Support NeoGAF

[BassForever]

Whoever was in charge of the NWC clearly realized the massive backlash this and blaster ball were going to have as their WORLD PREMIER of Blaster Ball mysteriously didn't mention the Metroid Prime name despite them clearly knowing it was a MP game.

What is truly sad is that a Metriod universe game focused on the federation could have been really cool and a unique way to grow the Metriod universe. Playing as a team of normal dudes in a world full of powerful aliens and hunters and pirates where working together is the only way to kill things that bounty hunters like Samus can take down solo could be great. The problem is the art style looks really bland, this is the first metroid game in 5+ years after the mess that was other m, and the trailer made it look more action/level based and not story/exploration focused.

Imagine a game where you play through famous metroid time line scenes as federation soldiers, like going to Samus homeworld when the space pirates destoryed it and seeing a young samus taken in by the chozo or being the dudes with samus when she gets infected with the x parasyte and having to protect her back to the medical ship. Theres so much potential here for a great game... And this just isn't it :|

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

I don't know how you can possibly interpret what I said to mean that. My comment is that this should be for discussion of Federation Force and not disappointment that Nintendo didn't announce a AAA Metroid at their Digital Event.

He/she is discussing Federation Force. Just not in the way you'd like.

Read the post again. Bolded the parts talking related to the game.

The funny thing is that everyone (or rather the two or three defenders for this game) keeps saying "you can't hate it, it's a spin off", but we've already had a spinoff of a Metroid Prime. Multiple ones! While reception of games like Pinball and Hunters varies, nobody got legit mad at those games because:

1. We were getting actual Metroid games at the same time
2. Those games actually looked like the games they were spinoffs of without murdering the tone
3. Samus was in them lol

So yeah, it's a spinoff. But yeah, it still sucks and looks terrible. It's also funny that Hunters sold the worst out of recent Metroid games (not counting Other M but of course it did better than Other M, Other M is the worst game Nintendo's produced in years if not ever). So if you're saying "they did this to expand be audience for Metroid games", no it doesn't. And if Nintendo thinks that too, they're completely out of touch because it doesn't. So it's probably true that they think it does really.

No, it's not the fan base. The "cancel FF" petition is stupid, but none of us here are doing that. People here have every right to be angry and disappointed, the game looks like shit and was poorly thought out.

 

[Zoloft Sonic]

You guys man...

Don't be shocked. As media consumers go, gamers are the world's worst to work for.

 

[Burnburn]

My point is that it's not because it's missing some kind of that elusive "soul" that gamers can't shut up about it that it needs to be crucified for it.
After Other M, a peggle reskin would be a better Metroid game than a sequel of that atrocity.
We'll see how it goes.

Yeah, true, I think we're just in a different mind-set right now. You'll take anything after Other M to wash away the sour taste and I really want an awesome game. This might sound very selfish, but after Other M, I once again want a game that makes me proud to be a Metroid fan and this is ringing all the wrong bells for me right now. Of course I want this game to be good, but, from what we've seen right now it's very hard to be excited.

 

[Beelzebufo]

Don't be shocked. As media consumers go, gamers are the world's worst to work for.

Comics? At least games make money

 

[pringles]

This. I think I said in another thread that I would like a co-op player vs enemy Splatoon spin off on the 3DS. This could have been that, preserved the clean art style and been warmly received.

A nice fantasy but that would have made much less sense than this in a multitude of ways and I hope you realize that.

 

[blu]

Feel so bad for Next Level Games right now. They were riding so high after Luigi's Mansion,only to come crashing down with one disastrous game reveal. Sadly, what we saw of this game not only bears none of the hallmarks of the Metroid series, it has none of the hallmarks of a Next Level Game either! Most Next Level Games are filled with life and expressiveness. They imbue so much character and charm into their games even when they are simple arcade sports titles. But MP:FF seems to have none of that. It's like someone told the devs that sterility was the key component in a Metroid title and to make sure that this game has it in spades. I wouldn't really even card about the stunty art style if it came along with some expressive and interesting character quirks or something, but instead you get a bunch of bland, odd looking robots lumbering around shooting crap. That's entirely the sort of game Nintendo fans have been not wanting to play on other platforms for years, but not even a good version of it.

The word to describe this game's development and announcement really is tone deaf. It comes across as if Nintendo has no concern for or understanding of what its fanbase likes about its franchises. I'm not overly mad about this announcement or anything. I even understand Nitnendo's desire to do something different with a handheld version of Metroid. Hell, I am even still likely to buy this game. What I don't understand, however, is how Nintendo could have been so blind as to think that announcing this on its own was anything other than a horrendous idea. It sounds apparent that a console Metroid title is in development. If that's the case, why send this game off to die by announcing it as the lone new Metroid title in 5+ years? Just show off the bigger title as well. Reassure your fans that you understand why they are your fans and want to continue making the same sorts of games that earned their fandom in the first place.

I don't actually take this to mean the Metroid fanbase is overly toxic as someone mentioned earlier. Rather, they are rabid for a great game in the franchise to evoke the familiar feelings of isolation, discovery, tension, and power development that come with a great Metroid title. I could see a new Metroid game that deviates in huge ways from previous iterations of the franchise, but still gets received well by fans due to retaining these core tenets. Unfortunately, none of that is on display here, and I think people are right to be disappointed about that.

I was disappointed by (1) not being presented with a new Metroid Proper, and (2) not being shown what Retro have been working on. To shit on a small Metroid Hunters follow-up (8 months away from release) has not even crossed my mind. I guess I'm a weirdo.

 

[teeny]

A nice fantasy but that would have made much less sense than this in a multitude of ways and I hope you realize that.

Obviously the timing is off for a reveal at this E3, but I don't really see how it makes less sense than this game.

 

[MouldyK]

-sighs- For Metroid Prime Federation Force, i'll stop listening to opinions from people who seem like they would never give the game a chance even if it had Samus in.


I'll just hope it's either playable at Hyper Japan next month or at Eurogamer Expo in September because the Treehouse footage made it seem pretty good.


Plus, i'm sure a Metroid is in development or in some stage, but unlike everyone here, they don't want to make the game unless they can do it right.


I hope just to annoy the fanbase even more, a true Metroid does come out, but does not sell as much as this does. Just to see what excuses they can find.

 

[Tom_Cody]

He/she is discussing Federation Force. Just not in the way you'd like.

Read the post again. Bolded the parts talking related to the game.

You can interpret my post to mean whatever you want. There are two separate things here: 1) negative opinions on what has been shown and 2) hate because of what Nintendo didn't announce. IMO the first if on topic and the second is off topic.

Regarding Beelzebufo's post I agree that I should have trimmed what I quoted (or quoted someone else) to make my meaning more clear. The specific thing that stood out to me about it was the part I bolded and the sentence down from that saying that people have a right to be mad because Nintendo hasn't announced/revealed a separate AAA Metroid. There has been a lot of hate regarding what wasn't announced, and I agree that the post I quoted wasn't the best example of that.

 

[Mael]

Yeah, true, I think we're just in a different mind-set right now. You'll take anything after Other M to wash away the sour taste and I really want an awesome game. This might sound very selfish, but after Other M, I once again want a game that makes me proud to be a Metroid fan and this is ringing all the wrong bells for me right now. Of course I want this game to be good, but, from what we've seen right now it's very hard to be excited.

Considering who's making the game, at worst we're looking at a mechanically sound game.
I mean it's somethign that can be fun.
I'm not expecting anything from Nintendo (or anyone really) these days, if it's fun and not absolutely offensive I'm willing to give it a chance.
I'm done making excuses though, if it's trash it's trash.

 

[Baron von Loathsome]

The entire defense of this game centers around one assumption: A real Metroid game being in development.

Or that there isn't but this looks fun?

 

[ElectricBlanketFire]

You can interpret my post to mean whatever you want. There are two separate things here: 1) negative opinions on what has been shown and 2) hate because of what Nintendo didn't announce. IMO the first if on topic and the second is off topic.

Lack of mainline games absolutely ties into this discussion though. While Federation Force looks average at best on its own, not having an entry in the franchise since 2010 (a poorly received entry) makes it worse.

 

[MouldyK]

Or that there isn't but this looks fun?

How can it be fun?

It ain't a true Metroid game, so it won't be fun at all.

 

[Nintendoga]

This whole situation reminds me of the Nuts & Bolts fiasco with Banjo Kazooie fans. Now I know how they feel.

I'm sure it'll be a good game but I don't think this was the right way to bring back Metroid after a hiatus.

 

[diaspora]

How can it be fun?

It ain't a true Metroid game, so it won't be fun at all.

It might be because it looks like a cheap knockoff iOS game.

 

[Tom_Cody]

Lack of mainline games absolutely ties into this discussion though. While Federation Force looks average at best on its own, not having an entry in the franchise since 2010 (a poorly received entry) makes it worse.

I guess we'll just have to agree to disagree.

 

[Beelzebufo]

Or that there isn't but this looks fun?

True. I think if the game itself looked compelling you wouldn't see nearly as much hate, even if there wasn't a new Metroid on the horizon.

It might be because it looks like a cheap knockoff iOS game.

But instead this happened lol.

"Space Prime: Alien Fighter"

 

[TheSlySoul]

This whole situation reminds me of the Nuts & Bolts fiasco with Banjo Kazooie fans. Now I know how they feel.

I'm sure it'll be a good game but I don't think this was the right way to bring back Metroid after a hiatus.

That is a pretty good analogy.
Nuts and Bolts was a fun game, but it felt off because it had B-K IP attached.
I really think they should have not attached the Metroid name.

Also I have no attachment to Metroid. I only liked Fusion and Zero Mission.

 

[Zoloft Sonic]

Comics? At least games make money

Games *can* make money. Gamers and comic fans (along with some sports fans) mostly share the ability to collectively raise their blood pressure and expend real outrage over things like 'lore', that make other people shake their heads and get a little sadder.

 

[Simbabbad]

You know what I think of when I see this game? I think "this obviously started as another game and just got a Metroid skin pasted on it".

Except not. Have you read the hands-on? The controls are the exact controls of Metroid Prime. You don't improvise stuff like that.

Also, I'm not saying every Metroid fan/person liking Metroid is the exact same, I'm saying that since Super Metroid, there has been a growing hostility toward new games not fitting a very specific patron... that Prime got trashed before release, and that Fusion, Echoes and Corruption also got plenty of trash thrown at them, which people now conveniently forget. Just like Wind Waker got mind boggling hate at reveal and Splatoon was labelled as shovelware at reveal ("this is not what we want", etc).

You can say it's a vocal minority, but it's a minority that counts. Myself, who adores every single main Metroid game (minus Zero Mission which I only like), I avoid Metroid threads on discussion boards because I know they're toxic and full of hate, hysteria and contempt. It was already annoying before Other M, now it's off the wall. I can only guess what it's like for developers now with social media.

You guys man...

Don't forget this gem:

Other M is the most sexist video game created since Custer's Revenge.

(reminder: Custer's Revenge is flat out about raping Indian women)

Metroid 2 isn't staying true to Metroid?

He's right though, it didn't try to stay true to Metroid. Your overall progression is linear, the combat is very different (Metroid NES was really about jumping around and dealing with crawling enemies through morph ball mode), Metroids don't behave like Metroids, the spider ball completely changes the dynamics of the game, the map layout is completely unique with gigantic, natural looking caves with crumbling buildings in it vs. the simple, geometric shapes of basically every other game in the series...

Compared with the Super Metroid patron, it's a pretty crazy game. And for being my favourite game in the series, I can tell you it's trashed a lot: "no map" (even though the entire game is built around it), "linear" (even if the level design makes it more of a maze game than any other game before or after it), "black and white" (even though this is perfectly exploited by the art style), "the screen is too small" (even though again, the level design and theme exploit it, it's like you're in the complete dark in a giant, complex underground environment with only the screen area being lit up, the atmosphere is fantastic)... everywhere I see the game discussed, everybody seem to consider it's an obsolete thing that should be remade to look like Super Metroid, like that lame fan project that completely misses the point of Return of Samus.

I love Metroid as a series because apart from Zero Mission (which still has plenty of good things) it's a series that tries new stuff. But the fanbase is dominated more and more by purists who see anything new being blasphemy. No wonder they love Zero Mission.

 

[Beelzebufo]

Hey, I said since Custer's Revenge! Other M isn't quite that bad. Also, I'm honored you saved my post

 

[LocalE]

This looks like a good game and it is being done by a good studio.

Reasonable comments like this have no place in this discussion.

But, yeah, what you said is true.

 

[Theanine3D]

I have yet to play a Next Level Games title that was bad, so

I'm looking forward to this game. Nintendo needs more online multiplayer games for their core series. Just sucks that the 3DS still has friend codes, though.

 

[RagnarokX]

This whole situation reminds me of the Nuts & Bolts fiasco with Banjo Kazooie fans. Now I know how they feel.

I'm sure it'll be a good game but I don't think this was the right way to bring back Metroid after a hiatus.

It's not really similar to Nuts and Bolts. This is clearly being marketed as a spinoff with no intention of replacing the main series while Nuts and Bolts was teased for a long time as the next mainline Banjo game and was actually seen as the next mainline Banjo game with no intent at all to make a real Banjo game.

It's more similar to how after an 8-year hiatus Nintendo announced that the next Metroid game would be a first person spinoff. You know, there are actually some people that absolutely refuse to play Prime because it's different from 2D Metroid. But this is still different because it's clearly not a big title. It's more along the lines of Metroid Prime Hunters in scope, I think.

 

[Z3M0G]

Checked out the Treehouse playthrough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wx5now2XJo#t=1307

It honestly looks pretty great... Like a more linear mission FPS Helldivers. It certainly has the charm of Helldivers, if not more...

I bet this would have been received VERY well as a new IP...

 

[Simbabbad]

I have yet to play a Next Level Games title that was bad, so

I'm looking forward to this game. Nintendo needs more online multiplayer games for their core series. Just sucks that the 3DS still has friend codes, though.

I'm pretty confident, the multiplayer in Luigi's Mansion 2 was fun.

 

[GustyGardens]

Checked out the Treehouse playthrough:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wx5now2XJo#t=1307

It honestly looks pretty great... Like a more linear mission FPS Helldivers. It certainly has the charm of Helldivers, if not more...

I bet this would have been received VERY well as a new IP...

Once the dust settles and people actually look at the gameplay, I think some opinions will change. I was watching that demonstration live and thought it looked like fun. Next Level Games has a very good track record with their games, so I see no reason why this one should be different.

 

[MouldyK]

It's more similar to how after an 8-year hiatus Nintendo announced that the next Metroid game would be a first person spinoff.

When it was a 3rd Person Game:

The First Look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwW8fpECZn8

A reaction post from 2001: http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=29

Get some of the Super Metroid people such as Metroid designer Makoto Kanoh and Super Metroid director, Yoshio Sakamoto to oversee development if possible. This would allow the game to retain the anime character designs that in my opinion are really integral to the Metroid franchise.

Didn't they do this for Other M?

 

[guek]

It might be because it looks like a cheap knockoff iOS game.

Saying this over and over again doesn't make it true. Show me an iOS game with a co-op mission based structure, an extensive campaign, and multiple multiplayer modes. And if such a game exists, would you really consider the game "cheap?"

 

[Beelzebufo]

Saying this over and over again doesn't make it true. Show me an iOS game with a co-op mission based structure, an extensive campaign, and multiple multiplayer modes. And if such a game exists, would you really consider the game "cheap?"

I think he meant the way it looked. And you're totally underselling mobile games, there are some great ones out there for only a few $$$s (cheap).

 

[TheSlySoul]

So they confirmed via interview this is the last Metroid game until at least 2018.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

I think he meant the way it looked. And you're totally underselling mobile games, there are some great ones out there for only a few $$$s (cheap).

Yeah, mobile games have gotten pretty high quality as of late. Some have Xbox 360 graphics.

 

[pringles]

Obviously the timing is off for a reveal at this E3, but I don't really see how it makes less sense than this game.

Well yeah, timing for one. Graphics too. Splatoon's ink effect would be too much for the 3DS. The universe in one franchise is well-established with near infinite amount of places, weapons, enemies and such to draw upon, and it's in space so you can go anywhere with it. Splatoon's universe is brand new and there's just not that much depth to it yet or need to explore it further in spinoff entries.
This gives the singleplayer focused Metroid franchise a multiplayer focused entry, a Splatoon multiplayer spinoff would give a multiplayer focused game a multiplayer focused spinoff.

And maybe most importantly there's the actual people developing the games. Next Level Games may have been suited for a Metroid game (we know they had a Metroid concept).

 

[guek]

I think he meant the way it looked. And you're totally underselling mobile games, there are some great ones out there for only a few $$$s (cheap).

My question was genuine as I'm not into mobile gaming at all

The point was, if such a game on mobile exists, I don't think it'd be considered a cheap game in terms of production. Sure, this game could look better, but we're also talking about 3DS, a platform that's been outpaced by mobile tech since...forever.

 

[Beelzebufo]

So they confirmed via interview this is the last Metroid game until at least 2018.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Well we could still get a 2D Metroid game. This is just Nintendo's way of satisfying fans of the Prime series.

lol

 

[MouldyK]

So they confirmed via interview this is the last Metroid game until at least 2018.
Ha ha ha ha ha ha.

Or maybe...


...they are actually lying and a Metroid game is further along in development than we think and Nintendo are playing dumb.

 

[Sothpaw]

The kiddie character art is the worst part about the game to me. I would have been fine with a Metroid spin-off but there is no way I am supporting that artstyle in the Metroid universe.

 

[Neuromancer]

Do we know if there is any kind of single player mode? Bot matches at least?

 

[A Link to the Past]

(reminder: Custer's Revenge is flat out about raping Indian women)

It's an exaggeration to make a valid point (and he didn't say it was more sexist by the way). The game at every opportunity diminishes and reduces Samus to a submissive role of an asshole who we're supposed to like but end up hating instead. The story doesn't rely on her existence, and half of what happens happens in spite of her. The character is reduced to someone who can't control her emotions, has a suit that is controlled by feelings, and who wears ridiculous high heels.

 

[Baron von Loathsome]

True. I think if the game itself looked compelling you wouldn't see nearly as much hate, even if there wasn't a new Metroid on the horizon.

That's the opposite of my point, that the game looks fun.

 

[balohna]

It looks fun, I might get it.

 

[anotherVegan]

This game actually does look cool.

 

[Toxi]

I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed Nintendo announced Metroid's grand return as a cutesy 4 player co-op shooter and 3 vs 3 sports game. God, that was horrible.

...

FUCK IT WAKE UP WAKE UP WAKE UP

 

[guek]

I had a nightmare last night. I dreamed Nintendo announced Metroid's grand return as a cutesy 4 player co-op shooter and 3 vs 3 sports game.

That doesn't sound bad at all. And it was never presented as "Metroid's grand return," good god. Get over your mountain of salt, the game looks fun.

 

[Omega Kirby]

When it was a 3rd Person Game:



The First Look: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hwW8fpECZn8

A reaction post from 2001: http://www.n-sider.com/contentview.php?contentid=29




Didn't they do this for Other M?

My God, mp1 in 3rd person would be dope.

 

[Toxi]

That doesn't sound bad at all. And it was never presented as "Metroid's grand return," good god. Get over your mountain of salt, the game looks fun.

After watching the Treehouse footage, it really doesn't.

 

[MouldyK]

My God, mp1 in 3rd person would be dope.

2001 didn't agree.

 

[Nilaul]

It looks fun but the art style kills any interest. Delay the game and rework the art style; judging by the YouTube ratings they don't really have a choice.

 

[guek]

After watching the Treehouse footage, it really doesn't.

After watching the Treehouse footage, it really does.

 

[March of the Crabs]

After watching the Treehouse footage, it really does.

Agreed.