Metroid Prime: Hunters might rub some people the wrong way, but it's so far the best FPS fans have been craving for DS:)
Today we will be covering Metroid Prime: Hunters for the Nintendo DS.
The game has a single player mode which is okay, but not impressive. And the multi-player is where the game has the best replay value.
Gameplay: This control system is amazing. You use the stylus to direct your gun and you cradle the DS around the D-Pad to move and the L trigger to shoot. To jump, you double tap the screen. It took me awhile to get used to the control, but when you’re settled with it, it’s fantastic.
Throughout the single player mode, you have morph ball, boost ball, bomb, charge beam and missiles to start. Instead up getting the grappling beam or other suits, screw attack, space jump and so on, Metroid Prime: Hunters focuses on six unique bounty hunters.
They are Kanden, Spire, Weavel, Noxus, Trace and Sylux. Each of these hunters has a special weapon. As an example, Trace uses an Imperalist sniper rifle. You will venture back and forth between 4 planets in the game finding these different weapons. The cool thing about the hunters is when you kill them in the game; you will have access to them in multi-player mode on Wi-fi or versus.
I wish that Nintendo could come up with a better idea, but this one does just fine. Each time you enter the planet, the objective is to collect a mysterious artifact known as an “Octolith.” These crystals are needed to beat the game. There are two on each of the four planets and you need to reach the end of the level to defeat the boss.
Once you beat the boss, you grab the octolith and run like a chicken with your head cut off and race back to the ship before the given time limit runs out. You can lose these octolith’s when you are killed by an enemy and they will take it. Luckily you can snatch it back easily if you revisit the planet and find the hunter who stole it.
As an end result, you will keep doing the same thing over and over again until you have all 8 Octolith’s. There are only two bosses in this game and they are quite disappointing. Also, I forgot to mention that your scan visor is needed for solving lots of simple, but annoying puzzles throughout this game.
Next up is the multi-player mode. I myself am disappointed with the online mode because it offers only deathmatch. I’m not very good at FPS, so you can be the judge on that comment. I find that due to my lack of experience on FPS games, that I am not even able to get a shot out before someone snipes me and then I’m dead before I know it.
Next up is Graphics.
With astounding 3D graphics, MPH is purely eye candy and takes full advantage of the DS. Although some of the environments and enemies might be a little edgy and not fully clean lined, keep in mind that this is the Nintendo DS we are talking about right?
I can’t really say anything else about the graphics except that Nintendo couldn’t have done any better.
Now it’s time to make our way to sound! Yay sound, I love sound. Haha sorry…
Anyhow, the sound is “Okay” and I literally mean okay because Metroid is known for having more impressive music and sound effects. But some of the tunes are moving and get you in the suspenseful, heart-racing mood. The shooting of your gun sounds precise and the dropping of bombs is nice too…
The Value of this game depends all on the multi-player mode. I feel happy with the purchase of metroid, but I’m also disappointed with the short, but fun single-player. The Multi-player mode is great if you love to be slaughtered by cheap people, but keep in mind, I suck at FPS’s :P, shhh, don’t tell anyone! It’s our little secret.
Tilt: The story of the game isn’t very moving or exciting. The graphics are impressive though.
Conclusion: Metroid Prime: Hunters is a must buy for fans of the series and FPS fans. The graphics are stunning for a DS game and it’s a great step for future games. The value depends on the multi-player mode; I would not recommend buying this game for just the single-player mode. The price is decent.
Overall? Buy this game if your wanting lots of online experience, otherwise, I’d stay away.