Metroid

"Samus Aran in her original adventure!"

Introduction-

The Nintendo Entertainment system has had many great games. This game is definitely one of them. Metroid was a game that I have found myself playing multiple times. Every time you play it, you have a renewed liking for this game. It is not often that you find a game that you have beaten completely several times, and you would love to do it again.

Metroid was the base game for a series about to add it's tenth installment in November of 2006. The NES's Metroid had several sequels until 1994. After the release of Super Metroid, the series stopped being added to. This changed in 2002 with the release of Metroid Fusion. The reason that they decided to release a fourth Metroid game was because the series was so popular. Tons of people loved Metroid, Metroid II: Return of Samus, and Super Metroid. So, you can tell that Metroid has to be a good game if it started a series of great games.

I originally played Metroid close to ten years ago. At the time, I found the game to be way too hard. I did not like it at first, because of this. Eventually, I got the hang of how to play this game. From that point on, I never got bored with this game. With hard but not impossible areas, this game is one of NES's wonders.

Gamplay-

This is obviously the most important stat of a game. And Metroid scored big here. Metroid is outstanding in the three major parts of gameplay. If a game has Metroid's gameplay, that game is bound to be great.

One of the best things about this game is that the controls are simple and easy to understand. This allows for less frustration, because you don't have to use so many different buttons. Some people think you need huge controllers with a vast amount of buttons to make a good game, but I soundly disagree. NES's Metroid is proof that games don't need to be too complicated.

Another good thing about Metroid is that it is challenging, but it is in no way impossible to beat. However, if you don't collect a vast majority of the items, the game might become somewhat overwhelming later in this game. Keep trying (and get more upgrades) and you should be able to beat this game eventually.

Of course, more important than anything else in this review, I will say that this game is fun. And I mean it. This game offer constant fun throughout the entire time you play it. The only thing that makes this game less fun, is when you die, and you have to restart with a very small amount of health.

Overall Gameplay: 35/40

Story-

Being an NES game, you wouldn't expect a good story, if it even had one at all. Well, Metroid not only has a story, but a fairly good one. Metroid's Story goes something like this:

Over time the galaxy has seen a lot of turmoil. In order to prevent space raids and other crimes, the Galactic Federation was formed. Now, many years of peace have come upon the galaxy. That all ended when a group called the Space Pirates arose. Following the commands of their leader, the Space Pirates came closer and closer to galactic control. Their current base is on Zebes. The Space Pirates have control over one of the most deadly species in the galaxy (if not the deadliest). These creatures are called Metroids. A Metroid is a parasitic life-form that can kill almost any creature by absorbing the creature's life energy. Several Galactic Federation groups have tried to infiltrate the planet Zebes, but all groups have failed.

The Galactic Federation decides on a new plan. It is very risky, however. They decide to send a lone hunter to try to infiltrate the entire planet. Samus Aran, a bounty hunter with a special connection the planet Zebes and a race that once lived there, decides to take the job. Can Samus Aran defeat the Metroids and return galactic peace?

Overall, I think the story is great. No dull story is as deep as Metroid's story. Besides the Legend of Zelda series, no series produces better NES stories than Metroid.

Overall Story: 18/20

Graphics/Sound-

Metroid's graphic designer made an honest shot at giving this game extremes graphics. Unfortunately, this 8-megabyte game couldn't quite cut it for the best graphics for an NES game. Two games come to mind when I think of better graphics. Super Mario Bros. 2, and Super Mario Bros. 3. Metroid's graphics are pretty good, and even made an attempt at shading some of the environment (one block can have several different colors, especially in Norfair).

As for sound, this game has good music, and irritating music. I loved the tunes for Brinstar and Kraid's Lair (two areas in the game), but I didn't like the music of the other three areas. In fact, I sometimes mute the music when playing in Norfair. The probably could have done better in the sound department.

Overall Graphics/Sound: 14/20

Play Time/Lasting Appeal-

Metroid is long if you have never played it before. This is because you will probably get lost along your way to the end of the game. However, if you know all the paths to take, this game can be beaten very quickly. Thus, this games play time is a little short. If you like to sit down and play a game for three hours, you probably have plenty of time to beat this game. This is not always a bad thing, but a longer game can provide more interest, as long as it doesn't take weeks of constant play to beat. Metroid probably should have been a bit longer.

This game's lasting appeal is phenomenal. You could probably play this game over and over again. I've had access to this game for a very long amount of time, and I still am appealed by this game. I doubt you will get bored playing this game.

Play Time/Lasting Appeal Overall: 16/20

Games Overall Score-
Gameplay: 35/40
Story: 18/20
Graphics/Sound: 14/20
Play Time/Lasting Appeal: 16/20
Total: 83/100 (about 8/10)

Even though this game is twenty years old, it is still a great game. If you could find a re-make if this game, or a good-working copy of this game, you should definitely buy it. This game will be among your favorites for years to come!

Reviewer's Score: 8/10, Originally Posted: 07/25/06