Metroid Prime 3 comes at a most needed time for both gamers and the gaming industry itself; Gamers need a AAA quality game to utilize their shiny new Wii’s and Nintendo needs to illustrate to the industry that the wii is a viable platform for the FPS genre. While Metroid Prime 3: Corruption isn’t a traditional FPS in the vein of Halo and Half Life it does contain the most significant element of FPS gameplay, shooting stuff (to put it simply), as well as others which make it a significant step forward for not only the FPS genre but for console gaming in general.

The reason for this is because of its unique control system. The Wii has, in the past, been doubted as to how well it can facilitate traditional gameplay concepts given the unique nature of its primary interface; the wiimote/nunchuck combo. Let’s face it; The FPS genre is the most popular genre in all of gaming, for reasons I’d prefer not to get into here, and the Wii needs to be able to provide an FPS experience that both utilizes the systems unique attributes and compensates for its perceived lack of power and ability in comparison to other platforms. Metroid Prime 3 has satisfied these conditions and illustrates that the FPS genre would fit right in on the Wii platform.

The game starts by providing what is essentially an introduction and training course in the ways of the wiimote. The player takes the perspective Samus as she is piloting her ship and here the player is introduced to how the wiimote facilitates interaction with the environment. The cockpit of the ship contains various buttons, touch-pads and input devices which Samus can interact with through her hand in what amounts to a point and click interface. Once the player gets on foot they finally get to try out them new-fangled motion sensing controls; and it is admittedly a little jarring at first. Those of use familiar with the traditional FPS control interface will have to adjust a bit, firstly by going into the game settings and switching the aiming system to the “advanced” setting. Since the aiming is handled through pointing the wiimote there is no neutral space that mice enjoy through resting on a table and that analog controls enjoy through the constant centering of the analog stick. The game does a great job of introducing this new method to the player through the first part of the game in which the player must perform simple point and shoot gestures through the use of the weapon, environment interaction and the scanning visor. After the introductory sequence of the game the controls feel fluid, natural and, most importantly, compelling. During this introductory sequence the player not only becomes familiar with the controls but is introduced to the storyline as well as the context in which future events will be placed.

Being a bounty hunter Samus obviously needs to get her assignments from something and that something is the galactic federation which serves as a basic government presence in the universe. They represent the cookie cutter, bring order to the universe, aspect of the conflict in which the player interprets as “the good guys” while the contrasting faction, the space pirates, represent the other end of the spectrum by being “the bad guys”. Samus, being a bounty hunter, isn’t necessarily attached to the federation but she does get her jobs from them so it is safe to assume her allegiance. There are also other bounty hunters present in the storyline who work for the federation much like Samus. They help add to the overall context of the Metroid universe by illustrating that Samus isn’t alone and it also provides more characters to which the plot can be anchored and advanced. This basic introductory sequence provides a simple framework through which some very complicated gameplay elements are placed, so while its nice to see that Retro, the developers of the game, took the time to develop this story it really is a just a means to an end and nothing more. That end, of course, is compelling gameplay and it is present in spades, my friends.

The gameplay in Metroid Prime 3 is, to put it simply, amazing. Most FPS games bombard you with mind numbing point and shoot gameplay that comprises the vast majority of player interaction with the games environment and logic. But in Metroid the player is given purpose and context to add much more significance to the very basic gameplay that is modern FPS gameplay mechanics. Instead of merely advancing from point A to point B, while laying waste to everything in your path, you have to travel to various sections of planets as well as a variety of planets with their own unique sections. These ‘sections’ , as I put it, all provide a wealth of challenge and opportunity for the player to advance through the game and as a result they give the player motivation to advance through the game and to complete the challenges presented to them by the developers of the game. Players will encounter sections of the game in which they cannot yet reach or sections in which many items are hidden. This helps to motivate the player by presenting a logical, easily understood, but interesting set of challenges with clear rewards and game progression. If you can see that extra missile expansion way up there on a ledge that you cant yet reach your going to have the knowledge, that the upgrade is there, in the back of your mind pushing you to “figure it out”.

The enemies you encounter in this game are also fun to blast to pieces because they each offer unique methods of disposal. Certain space pirates have shields which you have to dispatch via grapple hook/whip which is intensely satisfying because of the use of the nunchuck motion abilities and because it alters the pace and method of the simple point and shoot gameplay. Other enemies can be dispatched more efficiently with certain weapons, like the ice missile, or by figuring out how to approach the situation. For example there is a “hype mode” in which Samus can power up and lay waste in far more efficient, and awesome, a manner. Many of the enemies also have this ability and as a result you must also initiate hyper mode to combat them because standard weapons do very little damage. Add in the various configurations in which the game throws different amounts, types and difficulty of enemies at you and you have a much more satisfying method of combat than that of most FPS games.

What really solidifies the combat in the game, as well as every other aspect of the game, is the effectiveness of the wiimote as a means of navigation and aiming. Aiming is incredibly easy and intuitive on the wiimote so when an enemy is presented to you you can easily target them and lay waste. So easy in fact that my 7 year old nephew, who isn’t too great at video games….yet, can handle the combat without any assistance from myself. The Z-targeting system makes things more entertaining because it allows you to strafe and become more mobile during combat while also not restricting you to attacking the particular enemy you have targeted; you can freely move the aiming reticule around while locked on to an enemy, which is handy if there are obstacles or more urgent threats to address during combat. Outside of combat navigating the game world is handled beautifully, looking around and observing your environment is easy and quick. Guiding Samus around various obstacles and platforms is also made easier thanks to the wiimotes aiming system providing for an experience that is intuitive and natural. The cumbersome nature of FPS games on traditional controllers is almost entirely eliminated thanks to the wiimotes progressive design and implementation in this game.

Overall this game is by far the most satisfying, challenging and entertaining offering that the wii has to offer for mature gamers. Those of us with experience with other FPS games, on both PC’s and consoles, will find a lot to like here thanks to the evolution of control that the wiimote provides. In nearly every single way the wiimote proves, with this installation of Metroid, that when it comes to the FPS genre old, last gen, controllers like that utilized on the xbox/360/ps2/ps3 are simply not good enough. Think of it this way; would you rather carve a turkey with a knife (wiimote) or with a spoon (traditional gamepads)? But Metroid is more than just a great controlling game; its gameplay is astounding, its level design is comprehensive and intelligent, and its graphics and presentation have an artistic flair and execution that more than makes up for the wii’s perceived lack of power. Metroid Prime 3: Corrution is a great product which evolves the FPS genre in significant manner while providing an intuitive and entertaining experience unparalleled on any other system currently available.

-MaTT