Metroid Prime 3: Corruption

THE BAD:
-Not as memorable as 1 and 2
-Lack of metroid atmosphere

SUMMARY:
The metroid games on gamecube were some of the best games on the system. With groundbreaking graphics, innovative and addicting gameplay and a successful franchise to build on making them loved by critics and players alike. Now, this year the long awaited wii metroid prime has been released. Fans were eager to see the changes to the franchise with the wii's capability's.

Metroid Prime 3: Corruption does differ from it's predecessors quite a lot in layout and story, but as far as gameplay's concerned it's fairly similar. Those familiar with the series will note that samus has never actually had conctact with other people and interacted with them, prime 3 is different. Samus is much more closely linked to the galactic federation now, taking away the lonesome feel of the past metroid games. This could be seen as a shame, as the isolated atmosphere was really quite unique in the last games, while in 3 not only do you meet other people but they assign missions to you, kind of ruining the lone bounty hunter theme. Anyway moving on.

The story line is fairly simple, you and three other bounty hunters are tasked with tackling the space pirate threat and destroying these phazon things implanted into the planet. Shortly into the game samus and the other hunters are a PED unit, which is inbuilt into their suit. This allows the hunter to enter hyper mode, giving a massive boost to damage, but firing the hyper beam uses health, so it must be used wisely. Enemies also enter hyper mode, which can be irritating as they seem to gain a massive boost in health, making even the smallest creatures a threat. Shortly after the PED units are given to the hunter's they are each assigned to a different planet, but all seem to go missing. Early on you see Dark Samus, who seems to be more powerful than ever before, managing to defeat you and the other hunters at once.

Anyway your mission assigned by the federation is to track down the missing hunters and eliminate space pirates.

The areas are almost a mixture of the previous games, nothing really new. Enemies are pretty similar to the last games, with pirates being the main threat. However with the pirates ability to enter hypermode they are a lot tougher now. Bosses are not very memorable, far less so than in the previous games, although a few are pretty good...As for weaponry and equipment, there are a few additions, but not much. A really annoying thing that retro decided to do with the arm cannon is take away the ability to switch between beams, so once a new beam is aquired the last one can never be used again. Really I dont know what they were thinking by implementing this, sure it makes i simpler, but it takes away the whole counter system that was always present in the metroid games. Also theres no more beam combos, which is a real shame as it further simplifies the game, making it less deep than the past two and limiting your options. Upgrades are the same as the last two games, energy tanks and missile expansions being dotted around, however they're much less secret now, and it just seems instead of them being optional theyre just kind of thrown in your path.

The new control system works a treat, its extremely accurate aiming with the wii mote and everything seems very fluent and easy, a great improvement on the cube controls. A really nice little feature is whenever opertating switches of any sort, for instance driving the ship, you press buttons with wii mote, or perform actions such as pulling a lever.

Graphics are a slight upgrade from the cube version, with more detailed textures and a nice blur effect, although it definitely isnt one of the graphical masterpieces of the generation, as prime 1 was.

Sound effects are excellent as ever, as is the music, however it doesn't fit in with environments as well as other prime games did, and the overall quality isn't as good either, failing to create that metroid atmosphere.

Overall the game has improved on the others in some ways, and just backtracked on others. Why retro chose to remove such fundamental features such as beam changing is ridiculous, but in no way ruins the game. Although great in it's own right, Corruption lacks the atmosphere of the previous two installments, and isn't all that memorable. But if i was to refrain from comparing it to the other two, it is easily the best game on the wii. Must buy.

THE BAD:
-Very few new upgrades and weapons, leaving you with very few "toys" to annihilate your foes.
-Very short storyline, meaning less game-play.
-Friend Voucher System is meaningless if you don't have any friends.

SUMMARY:
In this new installment of the Metroid Prime series Samus is put on the Wii console, giving people the "Intergalatic hero feel". The graphics of the game are astounding, enough so that you would think this is a PS3 game. Also, with the fact that you can communicate with other people, it gives this game a more realistic feel. The enemies in this game also have that touch of darkness that makes the Good Vs. Evil Ploy come to life. With the new ship control feature, your love of blowing things up soars through the skies, and this also allows you to fly to other planets and experience the diversity of animal life and history across some of the metroid galaxy. Boss fights are also more detailed and realistic in terms of combat.
On the other hand, with these new ideas of weaponry and what-not you have less at your disposal. For instance, in previous Metroid Prime titles you have a huge arsenal of weapons and "toys" at your command that you can use to obliterate the enemy. But, in this Metroid...you have very few weapons to use in primary combat; basically all you have is your gun and missiles (And on the occasion, ship bomb-raids). This is a severe setback that is usually accompanied with a short storyline (and believe me it is). The storyline is so short that you most likely could beat the game in eleven-and-a-half hours on your first try! Also, with the new rewards and unlock-ables system their is a flaw...Friend Vouchers!!! Their is absolutely no way of technically beating the game if you don't have any friends on your friends list, this presents its self as an annoying problem. Boss battles bieng visually stunning are to short and to the point, as the only time you get any real challenge is when you play extreme mode(or hypermode for those that have beaten it).
All-in-all, I give this game a 4.4 because of its great game-play and wonderful graphics, but it is to short. But, think of this game as a solar-eclipse, it rarely comes, but when it does, its a wonderful work of art that should be appreciated...although of its very short. Thanks for reading!

THE BAD:
-Hint System as annoying and doesn't always tell you exactly which place you need to go
-Voucher System if you don't have many MP3 friends
-Some Boss fights are a little more confusing then previous MPs not in difficulty just finding what to do

SUMMARY:
(Minor Gameplay spoilers)

Metriod Prime 3 is easily the best MP to date because of how much they've improved on everything. As the Wii controller makes combat feel like you're actually shooting them instead of the lock on system. Though you can still use that old system if you feel like it. These things must be changed in options first. You can also fight quite well without locking on to enemies which doesn't seem like much but if you've played an MP before you'll know that you couldn't before. This also helps looking around and exploring. Often to open doors and activate switches you must use your Wii mote to use them. While it might take a while to get used to it isn't annoying and immerses you into the game. Other touches such as being able to see Samus' eyes in the visor as she starts to Corrupt over the game only add to the experience.

Fans of MP and any Nintendo game will be surprised to know that there is voice over in the game. Which serves to flesh out the GF forces as they will be helping you through the game with information and later with actual help.

The power ups in the games are for the most part very cool in both puzzles and fights. They've also made it so the beams stack so you no longer have to switch between beams in order to burn or freeze. The freeze powerup was added to missiles so you won't unfreeze when freezing. Your ship also plays a much more active role and is able to perform bombing runs to destroy obstacles or help clear certain rooms, lift objects and act as a save spot.

Morphball was also improved upon as doing a double jump while in morphball is much easier. As you can now jump on your own using the Wii mote so you can simply jump, lay the bomb and then jump again. You can also do a boost jump, which while has no use is a fun thing to do.

The newest thing for MP3 is Hypermode which allows you to become extremely powerful for a limited time and shots. However you lose health for each shot you take and if you stay in Hypermode too long you will become corrupted. Hypermode can be both good and bad for the game, when you learn how to use Hypermode effectively (partial charge kills most enemies) it kind of makes the game too easy in some parts. However the game expects you to use it and not using it makes the game quite hellish.

Overall you should buy it if you have a Wii period. The only reason you shouldn't is if you think the game is too hard for you. As it's one of the best adventure games for the Wii if not the best (yes better then Twilight).