Super Metroid is the third instalment in the Metroid series (Metroid 1 and 2 are available on NES and Game Boy). Once released, the game immediately had a lot to aspire to.
Rather than just reviewing this game, I'll discuss its overall feeling and composition. If you think a 2D game cannot instill any emotions into players, then you simply haven’t visited the alien infested, structurally massive, planet Zebes.
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Isolation
Landing on Zebes you're introduced to a rather silent environment. Several minutes pass before Samus trips the alarm system which alerts her foes to flood the many corridors and passages she must explore.
Beyond Samus' introductory log, there's no other communique or direction on how and where to proceed. You're left to explore, alone. Not having any sort of AI or director, you can completely give yourself to the urge of exploration. And that urge naturally takes you deeper into the planet's vast world filled with secret passages, items, power-ups, and critters all too suited to the environments they're in.
The game's large and complex environments can be imposing, but they are made this way to add a certain degree of isolation. This mood is maintained throughout the entire game creating a very tight bond between the player and the silent armour-clad Samus. Each new uncovered area has clues that must be considered to progress. There's no hand holding in this title, you simply must observe the environment closely, make mental notes, and come back once you gained a new ability or weapon.
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Bewilderment
Each section of the game is a small unique world. Each world is a piece of a greater puzzle that is planet Zebes. Majority of rooms are connected through a series of colour-coded doorways. To open those doors you'll need to fire specific weapons at them. But first you need to find those weapons. Because of this feature, progress happens in a very nonlinear fashion.
Sometimes you're able of circumvent areas by taking a hypotenuse--like turning into a ball a scurrying small spaces. Other times you'll need to find key items--such as lava resistant armour--by battling a boss. Progress gets tracked on a grid-like map that you can access anytime to get a better lay of the land. But the beauty of the game design is that the more you explore the more it gets imprinted on you memory. Once you've been around the neighbourhood, you just know your way around.
Because there's so much to explore, you'll want to backtrack often. Unlock only a portion of a stage? Come back with new abilities. See a suspect ledge? Find the Ice Beam, and try freezing an enemy to use it as a stepping stone. You'll never find everything first time. And that's ok, because this game is all about gradual pacing and being absorbed in its intricate layers. Like enjoying tasty Gelato during summer nights; or shooting a lava beast in its open mouth with a super missile.
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Creativity
The game's solid graphics, sci-fi inspired scenarios, and imaginative design make it a standout title. The sound fx are all fantastic, and the music is as memorable as the areas you'll discover. But that's not what I mean by creativity this time. What I want to say is that Super Metroid lets players craft his/her own adventure by giving them flexibility in how to reach certain objectives.
While there's logic in the level design, the designers gave many opportunities to completely disregard the visible path. Having a through understanding of certain techniques, such as wall jumping, players who memorized level layouts are able to acquire ability-enhancing items early to power through the game, or completely break it.
By sequence braking, players can skip preordained events or even glitch the game entirely. As a homage to those dedicated and crafty enough, the programmers put in different endings to reward folks who manage to clear the game under specific number of hours -- a worthy achievement.
By sequence braking, players can skip preordained events or even glitch the game entirely. As a homage to those dedicated and crafty enough, the programmers put in different endings to reward folks who manage to clear the game under specific number of hours -- a worthy achievement.
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Legacy
Many Metroid games have come and gone, but no other Metroid game has been as influential as this one. After two decades, Super Metroid is still considered an example in inventive stage design, tone creation, and isolation settings. Samus Aran was the first legit female hero, and through inspiring generations of fans and game designers she has become an icon in gaming.
There are fan websites that recreate maps using in-game screen capture to show planet Zabes in incredible detail. You can even watch YouTube videos proving how Samus can shrink into a ball quarter of her original size. This game is one of a kind, and I try to play through it at least once a year, always loosing myself in its massive universe. Come and find me, I'll be near an enemy generator shooting critters that appear.
Developer: Nintendo, Intelligent Systems
Publisher: Nintendo
Platform: SNES, Wii, Wii U
Released: 1994
Genre: Action-Adventure, Sci-Fi
This game is soooooo good. played it back in 1994 as well, still play it now.
ReplyDeleteHi. Super Metroid and GBA Fusion are the highlights of the series for me (unlike Other M...).
ReplyDeleteMetroid Fusion is an amazing game. I never played Other M, but know the gaming community does not like it much lol.
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