Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is the third installment of the Metroid Prime trilogy and the first Metroid game to grace the Wii. Using the Wii-mote and nunchuk, the controls are very intuitive, making the transition to the system a welcome one. Not technically classified as a first-person shooter, this first-person adventure is a fun combination of exploration and shooting aliens.
The last Metroid title I played was the original. I knew that the Prime series had gone to a first-person shooter-esque type gameplay, so I wasn't that eager to try it because I get motion sickness. The smooth controls and sensitive Wii-mote definitely didn't help, but that also could be due to my ineptitude in keeping things still. The controls are very responsive and Metroid Prime 3 definitely puts the Wii controls to good use.
The game begins with Samus in her ship. You'll get to mess around with the controls a little before heading directly to the Galactic Federation. There, along with other bounty hunters, she learns that a super-computer called the Aurora Unit was infected with a virus by the Space Pirates. Other computers have been affected too, but this one was the first that has been cleared and is tasked with helping you. During this debriefing, the Space Pirates attack, and you're forced to get back to your ship and flee to a nearby planet, Norion. There, you're responsible for getting the generators back up and running so that you can activate the defense system. Other bounty hunters will be there to help you throughout this mission.
Since it has been awhile since I've played Metroid, the ability to morph into that little ball was a very exciting first experience. Now in a 3D environment, you get to travel through elaborate passageways and slide through tunnels. Since I skipped multiple games in between, the difference is obviously astounding, but Metroid Prime 3 is put together well and shows in the details.
Gameplay involves a lot of exploring and trying to determine where to go next. The fights can get quite intense, especially when I'm all over the place with the Wii pointer. The nunchuck has a lock-on button, which helps if I'm not really sure where I'm aiming. You'll use the Wii-mote not only to shoot things, but also to open doors by turning levers. This seems really neat at first, but after a few times, it starts to lose its appeal. The only downside to the Wii-mote controls is that sometimes, usually right when you're in the heat of battle, it gets difficult to turn Samus. Otherwise, everything else seems to work fine.
As you progress, Samus slowly collects upgrades to her suit and new weapons. You'll come across a lasso early on, which you can fling and pull obstacles out of the way with the nunchuck. The nicest upgrade would be the Phazon Enhancement Device. This suit can take Samus into hypermode using her own energy to emit powerful waves of destruction. Charging her canon while in this mode and letting loose a deadly surge of blue energy is exciting, but you're also limited to how much you can actually go nuts with it. It does take your energy level down.
The graphics in Metroid Prime 3 are spectacular — some of the best visuals I've seen on the Wii. The cutscenes provide a smooth transition from one scene or location to the next. The different environments you'll visit each have their own unique feel and look. Traveling to and from locations is a click away, but you'll watch as Samus takes off in her ship and flies into space.
The music complements the game perfectly. The intense score by Kenji Yamamoto may not be as epic as a large scale role-playing game, but it definitely succeeds in providing the right mood for Metroid Prime 3. There also are voice actors in the game who deliver their lines well, bringing the game to another level when you see and hear the characters interact.
If it wasn't for the fact that I can't play this game for any length of time, making it difficult to get to the next save point, I would have thoroughly enjoyed exploring all the different planets. The levels feel large, even though when you look on your map, your objective is to get to a specific point not terribly distant. Part of the fun is exploring and enjoying the adventure aspect of it. I'm not too crazy about the shooting part, but there are two difficulty settings to choose from, and you have plenty of health to keep you alive. I imagine that Metroid fans will be pleased with Metroid Prime 3, but if you've never really gotten into the series, this isn't be the place to start unless you're simply looking for a fun adventure shooter to play through on the Wii.
I am a Canadian living in California with my husband and my precious baby Bailey (95lbs of labrador fun). I work full time and go to school, so finding the time to play video games is tough. I still manage to sneak some time in, whether it's playing on my GBA while I wait in line or sitting in the back seat of my car so I can use our dvd player to play the Gamecube on long trips. I've always been fairly decent at playing games to give my younger brother some competition. I started at the early age of 6 when I inherited an Atari 2600. I played any computer game I could get my hands on during those Commodore 64 days. Now I'll play anything from RPGs to first person shooters, racing games or basically anything that's fun and allows me to play with at least 3 other people.
