Metroid

"One of the greatest games of all time. Period."

If you go to anyone you know to be a gamer, and ask them what they think the greatest video game franchise is, chances are that if they're a learned gamer, you'll hear Metroid.

Sure, Metroid has not had the same impact on others as, say, Super Mario Bros., and The Legend of Zelda, but the fact remains that if you are a hardcore gamer, or at least think that you are, you will recognize Metroid as, in the very least, the game that kicked off what might be the greatest game franchise of all time.

Truly, I have yet to find a bad Metroid game. People who are not ''In the know'' about how Metroid is, and the way it's supposed to be will come right out and bash the game. But if you do research, and fully understand, you'll find that all the games in the series are consistently excellent.

As a matter of fact, back in the days, before I knew that Metroid was part of a franchise, and before the Internet, I didn't think much of this game. I thought it was a huge piece of crap. My copy was used, and I had no idea what was going on, what to do, and how to do anything. But upon visiting various Metroid web sites, I was able to track down the manual, and everything just, literally, ''clicked''.

Story: 10/10

The year is 20X5. The galaxy is relatively peaceful. Although there is some inter-stellar Piracy, the Galactic-Federation keeps the peace well. However, on an expedition to a remote planet dubbed 'SR388', a Federation research team finds a creature found in relatively suspended animation. The researchers call it a 'Metroid', and they experiment. The findings were astounding! Once exposed to Beta Rays for over 24 hours, the Metroid replicates itself. In addition, they found that the main attack of the apparently genetically-engineered creature is to latch onto it's prey and slowly suck the life-force out of the unfortunate life form. The creature is nothing more then a floating, parasitic life form, with appearance similar to a Jellyfish.

Immediately, the Federation realizes that the creature, if used by those who would do harm to the galaxy, could conceivably hold the galaxy hostage. They hope to keep the Metroid safe on the research vessel returning to base.

Unfortunately, inter-stellar nomads known as the Space Pirates, led by the pulsating creature named ''Mother Brain'', board the research vessel, and quickly swipe the Metroid. They travel back to their base on the remote planet of Zebes. The planet itself is almost like a natural fortress. Every single attempt at infiltration by the Galactic Federation has failed. Only one hope remains. They call in the renowned Bounty Hunter Samus Aran, who, with her technologically advanced suit, pioneered by the extinct species of Bird-Like people that raised her from orphan-hood, will infiltrate Zebes, penetrate the Pirates' defenses, and terminate the Mother Brain!

--Although the game itself exhibits no story besides a short 'order' at the beginning of the game, once you pick up the manual, you'll become familiar with this enthralling epic, which, if nothing else, sets up the even-greater sequels in the series.

Graphics: 9/10

Although this game is a masterpiece, the graphics aren't what they could have been, despite the fact that the NES hardware and programming software then wasn't what it was come 1989. Therefore, companies and programmers couldn't make the best use of the NES hardware until a few years later, resulting the games looking bad to most people, for NES standards, later on. At 1986, Metroid uses as much power that the programming at the time could allow. Therefore, you can't really blame Metroid for looking garish compared to other NES games at 1986 and 1987. The abilities of the NES weren't as fully developed then. But even in 1986, the NES could make a somewhat better display. For a more simple example, let's say that the NES, at that time, could only use 1/10 of the abilities later displayed. Well, Metroid uses up 90% of that 1/10. However, this works to the game's advantage, as the lack of any background adds to the somewhat scary atmosphere.

The mainstream graphics themselves are good. The color palette is used enough to give a nice display, but this is nothing compared to the caliber of Super Mario Bros. 3. The varying types of rock formations and coloring on the enemies and Samus herself are all very nice.

However, the Graphics get a 9 because they did not take up the full capacity of the NES' graphical abilities at the time.

Music: 10/10

Metroid has arguably the best NES soundtrack of all time. One of the greatest of any game of all time, in my opinion. The sound is al scored by one of the greatest; Hip Tanaka. Each song does not 'fit' the area you're in, it creates the area.

The theme for Brinstar, the beginning area of the game, is bold and heroic, instilling the player with fearlessness. The theme for Kraid's hideout is eerie, and breaks down the good feelings established in Brinstar, creating tension around every corner. The next cue, for the region called Norfair, is a somewhat tedious sound, being neither scary or hopeful, the song becomes a sound of neutrality. Ridley's hideout is a somewhat nervewracking cue. The theme of the region Tourain is possibly the creepiest of the game. A repetitive, annoying, and utterly fitting cue.

--The music is the stuff of dreams. Hip Tanaka truly helped shape the game through his musical talent.

Sound: 9/10

The sound is somewhat of a minority. You don't notice it, you wouldn't care if it was gone, but ultimately, the sound helps make this game feel whole. Other then that, there is nothing to say about the sound. The few that you can't help but notice include the sound of your energy draining in the 'lava', and the sound of Samus' low energy. Both become very annoying. One amazing sound to note, however, is the sound of Samus' feet running on the gravel-laden ground. It sounds incredibly realistic.

Gameplay: 10/10

When talking about the gameplay, one can't help but comment on how innovative it is. Gunpei Yokoi (RIP) was an absolute genius. The planet of Zebes is just that: a planet. In the game, you will find that Samus can go anywhere from the beginning, permitting she has the Maru Mari. Which is the first item of the game. It allows Samus to roll into a ball, and fit through narrow passages. The game is totally non-linear. You are trying to enter Tourain, domain of the Mother Brain and Metroids. However, first, you must defeat the two henchmen hidden within the planet. Kraid, a bloated, fat yellow monster, and Ridley, a purple Dragon. Once they are gone, the path to Tourain is opened. Along the way, Samus can collect items which will upgrade her strength, offensive power, and ease of travel. The planet is nothing but an inter-connecting set of rooms that forms one, continuous land. Many creatures that infest the planet are there, and they are not friendly. The control is easily learned, but the physics of Samus' movement can be annoying. Her jumps are highly erratic, and once in 'lava' everything slows down, and makes you die faster. After some practice, you'll find, however, that it isn't that hard, and you will realize how to compensate for the difficult jumping.

Difficulty: 5/10

Once you have yourself a map, and study it, you will have no difficulty other then staying alive. The creatures, once you find a strategy, present no problem at all. The game is only even slightly hard in the fact that Samus' jumping is hard to control, and you get lost easily.

Overall, this game is an absolute classic which, if nothing else, kicked off one of the greatest game franchises in history, if not the greatest.

If you see it, buy it and get a map. Then plunge into the world of Zebes and save the universe.

See you next Mission

Reviewer's Score: 10/10, Originally Posted: 01/07/04