E3 2010: Hands-On With 'Metroid: Other M'

By Hector Cortez Jun 20, 2010, 1:54 GMT

Metroid: Other M is a hybrid of everything you love about Super Metroid and Metroid Prime.

Written by Michael Barryte

Metroid: Other M is a hybrid of everything I love about Super Metroid and Metroid Prime. The 3D environments are spectacular, there are bursts of action followed by moments of absolute stillness and the gameplay remains intact, despite the unique third-to-first person element.

Team Ninja has done a fantastic job crafting this game. The demo is lengthy and introduces a new play style as we explore Samus's past with Adam Malkovich (Metroid Fusion) and the Galatic Federation. The cut scenes are quick and to the point, while still developing character, though one can assume there will be far less talking once the game really gets going.

Samus meets up with the Galactic Federation after she receives a distress signal. Both parties go their separate ways as they explore the base. You control Samus in a third person perspective by holding the controller sideways and you can switch to first person by turning the controller to face the screen, allowing you to look around, and lock onto enemies.

Be warned though, when switching to first-person, the game takes note of which way Samus is facing and you can't really turn much once you are seeing from her visor, so in tense situations, be sure to face your target before switching views. This was really only a problem for me in the thick of the boss battle against a giant, purple, one-eyed creature, where I found myself running, switching to third person only to find myself being smashed by its large tentacle as I looked at the wall.

The simple controls really do work here. Samus runs, jumps, wall-grabs, fires and locks on automatically to enemies in third person mode. Even with no enemies around, the game's world is incredibly immersive.

Metroid: Other M hits North American retail shelves August 31 and will once again redefine the Metroid franchise.

Michael Barryte is a Monsters & Critics Gaming contributor and is also the co-creator and co-star of the internet series Ari & Stone.