Metroid Fusion
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Metroid Fusion | |
|---|---|
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| Developer(s) | Nintendo R&D1 |
| Publisher(s) | Nintendo |
| Designer(s) | Yoshio Sakamoto |
| Platform(s) | Game Boy Advance |
| Release date |  November 15, 2002 November 17, 2002 November 22, 2002 February 14, 2003 March 2, 2006 |
| Genre(s) | Action Adventure |
| Mode(s) | Single player |
| Rating(s) | ESRB: E (Everyone) ELSPA: 3+ OFLC: G8+ |
| Media | 64-megabit Cartridge |
Metroid Fusion (メトロイドフュージョン Metoroido Fyūjon?) is an action-adventure video game developed by Nintendo R&D1 and released for the Nintendo Game Boy Advance. It is the fourth main installment released in the Metroid series. Metroid Fusion is centered around Samus Aran, a famed galactic bounty hunter, who is forced to battle legions of parasitic creatures aboard a space station.
Fusion was an attempt on using the Metroid gameplay in a more story-based game,[1] and was well-received upon release, with many favorable reviews, [2] and sales of over one million units.[3]
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[edit] Gameplay
Metroid Fusion is a action adventure platform shooter, in which players control Samus Aran. Like previous games in the series, it takes place in a large, open-ended world with different regions connected by elevators. Each region has an entire set of rooms separated by doors that can be opened with a shot. Some doors have special locks that open themselves as gameplay progresses. Fusion is more linear than other Metroid games due to its storyline focus, with "Navigation Rooms" where Samus' commanding officer computer tells players where to go.
The gameplay revolves around solving puzzles to uncover secrets, platform jumping and shooting foes while searching for power-ups that allow Samus to reach new areas. Because of the Metroid vaccine, Samus can absorb X-Parasites, which can restore health, missiles and power bombs. Power-ups can be obtained either through downloading in special places called Data Rooms, or absorbing a special kind of X called the Core-X, which appears after defeating bosses and is encased by a thick thorny membrane.
[edit] Special features
Owners of both Metroid Prime and Metroid Fusion can unlock new features in Metroid Prime using the Nintendo GameCube-Game Boy Advance cable. If the player completes Metroid Prime, they can unlock Samus's Fusion Suit for use in Prime; if they complete Metroid Fusion, they can, depending on the game version, unlock an emulated version of either the original FDS version or the NES port of Metroid. There is also a bonus to be had by linking to Metroid: Zero Mission - the entire Fusion gallery of pictures is unlocked in Zero Mission, including the extra ending images from the Japanese version of Fusion which chronicle Samus's early years, and some additional concept art.
[edit] Synopsis
[edit] Setting
Metroid: Fusion takes place after Super Metroid. The game revisits SR-388, which previously served as the setting for Metroid II: Return of Samus, where the sudden eradication of the Metroid species is devastating the planet's ecosystem. As a result, a strain of parasitoids, known as "X", are able to thrive and become the new dominate creature on SR-388. The X are gelatinous virions that possess the ability to replicate their hosts' physical appearance and memories, while ultimately killing them in the process. The Galactic Federation attempts to reconstruct SR-388's ecosystem aboard a space station, called Biologic Space Labs. The space station serves as the game's setting, and houses several sections that attempt to recreate various environments, including one sector that replicates SR-388, a tropical sector and an aquatic sector. The Galactic Federation also hires Samus Aran to provide researchers with field assistance on SR-388.
[edit] Characters
Samus Aran is the protagonist of Metroid Fusion. Similar to many other Metroid titles, Samus is hired to assist the Galactic Federation. She is assisted only by the computer of her ship, which is later revealed to possess the mind of Samus' former commanding officer and friend, Adam Malkovich. Throughout the game, Samus battles several creatures that have been infected X, Metroids, including the infamous Zebesian Space Pirates. She also combats Ridley, a recurring character, who has appeared in several other Metroid installments and now appears infected by the X as well. However, SA-X, a X parasitoid, manages to infect and replicate Samus' Varia Suit, is the main antagonist in Fusion.
[edit] Plot
Metroid Fusion opens with a cinematic sequence depicting Samus exploring the surface of SR-388, and encountering a X parasite. She is unknowingly infected by the virus, and proceeds to return to the Biologic Space Labs, when she suddenly losses consciousness and crashes her ship into a nearby asteroid belt. However, the ship is able to eject Samus before the collision. The Galactic Federation recovers her body, and discovers that the X parasite has infected Samus' central nervous system. They manage to counteract the parasite's damage by creating a vaccine using a cellular sample from the remains of a Metroid that Samus saved in Metroid II: Return of Samus. The vaccine cures Samus, and effectively gives her various Metroid-like characteristics. She gains the ability to absorb and use the nuclei of X parasites for nourishment,[4] but also gains a deadly vulnerability to extremely cold temperatures. [5]
Shortly later, the Federation sends Samus to investigate an explosion aboard the Biologic Space Labs.[6] While on the mission, she learns that the space station is swarming with various organisms that have been infected by the X parasites. A group of X parasites manage to recover and utilize different components of Samus' infected Varia Suit, while another, dubbed SA-X, is mimicking Samus herself at full power. SA-X possess an ice beam weapon, which exploits Samus' weakness to cold temperatures. [7] Nevertheless, Samus, with the aid of the space station's computer, is able to fight the X parasite infestation. While exploring the space station, she discovers a restricted lab, which the Galactic Federation is secretly using to breed Metroids. SA-X soon appears, and attempts to destroy the facility. Samus narrowly escapes the doomed facility before it is destroyed, presumably with SA-X.
Samus returns to her space ship's computer, who informs her that SA-X was able to asexually reproduce before perishing in the restricted labs, and thus has several other clones aboard the Biologic Space Labs.[8] Additionally, Samus learns that the Galactic Federation wishes to board the space station, and study SA-X along with the other X parasites.[9] She opposes the idea, as the Galactic Federation is underestimating the destructive power of the X parasites.[10] After convincing her computer to aid her, Samus takes it upon herself to destroy the Biologic Space Labs by setting it on a collision course with SR-388.[11][12] As she prepares to exit the station, she encounters an Omega Metroid, which proceeds to destroy one of SA-X's clones. Samus absorbs its nucleus, and uses SA-X ice beam to defeat the Omega Metroid. Her ship, piloted by her CO computer and several previously rescued Zebes natives, extracts Samus from the Space Station before it is destroyed.[13]
[edit] Development
A Game Boy Advance Metroid was announced in March 2001,[14] and Metroid IV footage was shown at that year's E3. The video was less than ten seconds long, and featured Game Boy Color-like graphics which weren't well received;[15] IGN considered them "dark, muddy...and just an overall disappointment".[16] Only in E3 2002 the game was revealed as Metroid Fusion, and got a better reception.[17] The storyline details appeared in an event on Nintendo Gamer's Day, in August of the same year.[18]
The game shares a few key members from the original development team of Super Metroid,[19] and game director Yoshio Sakamoto declared that they decided to do an original Metroid because "many of our designers and creators want to challenge something new rather than simply porting over an old title".[20] Because of that, most new Metroid games feature new gameplay features, the extensive storyline being the one in Fusion. [1]
[edit] Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread was first announced in the June 2005 issue of Game Informer, and further details emerged on the magazine's Internet forums. According to the forum moderators, the game was a 2D side-scroller being developed for the Nintendo DS, and its plot follows the events of Metroid Fusion.[21] On 2005-09-19, IGN reported that Metroid Dread is indeed in development, but would probably not be formally announced for some time.[22] Nintendo had neither confirmed nor denied its existence.[22] On 2005-10-07, the Nintendo-Next website reported that the project has been canceled, but chose not to reveal their sources.[23]
A scan log in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption mentions a nearly completed "Project Dread", but Retro Studios says it is a simple coincidence with no connection to the rumored game.[24]
[edit] Reception
| Reviews | |
|---|---|
| Publication | Score |
| Edge | 8/10 |
| Famitsu | 35/40 |
| Game Informer | 10/10[25] |
| GamePro | 4.5/5[26] |
| GameSpot | 8.6/10[27] |
| GameSpy | 88/100[28] |
| IGN | 9.5/10[29] |
| Nintendo Power | 5/5 |
| X-Play | 5/5[30] |
| Compilations of multiple reviews | |
| Compiler | Score |
| Metacritic | 92 out of 100[31] |
| Game Rankings | 91 out of 100[32] |
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Please help improve this section by expanding it. Further information might be found on the talk page or at requests for expansion. |
Metroid Fusion received some initial criticism for departing from the open-ended gameplay for which the series is known, but the game has still received high reviews overall. On Metacritic, It holds a score of 92% based on 44 reviews.[31] On GameSpot, It holds a score of 8.6 and states, "Metroid fans should absolutely get it, as should anyone willing to trade off some quantity for some serious quality in their gaming time.".[27] IGN gave it 9.5 and called Fusion an "outstanding achievement on the Game Boy Advance".[29]
Sales were also high, with Fusion being the tenth best-selling game of November 2002 in North America,[33], reaching 100,000 units in just one week.[34] The game has since sold over 155,000 units in Japan [35] and 1.13 million in the US.[3]
The game was awarded Best Handheld Game at the 2002 Interactive Achievement Awards. It was also chosen as Best GBA Adventure Game by IGN, [36] and Best GBA Action Game by GameSpot in their Best of 2002 awards.[37]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b Craig Harris (2004-01-30). Metroid: Zero Mission Director Roundtable. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
- ^ Metroid Fusion. Game Rankings. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ a b US Platinum Videogame Chart. The Magic Box (2008-02-05). Retrieved on 2008-01-31.
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Computer: You were almost killed by an X infection. Only the Metroid vaccine saved your life. It seems Metroids were the main predators of the X. That's why the vaccine worked so quickly and so well. But it has also changed your cellular makeup. You will never be infected by X again... In fact, you can now absorb any free-floating X parasites without a host by merely touching them. This will allow you to replenish health and restore weapons.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Computer: You are still very vulnerable to cold, an unexpected side-effect of the Metroid vaccine.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Samus: After regaining consciousness, I learned that an unexplained explosion rocked the station. For some reason, this awoke a nameless fear in my heart, and now I am being sent there to investigate. My mission on the B.S.L station will be overseen by my new ship's computer.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Computer: I have named it the SA-X. I believe the SA-X came from the capsule containing your infected suit parts. [...] The SA-X is mimicking you at full power.[...] Like Metroids, you can be frozen by an Ice Beam. Of course, the SA-X is armed with the Ice Beam.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Samus: ONE? ...Are you saying there is more than one SA-X? Computer: Don't be so surprised, Samus. you know that the X reproduce by asexual division. Because of this mechanism, there are now no fewer than 10 SA-X aboard the station.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Computer: Samus, we're done here. Leave the rest to the Federation... We should be preparing to evacuate the station...[...] The Federation has taken an interest in the X and SA-X. They believe this life-form had endless potential applications.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Samus: This is madness! They won't stand a chance here! This station will devour them! [...] As soon as the Federation ships land, the X will overwhelm them and absorb the knowledge and power of their occupants. The X are just waiting for the hunt to begin, and then they'll spread across the universe. Galactic civilization will end.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Samus: This station has a self-destruct mechanism. I must use it to destroy the X here and on the planet. I must send them to oblivion. Them, the station, and myself, if I have to.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Computer: You know that detonating this station in high orbit would not guarantee the complete extinction of the X parasites, even though the station would be utterly destroyed... [...] ...If you were to alter the station's orbit, then you might be able to include the planet in the vaporization field of the self-destruct detonation. [...] You would have to start the propulsion sequence now. Before the Federation arrives. Samus, this is your last mission. Go to the Operations Room and adjust the station's orbit path to intercept SR388.”
- ^ Nintendo. Metroid Fusion. Nintendo. Game Boy Advance. (2002-11-15) “Samus: (...) Just one detail still bothers me. This ship can only be started manually. Yet, before I faced the Omega Metroid, the ship moved on its own, guided by someone's hands. Is it possible? Adam...? Adam: Lady, what's troubling you? You wonder how I started the ship? Just think about it. They lent me a hand... (closeup on the Etecoon and Dachora)”
- ^ Nintendo Confirms New Metroid. IGN (2001-03-21).
- ^ GBA Preview: Metroid Fusion, Nintendo World Report
- ^ E3: Metroid IV is Here, IGN
- ^ IGNpocket's Best of E3 2002 Awards, IGN
- ^ IGNpocket's Best of E3 2002 Awards, GameSpot
- ^ Craig Harris (2002-08-22). Metroid Fusion Hands-on. IGN. Retrieved on 2008-02-19.
- ^ "Exclusive: Metroid designer Yoshio Sakamoto speaks!", Computer and Video Games, September 1, 2003.
- ^ Ask GI: Metroid Dread?. Game Informer. Retrieved on 2005-08-21.
- ^ a b Craig Harris (2005-09-19). Nintendo DS Mailbag. IGN. Retrieved on 2005-09-19.
- ^ Ryley. Metroid Dread — Canceled?. Nintendo-Next. Retrieved on 2005-10-07.
- ^ Totilo, Steven (2007-09-26). Retro Studios Answers The Dreaded “Metroid Dread” Question — And Other “Prime” Exclusives. MTV. Retrieved on 2008-03-20.
- ^ Andy McNamara (November 2002). Metroid Fusion. Game Informer. Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
- ^ Review:Metroid Fusion. GamePro (2002-11-22). Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
- ^ a b GameSpot's Metroid Fusion Review. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Benjamin Turner (2002-11-20). Metroid Fusion review. GameSpy. Retrieved on 2008-04-12.
- ^ a b IGN's Metroid Fusion Review. IGN Entertainment, Inc.. Retrieved on 2006-10-21.
- ^ Metroid Fusion (GBA) Review X-Play
- ^ a b Metroid Fusion on Metacritic
- ^ Metroid Fusion Reviews. Game Rankings. Retrieved on 2008-04-16.
- ^ Calvert, Justin (2002-12-17). November video game sales. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2004-04-27.
- ^ Metroid Sales Hit Quarter Million Mark. Nintendo of America (2002-11-27). Retrieved on 2008-04-27.
- ^ Game Boy Advance Software Best Seller Ranking. Shrine of Data Sales Database. Archived from the original on 2004-12-09. Retrieved on 2008-02-05.
- ^ Best of 2002: Game Boy Advance Adventure Title. IGN (2003-01-14). Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- ^ Best and Worst of 2002: Best Action Game on Game Boy Advance. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2008-02-27.
- Metroid Fusion instruction manual
[edit] External links
- Metroid Fusion official site
- Metroid Fusion at GameFAQs
- Metroid Fusion at Nintendo.com (archives of the original at the Internet Archive)
- Metroid Fusion at the Internet Movie Database
- Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks (disc 2) at MusicBrainz
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