Metroid: Other M Review

There’s a few reasons the original Metroid games are so immersive; the exploration of bizarre yet believable alien environments, the loneliness and self-reliance, the story that is told around you, not at you, etc. Even the very first game got this right. Super Metroid is famous for expanding, yet refining, the original game’s formula. I consider Metroid: Zero Mission to be an even greater victory, perhaps. The Metroid Prime series is more controversial, but it is still widely believed to be an excellent translation of that winning Metroid gameplay formula into 3D. When Team Ninja was given the task of creating the next Metroid game, they had a tough act to follow. Metroid: Other M does a commendable job of blending the 2D and the 3D gameplay of the previous Metroid games, but too much else was changed for the worse. 

Metroid: Other M is a Wii action/adventure game and is the latest in the long-running Metroid series. It attempts to show players, much more than any previous game, who Samus Aran, the series’ female protagonist, is and why. This is mostly done through melodramatic anime-style CG cutscenes. Fans of sci-fi anime should be fairly used to this style, but it does frequently come off as a bit cheesy, especially to those unfamiliar with anime. Focusing on life-changing emotional events means we see Samus at her worst (read: “most childish”), and this could be upsetting to fans. There was at least one moment where Samus definitely acted out-of-character, but for the most part, I found the story melded fairly well with my understanding of Samus. Those who’ve pictured her as being perpetually tough-as-nails will probably disagree. Other M goes a bit too far showing Samus’ imperfections, but I appreciated the humanization of her character.

Metroid: Other M’s most stand-out game mechanic is the ability to switch between third and first person mode. I don’t fear change, as long as it’s for the best, and this was an excellent idea, but the execution is greatly flawed. The third person movement and combat is where the game shines most, as Team Ninja has great experience in that area with the 3D Ninja Gaiden games. There’s some really clever enemy and boss design and cool attack techniques. Unfortunately, producer Yoshio Sakamoto insisted that the game not use the analog nunchuck, so movement is done through the directional pad, and the Wii remote is held like an NES controller in third-person mode. You’ll only occasionally run into awkward third-person controls, but in first-person mode you can’t move; you can only aim. This is the biggest problem in the game, as it’s annoying to have to go into third-person to dodge. The enemy AI seems to be adjusted for this, but that’s just poor design. 

The gameplay is a strange mixed bag of several small bad design choices that thankfully don’t outweigh the good of the overall experience, but are hard to ignore. The game is constantly reminding you that you’re playing a game, and this is unforgivable in a Metroid game. Other M often restricts what weapon or ability you can use in a given situation, rather than just letting you try it and have it fail. Certain sections will change the camera perspective to an over-the-shoulder view and force you to walk slowly, possibly to create tension, but it’s more annoying and awkward than anything. Worse, is when the game forces you into a first-person mode and makes you find something specific with your scanner before you advance and it can be really hard to find. Luckily, the forced shoulder view and forced first-person modes are rare, but they should have been omitted all together, or greatly streamlined.

Exploration and finding new weapons and abilities are some of the best parts of the Metroid series, but Other M cripples these as well. Due to story elements, Adam Malkovich, former Commanding Officer to Samus, decides when Samus can start using certain weapons and abilities. This might not be so bad if his approval timing didn’t seem so arbitrary and harsh, but it does. In previous games, the designers would have Samus somehow lose her abilities, and you would have to go find the items. Neither rationale for the need to find items again is ideal, but the latter made more sense and left you with a feeling of accomplishment. The items you do find are usually boring upgrades, and the game’s leanings toward linearity, makes them not as fun to find. There are several occasions when the level design is brilliant, and the game requires you to experiment and explore. If only there were more of that. 

The visual design is about on-par with the Prime games, but the music is hardly memorable. I’ve heard others complain about Samus’ voice actress, and while she is cold, it’s arguable that it’s appropriate to who Samus has become. (She is a bounty hunter, after all.) The other actors do fine, though the anime-like melodrama emerges here.

Despite all these issues, I actually enjoyed the game. Most of the issues are small, and would be no big deal on their own, but there’s just so many of them. Metroid is my second favorite game series of all time (after Metal Gear) and a heavily flawed game in an excellent series can still be a good game. Some might not consider all of these differences to be flaws. The game is much more action-oriented and those who’ve found Metroid games boring (you have my pity), may enjoy Other M more. Metroid fans, however, should look at this as an inferior gameplay spin-off of sorts, or a “Gaiden”. (Wink!) It’s still enjoyable, but it’s far from what we know and love. I’d be fine with another third-person/first-person hybrid, but maybe it’s time to bring Retro Studios back, eh, Nintendo?