The World Design of Metroid Prime | Boss Keys
Hello! Continuing my analysis of Metroidvania games, here's a big dog: Metroid Prime. And I've got a bone to pick with this game! It's awesome, but I think we can learn as much from its mistakes as its successes.
Comments (7)
I also do not like it when it rains during the game. Namely, in some invisible platforms Metroid Prime. It would be better if the developers working on it. It somehow distracts from the game or something.
I like the idea of the Chozo Artifacts for the same reasons you do, and was always frustrated by how disliked they were by others, citing the issues you mention about pacing and the keyhunt. I think you raise some good points about how to do it better. I think later games like Hollow Knight manage to encourage exploration of the world in a similar, but reversed way - very non-linear at first, and then very linear at the pointy bit.
I don't think it's impossible to let players remember invisible platforms before they can see them. I think they could have found a way to indicate that there are platforms without showing the entire path. Maybe the first one has water dripping on it or a monster collides into it or something. The player could experiment and test that they can indeed stand there, but not be able to see where to go next. Then when they get the visor, they'll think, "Whoa, I can see invisible things now? I remember an invisible thing!"
There actually is rain falling in some of the invisible platforms in Metroid Prime, which makes them semi-visible before you get the X-ray visor but not enough to make the visor unnecessary.
Can't wait to watch this :)
Tony Hawk trick was a nice touch.
I was initially surprised to hear that you had gripes with this game, because basically all of the coverage I’ve seen/read of Metroid Prime has been universally positive, and I enjoyed it a TON when I first played it. But, after I watched the episode, I was pleasantly surprised: all of your criticisms made a lot of sense, were very thoughtful, and ultimately managed to articulate issues in the game that I didn’t even know I had! Really enjoyed this one, thanks Mark. I can’t wait to hear your take on Echoes!