I will say, I can't remember the last time GAF turned so hard against a big name franchise that ACTUALLY took a risk. I won't even get started on the hypocrisy that abounds in this thread, but I will say this...
How many Halo, Mario, Metroid, and Zelda games do we play that are exactly the same? Would you have preferred this was more like Twilight Princess? I don't know about you guys, but I'm at the point in my life where I'm pretty damn happy with the modernization of classic franchises we've seen in the past 10 years --- INCLUDING the Prime series. In other words, I've experienced those rebirths. They've been done and DONE well. It's now time to move past that. After all, where's the fun when you already know the gameplay, know the sound effects, know the music, and know the story before you even power the game on??
Think for a moment about a major AAA franchise that you've played that threw you for as much of a loop as Other M has. Can't, can you? Why do you think that is? Because major studios aren't allowed to take risks! Nintendo is one of the few that does, and for that I commend them. Major gameplay changes to classic formulas produce the kind of reaction we've seen on GAF this week. It can potentially lead to catastrophic failure, but more often than not, the best developers take the biggest risks -- and sometimes it works. When they do, we finally get new genres (Grand Theft Auto) and new play mechanics that we've never experienced ever before (Other M, Mario Galaxy). To those developers I say - AMEN brotha.
Is everyone going to like the risks the developers took with Other M? Fuck no -- of course not. But to slam Sakamoto for actually taking this franchise beyond its traditional boundaries, which Retro was afraid to push, is pure unadulterated lunacy. The best franchises take the BIGGEST risks, and are often initially scolded for doing so. Don't believe me? Just look how far the tide has turned on Wind Waker.
What do I think? I say CONGRATS to Sakamoto and Team Ninja for mixing it up. Good story, bad story -- whatever. Bottom line is it's a new take on franchise I adore. I actually have had to learn how to play the game, which is a welcome feeling that I rarely experience these days.
If I just wanted to play Super Metroid or Metroid Prime again I'd just pop 'em in and replay them.