Games You SHOULDN'T Buy #5 - Metroid: Other M

[the_randomizer]

Except you don't actually know what the game is like. I don't think it's got a whiny protagonist, and really enjoyed it.

And as such, I refuse to play and, as is my prerogative. It doesn't interest me in the least, I liked her more as a silent protagonist, is there anything wrong with me liking her as a character more that way?

 

[JoostinOnline]

And as such, I refuse to play and, as is my prerogative. It doesn't interest me in the least, I liked her more as a silent protagonist, is there anything wrong with me liking her as a character more that way?

Not at all. You don't need to play it either. Just don't judge a game based entirely on the worst reviews.

 

[the_randomizer]

Not at all. You don't need to play it either. Just don't judge a game based entirely on the worst reviews.

Fair enough

 

[Ziko]

Again, this is what happens when you take a franchise like this one that's always done well and pawn it off to a company which to me, has had a bit of a solid but spotty track record. I mean take the Ninja Gaiden III/Razor's Edge fiacso. It seems to me that since Itagaki left, Ninja's just a shadow (no pun intended there) of its former self. The quality of a lot of games from them has dropped across the board. Hell, even DOA 5 Ultimate seems like you're being sold the same thing with few changes but they thought, Ok give the customer all the characters from the start and charge them out the arse with DLC for outfits and even additional characters?! Really? Other M is what happens when you have these factors and more come together like a tornado. Nintendo's rationale about it doesn't help either. If they thought this was gonna sell a million, then try making the doggone game yourselves and not send it to a company like these guys.

 

[AkiraCast]

I liked the gameplay a lot, story not so much but it didn't bother me. I do think the next console Metroid however should depart from Other M's... Well, everything (except Samus design and Anthony lol). I did find the gravity aura thing to be VERY jarring though. DansGame

 

[Sakitoshi]

after reading most opinions here I came to the conclusion that Other M while, isn't GOTY material, isn't a bad game like everyone is trying to make it look, if you compare it with any of the other Metroid games sure is the worst of the lot(I'm not counting Metroid Pinball as I never played it) and there are 3 main reasons.

1. They committed the error most games at the time did, trying to be a cinematic experience putting hours and hours of videos and long monologues that could be way shorter if they were direct to the point. the whole Ridley scene was just a cinematic stunt because they can.
2. They tried to keep controls simple for mechanics that required more buttons to work well. the use of the nunchuck could have been a better choise without drop the idea of 3rd person and 1st person view, they could have used the 3rd person view as the regular view angle and if you press, let's say minus, you could change to 1st person view and fight like you did on Metroid Prime if you like.
3. They took the exploration and throw it through the window and the expansions are very easy to find, I found them all without a guide.

 

[Drink the Bleach]

Never played it, but how bad it can be if most review sites and amazon give it an average 6-7 score? 6-7's aren't that bad, and since it can be bought for as low as $7 I see little reason not to try it.

 

[Arras]

after reading most opinions here I came to the conclusion that Other M while, isn't GOTY material, isn't a bad game like everyone is trying to make it look, if you compare it with any of the other Metroid games sure is the worst of the lot(I'm not counting Metroid Pinball as I never played it) and there are 3 main reasons.

1. They committed the error most games at the time did, trying to be a cinematic experience putting hours and hours of videos and long monologues that could be way shorter if they were direct to the point. the whole Ridley scene was just a cinematic stunt because they can.
2. They tried to keep controls simple for mechanics that required more buttons to work well. the use of the nunchuck could have been a better choise without drop the idea of 3rd person and 1st person view, they could have used the 3rd person view as the regular view angle and if you press, let's say minus, you could change to 1st person view and fight like you did on Metroid Prime if you like.
3. They took the exploration and throw it through the window and the expansions are very easy to find, I found them all without a guide.

Somewhat offtopic, but Prime Pinball is actually really fun and IMO better than Other M. I'd recommend at least downloading it at some point if you have a flashcart.

 

[TripleSMoon]

Somewhat offtopic, but Prime Pinball is actually really fun and IMO better than Other M. I'd recommend at least downloading it at some point if you have a flashcart.

Prime Pinball is the only pinball game I've seriously liked. It's really fun. It's hard to believe it's by the same people who made that awful Mario Pinball game on GBA.

Also, for the record, I think Metroid Prime: Hunters is worse than Other M. Other M actually had me interested enough to stick with through the end, whereas I've given up on Hunters at least twice, now.

 

[ShineStar]

This was my first Metroid game so I went in not knowing anything. I have since gone back and played all the other ones.
I actually REALLY enjoyed Other M and I've played through it at least 3 times. I don't really understand the hate it gets gameplay wise, as I feel the only two faults in the game system are having to spin the wii remote around to fire missiles, and those I Spy sections.
I can see some faults in the story, like Samus following Adam's orders even when they didnt make sense, and her ptsd which seems out of place considering the amount of times she has faced Ridley.
But on the whole I thought it was really good.
I feel like everyone's major issue is that it was on the heels of the prime series and didn't live up to that 3D metroid experience. Everyone always compares it to Prime. Well, I hadn't played Prime beforehand and I really enjoyed it. After playing Prime, I can't help but compare them either. But they are two different teams and two different play styles, and honestly I love them both.
I actually prefer 3rd person games, so I hope that Nintendo returns to a 3rd person 3D metroid game again (maybe not necessarily the same way they made Other M, but at least 3rd person and over the shoulder).
I think its unfortunate everyone disliked Other M because now I feel like the only 3D game we're gonna get is Prime 4 and then maybe some 2D sidescrollers on a handheld.

 

[khidjoe]

Probably I am the only person who enjoyed the game and likes it more than the prime games.

No, you are not the only one, I like it better then the prime series too

 

[osaka35]

To me, other m is the equivalent of the star wars prequels. They're both maligned for bad writing and execution, and their predecessors are considered absolute gems. You even have some people saying they don't understand all the hate, and a few saying they like the prequels more!

To each their own, though. If you like it, you like it. I have strong narrative reasons to dislike it, but if that sort of thing doesn't bother you, it doesn't bother you. However, liking a story full of inconsistencies does not make those inconsistencies go away. I believe the quality of this game is sub-par on its own merits, and those flaws are even more apparent given the canon it is a part of.

 

[Guild McCommunist]

after reading most opinions here I came to the conclusion that Other M while, isn't GOTY material, isn't a bad game like everyone is trying to make it look, if you compare it with any of the other Metroid games sure is the worst of the lot(I'm not counting Metroid Pinball as I never played it) and there are 3 main reasons.

1. They committed the error most games at the time did, trying to be a cinematic experience putting hours and hours of videos and long monologues that could be way shorter if they were direct to the point. the whole Ridley scene was just a cinematic stunt because they can.
2. They tried to keep controls simple for mechanics that required more buttons to work well. the use of the nunchuck could have been a better choise without drop the idea of 3rd person and 1st person view, they could have used the 3rd person view as the regular view angle and if you press, let's say minus, you could change to 1st person view and fight like you did on Metroid Prime if you like.
3. They took the exploration and throw it through the window and the expansions are very easy to find, I found them all without a guide.

There isn't an "error" with a cinematic experience in general. It's the issue that it was a bad cinematic story.

For the record...

http://www.metacritic.com/game/playstation-3/metal-gear-solid-4-guns-of-the-patriots

http://www.metacritic.com/game/wii/metroid-other-m

And people argue that MGS4 has a stupid-as-fuck story.

Also all those issues seem huge enough to make it a terrible game. It's basically taking Metroid and gutting anything good from it and replacing it with crap.

 

[Subtle Demise]

I liked Other M, it was an attempt to return to classic Metroid, which I enjoyed because I never liked the Prime games. The only thing that ruined it for me was the story that tried way too hard to be deep and meaningful.

 

[Bent]

I liked Other M, it was an attempt to return to classic Metroid, which I enjoyed because I never liked the Prime games. The only thing that ruined it for me was the story that tried way too hard to be deep and meaningful.

I really don't understand why people always say this. It is NOTHING like classic Metroid. Gameplay is entirely different, from the dodging, first person mode, ability to move in 3D, etc. When I played it I never once made the comparison in my mind.

My first Metroid game was Metroid II. Loved it. Bought Super Metroid when it came out, which was rare because I was 12 and didn't have much money. I own the GBA ones, and have gone back and beat the original for the NES via emulation. I was skeptical of Prime when it was announced, but after playing them, the series is now my favorite in the Metroid series. This game is nothing like any of them.

If you like Other M, good for you. I am glad you enjoyed it. I can't get past any of it, the bad gameplay or atrocious story and execution.

 

[Clydefrosch]

what he meant was back to classic as in no 1st person shooter (most of the time)

 

[Bent]

Is that really it? The only thing that has people thinking Other M is a "classic" Metroid is it went to a (primarily) third person view? As I said in my post above, they changed the entire gameplay style to do so. Hell, the Prime games play more like classic Metroid than Other M does.

EDIT: Here's a question, suppose Nintendo had provided us with more than one example of a third person Metroid in the past 10 years. Would Other M still be defended? Or are people seriously that desperate and consider the most important aspect of a Metroid game is for it to be in a third person view?

 

[TripleSMoon]

I really don't understand why people always say this. It is NOTHING like classic Metroid. Gameplay is entirely different, from the dodging, first person mode, ability to move in 3D, etc. When I played it I never once made the comparison in my mind.

My first Metroid game was Metroid II. Loved it. Bought Super Metroid when it came out, which was rare because I was 12 and didn't have much money. I own the GBA ones, and have gone back and beat the original for the NES via emulation. I was skeptical of Prime when it was announced, but after playing them, the series is now my favorite in the Metroid series. This game is nothing like any of them.

If you like Other M, good for you. I am glad you enjoyed it. I can't get past any of it, the bad gameplay or atrocious story and execution.

You hit the nail on the head, and reminded me of one of the things that bothered me most about it: The only things truly "classic" about Other M was all the freaking retro pandering.

I'm not saying there's anything wrong with a bit of retro pandering here and there, or keeping series staples. Even the Prime games did that. But it feels like all of Other M's identity is wrapped up in retro pandering. There's nothing wrong with doing such things when the story requires it (it is meant to bridge the gap between Super and Fusion, after all), but that's all Other M did. Whether it was ripping bosses and enemies from previous games, having constant flashbacks/monologues to previous games, or lacking any truly new power ups, Other M lacked its own identity.

Heck, even the story/gameplay progression felt like a copypasta of Fusion: Samus enters a research station as part of a mission for the federation. She then explores multiple sectors housing specific ecosystems of creatures, under the orders of Adam Malkovich, fighting Nightmare and a clone of Ridley in the process. As the plot wraps up, Samus discovers a secret federation lab dedicated to breeding Metroids, and escapes as it self-destructs, and then fights an unexpectedly alive, and evolved Metroid. It turns out that the federation is doing shady stuff, and the game ends as Samus escapes the exploding station.

 

[Vipera]

I think that "fans" have killed the franchise.

When Hunters came out, everyone bitched "I'M LEFT-HANDED! I CAN'T PLAY THIS GAME DESPITE HAVING 8+ DIFFERENT CONTROL SETTINGS!"
When Corruption came out, everyone bitched "omg it's an FPS!!!1".
When Trilogy came out, there were people who SERIOUSLY kept saying that a 4:3 joypad-only first-person-whatever game was better than a 16:9 wiimote porting because the american version cut 3 (THREE) minor special effects to cut off space.
Finally, when Other M came out, everyone bitched about the baby thing.

Bottomline? According to the internet, none of these games deserved to be played for minor stuff. Sure, Other M had some annoying pixel-hunting sessions and the story was different than the usual. But really, is the game unplayable just because the developers decided to go to a deeper kind story?
I liked the game. It was not a masterpiece, but I liked it. And I think that the internet "fan"base is the reason of why we won't see another Metroid game. That, and the fact that most of the people I know who played this game didn't even buy it. Talk about hypocrisy here...

 

[Guild McCommunist]

I think that "fans" have killed the franchise.

When Hunters came out, everyone bitched "I'M LEFT-HANDED! I CAN'T PLAY THIS GAME DESPITE HAVING 8+ DIFFERENT CONTROL SETTINGS!"
When Corruption came out, everyone bitched "omg it's an FPS!!!1".
When Trilogy came out, there were people who SERIOUSLY kept saying that a 4:3 joypad-only first-person-whatever game was better than a 16:9 wiimote porting because the american version cut 3 (THREE) minor special effects to cut off space.
Finally, when Other M came out, everyone bitched about the baby thing.

Bottomline? According to the internet, none of these games deserved to be played for minor stuff. Sure, Other M had some annoying pixel-hunting sessions and the story was different than the usual. But really, is the game unplayable just because the developers decided to go to a deeper kind story?
I liked the game. It was not a masterpiece, but I liked it. And I think that the internet "fan"base is the reason of why we won't see another Metroid game. That, and the fact that most of the people I know who played this game didn't even buy it. Talk about hypocrisy here...

It's easy to write off the complaints of Hunters, Corruption, and the Trilogy as "minor", but summarizing the issues of Other M with "the baby thing" is a huge underestimation of the game's flaws and issues.

The issues in Other M extend from the gameplay to the story to the graphics. It's a mess all around. It's not just "the baby thing", it's the entire game that is riddled with issues.

Also why are we blaming fans for disliking flaws in games? Should fans just sit down and suck it up when there's an issue with a game? I can see making mountains out of molehills is an issue but with Other M, the fan outlash is a lot more severe than Hunters, Corruption, or the Trilogy, which were minor complaints at most.