Most Nintendo DS owners will remember that when the system was first released over a year ago, it came with a pretty sweet demo cartridge called Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. It was a great showcase for the system but was merely a hint at what the DS had in store for us.
And now, here we are in March of 2006. Nintendo has finally released the full version of Metroid Prime Hunters for DS owners and it’s instantly obvious that this is the showcase for the DS, from the great opening movie sequence to the slick menus and superb multiplayer modes.
Hunters is the third title in the Metroid Prime series. Many GameCube owners have fond memories of Metroid Prime and Echoes – games that were favourites among fans and critics alike.
Those same fans likely won’t be disappointed with Hunters, where you once again control Samus as she tries to collect six octoliths that, when combined, will give whoever has control of them immense power. Samus is ordered to either collect all the octoliths or stop anyone else from collecting them all. Other bounty hunters throughout the universe are attempting to get the octoliths as well, all for different reasons, hence the game’s name.
Let’s be clear here right off the bat: there is a high learning curve in Hunters, mainly because of the control scheme. There are a few you can choose from though most players are likely to use the default setting – using the stylus to point and aim Samus’ gun and to jump (by double-tapping the screen), using the digital pad to move and strafe and the left trigger to shoot weapons. You can also change weapons and switch into your alternate mode on the touch screen as well.
These controls definitely take some getting used to. Not only does it take an hour or so to really get a feel for the precise aiming but, quite simply, your hand will get very tired. Eventually most players will find a comfort zone on how to sit or hold the DS but be forewarned – you will get cramped.
The game itself looks very nice on the DS. The opening movie sequence introducing the six hunters is fantastic and you’re also treated to a movie before and after each boss. The in-game graphics are a little bit blocky during slow sequences but when you’re racing through levels (which is often the case) you really won’t notice this.
Also be sure – this is not an easy game. It starts off fairly linear but, once again like most Metroid games, there’s a lot of backtracking once you get new weapons and are able to enter doors that were once impenetrable. You really have to keep your eye out for energy blocks and other items, and of course there is a lot of scanning going on in order to unlock doors, find items and learn about the mysterious race that once held the octoliths.
The multiplayer in Hunters is even better than the single player. As with every DS game, it has its problems but overall the presentation and set up is better than any online-enabled DS game yet.
There are several different game modes available in Hunters online but when searching for a game, you’re only able to play battle mode. The only way you can play the other modes is by setting up rooms with friends and rivals. Rivals are players you can add after battling them online – if you both agree to be rivals (by simply checking a box beside their name), they’re automatically stored on your game cartridge.
There are a lot of different settings, which should make fans very happy, and once you do begin a game, it’s very smooth. There is rarely any lag and it’s very fast-paced, a la Quake. The arenas are all fairly small, which should come as no surprise as the maximum amount of players you can have in a game is four. They’re very well designed though and make for some intense action. You start off being able to choose from only three bounty hunters but as you progress through the single player you start to open up more playable characters in multiplayer.
There is also voice chat available, but you can only send and receive messages from registered friends. This works similarly to Animal Crossing, where you have to input a friend code. The voice chat only works before and after games as well, so there will be no trash talking during the game.
Overall, Metroid Prime Hunters is a great achievement for the DS that should be worth the wait for fans of the series and those dying for a fully-fleshed out FPS with online capabilities on the dual screen system. I’m one of the few that isn’t crazy about the Metroid Prime series but that’s just personal taste. I see where the game has its merits and I give credit to the developers for packing so much into such a small package.
WHAM! Rating: |
8.5 out of 10 |
ESRB Rating: |
T (Teen) |
Official Web Site: |
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