Metroid: Other M (Prelaunch Discussion)

**Valigarmander** · 02-07-2010, 10:23 PM

I didn't see a M:OM general thread here, so I decided to create one for discussion and news dumping. Here we have some new info:

Metroid: Other M to Focus on Samus's 'Human Side'

Quote:

There's still very little known about Metroid: Other M, the new installment in the Metroid franchise that's being developed in collaboration between Nintendo and Tecmo's Team Ninja. But in the pages of the latest Famitsu (via Andriasang), Metroid co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto explained a bit of what the game's focus will be.

"[Different] from the rest of the series, this time we're strongly depicting the human side of Samus through such things as movies," Yakamoto said. "She's a strong woman, but she also has a fragile side. We want to make a game whose charms can be felt from the story areas and these human touches as well. It's an action game, but it's capable of having a clear emotional side."

No doubt the team-up with CG studio D-Rockets is where those movies come into the picture, and the announcement trailer at E3 last year (above) was already evidently filled with story-driven cut-scenes.

But being an action game, Sakamoto also gave at least a few hazy details of how Other M will play. "This Metroid is being developed with the aim of the ideal form of the old Metroid," he explained. To that end, Team Ninja's side of development is focusing on taking the "2D jump action game" and transitioning it into "3D action." And this, apparently, is something that "can be realized because of the Wii."

Does that mean tons of motion and pointer controls? Hopefully we'll find out more soon.

I kind of liked the silent, mysterious character of Samus. I'm hoping this game can provide more insight into her character without destroying that image.

Still looking forward to this. It'll be coming out later this year. I'll post more info as it comes.

Metal Man · 02-07-2010, 11:16 PM

I hope they don't chickify Samus too much. Then she would stop being Samus altogether.

***the Octopus*** · 02-08-2010, 12:34 AM

^^ Bottom of the first index page, not like it's a big deal, though.

I'm with you on the whole "silent, mysterious" bit, etc.

^ One of the biggest problems with Japanese developers is their cultural preference for weak female roles. It might appeal more to the prevalent culture there, but it would certainly turn out to be a large disappointment if they go out of their way to make her very effeminate. I expect her to buck against the system, if they put her in a place where she's involved with the military.

Samus has always had the kind of image that you just flat out don't **** with her, and I really got the vibe at the end of Fusion that she was going to kick some Federation ass. I would be using this game to set that up, were I the dev.

The cutscenes are actually welcome in the series, IMO, especially since they've kind of been doing a simpler version of it since Fusion. I don't necessarily think Sakamoto started off really having a feel for what direction to take the series in, but I believe he's started to really fall into it more. And no offense to Retro, but some of their creative decisions, while being well-thought-out in appearance, seemed a bit uninspired. It'll be cool to finally see where Sakamoto takes Metroid in 3D, since I think Nintendo really named him the heir apparent to Yokoi's hand in the game.

I really hope that, while they're trying to "humanize" the game, they aren't missing out on bringing in some of the more bizarre alien life that Metroid has played host to in the past. And we honestly need some of those Super Metroid-esque levels of enemy design, where there are enemies that are exclusive to a single room.

***CaptHayfever*** · 02-08-2010, 01:07 AM

I think the "humanizing" aspect is just in respect to the characterization. "This Metroid is being developed with the aim of the ideal form of the old Metroid" and "taking the 2D jump action game and transitioning it into 3D action" sound to me like they want to keep that Super-esque feeling.

And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

CodenameV · 02-08-2010, 01:55 AM

REMEMBUH ME?

***the Octopus*** · 02-09-2010, 11:36 AM

^ Is that a reference? Can I just say "yeah"?

Kargath · 02-10-2010, 05:31 AM

I think it will be interesting to see characterisation of Samus. I've only played Prime, and she's really just an empty shell there.

^It's a reference to the grinning black guy in the trailer.

***the Octopus*** · 02-11-2010, 09:11 AM

Ah, right.

And yeah, Karg, I'm cool with the personifying bit in the context of seeing how it turns out, but Nintendo has this trend of sticking to their guns, even when it doesn't suit the fans. So as a once-off-maybe idea, no problem. If it turns into a mess like FF or something, then I'll be sad. There literally hasn't been a bad Metroid game, IMO, and I'd hate to see that trend come to a hault.

1-up Salesman · 02-11-2010, 10:11 PM

It's time that we did see some personality in Samus. I mean, how would you feel if you, time after time, had to fight giant alien monsters over and over with nearly hopeless odds?

Rainbow Dash · 02-11-2010, 11:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Out-of-Control Inflatable Gorilla Fire

Ah, right.

And yeah, Karg, I'm cool with the personifying bit in the context of seeing how it turns out, but Nintendo has this trend of sticking to their guns, even when it doesn't suit the fans. So as a once-off-maybe idea, no problem. If it turns into a mess like FF or something, then I'll be sad. There literally hasn't been a bad Metroid game, IMO, and I'd hate to see that trend come to a hault.

Hunters and II were kind of bad, from a general consensus I've heard.

**Valigarmander** · 02-11-2010, 11:52 PM

^ Are we talking Metroid II or Metroid Prime 2? Because Metroid II was pretty awesome, better than the original Metroid if you ask me. Metroid Prime 2 was the weakest of the Prime trilogy imo, but it was still a good game.

I've never played Hunters though.

***the Octopus*** · 02-12-2010, 09:55 AM

I'd never call Metroid II a bad game, I really like it. I agree that there were quite a few problems with Hunters, though. I have a tendency not to remember that one exists, actually.

Quote:

Originally Posted by 1-up salesman

It's time that we did see some personality in Samus. I mean, how would you feel if you, time after time, had to fight giant alien monsters over and over with nearly hopeless odds?

Pretty awesome, I've done it in every Metroid game so far.

Rainbow Dash · 02-12-2010, 09:56 AM

Eh, I guess I'm just prejudiced because the game was on gameboy and black and white.

Robotazy · 02-12-2010, 09:56 AM

I generally remember that the only gripe about Metroid Prime 2 was "BACKTRACKING IS BAD. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE SHOULD BE NO BACKTRACKING."

Also, Hunter's controls in the demo grinds my gears.

***the Octopus*** · 02-12-2010, 10:03 AM

I like backtracking, the problem is the 3D format.. it makes it incredibly difficult to make the areas loop around conveniently as they do in Super Metroid. I think the biggest problem with Prime 2, and it's really a minor one, is the emphasis on combat - Metroid has never been about being an uber difficult shooter game. I don't really care if enemies get in my way. But they took a lot more shots than they needed to, and were honestly eventually an annoying distraction when you're just trying to get somewhere via backtracking. Prime 3 solved that a bit, but they still had perhaps a little too much emphasis on combat and less on exploration. They need waaaay more divergent paths, IMO. Think like the entrance to Norfair in SM, there were what - 6 doors in that first room?

***Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds*** · 02-12-2010, 10:06 AM

Nintendo is way too hit-or-miss with adding new personification to their characters, so the last thing I want is them to start tacking in "personality" for Samus. No, I don't need her to openly feel anything for taking on the world. She's Samus Aran. She's going to get the job done and be awesome the whole time. She doesn't need to have any fake added personality or feelings. She was raised by the Chozo. Why should she act like a human in any case?

**Valigarmander** · 02-12-2010, 05:49 PM

Maybe she spends the beginning of the game scratching at the ground with her feet to get worms and squawking at people, and the rest of the game is a journey to fit in with other humans.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · 02-12-2010, 06:02 PM

I could never get the hang of the controls on Metroid Prime Hunters, but I liked the online portion. It was smooth and fun. I believe it also had a lobby, which Nintendo seems to pretend games don't need.

1-up Salesman · 02-14-2010, 10:10 AM

^ Not that smooth when everyone you fight is suddenly floating up in the air, invincible, and getting one-hit kill headshots on you over and over.

I REALLY HATE POKEMON! · 02-14-2010, 08:25 PM

I don't think I experienced any such omnipotence.

02-08-2010, 12:34 AM	#3
*the Octopus* THE PRESIDENT OF FUN Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 27,481 Thanks: 1,974 Thanked 5,121 Times in 2,320 Posts	^^ Bottom of the first index page, not like it's a big deal, though. I'm with you on the whole "silent, mysterious" bit, etc. ^ One of the biggest problems with Japanese developers is their cultural preference for weak female roles. It might appeal more to the prevalent culture there, but it would certainly turn out to be a large disappointment if they go out of their way to make her very effeminate. I expect her to buck against the system, if they put her in a place where she's involved with the military. Samus has always had the kind of image that you just flat out don't **** with her, and I really got the vibe at the end of Fusion that she was going to kick some Federation ass. I would be using this game to set that up, were I the dev. The cutscenes are actually welcome in the series, IMO, especially since they've kind of been doing a simpler version of it since Fusion. I don't necessarily think Sakamoto started off really having a feel for what direction to take the series in, but I believe he's started to really fall into it more. And no offense to Retro, but some of their creative decisions, while being well-thought-out in appearance, seemed a bit uninspired. It'll be cool to finally see where Sakamoto takes Metroid in 3D, since I think Nintendo really named him the heir apparent to Yokoi's hand in the game. I really hope that, while they're trying to "humanize" the game, they aren't missing out on bringing in some of the more bizarre alien life that Metroid has played host to in the past. And we honestly need some of those Super Metroid-esque levels of enemy design, where there are enemies that are exclusive to a single room. Last edited by the Octopus; 02-08-2010 at 12:41 AM.

02-11-2010, 11:52 PM	#11
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,222 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 5,553 Times in 2,499 Posts Blog Entries: 18	^ Are we talking Metroid II or Metroid Prime 2? Because Metroid II was pretty awesome, better than the original Metroid if you ask me. Metroid Prime 2 was the weakest of the Prime trilogy imo, but it was still a good game. I've never played Hunters though. __________________

02-12-2010, 05:49 PM	#17
Valigarmander The Bee's Knees Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: The land of rain and trees (Oregon) Gender: Posts: 29,222 Thanks: 1,611 Thanked 5,553 Times in 2,499 Posts Blog Entries: 18	Maybe she spends the beginning of the game scratching at the ground with her feet to get worms and squawking at people, and the rest of the game is a journey to fit in with other humans. __________________

02-07-2010, 11:16 PM	#2
Metal Man Fairy-Slaying Maniac Join Date: Apr 2000 Location: 1592 Miles Away From Here Gender: Posts: 18,062 Thanks: 148 Thanked 683 Times in 482 Posts	I hope they don't chickify Samus too much. Then she would stop being Samus altogether.

02-08-2010, 01:07 AM	#4
*CaptHayfever* Smash SuperMod Join Date: Jul 2002 Location: (n) - the place where I am Gender: Posts: 27,013 Thanks: 1,787 Thanked 2,371 Times in 1,423 Posts	I think the "humanizing" aspect is just in respect to the characterization. "This Metroid is being developed with the aim of the ideal form of the old Metroid" and "taking the 2D jump action game and transitioning it into 3D action" sound to me like they want to keep that Super-esque feeling. And remember, "I'm-a Luigi, number one!"

02-08-2010, 01:55 AM	#5
CodenameV Junior Member Join Date: Oct 2009 Location: Mudkipland, CA Gender: Posts: 215 Thanks: 43 Thanked 6 Times in 6 Posts	REMEMBUH ME?

02-09-2010, 11:36 AM	#6
*the Octopus* THE PRESIDENT OF FUN Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 27,481 Thanks: 1,974 Thanked 5,121 Times in 2,320 Posts	^ Is that a reference? Can I just say "yeah"?

02-10-2010, 05:31 AM	#7
Kargath Awesome member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: kargath64.deviantart.com Gender: Posts: 8,061 Thanks: 1,187 Thanked 729 Times in 458 Posts Blog Entries: 1	I think it will be interesting to see characterisation of Samus. I've only played Prime, and she's really just an empty shell there. ^It's a reference to the grinning black guy in the trailer.

02-11-2010, 09:11 AM	#8
*the Octopus* THE PRESIDENT OF FUN Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 27,481 Thanks: 1,974 Thanked 5,121 Times in 2,320 Posts	Ah, right. And yeah, Karg, I'm cool with the personifying bit in the context of seeing how it turns out, but Nintendo has this trend of sticking to their guns, even when it doesn't suit the fans. So as a once-off-maybe idea, no problem. If it turns into a mess like FF or something, then I'll be sad. There literally hasn't been a bad Metroid game, IMO, and I'd hate to see that trend come to a hault.

02-11-2010, 10:11 PM	#9
1-up Salesman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Your bedroom. I love it here! Gender: Posts: 3,861 Thanks: 2,071 Thanked 228 Times in 180 Posts Blog Entries: 9	It's time that we did see some personality in Samus. I mean, how would you feel if you, time after time, had to fight giant alien monsters over and over with nearly hopeless odds?

02-12-2010, 09:56 AM	#13
Rainbow Dash been dreamin', i've been waitin' Join Date: Jan 2001 Gender: Posts: 23,788 Thanks: 168 Thanked 1,120 Times in 677 Posts	Eh, I guess I'm just prejudiced because the game was on gameboy and black and white.

02-12-2010, 09:56 AM	#14
Robotazy PRESS ANY KEY TO PANIC! Join Date: Sep 2000 Location: A Tiny Shed Gender: Posts: 16,284 Thanks: 521 Thanked 1,238 Times in 885 Posts Blog Entries: 43	I generally remember that the only gripe about Metroid Prime 2 was "BACKTRACKING IS BAD. IN THIS DAY AND AGE THERE SHOULD BE NO BACKTRACKING." Also, Hunter's controls in the demo grinds my gears.

02-12-2010, 10:03 AM	#15
*the Octopus* THE PRESIDENT OF FUN Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: I rub my tilde all over your asterisk Gender: Posts: 27,481 Thanks: 1,974 Thanked 5,121 Times in 2,320 Posts	I like backtracking, the problem is the 3D format.. it makes it incredibly difficult to make the areas loop around conveniently as they do in Super Metroid. I think the biggest problem with Prime 2, and it's really a minor one, is the emphasis on combat - Metroid has never been about being an uber difficult shooter game. I don't really care if enemies get in my way. But they took a lot more shots than they needed to, and were honestly eventually an annoying distraction when you're just trying to get somewhere via backtracking. Prime 3 solved that a bit, but they still had perhaps a little too much emphasis on combat and less on exploration. They need waaaay more divergent paths, IMO. Think like the entrance to Norfair in SM, there were what - 6 doors in that first room?

02-12-2010, 10:06 AM	#16
*Saria Dragon of the Rain Wilds* Admin "mine.. not yours. NO. MINE." Epic Ladynerd Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Forteresse de Valois Gender: Posts: 28,199 Thanks: 1,510 Thanked 1,719 Times in 993 Posts	Nintendo is way too hit-or-miss with adding new personification to their characters, so the last thing I want is them to start tacking in "personality" for Samus. No, I don't need her to openly feel anything for taking on the world. She's Samus Aran. She's going to get the job done and be awesome the whole time. She doesn't need to have any fake added personality or feelings. She was raised by the Chozo. Why should she act like a human in any case?

02-12-2010, 06:02 PM	#18
I REALLY HATE POKEMON! Goku lives on the Sun Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: California, U.S.A Gender: Posts: 12,543 Thanks: 1,247 Thanked 263 Times in 222 Posts Blog Entries: 1	I could never get the hang of the controls on Metroid Prime Hunters, but I liked the online portion. It was smooth and fun. I believe it also had a lobby, which Nintendo seems to pretend games don't need.

02-14-2010, 10:10 AM	#19
1-up Salesman Senior Member Join Date: Apr 2008 Location: Your bedroom. I love it here! Gender: Posts: 3,861 Thanks: 2,071 Thanked 228 Times in 180 Posts Blog Entries: 9	^ Not that smooth when everyone you fight is suddenly floating up in the air, invincible, and getting one-hit kill headshots on you over and over.

02-14-2010, 08:25 PM	#20
I REALLY HATE POKEMON! Goku lives on the Sun Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: California, U.S.A Gender: Posts: 12,543 Thanks: 1,247 Thanked 263 Times in 222 Posts Blog Entries: 1	I don't think I experienced any such omnipotence.