Metroid Fusion

I'll level with you... this game is fun. It's got style, and a story line that doesn't quit. But do I feel it's on par with it predesessors?

Let me answer that by saying this:

1. The animated story sequences improve the game by a long shot, and it's needed for the Game Boy Advance's small screen. However some of these animated sequences I found to be annoying, especially when the computer just simply HAS to tell you what to do next. Don't go into this game thinking it's Super Metroid (SM), because it's not. There is no free exploration, at least not in the sense of SM. The computer tells you to enter certain areas and in doing so limits you from entering other areas by locking doors respectively.

2. The map layout is not on par. It's structure is very simple. At first all the different sections are distinctly seperated and not connected, although very late in the game they do become connected, but those passages are a nuisance when compared to anything in SM. Also the level layouts are not as advanced as SM. The puzzles are simpler, and not as much thought has been put into some of the redundant passageways. I must admit a few of the puzzles are tricky, but overall they don't conjure up as much problem solving.

3. The X. The X have replaced the normal health replenishment from earlier games. Anytime you defeat an enemy you must chase down your powerups to regain health. It can be annoying, but it's cool to see the X taking over parts of the ship. When you come back to that part of the ship later, you discover some have metamorphosed into bigger badder creatures. My own feeling is that the X was only created to make the elusive character SA-X, a clone of your character from SM (w/same suit!). It is VERY COOL to see SA-X romping around and you almost blundering right into it. I can recall at one point where I was dangling from a ledge being very quite and motionless, as SA-X was walking below me searching... listening... wanting to destroy something! It was awesome.

4. The bosses are pretty good. Although none are as rememberable as earlier incarnations of Metroid, or Super Metroid. The coolest boss that comes to my mind was the Gravity Phantom. Your missiles at one point literally get dragged to the floor. But besides that boss most are just generic unoriginal rehash. But their strategies on defeating them aren't bad, mind you. And another point, Metroid Fusion regurgitates a boss in this game. The second time around this boss is very annoying, and challenging. Well challenging isn't the right word. But you will need a lot of patience for the boss the second time around, let me just say it involves timing of your missiles and/or plasma wave beam.

My overall feeling? Well I'm glad I played the game.. it WAS fun. But it does not have the replay value such as that of a classic. I could see myself playing this game again in another year. But beyond that, I wouldn't bother with it. Oh and surprise surprise..... If this game is about the X, then why don't they call it X Fusion? (Of course it's the name of the series, but..) Well I'll just end this with: The Metroids are back again, albeit late in the game. ...

One superior game!!!   July 12, 2003
7 out of 7 found this review helpful

The problem with so many games for the Game Boy Advance is that they are repackaged SNES games. Metroid Fusion is a completely new sequel to Super Metroid. The graphics for this handheld game are simply amazing. Very few games look THIS good. You can even see Samus's new organic suit pulsate when she stands still if you look really closely. Not only that but it looks good while sounding equally good. The music is rich and there are no lack of sound effects. The story is the best by far. While you hunt the X virus cores your old X-infected suit (at full power) hunts you and your ship's compter is busily betraying you to your own government to help them keep a dirty secret about the space station. Many have complained that the computer giving out missions makes the game too linear and easy. Don't believe them! While this game is more focused, there is still plenty of exploration between mission rooms other than the objectives. Also to note, yes you can "beat" the game within 5 hours the first time through, but to get the best ending requires a complete mastery of the game which will take many many trips through and require you to explore every corner of the space station. And this station is so beautiful, mysterious, and interesting that it begs to be explored. Overall, this is one of the best games for the Game Boy Advance.


Metroid Fusion   October 24, 2002
Brian Yourdan (Mill Creek)
6 out of 16 found this review helpful

This game improves on the SNES hit "SUPER METROID" in almost every possible way. It is a must buy for any GBA owner, end of story.


metroid fusion   November 14, 2002
Eric (napa,ca usa)
6 out of 11 found this review helpful

If you liked Super Metroid then this is the game for you. The game play is common sense and the special effects are top quality. Samus has new challenges and weapons which will help Samus get through hard obstacles. This game has the right game play for kids to adults. Everybody should get it because it's for everyone to enjoy.


Metroid and Samus... Any Question?   December 12, 2002
Christian H. Kim (California, USA)
6 out of 6 found this review helpful

Every once in a while, a game comes along, which redefines very essence of gaming and sets a standard for all other games to follow. It could be graphic, game play, music, innovation, originality, and experience. When I play a game, the most important factor I see and cherish ultimately comes down to experience. I can pick only three games; Ico, the masterpiece which shouldn t be missed by anyone, and Metal Gear Solid, another masterpiece where everything was masterfully controlled. Lastly, I pick Super Metroid for SNES, which literally made me cry for 3 hours, and almost, almost made me to determine to never play video game again back in college years. So you see how much I ve been anticipating for true sequel of Metroid. Now the question is does this fourth true sequel of Metroid lives up to its legacy? Now just finishing Metroid Fusion for the first time (you will get goosebump all over when you hear that classic Metroid title music, SERIOUSLY). I can t help but being immersed in this world of, you tell me, like world of exceedingly wonderful mood-

This very sequel, Metroid Fusion, will mesmerize you with the time-tested foundation of previous Metroid games with enhancement on every aspect. Graphic looks so vibrant and vivid that you will literally go WOW, seriously. Music wise, I would say they sort of took out that out-in-the-space atmosphere more and inserted more of movie score like, making it feel like more of movie. You know, that s true because previous Metroid games had almost one objective, like destroy the Space Pirate, or exterminate Metroid, and that was it. However, Metroid Fusion contains many objectives, as part of story line, and yet they don t feel like an individual objective, which would cut the flow of story, but it makes it like a well-made movie. You know, that was really nice addition because not only you are playing this classic of classics with all the great element intact but also with great story line like a sci-fi movie. Really, you will see what I mean. There s this one aspect, a great aspect of the game which will be revealed toward the end of the game, which elevate this already a great game into something good enough to compete with games like Ico and Metal Gear Solid.

You know, I can t help but to make a comparison with this recent game, Castlevania :H of D for GBA. Actually Castlevania implemented the concept from Metroid starting from PS version, Symphony of the Night (or may be back in NES time), which forces you to obtain certain item in order to proceed to next area. Not only Metroid Fusion kept that tradition, but also they threw in lot of secret passages. Seriously, as I was playing, I got really stuck and thought of it as bug. But there is always way to get out and proceed with the game. One thing I sort of didn t like about Navigation Room was that it does somehow take away that full sense of exploration since it literally tells you where to go, unlike Castlevania. Ok, going back to the comparison, without a doubt, the Metroid Fusion really shines compares to Castlevania: H of D when it comes to boss fight. Yes, in Castlevania, boss fight wasn t that hard because you literally have countless potion to heal yourself. However, in Metroid Fusion, you will have to either defeat them or you will be defeated. This really distinguishes Metroid Fusion apart from rest of games out there because you will have to really try hard, not only just trying hard but also maneuver Samus quickly and cleverly. You can t just beat the boss by jumping and shooting some missiles without putting any thought into it, you will actually have to decide your move carefully. You see, in previous Metroid games, when you have, let s say, 8 Energy tanks, you are like undefeated, right? THAT S SO WRONG in Metroid Fusion because trust me, even if you have 10 Energy Tanks, the way they balanced your health/energy point is almost insane, one hit will take away more than half of your whole energy tank, not just boss but also regular enemies. So there s this constant tension, even if you are walking with 10 Energy tanks with 150 missiles because just mere enemies can inflict tremendous damages, mark my word.

The very first game I played for Nintendo was Metroid, and it really showed me what an excellent video game is all about. After defeating that Mother Brain, and evacuating the planet within limited time to see another Samus, it gave me this sense of fulfillment . When I finished Metroid 2 for GBC (I personally consider Metroid 2 as the best GBC game along with Zelda DX), I was left with this sense of completeness with brilliance of Metroid game. When I finished Super Metroid, I was crying like a baby for 3 hours (seriously, you gotta play for yourself to really experience the experience) with sense of Emotion . Now, you have Metroid Fusion, which will give you the sense of fulfillment, completeness, and ultimately emotion.

Like this one review of Metroid 2 said, IF YOU WANT TO EXPERIENCE THE BRILLIANCE OF NINTENDO, PLAY METROID"

DON T MISS IT. REALLY.