Review: Metroid Prime

I admit, I can be a video game geek at times...

I picked up Metroid Prime for Nintendo's GameCube this week and despite all the hype and build up (for YEARS) surrounding the next chapter of the adventures of Samus Aran, I thought it would at least be an okay game.

I was wrong.. this game ROCKS THE HOUSE!!!

There is so much about this game that is non-traditional Metroid... first person perspective is the obvious difference, but it WORKS so well! You actually feel like you are Samus, seeing things from her (yes, for all you who aren't familar with Metroid, the hero is a female, predating Lara Croft of Tomb Raider fame by about a decade or so) perspective. I just finished the first mission and am into the second. This is no ordinary FPS... there is a lot of strategy and puzzle-solving in it. You have to scan different areas... actually, to get the most out of the game, you MUST scan pretty much each room or area you enter... and take out weapons and enemies.

You can still do a the traditional stuff, like turn into a ball (you HAVE to to unlock certain doors), use your blast cannon, drop bombs and lots of other stuff... there is just so much to this game!

If you own a GameCube, THIS is the game to get! Nintendo is offering a special bundle deal, too, so if you don't have a 'Cube, you can buy one with this game bundled with it. Oh, also, it links to the new Metroid Game Boy Advance game. If you beat the GBA game, you can unlock the original NES version of Metroid and play it on your GameCube, which is cool since this game takes place right after the NES classic!