Score
Gameplay:	10
Graphics:	9
Sound:	9
FunFactor:	10
PlasmaFactor:	9
Overall:	9.4

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Review
November 26, 2004 by StewartS

by StewartS - November 26, 2004

Two years ago, an unknown developer from Texas unleashed upon the world what most (myself included) had previously insisted was impossible. Retro Studios was fitted with the seemingly insurmountable task of taking one of Nintendo�s oldest and most beloved franchises from 2D to 3D. To many, it just seemed wrong having a Metroid game in 3D, saying nothing of the idea of it being a First Person Shooter given the series� heavy platforming and exploration elements.

 

However, despite all that Retro had working against them, they succeeded. Masterfully, I might add, as well. For my money, Metroid Prime ended up being not only the best game of the year, but one of the best games of all time. The question, then, became could they do it again? Would they? The answer is a resounding �yes.�

Blazing a familiar trail

Part of what makes Metroid Prime 2: Echoes flow so well is that Retro decided to stick with what worked. Nearly everything that was in Prime is found in some amount in Prime 2, most specifically, the controls Prime 2 controls identical to Prime. Some have complained about the lack of a dual analog set up for Prime, though I still fail to see why. Prime 2�s lock on system works wonderfully, especially given the need to change visors and weapons quickly and often during intense combat. Samus shoots, aims, runs, jumps, and�um� morphball-s just like she did in her first 3D outing so veterans will be able to jump right in and have it feel like old times. For newcomers there is a bit of a tutorial, though it is not as thorough as the one from the first game.

 

Gameplay is also pretty much identical to that of any other game in the series. It follows the standard Metroid Formula � wherein Samus roams the various sections of a planet, searching for weapon and suit upgrades. Said upgrades will allow her to reach that one platform that is just barely out of reach, thus opening up another maze of corridors and rooms for her to explore. If that sounds like a cut to the game, it�s not. The item hunt has never been more compelling than it is here. This is due in large part to another stellar job of level design. Each of the five areas are a veritable maze in their own right, not to mention the fact that all of them are connected so that when the game is near completion a massive labyrinth of canyons, corridors and caves is open for exploration.

 

Also, in another attempt to keep things fresh, Retro has introduced the familiar concept of dual worlds in the form of �Light Aether� and �Dark Aether.� The inhabitants of Aether, the Luminoth, are at war with an invading force known only as the Ing. The Ing have ravaged and molested Aether, stealing its life force and causing it to split into dual planes of existence in the form of Light and Dark. Light Aether is almost exactly how it sounds: light, airy, and hardly hostile when compared to the (literally) poisonous surface of Dark Aether. When on Dark Aether, even the air is acrid and harmful to Samus, causing her to take damage even by standing there.

 

To aid her, the Luminoth have placed light crystals around the surface, providing a refuge from the harmful environment. This actually serves to give Prime 2 a quasi-Survival Horror feel to it as the darkness perpetuates a fear of everything around you being a threat with only a few choice places to act as a refuge during exploration. But travel between Light and Dark Aether is vital to the game as most of the suit and weapon upgrades are found on Dark Aether as well as the majority of the bosses.

 

The point of all this dimensional-hopping is to help destroy the Ing and return Aether to its original, peaceful state. Samus� original objective was to investigate a distress signal sent out by Galactic Federation troops who were annihilated by the Ing, though that is put to the wayside as it inevitably ties in to her aiding the Luminoth. Such a greater focus on story also presents a first for the Metroid series: dialogue. Though Samus still never utters a word, it was a bit odd at first having other characters for her to interact with. Granted, it doesn�t detract from the experience at all. In fact, it rather enriches it and helps to provide some much needed variety in Samus� adventures, which were beginning to look quite identical to each other.

 

Samus� equipment has gotten a bit of an overhaul with the absence of the Ice and Wave beams for the first time in the series� history as they are replaced by the Light and Dark Beams. Said beams also have finite ammo (another series first) and serve as keys to the portals that lead between Light and Dark Aether. Other new equipment include the Light and Dark Suits (notice a pattern here?) as well as the Echo and Dark Visors though staples such as the Power Bombs and Super Missiles still remain with the missiles receiving an upgrade allowing for Samus to target multiple enemies at once.

 

A multiplayer mode has been added as well, though it�s certainly not the focus of the game as evidenced by the slim options available. Only two modes are available (deathmatch and �Bounty Hunter�) and support up to four players. Many of the same tools and abilities such as the Space Jump, grapple beam and missiles are available for use, as is the lock-on feature which works better in multiplayer than one might think. The multiplayer is serviceable and fun for a while, but is fairly insignificant in the long run.

 

Simply put, Prime 2�s gameplay is just as polished and compelling as Prime�s was. The difficulty has been amplified, but not impossibly so. The bosses put up more of a fight and some of the upgrades are just plain frustrating to find at times. But there still remains that joy when something new is discovered and the urge to explore even further is augmented all the more.

 

 

A feast for the eyes

If there is one area that Metroid has always excelled above most other adventure games is establishing mood and ambiance. A sense of loneliness and isolation have always been an intrinsic part of the Metroid experience and it is no different in Prime 2. The art designers for this game have done an absolutely stellar job producing original environments for Samus to roam. Every locale has such a rich and engrossing look and feel to it that the player cannot help but be wrapped up by the world around them. Everything is seamless and each new locale is completely different from the next adding an impressive level of variety. The Torvus Bog is a gloomy, organic tangle of roots, platforms and cesspools that contrasts perfectly to the sterile and haunting technological tower of the Sanctuary Fortress.

 

Prime 2�s artists were given free reign to let their imaginations paint an engrossing tapestry of memorable locales. The textures are sharp and rich and the framerate is consistently smooth even during the boss battles where the enemies are massive and fill the entire screen. It all adds up to a beautiful package that augments the experience in every way. Though, in strictly graphical comparisons, the game does not look that much different from the first Prime. But that�s not necessarily a bad thing as the first Prime looked fantastic.

 

 

The sounds and the fury

The sound design, likewise, supplements the experience perfectly. The score is one of mostly electronic beats though each one fits the environment fine, though there were stretches where it is nothing but ambiance, which sets the mood and tone for the hunt perfectly. Enemies growl and howl appropriately and despite there being actual dialogue no words are ever really spoken. The Luminoth Samus encounters all have their own language though it is more or less a series of unintelligible utterances that last for a few seconds. The sound effects are all appropriate and fitting, though most have been carried over from the first Prime.

 

 

An experience like few others

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a wonderful game in every possible aspect. It has taken what made Metroid Prime a resounding success and expanded on it to bring an experience that is both fresh and familiar. Given that I found Metroid Prime to be a near flawless experience, I gladly place its sequel with it in the ranks of exceptional games.

 

 

The best there is at what it does...

In all, Prime 2 represents the very best that the GameCube has to offer. It is a beautiful, engrossing and masterfully planned package that is sure to satisfy those new to the series as well as the faithful who have followed Samus from the beginning.