Support NeoGAF

[Ridley327]

Well, Fusion is better than Super Metroid, so I'd say your expectations are pretty high too.

Yeah, I said it.

I suppose if you ingest a lethal amount of alcohol, Fusion is better.

 

[gdt]

I'd love for this to be as good as Super Metroid.

No way it's as good as MP1/MP2 though.

Spoiler

 

[heringer]

I love Fusion, but it really isn't. The only thing better are tighter controls.

MUCH tighter controls. It just makes the experience way better overall.

The environment puzzles aren't as good, sure, but the atmosphere and boss battles are better. But I'm well aware I'm the minority here.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

I think Fusion and Super Metroid are very different games that both excel at their differing goals.

EDIT: Maybe not very different, but they both have distinctive styles.

 

[The Technomancer]

Fusion was my first Metroid game, so I was never bothered by the linearity. Playing Super for the first time was an eye-opening experience though, and Prime was even better.

 

[Boney]

MUCH tighter controls. It just makes the experience way better overall.

The environment puzzles aren't as good, sure, but the atmosphere and boss battles are better. But I'm well aware I'm the minority here.

I'd say boss battles are a tie, but Super has sequence breaking..

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I am still going to buy this and play it, despite my exaggerated negativity.

If anything, the optimist in me realises that my current attitude actually puts the game in a really good position to surprise me. I'm always going to mourn the loss of the awesome Gamecube-era Retro world design, but it doesn't mean this won't be a pretty good way to spend a few hours.

 

[Ridley327]

I think Fusion and Super Metroid are very different games that both excel at their differing goals.

EDIT: Maybe not very different, but they both have distinctive styles.

You're right.

Fusion does excel at reminding me why Super is better.

 

[Brazil]

The lack of general interest in this game disturbs me. It doesn't surprise me, but it surely makes me uneasy.

 

[Boney]

You're right.

Fusion does excel at reminding me why Super is better.

 

[Oli]

I'm playing through Fusion for the first time right now actually. The game moves a lot smoother, control-wise. But ultimately SM is better.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

It really doesn't matter though, because Zero Mission is just plain better than both.

Honestly, maybe it was because cruel fate made it so that I only played Super Metroid years after I had played ZM and Fusion, but it didn't hit me with the "HOLY WOWSOME BEST GAME EVER" that I expected. The oddly clunky controls and relatively simple and easy boss fights were part of that. It's still a great game, and if I had to pick, I'd edge it just over Fusion (though it really depends on my mood).

 

[Boney]

agh.. gotta get my wii fixed..

 

[_Alkaline_]

I've been part of the 'GAF replays the Metroid Series' thread and have already made my way through the original Metroid, Zero Mission, and Prime 1. I'll tackle Prime 2, Prime 3, Metroid II as well as the unarguable factually best Metroid game in Super Metroid which sets me up beautifully for when Other M comes out.

God I love this series.

 

[Ridley327]

I do agree that it's hard to imagine why Super Metroid got such a rep back in the day. What you have to remember, though, is that it was one of the first games out there that managed to combine a lot of cinematic prowess straight into the gameplay; it was Half-Life 4 years before Half-Life came out. It is an immensely cohesive experience that's gone unrivaled in virtually every aspect.

Metroid Fusion, in comparison, has more streamlined mechanics, but with a substantially less engaging atmosphere and it forces you to read some really shitty Metroid fanfiction.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

You have to go left.

Left.

It turned my world upside down.

 

[victreeb3l]

This thread reminded of the release of MP3: Corruption and how Nintendo released preview videos for the game.

Remember when the Aurora Unit video was released and the whole fucking world went nuts? Ah man, good times :lol

 

[EmCeeGramr]

I do agree that it's hard to imagine why Super Metroid got such a rep back in the day. What you have to remember, though, is that it was one of the first games out there that managed to combine a lot of cinematic prowess straight into the gameplay; it was Half-Life 4 years before Half-Life came out. It is an immensely cohesive experience that's gone unrivaled in virtually every aspect.

Metroid Fusion, in comparison, has more streamlined mechanics, but with a substantially less engaging atmosphere and it forces you to read some really shitty Metroid fanfiction.

I really didn't find the atmosphere less "engaging." It was different, but not worse.

 

[Blueblur1]

Sweet thread.

Still on the fence about the game, though.

I feel the same way.

 

[pulga]

I do agree that it's hard to imagine why Super Metroid got such a rep back in the day. What you have to remember, though, is that it was one of the first games out there that managed to combine a lot of cinematic prowess straight into the gameplay; it was Half-Life 4 years before Half-Life came out. It is an immensely cohesive experience that's gone unrivaled in virtually every aspect.

Metroid Fusion, in comparison, has more streamlined mechanics, but with a substantially less engaging atmosphere and it forces you to read some really shitty Metroid fanfiction.

Less engaging? Not really, SA-X constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, so to speak.

 

[EatChildren]

I do agree that it's hard to imagine why Super Metroid got such a rep back in the day. What you have to remember, though, is that it was one of the first games out there that managed to combine a lot of cinematic prowess straight into the gameplay; it was Half-Life 4 years before Half-Life came out. It is an immensely cohesive experience that's gone unrivaled in virtually every aspect.

Metroid Fusion, in comparison, has more streamlined mechanics, but with a substantially less engaging atmosphere and it forces you to read some really shitty Metroid fanfiction.

I dont think its hard to imagine at all. Even for people who dont rank SM as their favourite, it requires no effort to see why it got so much praise, and why it has such an enduring legacy.

I was talking with my housemate's boyfriend yesterday about being excited for Other M. He has utterly no interest in Metroid, and has never owned a Nintendo system in his life. Yet out of the blue said that when he played Super Metroid he was completely blown away by the scope and feel of the game.

 

[Kard8p3]

Well, Fusion is better than Super Metroid, so I'd say your expectations are pretty high too.

Yeah, I said it.

Have you played Fusion recently? Everytime I play it I almost get to the point where I want to put it over super but my love of sequence breaking barely keeps super on top. Both are amazing games though.

 

[scitek]

If someone wants to Metroidize my avatar for me, I'd be more than grateful. :lol

 

[heringer]

I do agree that it's hard to imagine why Super Metroid got such a rep back in the day. What you have to remember, though, is that it was one of the first games out there that managed to combine a lot of cinematic prowess straight into the gameplay; it was Half-Life 4 years before Half-Life came out. It is an immensely cohesive experience that's gone unrivaled in virtually every aspect.

Metroid Fusion, in comparison, has more streamlined mechanics, but with a substantially less engaging atmosphere and it forces you to read some really shitty Metroid fanfiction.

Well, I will have to disagree. I actually like Fusion's atmosphere better. The SA-X encounters are the most memorable moments in the franchise to me.

And I didn't think the story was shitty at all.

One thing is for sure, Fusion doesn't come close to achieving what Super Metroid achieved in it's time. With that I agree.

 

[Amir0x]

It really doesn't matter though, because Zero Mission is just plain better than both.

Honestly, maybe it was because cruel fate made it so that I only played Super Metroid years after I had played ZM and Fusion, but it didn't hit me with the "HOLY WOWSOME BEST GAME EVER" that I expected. The oddly clunky controls and relatively simple and easy boss fights were part of that. It's still a great game, and if I had to pick, I'd edge it just over Fusion (though it really depends on my mood).

Imo the thing that puts Super Metroid over any other Metroid is the level design. Super Metroid's entire package is just finely honed perfection, I've never seen a game with so many billions of ways to exploit even the tiniest of passages using skill alone. The speed runs on the game are absolutely sick.

I love Fusion (and Zero Mission), and Fusion does things with the narrative structure of the series and even hints at horror at ways that were truly impressive for a GBA game, but overall there was a level of linearity versus Super Metroid that really restricted the exploratory muscle that these games should have. I mean I am still finding new ways to beat Super Metroid after all these years.

I also disagree with the clunky controls comment, but that's something that doesn't bother me really. I can see why someone might feel that way.

 

[The Technomancer]

If someone wants to Metroidize my avatar for me, I'd be more than grateful. :lol

Hehehehee, I've got an idea.

 

[Ridley327]

I sometimes get the feeling that I'm the only Metroid fan that doesn't give two shits about speedrunning or sequence breaking.

 

[heringer]

Have you played Fusion recently? Everytime I play it I almost get to the point where I want to put it over super but my love of sequence breaking barely keeps super on top. Both are amazing games though.

I finished all the 2D games this month (except for Metroid II, but who cares right). Before this replay section Zero Mission was actually my favorite. It comes and goes, my rank is not written in stone. :lol

But yeah, sequence breaking really is a big part of Super's charm. That's why it's the most replayable Metroid game.

 

[EmCeeGramr]

Imo the thing that puts Super Metroid over any other Metroid is the level design. Super Metroid's entire package is just finely honed perfection, I've never seen a game with so many billions of ways to exploit even the tiniest of passages using skill alone. The speed runs on the game are absolutely sick.

I love Fusion (and Zero Mission), and Fusion does things with the narrative structure of the series and even hints at horror at ways that were truly impressive for a GBA game, but overall there was a level of linearity versus Super Metroid that really restricted the exploratory muscle that these games should have. I mean I am still finding new ways to beat Super Metroid after all these years.

I also disagree with the clunky controls comment, but that's something that doesn't bother me really. I can see why someone might feel that way.

The clunky controls was just my initial reaction after playing the GBA games. I easily adapted and they didn't feel very clunky after that, but it was notably odd to have a run button, an item-cancel button, and two separate aiming buttons, while item selection was done by cycling through a menu. Want to use Power Bombs or the Grapple Beam? Deselect missiles, because they're all designated to one button, and it is NOT sensitive to the context.

And yes, I can definitely appreciate the level designs. That was the one thing that struck me: while bombing and blasting everything in the GBA games netted items every so often, SM is riddled with secret rooms and items. You're practically tripping over them if you just know where to look.

 

[Deleted member 30609]

I sometimes get the feeling that I'm the only Metroid fan that doesn't give two shits about speedrunning.

I've never really been a sequence breaker or anything.

 

[King Chozo]

I finished all the 2D games this month (except for Metroid II, but who cares right). Before this replay section Zero Mission was actually my favorite. It comes and goes, my rank is not written in stone. :lol

But yeah, sequence breaking really is a big part of Super's charm. That's why it's the most replayable Metroid game.

Yooooouuuu should be slapped for that...

I don't care for sequence breaking either.

 

[heringer]

Yooooouuuu should be slapped for that...

I kid, I kid. :lol

 

[EatChildren]

I really wish they'd give Metroid II the Zero Mission treatment.

 

[pulga]

I sometimes get the feeling that I'm the only Metroid fan that doesn't give two shits about speedrunning or sequence breaking.

Don't worry, you're not alone.

 

[udivision]

Less engaging? Not really, SA-X constantly kept me on the edge of my seat, so to speak.

SA-X made me freak out. That was the only time any game I I've played ever did.

 

[_Alkaline_]

I finished all the 2D games this month (except for Metroid II, but who cares right).

 

[Luigiv]

Nice OT.

I really wish they'd give Metroid II the Zero Mission treatment.

We "they" don't look like they will any time soon but "he's" doing a pretty good job without them.

 

[heringer]

I'm not that big on sequence breaking either, but you got to admit, you can do some pretty amazing stuff in Super with skill alone.

 

[gdt]

I sometimes get the feeling that I'm the only Metroid fan that doesn't give two shits about speedrunning or sequence breaking.

Same here.

 

[King Chozo]

I really wish they'd give Metroid II the Zero Mission treatment.

Me too... I've said this on many occasions.

 

[Johnas]

I used to be in the "who gives a crap" camp about speed running and sequence breaking until a couple of years ago, when I started giving some of them a shot, and they can breathe such new life into these games.

The only one I've really done speedruns on is Zero Mission, but sequence breaking in Super is so much fun. A couple of them I actually had figured out on my own way back when the game first released (early power bomb for example) before the term was common knowledge.

Prime's early space jump is still king though.

 

[_Alkaline_]

I really wish they'd give Metroid II the Zero Mission treatment.

As do I, but moreso because I would love to see how much more they could flesh it out.

Contrary to what many on GAF will tell you, the original Metroid (and Metroid II for that matter) are far from unplayable. They're terrific little games, just a bit unwieldy due to some confusing level design.

I loved seeing the original get a remake - and Zero Mission is a fantastic Metroid game - but by no means did it make the original irrelevant. Nor would a Metroid II remake. They're still great games. I would just love to see what else they could do with it with increased horsepower and 20 years more experience with the franchise.

 

[Ridley327]

I've never really been a sequence breaker or anything.

It's really cool that the games have aspects like that, but I've always been way more into the harmony of incredible atmosphere and storytelling techniques that have been a part of the series since the NES; all this and it never got in the way of the gameplay. Seeing Fusion resorting to dull and uninteresting cutscenes felt like such a step back.

Wow, I guess I'm not alone after all!

 

[Kard8p3]

SA-X made me freak out. That was the only time any game I I've played ever did.

Yeah when I first played Fusion it blew my mind how a GBA game could put me on edge like it did. Every time it got silent and I heard SA-X walking around I would just stay completely still. Of course I would always come out at the wrong time and get killed in the early parts of the game.

 

[Johnas]

As do I, but moreso because I would love to see how much more they could flesh it out.

Contrary to what many on GAF will tell you, the original Metroid (and Metroid II for that matter) are far from unplayable. They're terrific little games, just a bit unwieldy due to some confusing level design.

I loved seeing the original get a remake - and Zero Mission is a fantastic Metroid game - but by no means did it make the original irrelevant. Nor would a Metroid II remake. They're still great games. I would just love to see what else they could do with it with increased horsepower and 20 years more experience with the franchise.

Metroid II remake is the 2D Metroid the DS should have gotten, but never will.

 

[Datschge]

Metroid Fusion, in comparison, has more streamlined mechanics, but with a substantially less engaging atmosphere and it forces you to read some really shitty Metroid fanfiction.

It being on a then badly lit handheld system may also have had effect on the experienced atmosphere.

 

[_Alkaline_]

It's really cool that the games have aspects like that, but I've always been way more into the harmony of incredible atmosphere and storytelling techniques that have been a part of the series since the NES; all this and it never got in the way of the gameplay. Seeing Fusion resorting to dull and uninteresting cutscenes felt like such a step back.

Honestly, Super performed the art of minimalist story-telling so damn well that Fusion's decision to go in a different direction was actually a good decision to me. Rather than ape what Super perfected, it took the series in a new direction and (I thought) breathed some new life into the series. Every follow-up should be trying to push the boundaries and Fusion did that, for better and for worse.

 

[brandonh83]

My god.

It's coming.

 

[Ridley327]

It being on a then badly lit handheld system may also have had effect on the experienced atmosphere.

I didn't have as many problems with the GBA lighting. I was just put off by the mechanical layout of the levels. I mean, that's the point since it is an artificial habitat, but it's marked departure from previous games and it's one I never cared for. A lot of my apprehension for Other M has been that I can't shake the feeling that it's a mega-budget Fusion.

 

[Freyjadour]

I just...can't get excited about this. First Metroid game I haven't hyped to shit about (other than Hunters)