Samus returns into her second full length game on gamecube...but does it live up to the expectations?
For those who played the first Prime, you'll fit in perefctly as the gameplay hasn't changed an ounce, there is still all the regular scanning and shooting to be done. However what really diversifies this game fromits predecessor is the content. New weapons are available in the forms of the light and dark beams and there are also a few new moves that you can whip out. The game basically follows the line of the first step for step. You arrive, take a look around the place and bang, You slip on a Banana and lose all your equipment (well something like that happens). Then the rest of the game has you trekking through canyons, forests and fortresses gatting it all back. Now this may sound tedious but its really isn't. Most upgrades have a relevant boss accompanying them. and often take a while to derive a strategy (well some don't). And your constantly being put to the test to use your new power ups effectively. One of the biggest lures in this game though is the sheer feeling of exploration. Many areas have doors you can open, but when you get that piece of equipment you want to go find what was behind that door earlier. Also the fact that there is a direct link between the light and dark world is very effective in motivating play. You tend to explore the light world before the dark world so when you do finally get to the dark world you feel slightly more at home despite the slight disadvantages you recieve from the Drak Aether atmosphere. The gameplay is pushed towards you all the way through the game and really helps to make it feel fun.
There is also the new multiplayer function, which implements most of the single payer attacks and lets you fight it out. Its good but you may want to stick to Timesplitters or Halo for a great multiplayer experience.
The graphics are really spectacular and are some o the best seen on the Gamecube. Every single room is beautifully designed and the enemies and other charcteristics and very impressive to behold. Some views such as the temples also prove the incredibility of the graphics due to their sheer size. The sound is also great with good clips for weapons and enemy noises. What really makes the sound impressive though is the backtrack.It is often very eery and poinent adding to the atmosphere of the game. Now I'm 18 and this game is rated for 12, this isn't to say i found it scary but the atmosphere is produces is very effective at portraying the dark and troubled environment the game is set around.
The lifespan of the game is decent and sets in at around 20 -30 hours. You see i can't be sure because the in game clock is so damn slow. I played for a timed period of thirty minutes and quit, on the time elapsed clock it said i had only played for 23 minutes...eh? crazy game. But the game is fairly long; the main quest takes over 20 hours and then all the additional expansion grabbing adds more hours to the clock. I grabbed every expansion and that took the total time up to about 28 hours i guess. Still missed the 100% because i failed to scan a one chancer...dammit, oh well.
Any problems? Well there is one. The expansions are technically voluntary for collection. However is you want half a chance at finishing the later stages with ease i reccomend that you gather at least 75% of the missiles and all the other forms...maybe i'm just rubbish or over dramatic
Overall though a stunning game.