surf dtoid with 
Rising (10+)
People you follow
What I love is how I figured all this out already just from the trailers without having to actually play the game, and yet people are still consistently surprised at how crappy this so-called "Metroid" game actually is.
Blame Team Ninja. It's not as if they've ever been good at storytelling to begin with.
Blame Team Ninja. It's not as if they've ever been good at storytelling to begin with.
I totaly agree! Metroid other m to me is the worst in the series so far!
I do hope they dont ad a crappy story in the next game and focus on what the series does best: Isolasion and atmophere building.
I do hope they dont ad a crappy story in the next game and focus on what the series does best: Isolasion and atmophere building.
Is it sad that the Ridley twist was the only shocking thing in the game? I'm not sure whether to laugh or be embarrassed
THE MIGHTY RIDLEY!
Is a rabbit.
THE MIGHTY RIDLEY!
Is a rabbit.
Part of my response http://www.destructoid.com/blogs/kurokotetsu/other-m-a-view-on-samus-character-183700.phtml
This just in: video game stories suck.
Big deal. It's still fun to play, which is the primary goal of a game in the first place.
Big deal. It's still fun to play, which is the primary goal of a game in the first place.
I'm gonna have to agree with you, unfortunately. The story in the Prime games was great, it was delivered in a subtle way and had very interesting stuff going on. The Magic VS. Science war on Bryyo and the scientis refugee come to mind, as do the Chozo lore and the Space Pirate's hilarious attempts to copy Samus's tech.
This one feels like a JRPG tale, which is bad. Very bad. And not what Metroid is about at all.
Nice write-up, though I have to say I did really enjoy Zero Mission and Fusion.
This one feels like a JRPG tale, which is bad. Very bad. And not what Metroid is about at all.
Nice write-up, though I have to say I did really enjoy Zero Mission and Fusion.
@tvandlust:
If a game bothers with a ton of cutscenes, and they suck, then there's a serious problem with the game.
If a game bothers with a ton of cutscenes, and they suck, then there's a serious problem with the game.
Though the story is the worst of any Metroid game in the series, I think the gameplay is very fun. Maybe still a bit shy of what a Metroid game's gameplay should be, but still very good, above par.
@Hindesite
I thought developers learned their lesson on the PS1 that using a control pad for movement in a 3D space is beyond painful. If they were going to insist on keeping an NES control scheme, they should have gone the full distance and made the game a side-scroller.
I thought developers learned their lesson on the PS1 that using a control pad for movement in a 3D space is beyond painful. If they were going to insist on keeping an NES control scheme, they should have gone the full distance and made the game a side-scroller.
How cute, the Destructoid trolling of Other M isn't done, so now we get big long articles of whine. Did I say cute? I meant annoying and stupid. Read the Ars Technica review of Other M for a review from a REAL JOURNALIST with valid opinions and not just fanboy rage. Funny how the non-fanboys know it's a fun game to play, and the fanboys know it's a fun game to play and still whine like little bitches in spite of it. Fuck off.
Well, now I don't have to listen to Yahtzee's review when it comes up. :-P
Seriously, though, every point is valid. I had no problem with Samus being emotive, but having her jarringly switch from "whatever" to "waaaaahhh" without any inbetween is shoddy.
Seriously, though, every point is valid. I had no problem with Samus being emotive, but having her jarringly switch from "whatever" to "waaaaahhh" without any inbetween is shoddy.
Yeah, I really don't know what they are trying to accomplish with this.
Its almost like they decided that a bad ass character who happens to be a woman doesn't play well anymore, so they decided the only way to play up the fact that she's a woman is to prance her around in that damned zero suit, have her wig the fuck out against an adversary she's already trounced multiple times, and make her submissive to the point where she won't even use her own weapons in a life or death situation until some jack ass gives her the okay.
I liked old Samus more... she wouldn't have put up with this bullshit.
Its almost like they decided that a bad ass character who happens to be a woman doesn't play well anymore, so they decided the only way to play up the fact that she's a woman is to prance her around in that damned zero suit, have her wig the fuck out against an adversary she's already trounced multiple times, and make her submissive to the point where she won't even use her own weapons in a life or death situation until some jack ass gives her the okay.
I liked old Samus more... she wouldn't have put up with this bullshit.
Tony,
Let me make it clear that I have not played "Metroid: Other M" nor did I ever intend to simply because I have found myself completely incapable of properly controlling a character in 3-D space and I don't want to bother with the potential frustration in this game when I have other games to play and things to buy.
That being said, after reading what you wrote, I wonder if you would mind elaborating on whether or not your gripe with the game was moreso in terms of what Sakamoto was conceptually trying to do or if it was the execution of those ideas. The reason I ask this is because, mainly in your first section, I kind that you had unfairly construed the two points and I felt like you were being very ethnocentric.
In the beginning of your article, you attack the decision to give Samus a narrator role and a voice, in particular criticizing the fact that she "recounts every minor event as though to remind herself of where she was and what she was supposed to do." However, as someone who has watched a crapton of Japanese films and anime, I feel as though that the approach you described is a very common approach that the Japanese seem to like, especially with regards to science fiction. To me, thinking about the idea of a Samus narration reminded me of the "long-winded" narration and explanations that Mokoto Kusunagi gives in the well-respected and loved work "Ghost in the Shell." If we go by the history of Metroid, I would argue that there is precendence to suggest that Samus should have a narration. Consider that the opening to "Super Metroid" has a narrative log report delivering the backstory to the game that I imagine would have been voice acted in full had the SNES been capable of doing so.
When done right, I actually like narration and in terms of science fiction, I like that the Japanese are not afraid to go into details that would, in an American film, be considered above the head of the largely ignorant American audience.
HOWEVER, that being said, I also see how with a bad script, a bad translation, or a bad voice job, this entire idea could be completely ruined. From what I can see on YouTube, it appears that "Metroid: Other M" suffers from all three.
Again, I don't really have anything specific to offer in terms of proof one way or the other. I just felt that when I was reading this, my feelings were going into a sine wave where I would oscillate from being pissed off at you seemingly just blindly dismissing a storytelling idea for ethnocentric reasons only to agree with you a short paragraph latter when I realize that, to me, the bigger problem is that the game completely messed up the implementations of such ideas. Just curious as to your thoughts on this nuance.
Let me make it clear that I have not played "Metroid: Other M" nor did I ever intend to simply because I have found myself completely incapable of properly controlling a character in 3-D space and I don't want to bother with the potential frustration in this game when I have other games to play and things to buy.
That being said, after reading what you wrote, I wonder if you would mind elaborating on whether or not your gripe with the game was moreso in terms of what Sakamoto was conceptually trying to do or if it was the execution of those ideas. The reason I ask this is because, mainly in your first section, I kind that you had unfairly construed the two points and I felt like you were being very ethnocentric.
In the beginning of your article, you attack the decision to give Samus a narrator role and a voice, in particular criticizing the fact that she "recounts every minor event as though to remind herself of where she was and what she was supposed to do." However, as someone who has watched a crapton of Japanese films and anime, I feel as though that the approach you described is a very common approach that the Japanese seem to like, especially with regards to science fiction. To me, thinking about the idea of a Samus narration reminded me of the "long-winded" narration and explanations that Mokoto Kusunagi gives in the well-respected and loved work "Ghost in the Shell." If we go by the history of Metroid, I would argue that there is precendence to suggest that Samus should have a narration. Consider that the opening to "Super Metroid" has a narrative log report delivering the backstory to the game that I imagine would have been voice acted in full had the SNES been capable of doing so.
When done right, I actually like narration and in terms of science fiction, I like that the Japanese are not afraid to go into details that would, in an American film, be considered above the head of the largely ignorant American audience.
HOWEVER, that being said, I also see how with a bad script, a bad translation, or a bad voice job, this entire idea could be completely ruined. From what I can see on YouTube, it appears that "Metroid: Other M" suffers from all three.
Again, I don't really have anything specific to offer in terms of proof one way or the other. I just felt that when I was reading this, my feelings were going into a sine wave where I would oscillate from being pissed off at you seemingly just blindly dismissing a storytelling idea for ethnocentric reasons only to agree with you a short paragraph latter when I realize that, to me, the bigger problem is that the game completely messed up the implementations of such ideas. Just curious as to your thoughts on this nuance.
Man. I guess I must really hate the Metroid Series. Because if I actually liked it, I would be shitting all over Other M. But *gasp!* I actually like the game!
"But Ramm! What about the god-awful story!?"
Really Bro? I guess I don't think videogames are art then, because I don't play any game expecting to be blown-away by story. Videogames are not movies. I don't want a 20-Hour non-interactive story-sink. I play videogames for the gameplay and if the story happens to be OK, that's a plus.
Get over yourselves, O People of the Internet. With your extremely unrealistic expectations and ridiculous standards for excellence.
"But Ramm! What about the god-awful story!?"
Really Bro? I guess I don't think videogames are art then, because I don't play any game expecting to be blown-away by story. Videogames are not movies. I don't want a 20-Hour non-interactive story-sink. I play videogames for the gameplay and if the story happens to be OK, that's a plus.
Get over yourselves, O People of the Internet. With your extremely unrealistic expectations and ridiculous standards for excellence.
I understand where both sides of this debate are coming from. I commend Nintendo for actually trying something different with the series, but it would've worked much better if they came up with a completely new IP for the game rather than having to deal with the expectations that come with the Metroid franchise name.
She talks like that because she's reading/writing and journal. It's obvious when compared to the scenes where she talks to someone else.
If anyone is judging or playing videogames purely for story, you might want to reconsider this hobby or stop playing them altogether.Just a suggestion.
I'm gonna save it for a rebuttal, but it seems you missed a lot of significant events in the game, not to mention notable facets of the franchise's makeup prevalent within Other M.
There's only one thing I will say for now. The grandest inconsistency in Metroid Other M was what Samus said about Ridley. She called him a "mindless beast" after stating he was the one disrupting MB's control over the Zebesians and other creatures on the Bottle Ship.
The Prime Games state Space Pirates follow the lead of whomever is most powerful. On Zebes that was Mother Brain, but she was also a planetary defense system built by the Chozo, not a Space Pirate by default. She was able to wrest power from Ridley for the times he was on Zebes.
In Prime, they followed Ridley. In Prime 3, Dark Samus assumed power. So between the original trilogy, the manga and Prime there's some consistency.
But Samus goes on to imply MB was needed to control the pirates. No, that's just what the Federation intended. They didn't know "Little Birdie" would become Ridley and disrup MB's control
There's only one thing I will say for now. The grandest inconsistency in Metroid Other M was what Samus said about Ridley. She called him a "mindless beast" after stating he was the one disrupting MB's control over the Zebesians and other creatures on the Bottle Ship.
The Prime Games state Space Pirates follow the lead of whomever is most powerful. On Zebes that was Mother Brain, but she was also a planetary defense system built by the Chozo, not a Space Pirate by default. She was able to wrest power from Ridley for the times he was on Zebes.
In Prime, they followed Ridley. In Prime 3, Dark Samus assumed power. So between the original trilogy, the manga and Prime there's some consistency.
But Samus goes on to imply MB was needed to control the pirates. No, that's just what the Federation intended. They didn't know "Little Birdie" would become Ridley and disrup MB's control
I was trying to write almost the same exact thing, but Destructoid claimed I was evil Spam. Thank you for writing this.
This game sucked on so many levels.
This game sucked on so many levels.
Wow. Destructoid loves to hate Other M.
I'm not the biggest Metroid fanatic in the universe, but I honestly, for the most part, thoroughly enjoyed Metroid: Other M. A few minutes ago I just beat the game 100% and walked away incredibly satisfied. Was the story convoluted, contrived and cliche at times? Sure, a bit. Still, the fun gameplay was fun. It may not go down as the best Metroid game in the series, but as a video game, I enjoyed the hell out of it. Thank you, Nintendo and Team Ninja.
I'm not the biggest Metroid fanatic in the universe, but I honestly, for the most part, thoroughly enjoyed Metroid: Other M. A few minutes ago I just beat the game 100% and walked away incredibly satisfied. Was the story convoluted, contrived and cliche at times? Sure, a bit. Still, the fun gameplay was fun. It may not go down as the best Metroid game in the series, but as a video game, I enjoyed the hell out of it. Thank you, Nintendo and Team Ninja.
Hi all first time poster long time reader. I just had to chime in and join this conversation to thank Tony so much for his perfect deconstruction of this game's terrible story, to which I agree essentially point-by-point. I personally found this game insulting and offensive on so many levels I couldn't believe it. I have to admit I wasn't expecting much from this one but I wanted to be good and give it a try. Lo and behold, I found it to be terribly written, terribly acted, patronizing, demeaning and borderline sexist in its first class character assassination on one of my most beloved and important childhood icons. It's honestly one of the most repulsive games I've ever played and I'm still shocked. I don't mean to slight anyone who enjoyed it or can look past the story, but I can't. It doesn't work for me and if this is the direction this series is going I can't support it any longer which truly pains me as I have enjoyed every other Metroid game to some extent and count Metroid Prime as my favourite game of all time. I'm hurriedly writing my own point-by-point academic rebuttal of the game which is trickling out in installments, but I encourage anyone else who felt offended by this game to speak up, do it now and do it as loudly as possible. Nintendo must be informed this was unacceptable.
Hi all first time poster long time reader. I just had to chime in and join this conversation to thank Tony so much for his perfect deconstruction of this game's terrible story, to which I agree essentially point-by-point. I personally found this game insulting and offensive on so many levels I couldn't believe it. I have to admit I wasn't expecting much from this one but I wanted to be good and give it a try. Lo and behold, I found it to be terribly written, terribly acted, patronizing, demeaning and borderline sexist in its first class character assassination on one of my most beloved and important childhood icons. It's honestly one of the most repulsive games I've ever played and I'm still shocked. I don't mean to slight anyone who enjoyed it or can look past the story, but I can't. It doesn't work for me and if this is the direction this series is going I can't support it any longer which truly pains me as I have enjoyed every other Metroid game to some extent and count Metroid Prime as my favourite game of all time. I'm hurriedly writing my own point-by-point academic rebuttal of the game which is trickling out in installments, but I encourage anyone else who felt offended by this game to speak up, do it now and do it as loudly as possible. Nintendo must be informed this was unacceptable.
Dag yo. Nice write-up.
(You reminded me very much - in tone, structure, and criticism - of this thing that I wrote for Inception a month or so back. That was a strange experience for me.)
(You reminded me very much - in tone, structure, and criticism - of this thing that I wrote for Inception a month or so back. That was a strange experience for me.)
I agree with everything in this article apart from all the blame being at Sakamoto's feet.
I'd imagine Team Ninja had a hell of a lot to do with it too.
Long story short don't develop games with extensive dialogue and story, which I meant to be catered towards a western fan base, IN JAPAN!!!
I'd imagine Team Ninja had a hell of a lot to do with it too.
Long story short don't develop games with extensive dialogue and story, which I meant to be catered towards a western fan base, IN JAPAN!!!
@Tascar
Ghost in the Shell bored me to tears, damn what the critics say.
I wouldn't say its an ethnocentric bias to claim that excessive narration can be a detriment to story delivery. I know that it's a popular technique in Japanese fiction, but just because its popular doesn't mean there aren't a billion ways to do it better. It's not as if Samus is pointing out details that would otherwise go unnoticed by the audience. She is making extremely obvious observations and repeating them over and over again.
The difference between Super Metroid and Other M is that, in the former, the opening narration sets up the rest of the game and then lets you go about your business, and anything else is delivered non-verbally. It's a brand of subtlety that games today no longer want to employ.
Ghost in the Shell bored me to tears, damn what the critics say.
I wouldn't say its an ethnocentric bias to claim that excessive narration can be a detriment to story delivery. I know that it's a popular technique in Japanese fiction, but just because its popular doesn't mean there aren't a billion ways to do it better. It's not as if Samus is pointing out details that would otherwise go unnoticed by the audience. She is making extremely obvious observations and repeating them over and over again.
The difference between Super Metroid and Other M is that, in the former, the opening narration sets up the rest of the game and then lets you go about your business, and anything else is delivered non-verbally. It's a brand of subtlety that games today no longer want to employ.
I'm way ahead of you on getting disappointed with the script quality for video games. Even recent big-name titles like Uncharted and Heavy Rain have cavernous plot holes large enough to fit a aircraft carrier through. Over the years, I've learned to never put so much behind a game's story....it is a game, after all, that should focus on gameplay if it knew what was good for it. If you want a good story, read a book. Not comics, not movies; all that visual clutter muscles in for precedence over writing.
Sorry for the double post, dind't write the url. But also you didn't get the "Deleter" business. It is far more probable that it was the "rescue" squad, because of Anthony's irony almpshades the fact that they shouldn't be there. There is no way they could be there in that time if they weren't before. before, for God knows how long. There is also the fact that the Delter's attack on Samus probably ended with his demise (crashing a machine of several tons into a wall cockpit first probably killed him) yet we see another "deleted" corpse in another sector at exactly the same narrative time, so ate least it was two people.
Also, look for Heart of Darkness 8mentioned in teh blog), it is a man droning for more that a hundred pages about his insecurity and fears. it is also one of the most important novels of the twentieth century. It is also about a man that revieves orders even while being independant and a man that does what he does because of his family (his aunt got him the job, even while he had interest in it). And it is a great book. Yes, Other M's sotry isn't that well written, but why can Marlow get away with it and not Samus? of course, whe is a woman, so she must not wear a dress.
In cloning, that is true in life. Yes, there is a "canon failure" with respect of Fusion (so what Marcel Proust brings back a dead character in a novel without any supernatural elements and In Search of Lost Time is one of the master pieces of literature) but just as one can take DNA from epithelial cells form a rope, so one can take DNA from pieces of the Baby Metroid that fell on Samus' suit. But that has a time limit. Depending on how the demise of the Chozo went, when someone got there, the DNA would've degraded by when the Federation was there.
The resolution felt a little rushed, but you are exagereting how rushed it was. MB was already introduced, Madelaine was already theorized to have sent the distress signal. If you think a little it is obvious that the second scientist is the real Madelaine. That makes it less rushed. Yes, it is rushed but so was FFVII: Advent Children. It isn't perfect, but still nothing is.
I talked Stoicism in my blog entry, so to the "switch part". It is very clear that Samus even while in the federation was pretty introverted. I for one have had "switch reactions" passing from showing to be calm to yelling in a second (while being an adult, yes, thank you). Real people may act that way, so that isn't bad characterization, as there are people that react that way.
Young Samus would be the next point. She was a teenager. Didn't you "pout"? Didn't you make things to annoy your parents? Just because she is an stoic hero it doesn't mean it should be that way always. Au contraire, it makes her more human. Her bigger call was already answered when she was in the Federation, she already decided to help people. The way to do it changed for a emotional reaction (probably form watching a friend die when she was sure she could do something), but that doesn't make her greater calling any less grand.
Also you seem to "confuse" presentation with the story itself. That some lines are hamfisted or badly delivered, it is part of how it is delivered, not the story itself. That the actress could do a better work, yes. But that also is part of the charm. She is someone that doesn't know how to convey her feelings, so her voice doesn't show feelings. Being impassible while having deep feelings is very hard to convey, especially with only voice since most of the time her face is covered.
Yes, the game is not perfect. More subtlety in the writing and the voice work would've helped. Yes, it tapped the same areas than Fusion (she can still work with the Federation as it is a large organization, meaning that not all are shady) and rises some questions in the continuity. Yes, some cutscenes where too long. But it isn't the great debacle some people are making it to look like. It actually makes a very human character.
Also, look for Heart of Darkness 8mentioned in teh blog), it is a man droning for more that a hundred pages about his insecurity and fears. it is also one of the most important novels of the twentieth century. It is also about a man that revieves orders even while being independant and a man that does what he does because of his family (his aunt got him the job, even while he had interest in it). And it is a great book. Yes, Other M's sotry isn't that well written, but why can Marlow get away with it and not Samus? of course, whe is a woman, so she must not wear a dress.
In cloning, that is true in life. Yes, there is a "canon failure" with respect of Fusion (so what Marcel Proust brings back a dead character in a novel without any supernatural elements and In Search of Lost Time is one of the master pieces of literature) but just as one can take DNA from epithelial cells form a rope, so one can take DNA from pieces of the Baby Metroid that fell on Samus' suit. But that has a time limit. Depending on how the demise of the Chozo went, when someone got there, the DNA would've degraded by when the Federation was there.
The resolution felt a little rushed, but you are exagereting how rushed it was. MB was already introduced, Madelaine was already theorized to have sent the distress signal. If you think a little it is obvious that the second scientist is the real Madelaine. That makes it less rushed. Yes, it is rushed but so was FFVII: Advent Children. It isn't perfect, but still nothing is.
I talked Stoicism in my blog entry, so to the "switch part". It is very clear that Samus even while in the federation was pretty introverted. I for one have had "switch reactions" passing from showing to be calm to yelling in a second (while being an adult, yes, thank you). Real people may act that way, so that isn't bad characterization, as there are people that react that way.
Young Samus would be the next point. She was a teenager. Didn't you "pout"? Didn't you make things to annoy your parents? Just because she is an stoic hero it doesn't mean it should be that way always. Au contraire, it makes her more human. Her bigger call was already answered when she was in the Federation, she already decided to help people. The way to do it changed for a emotional reaction (probably form watching a friend die when she was sure she could do something), but that doesn't make her greater calling any less grand.
Also you seem to "confuse" presentation with the story itself. That some lines are hamfisted or badly delivered, it is part of how it is delivered, not the story itself. That the actress could do a better work, yes. But that also is part of the charm. She is someone that doesn't know how to convey her feelings, so her voice doesn't show feelings. Being impassible while having deep feelings is very hard to convey, especially with only voice since most of the time her face is covered.
Yes, the game is not perfect. More subtlety in the writing and the voice work would've helped. Yes, it tapped the same areas than Fusion (she can still work with the Federation as it is a large organization, meaning that not all are shady) and rises some questions in the continuity. Yes, some cutscenes where too long. But it isn't the great debacle some people are making it to look like. It actually makes a very human character.
@Dv8thwonder
The official review took care of the gameplay problems. No need for me to retread that territory.
@The Silent Protagonist
Oh, I had tons more to say about the game. I left a bunch of stuff on cutting board because otherwise this article would have been five miles long.
The official review took care of the gameplay problems. No need for me to retread that territory.
@The Silent Protagonist
Oh, I had tons more to say about the game. I left a bunch of stuff on cutting board because otherwise this article would have been five miles long.
I honestly thoroughly enjoyed Other M despite its flaws and nonsensical execution, particularly due to the story. Fortunately, the fun gameplay helped make up for it and I don't regret the purchase.
I actually agree with Ponce's comments about the story. It may be harsh but it is true. Sakamoto and D Rockets missed a big opportunity to properly explore the characterization of Samus and reveal the details of her past, as well as present a competent present plot based on the events that took place aboard the Bottleship. With that said, I do not agree with Chester's review of the game. Other M's story was ultimately not nearly as informative as the information revealed by the metroid manga released years ago. For what it is worth, the story parts involving Ridley were probably the most interesting of all.
Quite frankly, Other M is technically a second-party game as its development was outsourced to Team Ninja, a third-party developer.
I actually agree with Ponce's comments about the story. It may be harsh but it is true. Sakamoto and D Rockets missed a big opportunity to properly explore the characterization of Samus and reveal the details of her past, as well as present a competent present plot based on the events that took place aboard the Bottleship. With that said, I do not agree with Chester's review of the game. Other M's story was ultimately not nearly as informative as the information revealed by the metroid manga released years ago. For what it is worth, the story parts involving Ridley were probably the most interesting of all.
Quite frankly, Other M is technically a second-party game as its development was outsourced to Team Ninja, a third-party developer.
Know what really was the clincher for me knowing the story in this game must be horribly told? When I saw that Ridley cutscene, not only was she crying about seeing an alien she had killed 4 times already, but the cutscene literally shows her turning into a kid. Because we didn't really get that she was afraid like a little girl before, right? If this situation was told by a competant storyteller, her reaction could have been encapsulated in a flinch. By this team, it was told by having her turn into a kid and have daddy save her.
This article is absolutely right. I found myself rolling my eyes at a lot of the scenarios you mentioned, and questioning a lot of the same plot holes.
Great write-up.
Great write-up.
@kurokotetsu
Part of the charm is how badly stuff is delivered? Are we now accepting this level of quality? I don't think we should, really.
Part of the charm is how badly stuff is delivered? Are we now accepting this level of quality? I don't think we should, really.
I see Other M has been blasted a lot at this sight. While the criticisms aren't wrong I think the game itself is a blast and fans would enjoy it.
But we're here about the story. I agree that it isn't told in the best fashion, but since I feel conditioned to shit story telling being a gamer and such, I do see the intentions behind the story, and find them generally endearing. It reminds me of a young person reluctantly reading something infront of class, it's amature but with good intentions. If that is a problem then you might want to keep away form Other M, the bosses are a blast so you'd be missing out;)
That's my thoughts, anyway. It's my first post hear (long time reader) so take it or leave it:)
But we're here about the story. I agree that it isn't told in the best fashion, but since I feel conditioned to shit story telling being a gamer and such, I do see the intentions behind the story, and find them generally endearing. It reminds me of a young person reluctantly reading something infront of class, it's amature but with good intentions. If that is a problem then you might want to keep away form Other M, the bosses are a blast so you'd be missing out;)
That's my thoughts, anyway. It's my first post hear (long time reader) so take it or leave it:)
I only lasted 5 hours. I pretty much agree with all of these points. Comparing Samus to Anakin is the perfect description of her. I probably wouldn't have minded the cutscenes so much if Samus actually had something interesting to say. Some of those monologues were of Samus doing her best impression of Captain Obvious. It's jarring to have the game interrupted for five minutes to be told something that the player can clearly see. It makes me happy that none of the Prime games tried this. If you saw a dead space pirate, well, that's what you saw. You wanna scan it? Go ahead. You don't? Off you go then!
Unfortunately, my main problem with the game was the inability to switch between first and third person flawlessly. I was always stuck waiting for the thing to calibrate and would take a hit before I could fire a shot. When I wasn't able to fix this issue (new batteries, changing the placement of the sensor bar, etc.), I sold it. Not much else I could do. Why they didn't allow different controller options is beyond comprehension. Super Mario Galaxy's controls would've been perfect IMO.
Unfortunately, my main problem with the game was the inability to switch between first and third person flawlessly. I was always stuck waiting for the thing to calibrate and would take a hit before I could fire a shot. When I wasn't able to fix this issue (new batteries, changing the placement of the sensor bar, etc.), I sold it. Not much else I could do. Why they didn't allow different controller options is beyond comprehension. Super Mario Galaxy's controls would've been perfect IMO.
@tvandlust: No, they don't suck. There are plenty of videogames with good stories, some with fantastic stories.
@Matt Welch: Dunno 'bout you, but I certainly didn't find navigating 3D areas with a D-pad fun. Stopping the game to play Where's Wally every now and then wasn't fun. Having all the fun toys and items taken away at the start of the game for some outright stupidly arbitrary reason wasn't fun. Getting savaged by a swarm of basic enemies because the Wii Remote decided it didn't want to talk to the Sensor Bar today wasn't fun.
Not letting me fucking explore this big ship full of secrets and items wasn't fun. Pointing out what rooms had items wasn't fun (Metroid Prime only did it for the major power-ups, and even then it let me turn that off. Prime 3's secret satellite thing was optional and you had to go out of your way to get it).
Metroid: Other M was not a fun game to play.
Oh, but I guess none of this matters because I'm not a JOURNALIST, nor a REAL JOURNALIST with VALID OPINIONS THAT ARE THE SAME AS YOURS, right?
@Matt Welch: Dunno 'bout you, but I certainly didn't find navigating 3D areas with a D-pad fun. Stopping the game to play Where's Wally every now and then wasn't fun. Having all the fun toys and items taken away at the start of the game for some outright stupidly arbitrary reason wasn't fun. Getting savaged by a swarm of basic enemies because the Wii Remote decided it didn't want to talk to the Sensor Bar today wasn't fun.
Not letting me fucking explore this big ship full of secrets and items wasn't fun. Pointing out what rooms had items wasn't fun (Metroid Prime only did it for the major power-ups, and even then it let me turn that off. Prime 3's secret satellite thing was optional and you had to go out of your way to get it).
Metroid: Other M was not a fun game to play.
Oh, but I guess none of this matters because I'm not a JOURNALIST, nor a REAL JOURNALIST with VALID OPINIONS THAT ARE THE SAME AS YOURS, right?
follow
