Metroid: Other M Review for Nintendo Wii

System: Wii	Review Rating Legend
Dev: Team Ninja / Nintendo	1.0 - 1.9 = Avoid	4.0 - 4.4 = Great
Pub: Nintendo	2.0 - 2.4 = Poor	4.5 - 4.9 = Must Buy
Release: Aug. 31, 2010	2.5 - 2.9 = Average	5.0 = The Best
Players: 1	3.0 - 3.4 = Fair
ESRB Rating: Teen	3.5 - 3.9 = Good

However, things start to get dicey when Other M throws in a curve ball. While a majority of the game will be played in this traditional fashion, the game will occasionally call upon you to point the controller at the screen for a first-person view.

Metroid: Other M screenshot

You’ll need to do this to specifically aim your weapon, to shoot missiles, and to investigate some scenes. While this works fine as an exploratory control, holding down the B trigger to allow the camera to move and shooting with the A button if necessary, when it is required during a fight, it gets frustrating. When you go into first-person aiming, not only do you have to awkwardly transition the way you’re holding the controller, you are also unable to move. This typically spells disaster, as you are likely to take a beating while fumbling with the controller and then trying to shoot, not to mention the problems that arise from having to hold the B trigger to move the camera when that is also what is required to lock onto enemies.

Awkward controller issues continue when trying to heal Samus. While she can get fully recharged at save points found throughout the Bottle Ship, sometimes you’ll desperately need health or missiles. In these cases, you’ll need to point the controller towards the ceiling and hold down the A button while you slowly regain health and missiles. I understand the motion, as it mimics what Samus is doing on-screen; however, it comes off as clumsy, given that you’ll occasionally turn into the morph ball instead since it uses the same button. Also, this maneuver is nearly impossible to pull off during combat, meaning that if you need healed during a fight, you might as well take a dive because trying to heal is typically suicide.

Even with these gripes, I found myself completely enjoying Other M. The gameplay is a return to form for the series, although I believe this has to be the fastest Metroid I’ve ever played. For instance, Samus runs so quickly in this game I found myself outrunning the game’s ability to load the environment, resulting in having to wait a few seconds for some doors to open. The more actiony take on Metroid is also a welcomed addition, with Samus being able to dodge attacks and perform cinematic finishing maneuvers on enemies.

While Metroid: Other M isn’t without its flaws, specifically awkward controller transitions and some aiming issues, the entirety of the package is quite good. Not only is this game a return to form for the series, it also brings several new things to the table that help to make it an enjoyable experience. If you’re like me and didn’t necessarily get into the FPS Metroids but enjoyed Samus back in the 8 and 16bit days, you owe it to yourself to check out Other M. Here’s hoping Team Ninja and Nintendo continue to work together for some sequels.

By Adam Brown
CCC News Director

RATING OUT OF 5

RATING DESCRIPTION

4.4

Graphics
While the in-game graphics aren’t quite as impressive as the gorgeous cinematics, Other M looks great.

3.7

Control
Some issues with aiming and awkward transitions between controller positions keep the game’s controls from being flawless.

4.0

Music / Sound FX / Voice Acting
The sound effects and music are great, and the voice acting is good, however, much of Samus’ dialogue seemed flat.

4.4

Play Value
Other M will take you about ten hours to beat or longer if you seek out every missile canister and health upgrade. It even gives you a bonus mission after completion and a theater mode in which to enjoy the game’s cutscenes and small gameplay segments pieced together into a lengthy Metroid: Other M film.

4.3

Overall Rating - Great
Not an average. See Rating legend above for a final score breakdown.

Game Features:

Metroid: Other M takes the best elements of 1st-person and 3rd-person gaming to create a seamless blend between gameplay, story-telling, and dynamic cinematography that feels like a movie the player can control. Players hold the Wii Remote controller sideways while navigating and battling in 3rd-person. However, at any moment, players can switch immediately to Wii Remote pointer controls to examine and explore the environments in 1st-person perspective.

Metroid fans know more about Samus’ suits and weapons than they do about what drives her. That’s about to change. The story begins immediately following the events of Super Metroid, when a baby Metroid gave its life to protect Samus. With voice acting and a rich story, players learn the engaging backstory of Samus as she weaves through an action-packed adventure aboard the Bottle Ship, a decommissioned space facility. As she hurtles into this new adventure, Samus will encounter her first mentor and Commanding Officer of the Galactic Federation, Adam Malkovich.

The development of Metroid: Other M is an exciting collaboration between Nintendo’s Yoshio Sakamoto and Team Ninja. Sakamoto was the director of Super Metroid in 1994. Team Ninja is the renowned action developer of Ninja Gaiden. Metroid: Other M pairs Sakamoto’s expert level design and exploratory focus of the classic Metroid series with Team Ninja’s signature stylish, no-holds-barred action.