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Metroid Prime is a first person adventure video game developed by Nintendo-owned Retro Studios and released by Nintendo in 2002 for the GameCube. It was the first 3D Metroid game and is officially classified by Nintendo as a first-person adventure rather than a first-person shooter due to the large exploration element in the game.
Metroid Prime is also the name of the final boss character within the game. See Metroid Prime (creature) for more information about it.
The game has received a lot of critical acclaim for its very realistic graphics, varied and often innovative gameplay, and its soundtrack. Many Metroid fans believe that Prime was a great transition into 3-D for the series; however, some question the choice on having it made as a first-person game. Also, many fans of more conventional first-person shooter games have questioned the unusual control scheme. For most players, however, Metroid Prime is an instant classic.
The version released in North America has several storyline differences with the one released in Europe. The European storyline, among other things, says that:
- The Space Pirates never captured Metroid Prime.
- The meteor that brought the radioactive substance Phazon did not come to Tallon IV twenty of someone's years before the game starts; it came at an indeterminable time before the game began.
- The Chozo Lore entries paint a much different picture of the relationship between Samus and the Tallon IV Chozo.
The versions released in Japan, Europe, and the North American Player's Choice versions have also had a number of gameplay modifications implemented to prevent players from using certain tricks to play the game out of sequence.
Items
Most of the items from previous Metroid games make appearances here; however, the functions of many of them have been altered.
Suits
- Power Suit:
This is Samus' basic suit. Perhaps the most notable feature of this suit is the lack of the large shoulder ornaments present in all of her other suits.
- Varia Suit:
An upgrade to the Power Suit, this upgrades the suit's shielding and allows Samus to survive in extreme temperatures.
- Gravity Suit:
Further reduces damage taken from enemies, and allows Samus to move in liquid environments unhindered. Modifications to the visor allow her to see properly underwater.
- Phazon Suit:
Reduces damage taken from enemies even more, and renders Samus immune to damage from blue Phazon. This upgrade comes coupled with the Phazon Beam.
Visors
- Combat Visor:
This is the default visor. The major things that this visor has that the others lack are a crude radar system that allows her to see where enemies are around her and a map of the room she is in. Samus has this visor from the start.
- Scan Visor:
Allows Samus to scan certain creatures and objects and get information on them. This is the only visor that Samus cannot fight in; pressing the attack button will cause her to revert back to the Combat Visor. Samus also has this visor from the start.
- Thermal Visor:
It allows Samus to see in the infra-red spectrum, letting her see enemies and power conduits that she cannot see in normal human vision.
- X-Ray Visor:
It gives Samus the ability to see in the X-ray spectrum, allowing her to see otherwise invisible creatures and platforms.
Weapons
Unlike Super Metroid, Metroid Prime does not allow the player to combine separate beams into one, due to the fact that each of the four main beams has a unique use. Also, each beam has a Charge Combo that can be acquired that utilizes Missiles to perform a more powerful attack.
- Charge Beam:
The charge beam is an add-on for all of Samus' primary beams; holding down the A button causes Samus to build up energy which is fired when the button is released, creating a much more powerful attack than would normally result. It also allows access to the various Charge Combos.
- Power Beam:
This is the default beam that Samus begins the game with. It has the highest rate of fire of all beams. Its Charge Combo, Super Missiles, fires more powerful Missiles.
- Wave Beam:
This beam fires three blats of electricity that can home in on enemies to a certain extent. It can also re-energize power conduits (required to open many doors) and open purple doors. Its Charge Combo, Wave Buster, automatically locks on to enemies.
- Ice Beam:
This beam fires slow-moving blasts of ice that can freeze enemies. Frozen enemies can be shattered with a single missile. It also opens white doors. The Ice Beam's Charge Combo, the Ice Spreader, spreads ice over a wide area where it hits.
- Plasma Beam:
This is the most powerful beam in turns of raw offensive power. It fires blasts of intense heat. It can open red doors and melt thick ice. Its Charge Combo, Flamethrower, shoots a stream of flame.
- Phazon Beam:
This beam can only be used during the final boss battle. Samus receives this item along with the Phazon Suit.
- Missiles:
A Metroid mainstay, Missiles fire homing concussive blasts that cause more damage than most beam attacks. Missiles can break certain door locks and other obstacles. Each Missile expansion increases Samus' missile holding capacity by five.
Morph Ball
- Morph Ball:
The Morph Ball is another Metroid trademark. After finding this item Samus can roll into a ball and access narrow passages that she could not otherwise access. There are a number of upgrades Samus finds for the Morph Ball.
- Bomb:
Allows Samus to break certain objects, activate some devices, and damage enemies. The force from the bomb can also catapult her up a short distance in Morph Ball form. Samus has an infinite number of these, but can only use three every few seconds.
- Boost Ball:
Replacing Super Metroid's Speed Booster to a certain extent, this item allows Samus to build up energy and release it in Morph Ball form, resulting in a burst of speed that can, when applied correctly, allow her to travel up half-pipe structures and activate certain machines.
- Spider Ball:
Metroid Prime is the second game to use this item (The first being Metroid II: Return of Samus); however, where Metroid II's spider ball allowed Samus to go up any wall, Prime's spider ball can only travel up designated magnetic rails.
- Power Bomb:
These are a more powerful version of Samus' normal Bombs. While she only gets a finite number of these and must replace them as she does with Missiles, Power Bombs have a much greater destructive ability.
Other items
- Space Jump:
The Space Jump is another returning item with a different purpose. As opposed to allowing Samus to jump infinitely, this item allows Samus to double-jump.
- Grappling Beam:
Allows Samus to latch on to certain objects and swing on them as if the beam were a rope.
- Energy Tank:
Increases Samus' shielding's energy (health) capacity by 100 units.
- 12 Artifacts:
The artifacts of Truth, Strength, Elder, Wild, Lifegiver, Warrior, Chozo, Nature, Sun, World, Spirit, and Newborn are spread throughout the planet, and must be collected in order for Samus to gain entry to the final area.
Locations
- Space Pirate Frigate:
Orbiting the planet Tallon IV, this is where Samus begins the game. The frigate's name is Orpheon.
- Tallon Overworld:
A rainforest-like area, this is where Samus initially makes planetfall and is where her ship stays for the duration of the game. Tallon Overworld also encompasses the sunken Orpheon.
- Chozo Ruins:
This ancient structure was once a center of the thriving Chozo civilization on Tallon IV that was brought to an end by the meteor that hit many years ago.
- Magmoor Caverns:
A kind of subway system for the game — its magma-filled tunnels connect all the areas together with the exception of the Impact Crater. The Space Pirates use the caverns as a source of geothermal power.
- Phendrana Drifts:
This cold, mountainous location consists of three man parts: an ancient Chozo ruin, some Space Pirate research labs, and the ice caves and valleys at the edge.
- Phazon Mines:
The Phazon Mines are the center of the Space Pirates' Tallon IV operations. The scenery here alternates between the Space Pirates' mining and research facilities and dark caves illuminated only by the glowing Phazon.
- Impact Crater:
This is the final area of the game. This location is completely corrupted by Phazon radiation.
Speed running
Unlike its predecessors, Metroid Prime is not designed to be run quickly, as evidenced by the fact that the ending one gets is determined solely by the percentage of items one picks up, not how quickly one finishes the game. A person who knew precisely where to go would likely still take seven to ten hours to finish the game; however, the current world record is one hour and four minutes. The current world record for lowest item pickup percentage is 22%. Speed running is popular among hardcore fans of Metroid Prime and can significantly increase the replayability of the game.
Sequel
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a direct sequel to Metroid Prime. It will be released in the USA on November 15 2004, and in Europe on November 26 2004
Metroid Prime: Hunters is a similar game to Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes to be released for the Nintendo DS.
Links
Nintendo's official Metroid website (http://www.metroid.com/)
Metroid 2002 (http://www.metroid2002.com): Contains speed breaking tips for all Metroid games.
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