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Metroid Prime: Federation Force flops in the UK
- Thread starter Jimmyfenix
- Start date
Wishmaster92
Member
"The shooter genre is not as popular in Japan though"
This game is a hilarious failure.
This game is a hilarious failure.
Steve Youngblood
Member
I can understand the sentiment that the vitriol directed at this game was needlessly hyperbolic. But at the same time, I don't really have much sympathy for this offering. If you're using the Metroid name to bring in the core fans, it should have been pretty obvious even before unveiling it that this isn't what they wanted. And if you're just trying to make a fun shooter and simply felt that the Metroid theme worked for what's there, then I think they should have been able to recognize that this wasn't technologically nor artistically very appealing to fans of FPS games or Metroid games. Further, the 3DS was a very questionable platform for a co-op focused FPS game.
But honestly, I'm happy for the people out there that are enjoying this. I laughed at the petition to cancel this game and don't feel like Nintendo has wronged me by making this game. But that doesn't mean I don't think it was a tonedeaf offering that probably shouldn't have been greenlit in the first place.
But honestly, I'm happy for the people out there that are enjoying this. I laughed at the petition to cancel this game and don't feel like Nintendo has wronged me by making this game. But that doesn't mean I don't think it was a tonedeaf offering that probably shouldn't have been greenlit in the first place.
-Mutsukki-
Member
What? I never said any of that. You asked if professional reviewers had a hate boner for it and I simply replied that that's not out of question. Nothing about false information at all.
At least they know that one was shite.
You're right for FF they probably don't even care.
It's a low budget spinoff.
I wouldn't fear for NLG either, after Zelda Triforce whatever Nintendo is still bankrolling Grezzo for their next big project...
Then again they may have deeper ties to Ishii than with whoever head NLG...
NLG never seemed like a perfect fit for Metroid from I've seen them made but they can make great games so let's hope they're not thrown under the bus.
If the message is no more new Metroid game that may be what they're hearing.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
You said unfounded arguments. Like what?
Metroid Party or Cooking with Samus will be our next test
If they know Other M is shit and damaging to the brand, why do they keep using imagery from it acting like it wasn't? I don't believe for one second they don't have any intention of dropping it or Federation Force because of whatever semblance of pride/respect they have for people that work there and not their consumers as well.
Hale-XF11
Member
Personally, I see no good reason why a properly crafted FPS (co-op or not) can't do well on the 3DS. Gamers recognize and reward quality work and the 3DS has yet to get anything resembling high quality in that genre. Hunters showed clear potential, but Nintendo and other devs have yet to create anything that lives up to that.
randomengine
Banned
This is Neogaf.
I think that they can't acknowledge that Other M is bad but they are not stupid enough to ignore sales data that shows people clearly didn't like Other M.
This is something they know.
If they're cretinous enough to keep pushing this Other M travesty with more mainline game in the same vein, they deserve whatever may befall them.
I don't think we're getting more of that because they couldn't spare Nintendo staffs for Other M to begin with so they're not going to waste Nintendo staffs on another product with even lesser prospect.
I doubt that Team Ninja want to be linked to another disaster of that type either.
The very circumstances of Other M makes me hope that we won't have to suffer from more.
FF is a fucking spinoff that is fucking late to the party, we'll get the mainline prime game in due time.
I waited 2 gens for a Yoshi game that wasn't total garbage, 2 gens for 2D Mario and more than 1 gen for Metroid.
This is nothing.
The DS Call of Duty always did decently, there's potential, not much funding but potential there is.
NOLA_Gaffer
Banned
Some folks can't handle the idea of others enjoying things they do not, unfortunately.
randomengine
Banned
I feel like with games like:
Metroid Prime Hunters
The Legend of Zelda: Triforce Heroes
and now this....
Nintendo is making first-party games tailored to the Japanese market of local co-op on handhelds, which for the 30-somethings at Neogaf makes absolutely no sense. In all honesty, these games should never be ported state-side, but I understand why they are - the IPs are popular here. I think these games should exist, but they simply should not leave the mainland.
Spieler Eins
Member
Some folks can't handle the idea of others enjoying things they do not, unfortunately.
I'm pretty sure people find overall fault in Nintendo, not the people playing this. If anything, only the latter seem to have a profound problem accepting others (i.e. the majority) not being content with recent decisions from Nintendo.
Xaero Gravity
NEXT LEVEL lame™
Regardless of it not being the Metroid game I wanted, it didn't look like a particularly good game, so I'm not surprised to see it flop.
randomengine
Banned
Well the hyperbolic hate towards the game itself is the problem. I saw a video recently, the Giant Bomb one, and I didn't think it looked that bad at all. Certainly not my cup of tea, but not terrible. Certainly better than Metroid Prime Hunters.
TheDinoman
Member
I mean, that's a little extreme.
Mario Kart 8, Mario 3D Land/World, Fire Emblem Awakening/Fates, Super Smash Bros. 4, Splatoon, Super Mario Maker, Kid Icarus Uprising, Luigi's Mansion: Dark Moon, Donkey Kong Country Tropical Freeze, A Link Between Worlds, Animal Crossing New Leaf, and so on are absolutely not trashy spin-offs.
Admitting they fucked up with Other M is literally the best thing they could do for this brand in the eyes of the fans. Why? Because it means they admit to everyone that they have to fix things.
Continuing this have your cake and eating it too approach of ignoring it while using imagery from it is only causing more distrust in them from fans.
Federation Force is simply adding fuel to the fire that Nintendo doesn't understand what they're doing with the series.
Neff
Member
A Nintendo game flopping in the UK doesn't really mean much these days.
But yes, I agree that it's the most inexplicably un-cancelled game ever. There is just no audience for this title. Like, even if I really stretch my brain, I can't imagine any kind of player this game is for. The IP is wrong, the genre is wrong, the aesthetics are wrong, the hardware is wrong. It's like a Dark Souls dating game exclusive to Wii U, only without being as cool as that sounds.
It's kind of disheartening when the games industry and consumers utterly fail to see eye-to-eye like this, but hopefully some good will come of it, like Nintendo realising that people react to games which look good and seem exciting, rather than the opposite.
I'm guessing because they like the game and its designs, and have had outside parties tell them the same, and probably because they're (rightly, imo) proud of it.
But yes, I agree that it's the most inexplicably un-cancelled game ever. There is just no audience for this title. Like, even if I really stretch my brain, I can't imagine any kind of player this game is for. The IP is wrong, the genre is wrong, the aesthetics are wrong, the hardware is wrong. It's like a Dark Souls dating game exclusive to Wii U, only without being as cool as that sounds.
It's kind of disheartening when the games industry and consumers utterly fail to see eye-to-eye like this, but hopefully some good will come of it, like Nintendo realising that people react to games which look good and seem exciting, rather than the opposite.
I'm guessing because they like the game and its designs, and have had outside parties tell them the same, and probably because they're (rightly, imo) proud of it.
Mass Effect
Member
It's kind of sad in a way. I really don't care for this game one way or the other, but I hope this doesn't mean the permanent death of the Metroid franchise.
We need more tests! Quick, somebody call Capcom!
We need more tests! Quick, somebody call Capcom!
randomengine
Banned
Ahem....those are sequels. Only Uprising could be considered a spin-off since the gameplay is so different from the originals.
Yep.
Federation Force's performance is not surprising, but considering the weird ass state of anything Nintendo in the UK, is not something shocking or even a wakeup call.
That chart is full of older titles, yet not even Super Smash Bros is there despite been an evergreen title everywhere else along the rest of the games in there.
Hale-XF11
Member
I appreciate you mentioning this, because those games are always on my mind anytime the subject of FPS games on DS/3DS is brought up. Maybe the funding isn't there, I don't know, but yes, the potential most definitely is there. It's frustrating to me that Nintendo doesn't seem to recognize the western market potential. I just don't understand anymore who they think their audience is.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
You just listed a bunch of established franchises and sequels...with Mario Kart dating back to 1992.
How is Animal Crossing New Leaf a spinoff?
SuperInuit
Member
I'm enjoying the game, but I thoroughly agree that it is a game that's existence makes precious little sense. It's not a metroid game save the story, and a handheld fps is still weird to me. Shame to see it flop, but you can easily see why. Hopefully this isn't too damaging for Next Level Games because they are a great bunch.
TheDinoman
Member
Huh?
Hale over there said "If I were to define Nintendo this generation, it would be trashy spin-offs.", which makes it sound like that's all they did this generation. I'm just pointing out it's a bit misguided to say that games like Federation Force completely define Nintendo this gen even though they've still put out a bunch of full fledged games out over the last five or so years, it's only recently we've been seeing some of these crummy spin-offs.
At least, that's the way I read his post.
Hale-XF11
Member
Yeah, I don't see those games in particular as spin-offs. That being said, the only games I'm truly fond of off that list is Kid Icarus and FE Awakening. The rest I could do without.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
Ah, your post made it seem like you were referring to them as spinoffs. My mistake.
Hale-XF11
Member
Well, it's just my personal take. I mean, the majority of their output (at least on 3DS) seems to be trash, imo.
The problem with coop is that the 3DS is a portable and requires WLAN to play online so you cannot do coop play when you're using the system outside your home. But when you're at home you can get much better coop games than MFF and on more comfortable hardware too. So a 3DS game that turns worthless (or at least significantly worse) when played on the bus is a really bad idea. They should've made it for the Wii U or something, at least that console is pretty much always connected.
Father_Brain
Banned
Yup. The backlash was excessive, but this was just a horribly misconceived product on every level: genre/IP mismatch, genre/platform mismatch, art style/IP mismatch, etc.
If I were Nintendo, I would have responded to the E3 2015 backlash by completely reworking the game as a new IP, preferably for NX. But they're just too stubborn.
I'd buy Other M if they brought Platinum Games in to redo the gameplay and got someone to redub and rewrite it.
-Mutsukki-
Member
Ah, I see. Bad wording on my part, sorry. I meant baseless.
That's just Wal-Mart being Wal-Mart, tho. Once in a while pics of Wal-Marts still selling PS2 accessories for full price pop up, 15 years after release.
ElectricBlanketFire
Member
...that's the same thing.
What is an example of a baseless argument by a professional critic?
TheDinoman
Member
To be honest, I would of been alright with FF being a Metroid game if it weren't for three things.
1. It being on 3DS instead of Wii U or NX
2. It having a ridiculous chibi art-style.
3. It coming out during a time where there's been no real Metroid games for the past few years
If the above three points were adressed, than all FF would be is essentially Metroid Prime's answer to games like Star Wars: Republic Commando or Halo 3: ODST, side story games where you play as weaker trooper characters instead of the usual Jedi, Samus or Master Chief.
To me, that'd be pretty ideal. Tanabe would get his action based Galactic Federation game as he's been wanting since Metroid Prime 3 while we'd still get proper Metroid games where we're just Samus being alone in a remote alien planet like the good ol' days.
Aldric
Member
They'll be fine. Luigi's Mansion 2 was a pretty big success, l'm sure Nintendo will work with them in the future. Hopefully they use them for games people would actually be interested in playing.
Pretty much. I picked up my copy in the bargain bins for $5.
... It's been a rough period of time for Samus and her fans this year.
Orochinagis
Member
Old Samus design , I kinda miss her
Hale-XF11
Member
I keep hearing people say this as though it would somehow entice people to buy a half-assed spin-off. Thing is, gamers recognize and reward quality work by buying quality games.. Even if they released the best Metroid Prime sequel ever, I still wouldn't pay a penny for this game.
Old? They're still using that one, at least as far as non-chibi stuff goes.
That's kind of a self-fulfilling prophecy, though. People who thought the trailers looked bad obviously aren't the ones who then went out and bought the game at launch. Meaning that the only ones left are people who thought the pre-release material didn't look "that bad" either.
A similar example is Star Fox Zero (a game I personally enjoyed as well). A lot of people who bought the game liked it ... but then again most people who dislike motion controls didn't buy it in the first place for obvious reasons.
When you have games that are controversial even before launch and that sales-wise ultimately underwhelm, looking at player feedback gives you only a somewhat screwed perspective on a game, since you are looking at a very specific subset of people (e.g. in Star Fox Zero's case this being "people who like motion controls enjoyed it").
This is also why it's kinda silly to criticize low review scores when there are discrepancies in cases like this. A lot of the people who reviewed the game are part of the group who didn't find the game appealing enough in the first place to actually buy it. That is the very same audience that is invisible to you if you only look at player feedback.
I'm not saying Federation Force is bad, btw. I haven't played it yet and I am generally pretty indifferent to it.
Square2015
Member
The UK gets weekly charts!?
DrunkShogun
Member
The sales make sense when you consider metroid has always had a small fan base in contrast to most and there was negativity from the start. metroid really is a franchise that needs to cater to the majority of its fanbase because the game doesn't gather much attention otherwise.
Wandering Robot
Member
It seems so obvious for Nintendo to understand why this game isn't doing well. There have been plenty of games in the past that have gotten poor press, and given that Nintendo knew people *strongly disliked* the game for a myriad of reasons,
people *strongly disliking* it + bad sales = we got something wrong, right? It's simple math. They can't be that obtuse. I realize these sales don't say much for Europe, yet they aren't great anywhere that we know of. Metroid isn't a hugely-selling franchise as is. I'll be confounded but not surprised if Nintendo takes all of this the wrong way, though.
people *strongly disliking* it + bad sales = we got something wrong, right? It's simple math. They can't be that obtuse. I realize these sales don't say much for Europe, yet they aren't great anywhere that we know of. Metroid isn't a hugely-selling franchise as is. I'll be confounded but not surprised if Nintendo takes all of this the wrong way, though.
Let's be fair though, they're never going to consider Other M as shit as it really is as long as they have Sakamoto on the payroll (or until his disgrace I guess).
It's kinda like Yoshi, we are in the post Yoshi Story phase were the best games are before that crap, every single project keep referring to this turd and we have to wait to get another product that is not total horseshit.
I won't blame anyone for bailing personally
Nspace did a great thankless job with the CoD games, it kept the lights on and the products are really good.
there was clearly a market that only bean counters at ATVI saw, which is all kinds of stupid when you consider the opportunities there.
Hopefully, I'm not even sure that the game is as bad as it looks.
The few reviews I've seen seems to paint the game as nothing too bad, if you scale down the multiplayer to make it more single player friendly like Luigy mansion 2 it could certainly be successful.
The art style needs to go though.
I still have no idea why this concept art was even thought off, it's missing the point like Rambo 2 missed the point of Rambo 1. Except Rambo 2 didn't suck.
They're probably talking about how her Other M suit has been her official look ever since the game happened.
SirNinja
Member
Just wait one more year and you'll have gotten your wish.
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