Rejoice! Metriod Prime 3: Corruption (MP3:C) is here in Malaysian shores. You can find the retail US version of this Wii game in stores, prices ranges from RM200++, so do some bargaining to get the best prices. I have been playing the game over the past weekend, and here is what I think of it.
Published by Nintendo and developed by Retro Studio, Metriod Prime 3: Corruption is the final part of a trilogy, feature a silent female protagonist Samus Aran. Being a bounty hunter for the Galactic Federation, she is a trusted contract hunter in the battle against the Space Pirates, a race of evil aliens, the Metriods. Aran's quest will take her across the galaxy to several planets and ships, she will meet up with some recognizable hunters, do battle with Dark Samus and strive to keep from becoming corrupted herself. That's the main storyline, I wont spoil it for you.
MP3:C is Wii's best technical showoff, showing what the console can push out given tender and loving care while in development. Tonnes of particle effects, bloom lighting effects, 16:9 widescreen and 480P support, making it the best looking game. The game moves at 60FPS consistently and with level geometry and designs to boot, MP3:C is also Wii's most technical game to date. Admittedly the resolution is much lower than the other consoles, the level design and the smoothness of the moving graphics all makes up for it. In fact, in the middle of a heated battle, you wont be able to tell if this is a Wii or a PS3 game (running in 480P). Its that good.
Utilising Wii IR sensing capabilities, targeting on-screen targets is that much easier, much faster and much more accurate compared to any dual analog stick setup. Using the analog stick on the nunchuk to move about, the pointing the Wiimote on screen allows you to look around as you move, the first in the series. The Wiimote and Nunchuk combo is so well done, that this may the best way to play first person shooters on consoles. I played Resistance on PS3, but the Wiimote/nunchuk's responsiveness and accuracy beats the PS3 dual analog setup hands down.
On top of that, you have several motion sensitive movements, like twisting the door handles and casting motion of the nunchuk to... errr... cast Samus' Grapple Lasso. All the motion movements seems very natural, well incorporated into the gameplay and enhances the idea that you are in the game, unlike other tacky motion movements added for the sake of motion movements.
MP3:C features great level designs, requiring you to really think and plan your next course of action. Integral to this is the scan function which gives you hints to what stuff can be moved or shot at. I learned this the hard way when I was stuck in a particular area for 30 minutes, before I realised that I needed to scan the area for an exit. It was brilliant level design, providing good platforming levels with puzzle solving elements thrown in. This makes MP3:C more a platforming adventure game than a hectic first person shooter. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of hectic and furious battles to be had, but this is more an adventure game and sometimes battles are not to be found in some areas.
MP3:C itself is a long game, estimated to take 20+ hours to complete. With different colored medals as part of reward system for accomplishing certain tasks (kill 50 enemies, scan items, etc.) and using WiiConnect24 to share them with your friends, MP3:C is a very long, technically impressive, and the most beatiful game in the Wii to date. For Metriod Prime 1 and 2 players on the Gamecube, the story and the FPSish elements wont wow you as they did the first two times. But hey, I am playing Metriod Prime for the first time, and this is the best way to enjoy it.
Wii have finally gotten an AAA title. Go get it now.
Rating: 10/10.
