Metroid Prime Federation Force Announced (Next Level, 3DS, 4 Player, Mission Based)

Worst part of it all? It IS Metroid Prime in how it plays and its setting/design.

I'm sorry, I don't see this in any way, shape, or form. Not when chibi solider guys are playing space soccer.

Is the biggest focus of the game exploration and atmosphere? Is there a sense of isolation and loneliness? Are there plenty of power ups to find, and then use later to get to new areas?

If no, then it is not Metroid Prime in its design.
 
You know, after watching the Treehouse stream, there's a really good game here and something Metroid is kind of perfect for. It's probably the IP Nintendo has that fits the mold of a co-op FPS. I've been on a heavy Destiny kick recently and watching this game in action gave me those shooter vibes that I like: coordinating with teammates, shooting big shit with your guns, reviving fallen members, using powers etc.

Now I'm wondering of a Wii U version of this game. Imagine if they had something to show that had the graphical fidelity of something like Destiny. I'm willing to bet a lot of people would have shut the fuck up about wanting another samey Metroid. They would have been too busy salivating over taking down space pirates on Talon IV with a squad of buddies.

But no. Here we are. This game is on the 3DS and it looks as great as it possibly can and it's not enough to please the people that still treat handheld games like they're from the ghetto.
 
I would say I'd be a lot happier with this game if it were on the Wii U. I think it's really dumb to make a game that requires Internet play be handheld.

I guess the ideal situation of having 3 friends with 3DSs of their own, willing to come together to have a 3DS party would be pretty cool, but how many people can seriously do that? Seriously, even if one of you actually do that, and know that they'll do this with this game, speak up, I want to hear about it.

I think that situation is absolutely extremely rare to the point where I don't even think anyone reading this topic does it, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
 
I would say I'd be a lot happier with this game if it were on the Wii U. I think it's really dumb to make a game that requires Internet play be handheld.

I guess the ideal situation of having 3 friends with 3DSs of their own, willing to come together to have a 3DS party would be pretty cool, but how many people can seriously do that? Seriously, even if one of you actually do that, and know that they'll do this with this game, speak up, I want to hear about it.

I think that situation is absolutely extremely rare to the point where I don't even think anyone reading this topic does it, but I'd be happy to be proven wrong.
It's funny (and sad) because the outcry if this had been a Wii U game would have been even more severe. Because then people would really rage about why they're not making a Wii U Metroid core game. At least here it's a simple 3DS game with a small budget and dev resources.
 
I'm sorry, I don't see this in any way, shape, or form. Not when chibi solider guys are playing space soccer.

Is the biggest focus of the game exploration and atmosphere? Is there a sense of isolation and loneliness? Are there plenty of power ups to find, and then use later to get to new areas?

If no, then it is not Metroid Prime in its design.

Did you read anything else in that paragraph? Like at all? The mechanics (design) and the setting (post-Phazon universe) are all Metroid Prime. The gameplay is ALL Metroid Prime. What it isn't is standard Metroid of isolation and Samus on a lonesome treck.

... hence being a spin-off.
 
You know, after watching the Treehouse stream, there's a really good game here and something Metroid is kind of perfect for. It's probably the IP Nintendo has that fits the mold of a co-op FPS. I've been on a heavy Destiny kick recently and watching this game in action gave me those shooter vibes that I like: coordinating with teammates, shooting big shit with your guns, reviving fallen members, using powers etc.

Now I'm wondering of a Wii U version of this game. Imagine if they had something to show that had the graphical fidelity of something like Destiny. I'm willing to bet a lot of people would have shut the fuck up about wanting another samey Metroid. They would have been too busy salivating over taking down space pirates on Talon IV with a squad of buddies.

But no. Here we are. This game is on the 3DS and it looks as great as it possibly can and it's not enough to please the people that still treat handheld games like they're from the ghetto.

My love of the Metroid Prime series doesn't come from its gunplay, so I'm gonna disagree on the salivating part. I don't want a co-op Metroid like Destiny, I want a Metroid game.
 
It's funny (and sad) because the outcry if this had been a Wii U game would have been even more severe. Because then people would really rage about why they're not making a Wii U Metroid core game. At least here it's a simple 3DS game with a small budget and dev resources.

Maybe, but then they should have come up with a different design entirely if they're going to focus on the 3DS. I don't know, maybe even a new pinball game.

Maybe I'm wierd in that I can handle a Metroid spin off despite really wanting an exploration Metroid game. I'd probably buy it just in hopes of letting nintendo know Metroid fans still buy stuff. It's just this game doesn't make any sense to me at all outside of that ideal situation I was talking about, and was shown at the nintendo treehouse event.

Is there even going to be voice chat? Can that built in mic and network chip handle a decent voice chat?
 
Did you read anything else in that paragraph? Like at all? The mechanics (design) and the setting (post-Phazon universe) are all Metroid Prime. The gameplay is ALL Metroid Prime. What it isn't is standard Metroid of isolation and Samus on a lonesome treck.

... hence being a spin-off.

First of all, we didn't know, we suspected.

Second, the reasons we suspected were: the characters looking like federation troopers, the sci-fi setting, and the name of one of the ships in the background.

The gameplay is not the least bit Metroid Prime, unless "ALL Metroid Prime" means first person shooting laser beams.
 
First of all, we didn't know, we suspected.

Second, the reasons we suspected were: the characters looking like federation troopers, the sci-fi setting, and the name of one of the ships in the background.

The gameplay is not the least bit Metroid Prime, unless "ALL Metroid Prime" means first person shooting laser beams.

The way the game played and handled was 100% Prime-like. That was what people were immediately noticing, the gameplay. Not some background ship that looked "maybe like Samus's".

Twitch chat was fairly vocal with their observations and, in hindsight, they were absolutely correct and for obvious reasons.
 
Do you know what the greatest tragedy of this game is going to be?

NCL will probably think the outcry will be because it is a Metroid game and not because it is a Metroid multiplayer game for the 3DS.

Just imagine, a decade of no Metroid games at all...
 
The way the game played and handled was 100% Prime-like. That was what people were immediately noticing, the gameplay. Not some background ship that looked "maybe like Samus's".

Twitch chat was fairly vocal with their observations and, in hindsight, they were absolutely correct and for obvious reasons.
Be specific: what Prime-like gameplay were they noticing?

Because even the GAF thread mentioned almost nothing about gameplay, and only mentioned aesthetics like the HUD and the logo's font.
 
I'm looking forward to this game. Haters keep hating, I'll be blast balling with my friends. I call the blue guy.
 
Even after re-watching the reveal trailer and the Treehouse segment, try as I might, I just can't get into this game. Yes, it's a spin-off but it's also not at all what I want from a Metroid game. The Metriod IP and chibi style should never mix and yet they have. TPS and FPS games simply do not work well on the 3ds, even with lock-on, and yet here it is.
 
You know how there would've been much much less backlash and hate? If the game featured the actual Federation marines instead of those cartoonish chibi-robos or whatever. I think that is the major problem.

If the characters looked like this:

250px-Galactic_Federation_Marine_mp2_Artwork.png


Instead of this:

v9CAzw6m.jpg


People would not be complaining that much.

And of course, if the enemies, scenarios, etc. looked at least a little bit like Metroid.

Many people have toyed with the idea of a Galactic Federation spin-off, and it would have been the perfect game to play online in the mean time while a new main line Metroid is developed. They just screwed it up with the design in my opinion. The premise is good (except for the space soccer part).

First of all, that would be a step to the right direction. I'm in for a Metroid without Samus, sure, but FF looks atrocious and so far lacks any character. I'd prefer it if you could just play as someone, not a general Marine. If there was more depth than just random monsters on missions. The idea is good for a spin off but the execution so far is terrible.

The chibi artstyle is the main thing that bothers me. When the trailer was shown, I was expecting a random robo game. When they showed the Metroid logo, I couldn't beleive what I was seeing. And the thing is, the 3DS is in fact capable of games that have realistic humans. Resident Evil: Revelations for example. I can't believe that Capcom did this and the game still looks amazing and Nintendo made something that reminds me a N64 game. If they're not planning to spend more on this project, they better stop it right now. It's Metroid, a franchise that fans love. What's the point of releasing a game just for the sake of releasing it?
 
Of all the E3's, this was a bad one to announce a spin off.

Last Guardian is finally coming.
FF7 remake is finally coming.
Shenmue 3 is going to be developed.

Metroid...? Federation Force. Nintendo listened /s. Fell very short.
 
God forbid they do a little world-building as a bridge towards that next game.
Other M destroyed the world and tried to rebuild it in the same game. They should start the world rebuilding with the main character, not with characters that have almost nothing to do anymore with the main one. At least do it from the Chozo side or new Hunters, show us the side of the galaxy that humans fear, Samus is apparently the only human that stands a chance against that dangerous galaxy anyway.
Do people throw hissies if a Pokemon or Mario spinoff have the Mario or Pokemon names in the title, though?

This just seems dumb, how else do you label a Metroid spinoff without the word Metroid?
Mario and Pokemon spin-off are different because they have a longer history of mainline games.

Just like Hyrule Warriors did for Zelda.
 
It's weird, because I'm actually kind of excited about this as I hope they can put in maybe Federation vs Space Pirates multiplayer and I like the look of the gameplay (including Blast Ball) and I feel somewhat that I'm a small voice in a large crowd.

Also the very fact they've made what I guess was a prototype into this game makes it even more likely that there'll be a mainline metroid game in the future. They just said they wanted to focus on games releasing this year at E3 which I appreciate.
 
You know how there would've been much much less backlash and hate? If the game featured the actual Federation marines instead of those cartoonish chibi-robos or whatever. I think that is the major problem.

If the characters looked like this:

250px-Galactic_Federation_Marine_mp2_Artwork.png


Instead of this:

v9CAzw6m.jpg


People would not be complaining that much.

And of course, if the enemies, scenarios, etc. looked at least a little bit like Metroid.

Many people have toyed with the idea of a Galactic Federation spin-off, and it would have been the perfect game to play online in the mean time while a new main line Metroid is developed. They just screwed it up with the design in my opinion. The premise is good (except for the space soccer part).

Now that you've compared them I think I actually like these little color-coded chibi feds. They've got more personality in their design, which makes sense considering that classic federation grunts were just designed to be environmental decorations for Samus to stumble across every now and then.
 
The Galactic Federation is not only humans, they should have added more hunters like Gandrayda or Rundas, they are even color coded. Gandrayda is pinkish, Rundas is blue,etc. But we get only humans :(
 
Even after re-watching the reveal trailer and the Treehouse segment, try as I might, I just can't get into this game. Yes, it's a spin-off but it's also not at all what I want from a Metroid game. The Metriod IP and chibi style should never mix and yet they have. TPS and FPS games simply do not work well on the 3ds, even with lock-on, and yet here it is.
Ya, in the same boat. I've tried to get into it but that artstyle is hideous, and the 3ds makes it look even worse.

Also, while a multiplayer component would be a nice addition to a fully realized Metroid Prime game, it would be just that, an addition. I don't think Metriod fans were asking for this or anything like it.

And yes, the controls on the 3ds suck. This just can't be avoided.
 
I was chatting with a friend about this game shortly after hearing that Next Level Games was behind it and came to the assumption that perhaps this game didn't even start out as a Metroid title when it first began its development. In particular, the Blast Ball portion shares virtually nothing in common with the Metroid Prime series, and the fact that Nintendo initially revealed it at the NWC's this year as simply "Blast Ball" either helps solidify that claim or hints that perhaps Nintendo was aware of the possibility that they'd have been "boo'd" by a crowd of thousands live on stage if they revealed it as a Metroid title.

I recall reading somewhere that Next Level Games often works on little side-projects that they later present to publishers like Nintendo for a potential greenlight/funding, and I'm assuming that is the case here. Nintendo is certainly aware of the desire for a new, core Metroid title, and noting Retro's absence during this year's Digital Event, they could've easily slapped the Metroid Prime logo on "Federation Force" and "Blast Ball" just to tide the fans over. Looking at each games' respective logos, it almost seems as though that is literally the case.

Of course, I'm just speculating at this point, but the most common complaint I've seen for this game is that it doesn't look like a Metroid title, and maybe that's because it wasn't meant to be one in the first place. Next Level Games is (for the most part) a competent studio and they're very passionate about Nintendo and their games. Not to mention they're also one of the very few Western developers to have such key Nintendo licenses under their belt, and I'm certain they don't take that for granted.
 
I was chatting with a friend about this game shortly after hearing that Next Level Games was behind it and came to the assumption that perhaps this game didn't even start out as a Metroid title when it first began its development. In particular, the Blast Ball portion shares virtually nothing in common with the Metroid Prime series, and the fact that Nintendo initially revealed it at the NWC's this year as simply "Blast Ball" either helps solidify that claim or hints that perhaps Nintendo was aware of the possibility that they'd have been "boo'd" by a crowd of thousands live on stage if they revealed it as a Metroid title.

I recall reading somewhere that Next Level Games often works on little side-projects that they later present to publishers like Nintendo for a potential greenlight/funding, and I'm assuming that is the case here. Nintendo is certainly aware of the desire for a new, core Metroid title, and noting Retro's absence during this year's Digital Event, they could've easily slapped the Metroid Prime logo on "Federation Force" and "Blast Ball" just to tide the fans over. Looking at each games' respective logos, it almost seems as though that is literally the case.

Of course, I'm just speculating at this point, but the most common complaint I've seen for this game is that it doesn't look like a Metroid title, and maybe that's because it wasn't meant to be one in the first place. Next Level Games is (for the most part) a competent studio and they're very passionate about Nintendo and their games. Not to mention they're also one of the very few Western developers to have such key Nintendo licenses under their belt, and I'm certain they don't take that for granted.

It's quite obvious. They had gameplay prototypes that Nintendo felt could fit in the universe and let them use it. But this shouldn't really need to be pointed out, that's almost exclusively how Nintendo works. Game first, franchise skin second. It's not like Nintendo has the Metroid budget and they gave it to NLG to make this, they were working with Next Level and decided to use Metroid to launch the game.
 
Now that you've compared them I think I actually like these little color-coded chibi feds. They've got more personality in their design, which makes sense considering that classic federation grunts were just designed to be environmental decorations for Samus to stumble across every now and then.

They're gonna need more personality than just different color-helmet.
 
So I just watched the treehouse footage and it looks kind of...fun, to be honest.

Sure it's not a "real" Metroid game. The idea of playing as the galactic troopers or whatever isn't a bad one at all and the aesthetic looks thoroughly Prime-ish.

Ultimately, if no one at Nintendo currently has inspiration for a mainline Metroid game, I'd rather they not churn out a half-assed one to satiate cranky fans. I'm a huge Metroid fan, but I can wait.

Next Level has proven themselves so who knows, could turn out decent. Is it online co-op?
 
I think it looks great.

For something inspired by Metroid more than is Metroid.

Controls are pure Prime, wrapped in a cute package.

I can see why Metroid fans that wanted a new Prime would be pissed. This is far from what they wanted or expected. All the same it looks like something I want to play.
 
Now that I've had 2 days to let the game sink in, I'm starting to be OK with accepting it for what it is: A cheeky spinoff, that will probably be a fun little title, that will at least help give Metroid a bit of brand recognition again...

I just hate the idea that Nintendo thinks all Metroid Prime games are primarily seen as shooters, because they never were, and most people who like them understand that the arm cannon is just as much a tool for exploration as it is a weapon.

I'm interested, and if it turns out well I'll probably buy it, the reaction to it I'm sure is enough to prevent Nintendo from turning the main Prime series into a by the numbers FPS. This spinoff was just ill-timed.
 
This game sucks because they used the Metroid franchise. I'm sure it will help it sell more, but it's lame because its not what fans want for the Prime series at all.
 
But no. Here we are. This game is on the 3DS and it looks as great as it possibly can and it's not enough to please the people that still treat handheld games like they're from the ghetto.
I'm pretty sure no one in this thread is down on Metroid Fusion or Metroid Zero Mission, so that hypothesis doesn't exactly hold.
 
Okay, so after being dissapointed with it at first I left the game as it is and didn't think about it for a few days.
Now I rewatched the trailer and the game actually looks decent.
Of course it's not a real Metroid (Prime) game but it looks fun. Co-op missions, because why not. It's okay.
I'll probably play it. It's most probably going to be a decent game.
Maybe they could've left out the "Metroid Prime" title, but well, brand recognition I guess.
I'm okay with the game. Thank you game, for forgiving me.
 
Okay, so after being dissapointed with it at first I left the game as it is and didn't think about it for a few days.
Now I rewatched the trailer and the game actually looks decent.
Of course it's not a real Metroid (Prime) game but it looks fun. Co-op missions, because why not. It's okay.
I'll probably play it. It's most probably going to be a decent game.
Maybe they could've left out the "Metroid Prime" title, but well, brand recognition I guess.
I'm okay with the game. Thank you game, for forgiving me.

They should have never branded it as a Metroid game

Hands down the only thing wrong here. Otherwise it seems like a nice addition to the 3DS library

This game is just a victim of context. Fans of the series have been left in the dark since the poorly received OTHER M.

It boggles my mind that Nintendo is so tone deaf to think that context would not play a role here when they show this
 
The Galactic Federation is not only humans, they should have added more hunters like Gandrayda or Rundas, they are even color coded. Gandrayda is pinkish, Rundas is blue,etc. But we get only humans :(

I'm sure we'll get costumes for the Feddie guys with amiibos. At least I expect a Samus costume.
 
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