SantaC
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I assume this is from the full version. By Chris Buffa:
http://www.gamedaily.com/gamecube/preview/?id=283&game_id=378&source=00001
I am really glad that the music is shining again. The music in Prime was good, but it did not top Super Metroid. Sounds like Kenji Yamamoto is back in style
Bounty hunter Samus Aran is returning to the Nintendo GameCube in the all-new sci-fi adventure: Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The sequel is bigger, tougher, and prettier than its predecessor, but if you're a fan of the first Prime, you'll be pleased to know that Nintendo hasn't messed with the formula too much. It's a mix of old with a dash of new, and whether you think so or not, you will be afraid of the dark. Oh yes! You will be afraid!
This time around, Retro Studios has paid more attention to crafting a deeper and more involving story, though in some ways, Echoes' narrative sounds like a zillion other sci-fi games/movies. While pursuing space pirates, a Galactic Federation trip crash lands on the planet Aether, and disappears. Bounty hunter Samus Aran is called to investigate, and upon her arrival discovers that all of the soldiers have been mysteriously slaughtered by an unknown force. It appears Aether has been split into two worlds; the Light World, which is controlled by the peaceful Luminoth, and the Dark World, an evil place populated by the Ing, vicious creatures bent on destroying all in its path. Four generators are all that keep the Light World in existence, and as the peaceful tribe of aliens is crushed under the weight of their oppressors, Samus springs into action to save not only the Light World, but the entire planet. However, it won't be easy, because there's an X factor, a Dark Samus running about sucking up Phazon and looking to put the hurt on everyone's favorite interstellar bounty hunter.
I started the game investing the whereabouts of the Federation troops. Like in the first Prime, I came across very few enemies in the first few moments of play. Rather, I stumbled upon clues as to what foul beasts populate the planet. Cocoons, slime, and holes burrowed deep into the ground were my only hints. There were destroyed machinery and dead bodies everywhere (both human as well as alien), and I won't spoil it for you, but the action kicks off rather quickly. Unlike Prime, where you walked a good way before being heavily attacked, Echoes throws double, sometimes triple the enemies at you within the first twenty minutes. They're not very difficult to defeat, but the initial shock of being nearly overwhelmed was a great feeling.
If you love to scan things, Echoes is going to make you feel like a kid in a candy store. It's a lot easier to lock onto things, because when you activate the scan visor, a much larger area is highlighted instead of a tiny point. Just about everything in the game has a story to tell, so it's best to stop and inspect whatever strange equipment, dead carcass, or alien you come into contact with. The federation troops in particular, are interesting reads because they have personal logs that give you some back story to their fate.
Rather than make Echoes your standard shooter (like Prime was), Nintendo and Retro Studios have included a twist to the gameplay. As you progress, Samus will come into contact with both light and dark weapons, and each type has advantages and disadvantages. When you encounter the Ing, it's best to hit them with light weaponry (dark will do very little damage since they're evil to begin with), but you'll need to pick and choose what weapons you fire because it's possible to run out of ammo. Nintendo has made it so it's hard to zero out, but your ammo counter is something that should always be on your mind. Also, there are new visors in the game, but Nintendo is still keeping them a secret.
No words can describe its beauty...After spending a little over an hour with the single-player campaign, I came away impressed. The entire experience was total immersion, from the creepy atmosphere and music (which I'll get to later) to the gameplay twists. This time around, you need to think a little bit more about what strategies you want to take. However, a lot about this game feels like the first Prime. The morph ball is still here, but it plays a much larger role because there are more places you'll need to access by rolling. Also, you'll still gain important items from defeating a boss, such as new weapons and suits (the dark suit rocks). It's enough of the old mixed with new stuff, and it makes Echoes stand out from its peers.
Aside from its new single-player gameplay features, the most talked about aspect concerning Echoes is its multiplayer mode. I played a four-player split screen deathmatch and it's definitely amusing. You can play it as your standard shooter and just blast away at one another, but Nintendo's done some neat things to make this a far cry from your typical frag fest. Being able to travel using the morph ball is excellent, as it's a great way to give your enemies the slip, or get the heck out of dodge if you're low on health. It's heartbreaking to whittle away an opponent's energy only to see them morph, hop into a cannon and get blasted onto the other side of the level. Of course that can work to your advantage if you're the one running away (as I often did). However, if you'd rather have some guts, you can roll around and plant bombs everywhere. It's actually a great defensive maneuver if your attacking enemy is low on health and trying to blast you to bits.
While the multiplayer is fun, it's more of a diversion from the heart of the Echoes experience, which is the single-player mode. Fragging just got boring after a while, especially knowing in the back of my mind that there's no online play. While split screen was fun back in 1998 on the N64, it's almost criminal today to release a shooter and restrict how and with whom you play. Nintendo is trying to differentiate itself from the competition with wacky modes (like Bounty Mode, where the object is to collect the most coins), but it's a big question mark as to whether gamers will embrace the multiplayer.
Nintendo boasts that Echoes is visually improved over its predecessor, but said improvements are more cosmetic than jaw dropping. The game still looks amazing, and the engine can pump out some very slick particle effects (in particular, the dark bubbly composite of your standard Ing creature), but for the most part it looks just like Prime. Environment detail has been kicked up a slight notch, but no one's going to get knocked off their seat when they boot up the game, that is, unless you love cool creature designs. The monsters in Echoes are just as expertly crafted as they were in the first Prime. Some familiars, like wasps, make a triumphant return, but the giant bosses (the worm-like monsters still freak me out) really kick the game's intensity meter up a notch. The Ing are really cool too. They vary in their design, but they have the ability to melt into the ground, zip around you and pop up for some quick attacks. They can also take over other creatures' bodies, but I won't go into detail on that, since it'd spoil the beginning for you.
While the graphics are gorgeous, it's the music that's the true star. Within the first hour of gameplay I was treated to some of the best game music I've ever heard. It's dark, foreboding, and really sets the tone of the game. Trust me when I say that the soundtrack (if it's ever released) is a must buy, if only for the game's opening tracks.
I know that Nintendo likes to say that its game isn't a first person shooter, but they need to get over it (especially now that Echoes has multiplayer). Take some time to check out Metroid Prime 2: Echoes for the Nintendo GameCube when it ships November 15 this year. Based on what I played, its high level of polish really sets it apart from the competition, and should make it a hit with fans.
http://www.gamedaily.com/gamecube/preview/?id=283&game_id=378&source=00001
I am really glad that the music is shining again. The music in Prime was good, but it did not top Super Metroid. Sounds like Kenji Yamamoto is back in style
