bounty hunter and see why Samus Aran is a legend.
I know this brings up much debate, but for my money this is practically a remake. Yes, I’m aware it’s the same code and they used the same Rude engine that powered the first game (though obviously the engine has been upgraded to match what the Switch can do), but to me there is too much drastic change to not call this a remake. The world looks gorgeous, the particles and textures make you believe its running on Unreal Engine 4 (to be fair, the Rude engine was based on a heavily customized Unreal Engine 2), and even small changes were made to character models such as Meta Ridley, who adds some of the known purple design back to the character. There is no doubt that this, for me, has surpassed Luigi’s Mansion 3 as the best looking Switch game.
But outside of looking prettier does it still hold up two decades since its Nintendo GameCube release? Short answer is hell yes. You could come in this game, thinking it’s the first release and you could not tell it’s a GameCube era game. This is one of those titles that shows the timeless work that Nintendo puts into their games. The sense of being alone in a mysterious planet with some of the best atmospheric video game music to boot is still very much there. The sense of discovery with the scan visor as you explore Tallon IV’s different geographical areas and find yourself uncovering more on the mysteries of Phazon. Nothing in this game ages badly, it’s still a must play game for any gamer, especially fans of the Metroidvania genre.
Metroid Prime: Remastered is a dream come true for a fan of the franchise like me. One of the greatest games ever made, with modern upgraded graphics and now easily accessible for a new generation to play. Twenty years later, this game is STILL a masterclass in game design. It was one of those games that truly showed me what video games can be back in the day, and two decades later I still feel that way. I truly cannot tell you how much of a MUST PLAY this game is. Jump into the suit of the most badass bounty hunter and see why Samus Aran is a legend.