ghost master
the kawaiist thing
Game - Metroid Prime Hunters
Developer - NST (Nintendo Software Technology)
Publisher - Nintendo
ESRB Rating - Teen
Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Players: 1-4 (Wi-Fi Enabled)
Release Date - March 20, 2006
When the DS first launched in 2004, consumers were treated to the demo of an upcoming release for the system. This happened to be Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. Soon after the DS was first announced, we knew about this game, and having the opportunity to get a taste of it with the handheld’s launch was great. However, most were discouraged by the awkward control scheme. MPH was actually slated for release soon after the launch, but thanks to NST listening to fans, we are getting a much better package within days. Next week we will all come to understand what it means for Samus to not be alone. No longer is she going solo against the Space Pirate and Metroid army. A much bigger challenge awaits her.
The developers of MPH have done an excellent job in capturing the lengthy and full-of-content single player adventures seen on the GameCube. Metroid has always been a heavy focus on solo endeavors, and the case will be no different with Hunters. But instead of just battling the Space Pirate army, wild planetary creatures, or Metroids, Samus has a whole new set of adversaries. This time Samus is hardly alone, and not even the only bounty hunter after the prize. MPH just may contain the most exciting plot for a Metroid game that we’ve seen to date. This one actually takes place between the two Metroid Prime games for GameCube, which is always nice to know.
Similar to the Star Wars stories, in a galaxy ‘far far away’, all the action takes place in one the Galactic Federation has no control over. This happens to be the Tetra Galaxy. Just like how Tallon IV used to be home for the Chozo, Tetra was home to a race known as the Alimbics. The Alimbics are ironically just like the Chozo in that they were a very advanced, peaceful and prosperous group of beings. Having utilized somewhat harsh but practical means, they kept the peace and order in what they aptly called the Alimbic Cluster.
However, one day some unknown time ago, they simply vanished. This caused a number of sacred artifacts known as Octoliths to be left behind and spread throughout the Alimbic Cluster. These artifacts are the very key to finding the true prize, as they are meant to help you figure out its location. But of course this race wasn't dumb. These Octoliths are protected by their most advanced means. However, one day this all changed. The once thought dead system has come alive again. What has, no one really knows, but whatever did is sending out strange messages. These are telepathic codes that are being captured by the most powerful beings in the universe.
This message is simple, but compelling, "The secret to the ultimate power resides in the Alimbic Cluster."
With a message like that, there's bound to be a number of very enticed beings out there curious as to what it actually means. This beckons the call of the most feared and formidable bounty hunters the galaxy has ever seen. Every one will make the long journey into the Alimbic Cluster, each with their own motivation for going on this wild goose chase. Some desire absolute power for themselves or their very people. Others are motivated by the simple wish to hunt or prove their dominance as the best bounty hunter out there.
This is simply a race against time, among several hunters who desire to obtain this ultimate power of the Alimbic Cluster. Of course the Galactic Federation has seen this message, and they don’t hesitate to call their own hunter. It’s obviously the very infamous intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran. Miss Aran's mission is simple: discover the meaning behind this message, protect the galaxy and her people, and keep whatever this power may be out of the hands of ultimate evil.
An awesome feature of the single player mode is that it will be different for everyone. Quite literally, everyone will have a different experience when going through Samus' adventure. NST has made Hunters so the core story will stay intact, but how players actually experience it will differ every time. For example, if a certain competing bounty hunter obtains something before you, you must track that character down to win it back. You will utilize Samus' ship to travel from planet to planet. These include the fiery engulfed Alinos and the frozen tundra of Arcterra. So with six other hunters out for the same thing you are and so many planets to explore, major differences will apply. There's no reason not to look forward to this.
Just like how the GameCube Metroid games start out, the first area is where you receive your hands-on training. You will be taught how to do everything, just with the DS this time. This will involve using the touch screen to look, aim and activate equipment. Using the stylus, you can switch between combat and scan mode, beam to missiles and full body to morph ball. What is nice about the game at the very start though, is that there are at least five different control schemes to choose from. NST also focused on left-handed needs by implementing controls specifically for them. Using the default right-handed setup, you will use the D-Pad to move around, the L button to fire and the touch screen to aim. Then to have Samus jump, quickly double tap the touch screen. There is a learning curve to playing a Metroid game like this, so everyone starts at square one.
A beauty of Hunters though, is that unlike the GameCube games, Samus will start out with most of her good equipment and keep it for a change. We won’t have to trek every nook and cranny of the planets just to find our beloved grapple beam or morph ball. Having your best equipment scattered across a galaxy would prove too tedious and frustrating. Plus when you think about it, not having the equipment you need while competing against six other deadly hunters would hold you at a major disadvantage.
When it comes time to actually get down and dirty with your arm cannon, there will be plenty to blast with it. Some enemies will go down easily after a couple blasts, but some are more formidable in needing a missile or two to be defeated. You will have your conventional enemies, the other hunters competing with you, and the kick butt bosses. There will actually be a boss fight at the end of every stage, so the adventure will keep your hands full. Each battle promises to be unique and just as exciting as the GameCube ones.
Another nice feature of the game that will save some time is that you won't have to use a charge shot to draw items in. Any items and/or power ups will automatically float to you. Certain enemies will also keep your Metroid-style blast doors closed, and you must eliminate them to reopen them. As in all Metroid titles, the same color coded doors are back, and they also serve as a guide to your exploration. Of course it's still possible to get lost. This wouldn't be a Metroid game without that possibility. However, in the case that does happen, we have access to a fully Metroid Prime-inspired 3D map that will show us just what we need to know. It’s fully controllable with the stylus and buttons, so this may actually be a fun map to interact with.
A feature of Hunters that retains the feel of the GameCube Metroid titles is that certain rooms seem to have been taken directly from them. For instance, there is an extremely tall, vertical room that is riddled with platforms forming a spiral all the way to the top. Metroid fans should remember such a room from Metroid Prime that contained poisonous water and unfriendly plants. The jumping may take a few attempts, but getting used to it should happen pretty quickly. There were also a couple instances in which the Morph Ball was needed for navigation, and its controls seem to work very well.
Also taking from the GameCube Prime games is how important the Scan Visor is. Not only do you learn the story because of it, but it will also help you understand your enemies. Once you actually switch to your scanner, anything that can be read by it will immediately distinguish itself in your environment. Don't expect to receive huge amounts of information from your scans though. You will learn about the story from them, but they aren't nearly as detailed as they were before. You must be careful to scan everything possible, since the detail is limited, you may get confused at some point. Also to help push the story along is the use of beautiful cutscenes and FMVs. The cutscenes are virtually identical to the GameCube Primes, as they show Samus entering a new, important area. The FMVs, however, are incredibly impressive, as they use both screens in different ways. Some FMVs will show off two different camera angles displaying the same scene in both screens. Others will reveal a full length and unique video using the ‘tall’ combination of both screens. This is something not yet done, so it should be awesome to experience.
Also based on the demos, the graphics seem to be everything they could be. This game has been in development for a long time. Instead of having a shoddy presentation in the end, Hunters should be able to blow anyone away. Of course with a less powerful system to work with, the presentation is a little more jagged and less refined. But that's to be expected. Nevertheless, enemies look very good, rendering looks great and animations look impressive. Everything seems to move very smoothly, and the special effects have no less ‘bang’ than they did before. Whether it’s the missiles exploding or your cannon blasting, we are in for a treat. The music should also be fitting and nostalgic as well. There’s no doubt the trademark Metroid themes have made their prevalent return. Coupled with that, we should also hear the excellent sci-fi ‘spacey’ music we’ve come to know and love. The music hasn’t disappointed us yet, so there’s not much of a chance it will now.
Noxus is a member of the Vhozon civilzation. These reclusive beings like to inhabit the outer reaches of their galaxy. Noxus happens to be a very spiritual and driven bounty hunter. He follows a very rigid and strict code, as his goal is deliver justice and punishment to all those that partake in evil schemes. He seems to be a lot like Samus in this regard, as his goal is also to also retrieve the ultimate power of the Alimbic Cluster to prevent it from falling into the hands of evil. Whether or not he will prove to be a major obstacle to Samus remains to be seen. Noxus’ weapon of choice happens to be the Judicator, justice?
There's a rather ironic look to this guy. He happens to resemble an extremely advanced Galactic Federation Trooper, but not much is actually known about him. What we do know is that he has a raw seething hatred for everything that is the Galactic Federation, and that includes Samus Aran, their top agent. Sylux is a very cold and calculating being. He is the very definition of a quality Bounty Hunter, as tracking and sharpshooting happen to be his fortes.. With an intense desire to eliminate Samus at any cost, he secretly tracks her throughout the galaxy hoping to land a surprise fight with her. However, he ends up in the Tetra Galaxy along with her, and discovering the fact of there being a hidden super power, he desires it to destroy Samus. Sylux’s means of destruction is the Shock Coil.
This fellow is the last remaining member of the Diamont race. A very unique civilization, the Diamonts are beings whose bodies are made of nothing but silicon-based organic rock. His life has taken him from one end of the galaxy to the other, desperate to find any kind of information that would tell him of the fate of his people. He is motivated to find the ultimate power of the Alimbic Cluster for something that anyone like him would be. He thinks if he finds this, and discovers the secret behind the Alimbic race, he will find out what happened to his very own. Spire’s desired method of defense is the Magmaul.
Trace belongs to a race known as the Kriken, a race that continually grows larger. When a member of the Kriken reaches a specific age, they are exiled by their own. Trace has reached that age, and before he gets banished, he’s putting up a fight to travel the galaxy. This will allow him to find other planets who wish to join the empire of Kriken, allowing them to expand and become more deadly.
Kanden simply is a lab experiment gone wrong. Destined and built to be the ultimate soldier, as well as immortal and invincible. During his experiment, Kanden broke out of the lab, and those who caused his neurological alterations and surgical enhancements were not left alive. Kanden will be in the race to find the "ultimate power" as he wishes to prove himself the best bounty hunter of them all.
Weavel is one of the most intriguing characters, and one who seems to have a strong tie to Samus’s past. He was previously known as a Space Pirate General, but got critically injured during a battle between the Space Pirates and Samus Aran. He suffered from a lot of damage, but his brain and spinal cord weren’t destroyed. With those parts of his body still functional, he’s been attached with some kind of life support system. With this, Weavel will seek his revenge against Samus Aran, and even possibly the Space Pirates.
Games in the Metroid franchise have always offered a stellar single player adventure, which is all the reason why Metroid Prime Hunters is a huge leap for the series. The single player mode may be a fun experience, but it is hard denying the fact that the main emphasis on Hunters is its multiplayer gameplay. While we first encountered multiplayer Metroid on the GameCube with Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, it was far from an immersive feature. It was not only limiting, but rather repetitive as it only allowed two distinct multiplayer modes. This won’t be the case with Hunters, considering they are seven different modes (excluding the single player adventure) available to enjoy.
It seems that the Nintendo DS has a way of bringing Samus in a new light. This has been accomplished with Metroid Prime Pinball, which allowed the infamous bounty hunter to utilize her morph ball abilities on a pinball table. While Hunters will not be anything like a pinball game, or anything at all related to an arcade-type game, it will still allow Samus to shine in a new light. However, the shocker here is that Samus will be sharing the spotlight; she’s not alone in this mission. For the first time ever, Samus will embark in a mission that consists of other bounty hunters. Additionally, players will be able to take control of these hunters, and take on Samus while indulging in many head-to-head battles.
Metroid Prime Hunters is boasting seven different bounty hunters total, including the one and only Samus Aran. As one can see, these hunters are going to help define the multiplayer experience of the game. What is interesting, though, is that these hunters aren’t necessarily bad guys. It’s a race for the ultimate power, and every hunter wants it. The hunters only become your enemies because it must be you who gets the ultimate power first! Players will have to “earn” their hunters, though. These extra bounty hunters must be unlocked in the single player adventure before they can be used in multiplayer. One of the more compelling aspects of each hunter is they each have their own form of Samus’s famous ability, the morph ball. It looks like Samus is no longer the only one that can roll into narrow passageways.
The ways each hunter attack in morph ball mode will differ, though. Samus will still have her traditional bombs to use while she is in morph ball form. This will allow her to damage nearby enemies, or even dodge attacks. The other hunters’ morph ball attacks can be just as deadly. For example, Spire can turn into a big, spiky boulder and destroy enemies in his path by rolling into them. Trace can turn into a small, three-legged creature that can charge quickly at its prey. Another example would be Weavel’s unique ability, which involves him turning into some kind of insect and attacking his enemy with his tail. To go along with these unique morph ball abilities, the hunters are also equipped with their own arsenal. Of course, Samus is equipped with her normal arm cannon, which can fire power beam shots and missiles. The other hunters’ weapons are far more unique. They will range from frigid energy beams to laser shooting artillery.
One of the best features of Hunters is the many modes the multiplayer gameplay offers. There are seven different modes to enjoy, each one being unique and entertaining. There is Battle Mode, which is your basic shoot-out extravaganza with some set goals, such as time limits or a maximum number of kills. Another is Bounty Mode that requires the hunters to compete to find an Octolith, a special, mysterious object. Returning Octoliths to the correct base will gain you points, and after time is up, whoever has the most points will win. Players can even work in teams, an option that is available in Capture Mode. In this mode, players will once again have to obtain Octoliths. They will have to infiltrate their opposing team’s base, steal their Octolith and bring it back to their own base. The only trick here is that to gain the point, your team’s Octolith must still be at your own base. Other modes will allow players to try to be the “last man standing” while duking it out with others, defend a base and put up a fight to protect it, or take control of beacons and not let other hunters take them away from you. Without a doubt, the numerous multiplayer modes in Hunters are going to be what makes players come back for more action.
To make the multiplayer gameplay have even more variety, there are many stages available. Each stage, or arena, will have health and ammo replenishments, as well as other pick-ups such as weapons and temporary abilities. However, each arena has its own attributes that will create obstacles for one to deal with. One arena might have shifts of gravity, making it harder to move as freely as one normally would. Another arena might have strips that allow one to gain a boost to move a farther distance quickly. Arenas will even have environmental affects to them, such as fire and ice. Lava pits will quickly drain a player’s energy and patches of ice can make traveling one slippery ride. To find the best temporary abilities, such as being invisible for a short period of time, players will have to be able to master these arenas and learn to deal with their obstacles accordingly.
Hunters will support multiplayer gameplay on both local and global Wi-Fi, and even DS Download and Play. Up to four players can join an ultimate battle of any desired multiplayer mode. The only limit to this is DS Download and Play, which in that case, only Battle Mode will be available. Fortunately, the lobby system of Hunters will work somewhat similarly to Mario Kart DS’s, but with a few improvements. No longer will players be forced to wait until exactly four players join a game. Now the game can be started whenever desired, and bots will be added if there are less than four players in the current match. The Friend and Rival list system has also been updated, and will be a lot more convenient to use. Players can chat with others players on their Friend list, before and after (but not during) a match takes place, or the messaging program can also be used for chatting. As for the Rival system, after a match, a player can add another player to their Rival list, as long as both players agree to it. This makes it possible so that you can actually play that same person again, at a later time.
Allowing the online environment to be more realistic, several activities and statistics are tracked. A common problem that happened in Mario Kart DS was that when players were losing, they would disconnect. No longer will that be an issue because Hunters detects when a player disconnects. The way that works is each player has a stat, known as the Connection Percentage. Initially, this stat is set to 100%. If a player disconnects to avoid a loss, their Connection Percentage will be lowered, and it will lower every time they disconnect during gameplay. This stat can be seen before a match starts, so if a player has a low Connection Percentage, you can avoid playing with them if you wish as it is probably a good indication they will disconnect. Other stats are also tracked, such as the distance you travel, the amount of time one has spent on the game, one’s favorite hunter, the arena where one is the most successful, and more. All this information is stored in a Hunter’s License, something every player gets. The stats are also recorded on NintendoWiFi.com and MetroidHunters.com, which can allow players to brag about their progress or go hide in a corner, whatever is more appropriate.
Without a doubt, Metroid Prime Hunters is shaping up to be a multiplayer masterpiece. Metroid veterans might be a little disappointed, as this game is not following the standard Metroid formula. However, sometimes change can be good, and from the looks of it, Hunters won’t disappoint in that regard. The single player experience also seems to be a great, lengthy adventure, but it is clearly not the focus of the game. Overall, Hunters will be providing the ultimate multiplayer experience and allow Metroid to shine in a new light yet again. Be prepared, as the hunt begins on March 20th.
The people who made this are awesome just thought this preview would provide things for people to talk about and has a lot of info about it.
http://forums.nintendo.com/nintendo/board/message?board.id=ds&message.id=2253380
Developer - NST (Nintendo Software Technology)
Publisher - Nintendo
ESRB Rating - Teen
Genre: Sci-Fi Action
Players: 1-4 (Wi-Fi Enabled)
Release Date - March 20, 2006
When the DS first launched in 2004, consumers were treated to the demo of an upcoming release for the system. This happened to be Metroid Prime Hunters: First Hunt. Soon after the DS was first announced, we knew about this game, and having the opportunity to get a taste of it with the handheld’s launch was great. However, most were discouraged by the awkward control scheme. MPH was actually slated for release soon after the launch, but thanks to NST listening to fans, we are getting a much better package within days. Next week we will all come to understand what it means for Samus to not be alone. No longer is she going solo against the Space Pirate and Metroid army. A much bigger challenge awaits her.
The developers of MPH have done an excellent job in capturing the lengthy and full-of-content single player adventures seen on the GameCube. Metroid has always been a heavy focus on solo endeavors, and the case will be no different with Hunters. But instead of just battling the Space Pirate army, wild planetary creatures, or Metroids, Samus has a whole new set of adversaries. This time Samus is hardly alone, and not even the only bounty hunter after the prize. MPH just may contain the most exciting plot for a Metroid game that we’ve seen to date. This one actually takes place between the two Metroid Prime games for GameCube, which is always nice to know.
Similar to the Star Wars stories, in a galaxy ‘far far away’, all the action takes place in one the Galactic Federation has no control over. This happens to be the Tetra Galaxy. Just like how Tallon IV used to be home for the Chozo, Tetra was home to a race known as the Alimbics. The Alimbics are ironically just like the Chozo in that they were a very advanced, peaceful and prosperous group of beings. Having utilized somewhat harsh but practical means, they kept the peace and order in what they aptly called the Alimbic Cluster.
However, one day some unknown time ago, they simply vanished. This caused a number of sacred artifacts known as Octoliths to be left behind and spread throughout the Alimbic Cluster. These artifacts are the very key to finding the true prize, as they are meant to help you figure out its location. But of course this race wasn't dumb. These Octoliths are protected by their most advanced means. However, one day this all changed. The once thought dead system has come alive again. What has, no one really knows, but whatever did is sending out strange messages. These are telepathic codes that are being captured by the most powerful beings in the universe.
This message is simple, but compelling, "The secret to the ultimate power resides in the Alimbic Cluster."
With a message like that, there's bound to be a number of very enticed beings out there curious as to what it actually means. This beckons the call of the most feared and formidable bounty hunters the galaxy has ever seen. Every one will make the long journey into the Alimbic Cluster, each with their own motivation for going on this wild goose chase. Some desire absolute power for themselves or their very people. Others are motivated by the simple wish to hunt or prove their dominance as the best bounty hunter out there.
This is simply a race against time, among several hunters who desire to obtain this ultimate power of the Alimbic Cluster. Of course the Galactic Federation has seen this message, and they don’t hesitate to call their own hunter. It’s obviously the very infamous intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran. Miss Aran's mission is simple: discover the meaning behind this message, protect the galaxy and her people, and keep whatever this power may be out of the hands of ultimate evil.
An awesome feature of the single player mode is that it will be different for everyone. Quite literally, everyone will have a different experience when going through Samus' adventure. NST has made Hunters so the core story will stay intact, but how players actually experience it will differ every time. For example, if a certain competing bounty hunter obtains something before you, you must track that character down to win it back. You will utilize Samus' ship to travel from planet to planet. These include the fiery engulfed Alinos and the frozen tundra of Arcterra. So with six other hunters out for the same thing you are and so many planets to explore, major differences will apply. There's no reason not to look forward to this.
Just like how the GameCube Metroid games start out, the first area is where you receive your hands-on training. You will be taught how to do everything, just with the DS this time. This will involve using the touch screen to look, aim and activate equipment. Using the stylus, you can switch between combat and scan mode, beam to missiles and full body to morph ball. What is nice about the game at the very start though, is that there are at least five different control schemes to choose from. NST also focused on left-handed needs by implementing controls specifically for them. Using the default right-handed setup, you will use the D-Pad to move around, the L button to fire and the touch screen to aim. Then to have Samus jump, quickly double tap the touch screen. There is a learning curve to playing a Metroid game like this, so everyone starts at square one.
A beauty of Hunters though, is that unlike the GameCube games, Samus will start out with most of her good equipment and keep it for a change. We won’t have to trek every nook and cranny of the planets just to find our beloved grapple beam or morph ball. Having your best equipment scattered across a galaxy would prove too tedious and frustrating. Plus when you think about it, not having the equipment you need while competing against six other deadly hunters would hold you at a major disadvantage.
When it comes time to actually get down and dirty with your arm cannon, there will be plenty to blast with it. Some enemies will go down easily after a couple blasts, but some are more formidable in needing a missile or two to be defeated. You will have your conventional enemies, the other hunters competing with you, and the kick butt bosses. There will actually be a boss fight at the end of every stage, so the adventure will keep your hands full. Each battle promises to be unique and just as exciting as the GameCube ones.
Another nice feature of the game that will save some time is that you won't have to use a charge shot to draw items in. Any items and/or power ups will automatically float to you. Certain enemies will also keep your Metroid-style blast doors closed, and you must eliminate them to reopen them. As in all Metroid titles, the same color coded doors are back, and they also serve as a guide to your exploration. Of course it's still possible to get lost. This wouldn't be a Metroid game without that possibility. However, in the case that does happen, we have access to a fully Metroid Prime-inspired 3D map that will show us just what we need to know. It’s fully controllable with the stylus and buttons, so this may actually be a fun map to interact with.
A feature of Hunters that retains the feel of the GameCube Metroid titles is that certain rooms seem to have been taken directly from them. For instance, there is an extremely tall, vertical room that is riddled with platforms forming a spiral all the way to the top. Metroid fans should remember such a room from Metroid Prime that contained poisonous water and unfriendly plants. The jumping may take a few attempts, but getting used to it should happen pretty quickly. There were also a couple instances in which the Morph Ball was needed for navigation, and its controls seem to work very well.
Also taking from the GameCube Prime games is how important the Scan Visor is. Not only do you learn the story because of it, but it will also help you understand your enemies. Once you actually switch to your scanner, anything that can be read by it will immediately distinguish itself in your environment. Don't expect to receive huge amounts of information from your scans though. You will learn about the story from them, but they aren't nearly as detailed as they were before. You must be careful to scan everything possible, since the detail is limited, you may get confused at some point. Also to help push the story along is the use of beautiful cutscenes and FMVs. The cutscenes are virtually identical to the GameCube Primes, as they show Samus entering a new, important area. The FMVs, however, are incredibly impressive, as they use both screens in different ways. Some FMVs will show off two different camera angles displaying the same scene in both screens. Others will reveal a full length and unique video using the ‘tall’ combination of both screens. This is something not yet done, so it should be awesome to experience.
Also based on the demos, the graphics seem to be everything they could be. This game has been in development for a long time. Instead of having a shoddy presentation in the end, Hunters should be able to blow anyone away. Of course with a less powerful system to work with, the presentation is a little more jagged and less refined. But that's to be expected. Nevertheless, enemies look very good, rendering looks great and animations look impressive. Everything seems to move very smoothly, and the special effects have no less ‘bang’ than they did before. Whether it’s the missiles exploding or your cannon blasting, we are in for a treat. The music should also be fitting and nostalgic as well. There’s no doubt the trademark Metroid themes have made their prevalent return. Coupled with that, we should also hear the excellent sci-fi ‘spacey’ music we’ve come to know and love. The music hasn’t disappointed us yet, so there’s not much of a chance it will now.
Noxus is a member of the Vhozon civilzation. These reclusive beings like to inhabit the outer reaches of their galaxy. Noxus happens to be a very spiritual and driven bounty hunter. He follows a very rigid and strict code, as his goal is deliver justice and punishment to all those that partake in evil schemes. He seems to be a lot like Samus in this regard, as his goal is also to also retrieve the ultimate power of the Alimbic Cluster to prevent it from falling into the hands of evil. Whether or not he will prove to be a major obstacle to Samus remains to be seen. Noxus’ weapon of choice happens to be the Judicator, justice?
There's a rather ironic look to this guy. He happens to resemble an extremely advanced Galactic Federation Trooper, but not much is actually known about him. What we do know is that he has a raw seething hatred for everything that is the Galactic Federation, and that includes Samus Aran, their top agent. Sylux is a very cold and calculating being. He is the very definition of a quality Bounty Hunter, as tracking and sharpshooting happen to be his fortes.. With an intense desire to eliminate Samus at any cost, he secretly tracks her throughout the galaxy hoping to land a surprise fight with her. However, he ends up in the Tetra Galaxy along with her, and discovering the fact of there being a hidden super power, he desires it to destroy Samus. Sylux’s means of destruction is the Shock Coil.
This fellow is the last remaining member of the Diamont race. A very unique civilization, the Diamonts are beings whose bodies are made of nothing but silicon-based organic rock. His life has taken him from one end of the galaxy to the other, desperate to find any kind of information that would tell him of the fate of his people. He is motivated to find the ultimate power of the Alimbic Cluster for something that anyone like him would be. He thinks if he finds this, and discovers the secret behind the Alimbic race, he will find out what happened to his very own. Spire’s desired method of defense is the Magmaul.
Trace belongs to a race known as the Kriken, a race that continually grows larger. When a member of the Kriken reaches a specific age, they are exiled by their own. Trace has reached that age, and before he gets banished, he’s putting up a fight to travel the galaxy. This will allow him to find other planets who wish to join the empire of Kriken, allowing them to expand and become more deadly.
Kanden simply is a lab experiment gone wrong. Destined and built to be the ultimate soldier, as well as immortal and invincible. During his experiment, Kanden broke out of the lab, and those who caused his neurological alterations and surgical enhancements were not left alive. Kanden will be in the race to find the "ultimate power" as he wishes to prove himself the best bounty hunter of them all.
Weavel is one of the most intriguing characters, and one who seems to have a strong tie to Samus’s past. He was previously known as a Space Pirate General, but got critically injured during a battle between the Space Pirates and Samus Aran. He suffered from a lot of damage, but his brain and spinal cord weren’t destroyed. With those parts of his body still functional, he’s been attached with some kind of life support system. With this, Weavel will seek his revenge against Samus Aran, and even possibly the Space Pirates.
Games in the Metroid franchise have always offered a stellar single player adventure, which is all the reason why Metroid Prime Hunters is a huge leap for the series. The single player mode may be a fun experience, but it is hard denying the fact that the main emphasis on Hunters is its multiplayer gameplay. While we first encountered multiplayer Metroid on the GameCube with Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, it was far from an immersive feature. It was not only limiting, but rather repetitive as it only allowed two distinct multiplayer modes. This won’t be the case with Hunters, considering they are seven different modes (excluding the single player adventure) available to enjoy.
It seems that the Nintendo DS has a way of bringing Samus in a new light. This has been accomplished with Metroid Prime Pinball, which allowed the infamous bounty hunter to utilize her morph ball abilities on a pinball table. While Hunters will not be anything like a pinball game, or anything at all related to an arcade-type game, it will still allow Samus to shine in a new light. However, the shocker here is that Samus will be sharing the spotlight; she’s not alone in this mission. For the first time ever, Samus will embark in a mission that consists of other bounty hunters. Additionally, players will be able to take control of these hunters, and take on Samus while indulging in many head-to-head battles.
Metroid Prime Hunters is boasting seven different bounty hunters total, including the one and only Samus Aran. As one can see, these hunters are going to help define the multiplayer experience of the game. What is interesting, though, is that these hunters aren’t necessarily bad guys. It’s a race for the ultimate power, and every hunter wants it. The hunters only become your enemies because it must be you who gets the ultimate power first! Players will have to “earn” their hunters, though. These extra bounty hunters must be unlocked in the single player adventure before they can be used in multiplayer. One of the more compelling aspects of each hunter is they each have their own form of Samus’s famous ability, the morph ball. It looks like Samus is no longer the only one that can roll into narrow passageways.
The ways each hunter attack in morph ball mode will differ, though. Samus will still have her traditional bombs to use while she is in morph ball form. This will allow her to damage nearby enemies, or even dodge attacks. The other hunters’ morph ball attacks can be just as deadly. For example, Spire can turn into a big, spiky boulder and destroy enemies in his path by rolling into them. Trace can turn into a small, three-legged creature that can charge quickly at its prey. Another example would be Weavel’s unique ability, which involves him turning into some kind of insect and attacking his enemy with his tail. To go along with these unique morph ball abilities, the hunters are also equipped with their own arsenal. Of course, Samus is equipped with her normal arm cannon, which can fire power beam shots and missiles. The other hunters’ weapons are far more unique. They will range from frigid energy beams to laser shooting artillery.
One of the best features of Hunters is the many modes the multiplayer gameplay offers. There are seven different modes to enjoy, each one being unique and entertaining. There is Battle Mode, which is your basic shoot-out extravaganza with some set goals, such as time limits or a maximum number of kills. Another is Bounty Mode that requires the hunters to compete to find an Octolith, a special, mysterious object. Returning Octoliths to the correct base will gain you points, and after time is up, whoever has the most points will win. Players can even work in teams, an option that is available in Capture Mode. In this mode, players will once again have to obtain Octoliths. They will have to infiltrate their opposing team’s base, steal their Octolith and bring it back to their own base. The only trick here is that to gain the point, your team’s Octolith must still be at your own base. Other modes will allow players to try to be the “last man standing” while duking it out with others, defend a base and put up a fight to protect it, or take control of beacons and not let other hunters take them away from you. Without a doubt, the numerous multiplayer modes in Hunters are going to be what makes players come back for more action.
To make the multiplayer gameplay have even more variety, there are many stages available. Each stage, or arena, will have health and ammo replenishments, as well as other pick-ups such as weapons and temporary abilities. However, each arena has its own attributes that will create obstacles for one to deal with. One arena might have shifts of gravity, making it harder to move as freely as one normally would. Another arena might have strips that allow one to gain a boost to move a farther distance quickly. Arenas will even have environmental affects to them, such as fire and ice. Lava pits will quickly drain a player’s energy and patches of ice can make traveling one slippery ride. To find the best temporary abilities, such as being invisible for a short period of time, players will have to be able to master these arenas and learn to deal with their obstacles accordingly.
Hunters will support multiplayer gameplay on both local and global Wi-Fi, and even DS Download and Play. Up to four players can join an ultimate battle of any desired multiplayer mode. The only limit to this is DS Download and Play, which in that case, only Battle Mode will be available. Fortunately, the lobby system of Hunters will work somewhat similarly to Mario Kart DS’s, but with a few improvements. No longer will players be forced to wait until exactly four players join a game. Now the game can be started whenever desired, and bots will be added if there are less than four players in the current match. The Friend and Rival list system has also been updated, and will be a lot more convenient to use. Players can chat with others players on their Friend list, before and after (but not during) a match takes place, or the messaging program can also be used for chatting. As for the Rival system, after a match, a player can add another player to their Rival list, as long as both players agree to it. This makes it possible so that you can actually play that same person again, at a later time.
Allowing the online environment to be more realistic, several activities and statistics are tracked. A common problem that happened in Mario Kart DS was that when players were losing, they would disconnect. No longer will that be an issue because Hunters detects when a player disconnects. The way that works is each player has a stat, known as the Connection Percentage. Initially, this stat is set to 100%. If a player disconnects to avoid a loss, their Connection Percentage will be lowered, and it will lower every time they disconnect during gameplay. This stat can be seen before a match starts, so if a player has a low Connection Percentage, you can avoid playing with them if you wish as it is probably a good indication they will disconnect. Other stats are also tracked, such as the distance you travel, the amount of time one has spent on the game, one’s favorite hunter, the arena where one is the most successful, and more. All this information is stored in a Hunter’s License, something every player gets. The stats are also recorded on NintendoWiFi.com and MetroidHunters.com, which can allow players to brag about their progress or go hide in a corner, whatever is more appropriate.
Without a doubt, Metroid Prime Hunters is shaping up to be a multiplayer masterpiece. Metroid veterans might be a little disappointed, as this game is not following the standard Metroid formula. However, sometimes change can be good, and from the looks of it, Hunters won’t disappoint in that regard. The single player experience also seems to be a great, lengthy adventure, but it is clearly not the focus of the game. Overall, Hunters will be providing the ultimate multiplayer experience and allow Metroid to shine in a new light yet again. Be prepared, as the hunt begins on March 20th.
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