This evaluate initially went stay in 2014, and we’re updating and republishing it to mark the sport’s arrival in Switch’s GBA library by way of the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
Released a full eight years after its phenomenal Super Nintendo predecessor, Super Metroid, 2002’s Metroid Fusion is a well-paced, tense, atmospheric sport and an oft-overlooked GBA traditional that, whereas not as substantial and expansive as different 2D video games within the sequence, fits moveable play superbly.
Naturally, you assume the function of Samus Aran, the legendary bounty hunter accountable for overturning the sinister designs of the Space Pirates and obliterating their natural weapon, the Metroids. Samus accompanies a bunch of scientists to SR388, the Metroid homeworld, planning to survey the planet, however is unknowingly accosted by a virulent organism often known as an X Parasite. The actuality of this an infection is defined as soon as Samus loses consciousness and crashes her ship on the return journey – although she escapes the influence unhurt, her physique and gear are teeming with X Parasites, and her possibilities of survival are slim. Her signature attire, the Power Suit, is surgically eliminated and he or she is injected with cells from the final of the Metroids, saving her from a grim demise however drastically altering her look. Weakened, she is given little time to recuperate when the laboratory containing each the creatures collected within the exploratory mission and her Power Suit is rocked by an explosion, thus tasking her with the accountability of investigating this mysterious area station.
It’s a robust opening sequence, notably for those who performed Super Metroid. Samus muses that the Metroid vaccine administered to her was derived from (spoilers!) the Baby Metroid within the SNES title and, as such, she owes it her life twice over. Metroids had been apparently designed to be the X’s sole predator, and because of the cell infusion, she is now capable of take in X Parasites into her physique. Previous expertise with the sequence is just not essentially required to take pleasure in this entry, however understanding that Samus’ personal actions in wiping out the Metroids in Metroid II: Return of Samus have not directly triggered the occasions of Metroid Fusion does add some nice flavour. We’d advocate taking part in not less than Super Metroid earlier than this one, (however we would advocate that to anybody who will hear, regardless).
The gameplay itself was additional refined from previous instalments. Samus is as sprightly as ever and nonetheless utilises her signature spinning bounce and 8-directional aiming strategies from earlier video games, however is now additionally capable of seize ledges and climb sure surfaces. As you’d anticipate, Samus is stripped of power-ups from the earlier sport because of the removing of her Power Suit, and these are steadily unlocked by way of development within the sport.
So far, so Metroid. Metroid Fusion’s development, nevertheless, is surprisingly linear. Samus is given directions from her ship’s onboard laptop, whom she dubs ‘Adam’ after her late commanding officer, and there’s little or no room for deviation from the primary path for many of the sport. Metroid Fusion has a narrative, one which it insists on telling, and funnels you in a single path. Metroid video games have at all times been linear experiences, in fact. Sure, you backtrack and open up new paths as soon as you’ve got acquired a brand new means, however there’s usually solely ever one thread to comply with, nevertheless cleverly it is sewn throughout the map.
So it’s maybe a bit disappointing that Metroid Fusion usually simply seals off sure routes with locked doorways, notably in direction of the start of the sport. It’s this lack of ingenuity and originality that retains Metroid Fusion from surpassing its 2D predecessor — Super Metroid — in high quality, nevertheless it does not spoil the sport and arguably fits the shorter play classes usually related to moveable play. To sequence followers who know the lore, Metroid Fusion’s narrative is definitely worth the concession, too. It’s a gripping story of suspense and intrigue, completely accompanied by the hostile setting and Samus’ unfamiliar feeling of helplessness.
The analysis station Samus explores is host to a variety of organic specimens now contaminated with the vicious X Parasites. The number of enemies on show is spectacular, and boss battles particularly are pleasurable and creative. Samus’ bigger foes are shaped from X Parasites holding one in all her earlier power-ups, and so they use this means towards her. The opponent holding the Morph Ball, for example, is an alien armadillo that curls right into a sphere and rolls into Samus, whereas the boss holding the High Jump — and you will by no means guess this — vaults excessive into the air.
It’s a pleasant little contact, one that’s seen once more in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and is utilized in each video games to nice impact to make Samus appear appropriately weak with out her gear and suitably empowered as soon as it is recovered. Again, it is Metroid 101, however Fusion does it very successfully.
An plain spotlight when it comes to enemies is the SA-X, a doppelganger of Samus created by the an infection of her Power Suit. This cruel clone hunts the bounty hunter and is in full possession of her complete arsenal of weaponry, together with the Ice Beam, to which she’s now extraordinarily inclined because of her Metroid DNA. The sport regularly reminds you that the SA-X is way too highly effective to fight in her present state, and evading the creature while trying to achieve the subsequent goal is tense and exhilarating.
Graphically, Metroid Fusion is a pleasure to behold, with detailed sprites and moody, atmospheric environments. It’s awash with color (partly to assist gamers see the motion higher on authentic non-backlit GBA {hardware}), which is refreshing for a title with a sci-fi setting the place a darkish, muted palette would have been the plain alternative. Environments are distinct and various, displaying a wonderful fusion of natural and mechanical design.
Metroid Fusion may be very removed from the longest sport within the sequence. Following the story itself ought to take maybe six hours for many gamers, however there’s a wealth of hidden power-ups and gadgets for completionists. Collectibles are sometimes fiendishly hidden, betrayed by delicate visible cues that solely probably the most perceptive gamers will discover. There are fewer head-scratching moments than Super Metroid, for probably the most half, nevertheless it’s rewarding to uncover a hidden trove utilizing wit and a focus to element. Fusion isn’t overly difficult; save factors are littered pretty regularly throughout the environments, while enemies drop health-restoring X Parasite for Samus to gather. Some bosses can show tough, however finding a wholesome provide of Energy Tanks can permit Samus to tank by way of most encounters.
Conclusion
Metroid Fusion is participating, it’s tense, and it’s polished. It isn’t nearly as good because the excellent Super Metroid, however judged by itself deserves it’s an easy advice. Its relative linearity makes it an incredible jumping-in level for these new to the sequence, while longtime followers will benefit from the narrative focus and the references and delicate winks thrown at them. It’s ‘Metroid 4’ — important for followers, but in addition an exhilarating, compact delight for newcomers.
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