Apparently, I'm losing my "secret area" intuition, since after finishing the game in 6 hours and 30 minutes of actual gameplay, I managed to uncover a paltry 52% of the collectable items (energy tanks, missiles, power bombs). I swear I covered every inch of every level, but maybe that's my age creeping up on me. Borrowing the 2D technology of fan-favorite “Super Metroid”, “Metroid: Fusion” brings back the wondrous gameplay and exploratory style that made the Super Nintendo version so revered. The storyline is heavy-handed and a bit derivative of plots like “Alien” and “2001: A Space Odyssey”, but deep narrative was never the selling point for the series. A connected environment filled with secrets, puzzles and stacking power-ups has always been the draw. * Gameplay: This version introduces some original elements, like the absorption of microbes to boost energy and missile stores instead of the old “pink circle” energy ball. The scope of the level design is nicely laid out and logical, and the navigation room feature keeps you in the story. I was disappointed at the amount of “trial and error” gameplay regarding bosses. Every boss monster has an entirely new way of attacking it, and chances are likely you will die at least once before figuring out the pattern. That kind of old school gameplay I do not miss. Although I must admit if it weren’t for bosses, there wouldn’t be any dying at all. None of the other creatures in the game, not even the dreaded Space Pirates offer any real challenges. But the story thread regarding an evil twin of Samus was well done, and the moments in the game when she arrives are quite cinematic. All the familiar suit power-ups are here, but didn’t those wacky Chozo ever build any other beams besides Wave, Ice, and Plasma? * Graphics: Boasting the same graphics as its 16-bit cousin, “Fusion’ looks like a direct sequel. That’s not a bad thing considering you’re supposed to be playing it on a tiny screen (not me, I cheated and bought a GBA adapter for my Gamecube). No real innovations here although I did notice that the amoebic microbes had a very fluid animation to them. * Sound: Gotta love the background music. It’s always so moody and sinister. I just love running around so I can hear my boots thump thump along. Again, no innovation and no surprises. * Value: Even with my puny 52% collectable item rating, I don’t have a real itch to dive right back into it and find what I missed. The fact that the last couple of saves near the end locked all the doors to me certainly doesn’t help. But I do know I’ll play it again from the beginning sometime in the future. When it comes to Metroid, I have to have my fix. * Tilt: I love the Metroid series and I’ve played Metroid, Super Metroid, and Metroid 2 (for the gameboy) many times. I have yet to try the 3D varieties but I’ll get around to it.
Now, I'm going to use the Pros & Cons System this time, so enjoy reading, and a thumbs up would be very nice of you. Thank you. Metroid Fusion was the first Metroid game on the GBA and it is one of the best GBA and ha... Read Full Review
When I first started playing this game after buying it, I had really high expectations. I slid the cartridge into my SP and turned it on. I saw the Gameboy logo and then the screen showed Samus’s spaceship flying next to... Read Full Review
