As my main concern is that hype alone generally sells games, whether they are worthy of it or not. Enter the Matrix, Driver, RE:Online, are a few that come to mind. Echoes' visuals are definitely an enhancement from what MP offered. (this is very apparent during the in-engine cutscenes, especially in both Samus & her ship's model) Even in gameplay sequences. Larger & even more poly-intensive detailed environments, new visors, (I find the Echoes visor to be quite innovative) suit upgrades, new weapons upgrades, (seeker missles) suit abilities, (screw attack) triple-jump, etc. Retro looks to be outdoing what they initially accomplished with Metroid Prime. Which was one of the most comprehensively polished gaming experiences I've yet had on any system. (music, atomsphere, & all) Even faster loading times now? (due to switching to a portal based, or PVS system)
Especially after the GI article. More organic animated environments, enhanced enemy AI, artistically creative enemies & allies, (I love the design of the Galactic Federation Troops & Space Pirate Commandos as well as their new abilities) an advanced particle system, (even better looking than Prime's) more primary specialized beams, (5-6 now, as the Dark Beam's attributes when charged are simply awesome.) What looks to be a far more interesting crafted story-line replete with a Dark Samus sub-plot, (told through many more cut-scenes as well as scanning) the way the spiderball is being implemented over more varied non-track surfaces, controlling the trajectory of the screw attack, & other aspects we still know nothing about. Better yet, Retro has even more time to polish the game this time around. (!) I played the multi at E3, initially I thought it was simply an afterthought thrown in for the fans, I found out that I was wrong. Fun & addictive it was, nor was it as easy as you might believe with the lock-on capability. (jumping, morphball, & I'm sure swinging saw to that) Also the very real possibility of implementing a secondary dual-analog control scheme, as well as possible widescreen support, all at 60fps? I consider it a definite AAA must buy.
Although there are lots of high profile games being released this holiday season such as RE4, Halo 2, MGS3, GT4, etc. (GTA:SA is being released in Oct. correct?) I believe this title is somewhat slipping under the radar in terms of hype. Retro as a developer isn't truly getting the respect they deserve IMO, as they are an "elite" developer on par with KCEJ-W, Bungie, Naughty Dog, Square-Enix, EAD, Polyphony, etc. I believe if Retro includes the dual-analog control that it will convert many of the people who disliked the 1st. (Although I felt lock-on was almost a necessity in some areas of MP, & don't see how dual analog would have worked) Your thoughts GAFers?
Especially after the GI article. More organic animated environments, enhanced enemy AI, artistically creative enemies & allies, (I love the design of the Galactic Federation Troops & Space Pirate Commandos as well as their new abilities) an advanced particle system, (even better looking than Prime's) more primary specialized beams, (5-6 now, as the Dark Beam's attributes when charged are simply awesome.) What looks to be a far more interesting crafted story-line replete with a Dark Samus sub-plot, (told through many more cut-scenes as well as scanning) the way the spiderball is being implemented over more varied non-track surfaces, controlling the trajectory of the screw attack, & other aspects we still know nothing about. Better yet, Retro has even more time to polish the game this time around. (!) I played the multi at E3, initially I thought it was simply an afterthought thrown in for the fans, I found out that I was wrong. Fun & addictive it was, nor was it as easy as you might believe with the lock-on capability. (jumping, morphball, & I'm sure swinging saw to that) Also the very real possibility of implementing a secondary dual-analog control scheme, as well as possible widescreen support, all at 60fps? I consider it a definite AAA must buy.
Although there are lots of high profile games being released this holiday season such as RE4, Halo 2, MGS3, GT4, etc. (GTA:SA is being released in Oct. correct?) I believe this title is somewhat slipping under the radar in terms of hype. Retro as a developer isn't truly getting the respect they deserve IMO, as they are an "elite" developer on par with KCEJ-W, Bungie, Naughty Dog, Square-Enix, EAD, Polyphony, etc. I believe if Retro includes the dual-analog control that it will convert many of the people who disliked the 1st. (Although I felt lock-on was almost a necessity in some areas of MP, & don't see how dual analog would have worked) Your thoughts GAFers?