Metareview: Metroid Prime 3

by David Hinkle { Aug 29th 2007 at 12:45PM }

Finally, the game we've all been waiting for has arrived and boy has it been well-received. Seriously, just about every review of the title lauds it for its control scheme and graphics. But, you probably already know the control scheme and graphics are great.

Anyway, let's get to the scores:

Nintendo Power (100/100) says it's perfect: "The stunning visuals and immersive gameplay of the finale to the Prime series proves that the Wii is ready for the mainstream gamer." [Oct 2007, p.86]

IGN (95/100) finds the title to be a melting pot of excellence: "Not only do the new controls respond quicker and with more precision than any dual-analog-helmed FPS ever created, but the gesture system works brilliantly, too. Meanwhile, the title delivers everything a Metroid fan could hope for, including spectacular environmental puzzles, epic boss fights and intense combat, all wrapped up in a package that spans multiple worlds and is filled with re-traversal exploration."

Game Informer (95/100) says it's the best Prime to date: "Corruption isn't just the best-looking Wii game to date; it's the best Metroid Prime game period. This is due in large part to the fluid controls. The highly debated, stubborn lock-on aiming system has been replaced with something far better. You can finally look around while moving by aiming the Wii remote."

1UP (90/100) found the game to play up the Wii's strengths and play down its weaknesses: "
On the whole, Corruption takes advantage of the Wii's biggest strength (with its unique controls), and minimizes its greatest weakness (through astounding art direction), while otherwise maintaining or improving upon the high standards and overall polish the series is known for."

GameSpot (85/100) found fault only in the lack of multiplayer: "It's got exactly what you would expect from the last in an acclaimed trilogy of titles: great boss battles, involved environmental puzzles, and a smooth control scheme that cements exactly how FPS controls should work on the platform...While the lack of multiplayer is disappointing, the single-player campaign won't leave you wanting."

Gallery: Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

Tags: metroid, metroidprime3

Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)

Sonic_13 @ Aug 29th 2007 12:53PM

Gamespot with the lowest score? Why am I not surprised....

vidGuy @ Aug 29th 2007 12:58PM

The game is well deserving of the high praise. Controls blow my mind and graphics are nicer than what we've seen so far on Wii. Personally I don't think the game would be well suited to multiplayer anyway, but what can you say.

bob @ Aug 29th 2007 1:13PM

gamespot also criticized the controls for being too good

bean @ Aug 29th 2007 1:14PM

yeah, haven't played it more than an hour I think and I'm really impressed...like the controls...spent a good few minutes playing the little barrel game (best I did was 10, yeah, I suck) BUUUUUUUUT...I have to admit that I'm a little underwhelmed with the graphics. I know I'll enjoy the game, but compared to the other games I'm playing now, I feel like I'm playing this thing on the 64...

SeanG @ Aug 29th 2007 1:23PM

Gamespot following their reliable rating system, of course: IGN - 1.0.

Jonathan Tran @ Aug 29th 2007 1:32PM

@5 ROFL

MAaaaan maybe I should get this game?

I still didn't beat Twilight Princess though. wth..

Gareth Williams @ Aug 29th 2007 1:35PM

@ Bean

On the 64? If you are comparing it to games you are playing on either the Xbox 360 or the PS3 then why would you be shocked that the graphics aren't 'technically' as good?

Comparing it to the N64 which over ten years old? No..please.

Ian @ Aug 29th 2007 1:43PM

well I have to be honest it doesn't surprise me that Nintendo gives it a perfect score.. But honestly I just don't see it being anything amazing, I mean compared to Galaxy or Brawl coming out in the upcoming months, unless I'm missing something I think I'll just save my money.

the real mii @ Aug 29th 2007 1:44PM

played it for about an hour last night. i felt the controls were very smooth, but when i hit the first boss i didn't feel like i was strafing very fast when locked on. is there a 'run' button i'm missing? haven't read the manual... :) i think after i spend another hour with it'll be quite good. the game is very polished... lots of small details that are nice touches.

Rocketman @ Aug 29th 2007 1:47PM

Wow; Nintendo Power gave a Nintendo game 100/100? Who'dve thunk it?

bean @ Aug 29th 2007 2:07PM

never said I was shocked. I said I was underwhelmed, as in disappointed. I don't see what is so wrong in saying that I felt like I was playing it on the 64 if that's the way I felt. Take the pole out of your ass.

musleem @ Aug 29th 2007 2:04PM

ok look u guys for my birthday my dad is gining me $200, should i use that money to but a nintendo ds lite and one game, or should i use that money to buy metroid prime 3, super mario galaxy, and super smash brawl. Someone help me!!!

Irit H @ Aug 29th 2007 2:11PM

I think that the lack of multiplayer was magnified by the fact that they had it in the previous game, also, the controls work really well, much better than zelda, wii sports, or wii play.

todde7 @ Aug 29th 2007 2:12PM

#11 you would have to be insane to not buy the big 3 (Metroid Prime 3, Mario Galaxy, and DEFINITELY Super Smash Bros Brawl). Smash Bros online? Think about it man.

On another not Gamespot is retarded. Mad cause no multiplayer? Metroid has (mostly and should've) always been about single player. Why don't they give Bioshock a crappy rating, Bioshock doesn't have multiplayer. If Gamespot actually knew a little about Metroid history they's realize that. But they obviously have no actual knowledge about video games therefore I know longer will take their ratings into consideration. Knowing them they are probably pushing PS3 which totally sucks and hasnt had a good game since Resistance.

vidGuy @ Aug 29th 2007 2:17PM

"Nintendo Power gave a Nintendo game 100/100? Who'dve thunk it?"

Well, considering they haven't given out a perfect score since RE4 on the GC and before that OoT on the /N64/ I believe, I'd expect few people would have legitimately expected a perfect score from Nintendo Power.

stinkbug @ Aug 29th 2007 3:09PM

Your posting is basically just a copy/paste of metacritic:

http://www.metacritic.com/games/platforms/wii/metroidprime3corruption

Why don't you ever provide attribution when you crib from metacritic? Doing so would make you look a little better.

Hunter @ Aug 29th 2007 2:57PM

GameSpot's opinion is theirs and they are entitled to it. It would appear as if the things that were changed to make the game appeal to a broader audience (and that is a broader audience of existing gamers not casuals) like less, and more streamlined, backtracking and more action did not appeal to them. As a result they rated it lower than previous Prime games which they enjoyed for those very reasons. Myself the adjustments are a welcome change as they make the game a lot easier to juggle into a busy schedule.

I was actually quite surprised by 1up's score. As game sites go I find them to be the most critical with the highest level of scrutiny, which is to their credit. I honestly did not expect better than an 8 from them, but if even they love it my glee must surely be justified.

Matters @ Aug 29th 2007 3:00PM

GameSpot is so pathetic. That site hasn't been worth reading in years.

Matters @ Aug 29th 2007 3:03PM

Bean I don't think you even remember what an N64 game looks like. In fact it's obvious that you don't.

Keep playing the game. The visuals get better the further you get in the game.

I don't think there are any (or many) last gen games that can match the graphics of this game much less systems from over 10 years ago.

01 @ Aug 29th 2007 3:04PM

I don't know what TV's you guys who are complaing about the graphics are using, but on my 42" plasma w/ component input, the game looks pretty tasty. As far as GameStops review, are they docking Bioshock 15% for no multiplayer? I would say that's a 5 point drop IF YOU THOUGHT IT WOULD BE IN THE GAME, which everyone knew a month ago that it wouldn't be. *shrugs* their loss

James @ Aug 29th 2007 3:06PM

Man, every time somebody brings up Metroid multiplayer, I make a comment asking why anybody expects it in the first place, and nobody ever answers me. The only significant Metroid multiplayer to date has been Hunters, which sucked balls -- I'm amazed it did as well as an 85 on Metacritic. Zelda is a single-player game. Mario is a single-player game (though adding LOCAL second-player support sounds intriguing, anybody who suggests e.g. 16-player Mario deathmatch needs to have their heads examined). Metroid is a friggin' SINGLE PLAYER GAME.

Yesterday, I went to look the Metacritic score, and I think they had the same reviews posted that NWFB lists above. Basically, at least from the review blurbs, it looks like everybody's opinion was basically "it's perfect", but half of them give it a relatively crappy score. I don't get that. AND, the only "complaint" is that it isn't a completely different game, the one that *they* wanted in their twisted little heads.

It's like Gamespot ordered a steak, got a perfectly-cooked fillet mignon, then said, "Well, it's good, but it's missing that fishy flavor I really wanted." Friggin idiots, it's not fish, it's steak. As steak goes, it's an excellent steak, and if you wanted fish, you should go out and get effing fish instead.

Matters @ Aug 29th 2007 3:09PM

Nintendo doesn't just hand out perfect scores guys. Their ratings are actually quite fair. Of course we can't expect clueless, uninformed people to know that now can we?

bean @ Aug 29th 2007 3:12PM

I remember exactly what they look like, almost to the pixel... every gaddamn polygon. I'm not saying it's 64 quality, but simply that I FELT like I was playing a old generation game COMPARED to what I've been playing recently. My disappointment lies with nintendo for weakening their system. I'm not trying to rag on the game, I'm looking forward to playing it to its end. I'm merely stating my disappointment. Get off my back.

Matters @ Aug 29th 2007 3:14PM

Yeah they drop Metroid down a few points because it's not a completely new game but you don't see them doing that for games like GTA, God of War, Halo.

Matters @ Aug 29th 2007 3:16PM

You're a moron then bean. I have a modded xbox sitting right freaking next to me. You THINK you remember. I can pop an N64 game on right now and TELL YOU FOR A FACT that you're wrong.

You admit that you're only 1 hour into the game.

Get back to me when you're further along my friend.

By your standard Halo 3 graphics look like a PS1 game.

It's complete BS.

Matters @ Aug 29th 2007 3:19PM

Side by side the graphics for MP3 are much better than MP1 and the N64 couldn't even come CLOSE to handling the graphics for MP1.

Sorry man try again. If you had said GC or Xbox graphics I could possibly agree with that, but N64? You're out of your mind. That's like saying Quake 3 looks like Doom 2 graphics. It's insane. It's not even close to accurate.

bean @ Aug 29th 2007 3:28PM

you're obviously not understanding me, so assuming from your responses and you resorting to insulting me, you're probably never going to. Good luck in life, buddy.

Croove55 @ Aug 29th 2007 4:23PM

Matters, shut up. He's just saying that it is less impressive than games on the 360 and PS3. He's been playing those, thus by comparison MP3 looks less tech-sexy, which is, in the graphics department, true. He's not saying it actually looks like and N64 game, he's saying that it looks like one BY COMPARISON to games on the graphics-heavy systems. I've never owned a non-Nintendo system, and even I'll admit that games on the other two _look_ way better than Wii games judging from screenshots alone.

vidGuy @ Aug 29th 2007 4:33PM

MP3:C may look like an N64 game compared to PS3 and 360, but 360 and PS3 games control like Atari games compared to MP3:C. There, I said it.

Gareth Williams @ Aug 29th 2007 4:36PM

@ Bean...Ok, ok...I'll help you out a bit...:)

I know what you are trying to say. That playing a new Wii game after playing games on systems with higher specs seams as if MP3 is far older release than it actually is.

However - I'd like to add that there's a lot to be said for good artwork & graphical design over things such as Anti-Aliasing types etc.

Anyway. I still think this game looks beautiful but I do see your point entirely.

DBaz @ Aug 29th 2007 5:30PM

Gamestop's complaint was Multiplayer?
You don't play Metroid games to shoot your friends.
I'm glad Retro left it out, left more for everything else.
Multiplayer...boring.

Mr Khan @ Aug 29th 2007 5:43PM

I am wholeheartedly impressed by one feature of that game

"jerk wii remote while in Morph Ball to jump"

it made me squeal with delight, although free look while locked on is infinitely awesome. And, in motion fully on my TV, you can definitely see the graphical upgrade. Lighting is the most noticeable thing, everything looks smooth

carrierj1 @ Aug 31st 2007 12:34AM

Yo! The graphics in Metroid are a little better than the Metroids on the GameCube, but towards the begining of the game there is a meteor that's going to hit the planet that you're on, and it looks amazing! That model looks like it could be on Gears of War! Does anybody know what I'm talking about?

Genome4824 @ Aug 29th 2007 6:29PM

is it just me or does Gamespot suck at Wii games? I mean I read their reviews and they complain about controls and such but it's always just because they suck at being accurate it has nothing to do with responsiveness.

I got a kick out of the previews when Gamespot said 'the advanced setting in Metroid is so overly responsive that it's almost unseable' and then IGN said that anybody that didn't use the advanced must not have full control of their arms.

Carlos @ Aug 29th 2007 10:16PM

have you people seen Gamespot's video review? the guy is like just reading his own review to the camera and almost laughing about it. You can tell right away that he does not give a shit for the game and underappreciating the good things about it.

Athapy @ Aug 30th 2007 2:05AM

F*#@ING AUSTRALIA!!!

I hate late game releases ='(

Quit taunting me!

Ihar `Philips` Filipau @ Aug 30th 2007 11:38AM

I liked Variety review better. Though they gave no score to it. But they highlighted target demographics: 13yo.

I'm going to skip it (when it would hit Yurop).

I had enough of it in Metroid Fusion. Another rehash isn't much interesting to me.

@musleem: get a DS. with it you would also be able to play outside what is convenient. and game library is also very extensive. and you can buy M3 to try games before buying - that really helps.

Ryan @ Aug 30th 2007 1:53PM

@Matters
Dude, I totally agree with you. I don't think bean is getting the real picture.
@bean
Metroid Prime Hunters is a "64" game. You can compare all Metroid Prime games and Corruption is by far the best looking one. Oh, btw, I'm glad that Nintendo sticked to the basic console. Stripping it down? That's an over-exageration. Yes, it's a Gamecube 2.0, but don't compare it to the 64. The Wii is not about the graphics, it's about the gameplay, like it should have been for the past 20 years. I still play my NES, Super Famicom, Game Boy, and the old stuff, not because of the graphics, FOR THE GAMEPLAY. Metroid Prime 3: Corruption was to complete the trilogy and end the series. I don't think it would have been right, if Retro Studios would have put it on the Gamecube. Oh, btw, watching the videos is not considered playing the game. ;)

Dark Lord @ Sep 11th 2007 3:00AM

cricket chirping in the night...

ken @ Sep 12th 2007 1:14AM

M know you won't like wut I say but hey, Metroid 3 surprised me because it sucks !!!

I've played a few hours and it's nothing like what the critics say..for me at least.
for a few reasons:

1. the graphics suck bad, especially in "cutscenes". It looked like N64 on my 1080p.
2. There isn't any story(I don't consider the plot in M3 as a "story"), and Samus feels like a robot, they dont develop the characters at all.So I dont' feel any kind of emotional attachment in the game, other than killing, and walking around, which is boring after 5 minutes.
3. FPS thingy isn't for me.

Well, I am a grown up. So maybe this game isn't meant for me. Anyways, just my 2 cents.