Redshift
05-13-2004, 03:51 PM
The following is the new info:
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes E3 2004 Preshow Impressions
At a recent press event, Nintendo reps showed off the sequel to 2002's
stunning update of the Metroid franchise, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The game
is set on the planet Aether, which has recently been struck by a phazon
meteor. The impact creates a rift on the planet, splitting it into two
distinct realms--one light and one dark. You'll take control of Samus as she
arrives to investigate the disappearance of troops sent to investigate the
presence of space pirates on the world.
While the specifics of what happens to Samus at the start of her adventure
(namely, how her suit gets jacked, as is the norm in a Metroid game) are
vague, it appears that she's in store for some changes. She'll be armed with
light and dark versions of her weapons, so they will have distinctly
different effects on the enemies she encounters. Dark weapons will be more
effective on light enemies and vice versa. The new weapon system also
appears to bring a significant change in the form of ammo (also in light and
dark flavors) requirements for her armaments, which should keep the
adventure interesting.
The upgrades for Samus' weapons also appear to offer some interesting
gameplay mechanics, such as the light beam, which offers single, powerful
blasts and area-damage shotgun-style bursts. Charge beams will now have area
effects that should come in handy as well. We're especially intrigued by the
combo shots you'll be able to perform using missiles, as they'll be able to
create mini blackholes that should lend themselves to some interesting
gameplay.
One of the game's major mechanics will be travel between the dark and light
worlds in the game, hopefully Samus' and Link's paths won't cross, since
Link tends to find himself on similar journeys pretty regularly as well.
During the demo, Samus observed some space pirates entering a portal to the
dark world, which she naturally followed shortly thereafter. The interesting
mechanic to note is that Samus won't actually be able to initially travel in
the dark world without taking damage, because of the nature of the
atmosphere in the world. She'll have to travel to safe zones--essentially
bubbles she can stand in and not take damage--jumping or quickly running.
Before switching to the multiplayer demo, the Nintendo reps mentioned that
the screw attack is back in both single- and multiplayer, which should offer
some intriguing gameplay possibilities. While reps were cagey on the
subject, it was obvious from the demo that Samus' visor has undergone some
tweaks as well. The game's length was also touched on, with reps stating
that Retro is aiming to offer a bigger single-player game.
The multiplayer demo showed off two players fighting in a space station
area. Power-ups were strewn throughout the area and could be collected by
running through them. The power-ups included invisibility, damage upgrades
when you're in human form, and a "death ball" effect for your morph ball
form that doles out damage in an area around you. The catch is that you're
vulnerable to enemy fire when you have the ball power-up and can't boost.
Boosting is actually essential to success in the game, since Retro and
Nintendo have chosen to include the lock-on feature from the single-player
game. While this seems a bit controversial for a multiplayer mode, you'll
have the same options you would in the single-player game to break the lock
such as by sidestepping or boosting out of harm's way when in morph ball
form.
The level in the multiplayer mode was large and featured different tiers you
could reach by using morph ball launchers in the area. The launchers appear
to be an interesting aspect of gameplay--you're briefly invulnerable when
shot out of a cannon and can kill in one hit if you manage to strike an
opponent. The multiplayer demo wrapped up with a few more details on what to
expect from the new mode. The plan is to support four-player split-screen
play at a constant 30 frames per second and to feature other gameplay modes
besides the deathmatch type demoed. Multiplayer will not offer online or LAN
support.
The graphics in the demo we saw showed off a variety of improvements from
the original Metroid Prime. The level of detail has been increased a good
deal, and the look of the new areas we saw included more little touches of
animation that helped bring them to life. We also saw a number of cool new
effects used in both the light and dark worlds as well as for the warps that
carry Samus in between both. Despite the increase in the visual quality, the
game's frame rate appears to be staying nice and high.
Based on what we've seen so far, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is shaping up to be
an intriguing follow-up to the orginal game. Improved graphics, enhanced
gameplay, and an involving story should all add up to a meaty experience
fans of the original won't want to miss. Look for more on the game from the
E3 show floor and in the coming months.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes E3 2004 Preshow Impressions
At a recent press event, Nintendo reps showed off the sequel to 2002's
stunning update of the Metroid franchise, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. The game
is set on the planet Aether, which has recently been struck by a phazon
meteor. The impact creates a rift on the planet, splitting it into two
distinct realms--one light and one dark. You'll take control of Samus as she
arrives to investigate the disappearance of troops sent to investigate the
presence of space pirates on the world.
While the specifics of what happens to Samus at the start of her adventure
(namely, how her suit gets jacked, as is the norm in a Metroid game) are
vague, it appears that she's in store for some changes. She'll be armed with
light and dark versions of her weapons, so they will have distinctly
different effects on the enemies she encounters. Dark weapons will be more
effective on light enemies and vice versa. The new weapon system also
appears to bring a significant change in the form of ammo (also in light and
dark flavors) requirements for her armaments, which should keep the
adventure interesting.
The upgrades for Samus' weapons also appear to offer some interesting
gameplay mechanics, such as the light beam, which offers single, powerful
blasts and area-damage shotgun-style bursts. Charge beams will now have area
effects that should come in handy as well. We're especially intrigued by the
combo shots you'll be able to perform using missiles, as they'll be able to
create mini blackholes that should lend themselves to some interesting
gameplay.
One of the game's major mechanics will be travel between the dark and light
worlds in the game, hopefully Samus' and Link's paths won't cross, since
Link tends to find himself on similar journeys pretty regularly as well.
During the demo, Samus observed some space pirates entering a portal to the
dark world, which she naturally followed shortly thereafter. The interesting
mechanic to note is that Samus won't actually be able to initially travel in
the dark world without taking damage, because of the nature of the
atmosphere in the world. She'll have to travel to safe zones--essentially
bubbles she can stand in and not take damage--jumping or quickly running.
Before switching to the multiplayer demo, the Nintendo reps mentioned that
the screw attack is back in both single- and multiplayer, which should offer
some intriguing gameplay possibilities. While reps were cagey on the
subject, it was obvious from the demo that Samus' visor has undergone some
tweaks as well. The game's length was also touched on, with reps stating
that Retro is aiming to offer a bigger single-player game.
The multiplayer demo showed off two players fighting in a space station
area. Power-ups were strewn throughout the area and could be collected by
running through them. The power-ups included invisibility, damage upgrades
when you're in human form, and a "death ball" effect for your morph ball
form that doles out damage in an area around you. The catch is that you're
vulnerable to enemy fire when you have the ball power-up and can't boost.
Boosting is actually essential to success in the game, since Retro and
Nintendo have chosen to include the lock-on feature from the single-player
game. While this seems a bit controversial for a multiplayer mode, you'll
have the same options you would in the single-player game to break the lock
such as by sidestepping or boosting out of harm's way when in morph ball
form.
The level in the multiplayer mode was large and featured different tiers you
could reach by using morph ball launchers in the area. The launchers appear
to be an interesting aspect of gameplay--you're briefly invulnerable when
shot out of a cannon and can kill in one hit if you manage to strike an
opponent. The multiplayer demo wrapped up with a few more details on what to
expect from the new mode. The plan is to support four-player split-screen
play at a constant 30 frames per second and to feature other gameplay modes
besides the deathmatch type demoed. Multiplayer will not offer online or LAN
support.
The graphics in the demo we saw showed off a variety of improvements from
the original Metroid Prime. The level of detail has been increased a good
deal, and the look of the new areas we saw included more little touches of
animation that helped bring them to life. We also saw a number of cool new
effects used in both the light and dark worlds as well as for the warps that
carry Samus in between both. Despite the increase in the visual quality, the
game's frame rate appears to be staying nice and high.
Based on what we've seen so far, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is shaping up to be
an intriguing follow-up to the orginal game. Improved graphics, enhanced
gameplay, and an involving story should all add up to a meaty experience
fans of the original won't want to miss. Look for more on the game from the
E3 show floor and in the coming months.