Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GameCube) Second Opinion Review

One complaint that has been rife amongst gamers since we got solid details about the game is its similarity to the original. And its true, take a screenshot of many scenes from both games and you could easily be forgiven for thinking they came from the same game. Of course this is no bad thing, as the original is one the most loved games on the Cube, more of the same was never going to hurt. The moment you get into the game you will forget all about how similar it is to the original, you'll just be having so much fun it won't matter. At this stage we must point out that Retro Studios have in no way taken a lazy approach with Echoes, as they could have easily done given the success of the prequel.

One new feature is that of multiplayer action, a first for the Metroid series, and criticised by most who have given it a whirl. This is largely due to the fact that although it's a good bit of fun in brief spells it just doesn't live up to the legend that is a single player Metroid adventure. It's certainly worth investigating though; up to four players can play at a time via split screen, with two modes available, basic deatmatch and Bounty mode. The first being as you would expect, just with a Metroid twist to liven things up. While the latter focuses on the collection of coins that opponents drop when injured, in the hope of totting up the highest amount before times up. Whichever mode you choose, you will be presented with a bunch of features that combined with the unique control system provide quite a different feel to most other FPS'.

All the beam weapons from the main adventure are available, although not straight away, players must venture around the map looking for hovering shiny logos that provide those much-needed upgrades. So that's the light beam, dark beam and all powerful annihilator beam as well as power bombs and missiles at your disposal. As if they weren't enough if you're lucky enough to find yourself a question mark hovering above the ground, make sure you run straight for it as they provide some of the most powerful upgrades, if only for a limited time. Some examples you say, how about unlimited ammo? No? Okay, invulnerability? We dare you to say no to that little extra! Its not all about personal upgrades though, oh no, certain maps feature Ball Launchers which, you guessed it, launch Samus in various danger escaping directions, with the utmost of ease, provided she's in Morph Ball form of course.

All of the above adds up to a fairly enjoyable gaming session that shouldn't be overlooked entirely, of course what you really bought the game for is the single player mode, and it certainly does not disappoint. So what is different this time around? First off Echoes is significantly harder then its predecessor. Massively extravagant boss fights are complimented by huge areas to explore; many full of tough as nails opponents of their own. Puzzles in both the first person view and third person Morph Ball view are also much more mentally challenging then ever before. You may well find yourself sitting back and thinking for a good few minutes before the solution presents itself to you, but never in a tiresome or irritating way. However, none of this would be as entertaining without the awesome atmosphere that developers have magnificently filled the game with.

Everything is much darker than before, including the soundtrack. Tension building barely scratches the surface of this one! We just can’t describe the feelings you will experience when venturing into a new area, accompanied by near silent piece of background music only to be confronted by a towering monster of unspeakable power just waiting to suck the life out of you. Its like watching a horror movie, but rather than hiding behind the sofa before the climaxes come about, you have to bring them on yourself, sitting in front the TV, controller in hand, do not be surprised if you jump more then once at this game. Do your friends like to tell you Nintendo is for kids? Just shove this under their nose and tell them to play it at night with the lights off... That should set them straight!

C3 Third Opinion:
James Temperton (tempo88)

Yes, it’s a C3-3-1 of sorts. I’ll keep this brief, as most what needs to be said can be found in this review, or the original review here on Cubed³. I play a lot of games in my day to day life. A lot of them are average, forgettable, enjoyable, but in no way memorable. What makes a game stand out as being truly special is if it is memorable (providing it isn’t so bad it haunts you forever). Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is perhaps one of the most memorable games of the modern generation, nay it is the most memorable. It is not often that I get so into a game that I just about play it right the way through from start to finish, but in this case I simply couldn’t stop myself.

From the moment this game boots up and an eerie sound reaches your ears, to the minute it ends and you see that terrifying sight of Samus’ heart stopping, the flat-line of the heart monitor and the utterly horrific feeling that you get that you just killed someone who really mattered. This is a testament to the awesome power of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes as an experience and as a game. Sure the multiplayer might be a stupid tagged on afterthought and it might in essence be Metroid Prime with some extra shine and a few new knobs on, but I don’t care.

This is (in my view) the greatest game of the current generation. It sets a standard that all other games should aspire to; it is a shining light, a beacon, and a saviour. It is in essence, Nintendo’s magic realised once again in game form.