Once upon a time there was the Gamecube, a humble console that while baring the Nintendo name didn't seem to get the cult following the N64 did, instead Sony's Playstation 2 and Microsoft's Xbox took the mantle. Back then I too passed on the GC in favour of the other consoles which at the time I didn't regret and still don't to this day, however in doing so made me miss some of the greatest games ever conceived by mankind, I'm talking about Metroid Prime. Soon after discovering the beauty of this game I went in search of a Gamecube just for this very game and damn was it worth it! This trilogy is amazing and a lot of Metroid fans will certainly agree that when Samus Aran braced our TV screens in glorious 3D we were all instantly in love. While Nintendo's big money makers like Mario and Zelda appeared on every console we never saw a Metroid game on the N64 so it was a solid 8 year wait from Super Metroid on Super Nintendo to Metroid Prime on the GC so you can imagine everyone's surprise when it finally got announced. Now the good thing is for people who may not have a GC but do have a Wii is that they can purchase the MP Trilogy box set so take a mental note all you gamers out there.
For those not familiar with any of the Metroid games here's the low down. You play as Samus Aran a bounty hunter who's been in a locked battle with the Space Pirates for years all the while being faced with the challenge of eradicating all the Metroid's from the galaxy; an alien life form if left alone is capable of destroying planets within days. The Prime Trilogy on the other hand takes place prior to a lot of this and is indeed one of the earliest Metroid games in the timeline making for a slue of rich information to be told about the worlds around you and how everything began. After Samus is orphaned as a child she is left alone until being discovered by the Chozo, an ancient alien race who impart their knowledge and wisdom onto her, shortly after Samus joins the Galactic Federation in the hope the put her skills to good use but soon leaves in search of more rewarding freelance work, which brings us to MP. So lets get stuck into it, the game that started it all back in 2002; Metroid Prime.
Prime takes place shortly after the Samus investigates a derelict space station orbiting the planet Tallon IV, as you would guess things soon turn ugly as the leader of the Space Pirates Ridley attacks and flees towards the planets surface. Samus pursues Ridley and soon begins a journey to uncover the mysteries of Tallon IV and hunt down the evil within. MP is presented as a first person shooter peppered with platforming and puzzle elements. The areas you explore are all open world with some linear elements along the way but be prepared to get lost in your quest through the ancient ruins, underground caverns and snowy mountains. It's not the frustrating kind of lost, more so the adventurous, it really does make you feel like you are truly alone on the planet which does add for tension and atmosphere. The gameplay, controls and soundtrack is where the game really shines. Anyone who's played a Gamecube knows what I'm talking about and MP is the smoothest handling game I've ever played...nothing compares. The music adds for great ambiance and provides a great aura to each unique area you explore. Progression through the game rewards new weapons, suits and gadgets, each more cooler than the last. There are so many secrets and hidden passages throughout the world which makes for great exploration and multiple replays; the game defines masterpiece!
Tune in next time and we'll tie up the Metroid Prime Trilogy and take a look at the sequels 'Echoes' and 'Corruption' and talk about Samus' jump to the Wii and what followed Prime.
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