Nintendo Metroid Dread - A Game 15 Years in the Making [10/08/21], update: Patch Ver. 1.0.1 released

[Nokt]

9 hours ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

I think he brings up a lot of valid of concerns, even some that have been mentioned in this thread.

 

There have been a lot of Metroidvanias over the years, what can an actual Metroid do that those others couldn't besides be Metroid by name? It's been 15 years and a lot of Nintendo games like to stay archaic by design.

 

He's right about the robot design. If you're aping RE Nemesis, make the robot look like an iconic thing. Heck lady Dimitrescu, performed a similar role and was beloved by many. This robot looks like one of the co-op robots from Portal 2.

 

I get that people excited big names from older franchises but at the end of the day if they don't deliver it's just a name.

And yet very few actually even reach what can even be considered a good metroidvania. I can’t tell you how many I’ve played that can’t even get tight controls down, let alone graphics and sound design.
 

I think it’s the wrong expectation to compare this to a AAA title. This isn’t a first party Nintendo developer. Mercurysteam is probably working with 10 year old design documents from when Dread was initially being worked on. We know Nintendo is extremely strict about their titles. I can’t imagine they have that much freedom.

 

4 hours ago, crispy4000 said:

I disagree with him about the design.  It’s not the most frightening looking thing, certainly the face could be cooler.  But the way it’s joints double back when it crawls around is nifty.  I can’t remember a game doing that, at least not recently.

 

It’s just no SA-X.

I think it’s a decent choice. We have Chozo artifacts, Metroids, space pirates, giant monsters, X parasites. Robot enemies don’t seem like a terrible choice instead of reiterating something already used. The ability to morph and crawl is particularly disturbing to me.

[TheLeon]

12 minutes ago, Nokt said:

And yet very few actually even reach what can even be considered a good metroidvania. I can’t tell you how many I’ve played that can’t even get tight controls down, let alone graphics and sound design.
 

I think it’s the wrong expectation to compare this to a AAA title. This isn’t a first party Nintendo developer. Mercurysteam is probably working with 10 year old design documents from when Dread was initially being worked on. We know Nintendo is extremely strict about their titles. I can’t imagine they have that much freedom.

If they’re putting it out at $60, it absolutely deserves to be considered that way. If they want say “hey, we outsourced this, it’s a side thing, no big deal, it’s a mid-budget title”, cool. But this is Metroid 5, which is a Big Deal, so it’ll be judged accordingly. 

[best3444]

54 minutes ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

Why wouldn't you like that?

 

Cause I don't like the idea or how the gameplay looks. Not my thing. Get over it, lol.

[Bloodporne]

I really just want Metroid Prime 4 already and I wish MercurySteam had been kept away from any classic franchises after shitting up Castlevania, let alone Metroid of all things.

[Bloodporne]

2 hours ago, Brick said:

In terms of looks, nothing beats the Prime games for me. Not only did the graphics look good on a technical level at the time, but the art design was fantastic and help the games age a bit better. If any of Nintendo's big franchises benefit from a more "realistic" art style, it was definitely Metroid; updating classic designs to a more realistic design just fit the darker, spookier, somewhat horror elements of what Metroid is; Metroid is inspired by the Alien movie franchise after all. It's part of why Other M never grabbed me visually as it felt like a regression. Taking the look of the enemies from the 16-bit era games, and basically just making them into 3D models might work well enough for a more lighthearted, and cartoon-like game such as Mario, or Zelda (although even Zelda remixes its looks with its constantly changing art styles, which I appreciate), it just didn't work the same for Metroid. Primes were more detailed, authentic looking, and atmospheric because of it. The only design that didn't really carry over were the pirates in the first game although there is some art in the game manual that suggests that originally they were going to go with the classic Zebesian look, but also updated with them wearing gear, and blasters mounted on their claws. It was a really cool concept that unfortunately got cut, but with the way the games ended up with each game having different pirate designs, it suggests that the pirates aren't just the Zebesian types we have seen in the past games, but a whole bunch of different races working together; like the Pirate Homeworld in Corruption isn't THE homeworld of all pirates, just that race of pirates from that game, just like Zebes would be the homeworld of the Zebesian pirates from Metroid 1 and Super. 

 

Also as I mentioned with the art design, the world looked fantastic, and really enhanced the atmosphere. Some of the designs were so other worldly. The Impact Crater of Prime, the Torvus Bog and Sanctuary Fortress of Echoes, Bryyo and Phaaze of Corruption. Gorgeous. If we had that kind of art in a 2D/2.5D game it would be wonderful. MercurySteam just doesn't have the same level of artistry. Not saying they look bad, but we've been spoiled by the Prime games. Really makes me excited for what Prime 4 will look like. 

I recently replayed Prime 1 and 2 with the high-res texture packs and everything via Dolphin and they still look so damn good. Prime 1 through 3 has to be one of my favorite game series. I forgot the actual name, but the sky world in Prime 3 alone is phenomenal, whatever other shortcomings the game may have.

[best3444]

3 minutes ago, Bloodporne said:

I recently replayed Prime 1 and 2 with the high-res texture packs and everything via Dolphin and they still look so damn good. Prime 1 through 3 has to be one of my favorite game series. I forgot the actual name, but the sky world in Prime 3 alone is phenomenal, whatever other shortcomings the game may have.

 

God I loved Prime 1. However, I remember not being a fan of part 2 and dropped the series all together. 

 

I am looking forward to MP4 but I guess it isn't coming out ANY time soon.

[Nokt]

1 hour ago, TheLeon said:

If they’re putting it out at $60, it absolutely deserves to be considered that way. If they want say “hey, we outsourced this, it’s a side thing, no big deal, it’s a mid-budget title”, cool. But this is Metroid 5, which is a Big Deal, so it’ll be judged accordingly. 

I was unaware that a $60 dollar price meant that it was developed by a AAA studio. Plus Nintendo tax, no one is going judge Skyward Sword HD based on its price tag and even if they do majority of people will still buy it.

 

Metroid 5 might be a big deal to us, but it isn't to Nintendo. They have half-assed the series for the past 15 years. Pinball, Hunters, Federation Force, Other M. The last proper title we got besides Samus Returns was Prime 3 in 2007.

[AbsolutSurgen]

It's a full-price game from one of the biggest software publishers on the planet.  It absolutely should be judged differently than a $25 game from an indie studio.

[Nokt]

17 minutes ago, AbsolutSurgen said:

It's a full-price game from one of the biggest software publishers on the planet.  It absolutely should be judged differently than a $25 game from an indie studio.

I never said it should be compared against indie studios. My intent was that expectations were skewed if you are expecting this to be the quality of one of EPD's games.

[GameDadGrant]

6 hours ago, Bloodporne said:

I really just want Metroid Prime 4 already and I wish MercurySteam had been kept away from any classic franchises after shitting up Castlevania, let alone Metroid of all things.

MercurySteam did a solid job with Metroid: Samus Returns. I think this new game is in good hands.

[Keyser_Soze]

7 hours ago, Nokt said:

no one is going judge Skyward Sword HD based on its price tag and even if they do majority of people will still buy it.

 

People already laughed at the price of that and then laughed again when certain features were locked behind Amiibos

[TheLeon]

8 hours ago, Nokt said:

I was unaware that a $60 dollar price meant that it was developed by a AAA studio. Plus Nintendo tax, no one is going judge Skyward Sword HD based on its price tag and even if they do majority of people will still buy it.

 

Metroid 5 might be a big deal to us, but it isn't to Nintendo. They have half-assed the series for the past 15 years. Pinball, Hunters, Federation Force, Other M. The last proper title we got besides Samus Returns was Prime 3 in 2007.

 

What is a "AAA studio" in this context? A new Metroid game, which they have very carefully labeled as "core" game in this historic franchise, is going to be held to a very high standard, regardless of the size of the team, or the budget they were given. 

[Nokt]

1 hour ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

People already laughed at the price of that and then laughed again when certain features were locked behind Amiibos

Hence the second part, even if gamers complain its still going to sell well.

 

30 minutes ago, TheLeon said:

What is a "AAA studio" in this context? A new Metroid game, which they have very carefully labeled as "core" game in this historic franchise, is going to be held to a very high standard, regardless of the size of the team, or the budget they were given. 

I usually use AAA regarding a high budget and large development team, but as I doubt we will ever find out the budget for the game.

MecurySteam is a studio of about 160. By comparison Naughty Dog has over 500, 343i has over 700, and Santa Monica has over 250 just to give a few numbers.

The closest developer I could find to Mecury was Ninja Theory at 120, Firaxis has 180, and 4A has 150.

[Keyser_Soze]

1 hour ago, Nokt said:

Hence the second part, even if gamers complain its still going to sell well.

 

I mean Nintendo game sell based on name alone but that doesn't indicate that the game is worth it or of any sort of quality. Nintendo could release "This game is a turd" and people would buy it no matter what. Skyward Sword for me would be a curiosity buy for $20 maybe even $30 but at $60 it's a hard pass. I could easily play the Dolphin version as the differences between this new one and the old one are minimal at best. Heck the Switch version doesn't even come with the soundtrack like the Wii version did.

[crispy4000]

13 hours ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

I mean Nintendo game sell based on name alone but that doesn't indicate that the game is worth it or of any sort of quality. Nintendo could release "This game is a turd" and people would buy it no matter what.

 

That’s not what happened with Other M.  Game went almost directly to the bargain bin.  Same with Star Fox on Wii U, which you can still find in $5 and Below stores.

 

Nintendo has a thicker skin than most publishers for price drops, but they aren’t totally exempt from salvaging a dud.

[Ghost_MH]

7 minutes ago, crispy4000 said:

 

That’s not what happened with Other M.  Game went almost directly to the bargain bin.  Same with Star Fox on Wii U, which you can still find in $5 and Below stores.

 

Nintendo has a thicker skin than most publishers for price drops, but they aren’t totally exempt from salvaging a dud.

 

What really sucks about Star Fox Zero is that it was a phenomenal Star Fox games crippled by terrible controls. It's the number one Wii U game that I think would do really well with a Switch port.

[Brick]

Nintendo games do stay expensive for too long. We need a Nintendo Selects line to hurry up and come to Switch. 

 

Speaking of expensive, damn some of these cock rings I've been looking at are expensive! They're pretty extravagant, and complex! I don't want to break @Keyser_Soze's bank here! 

[Keyser_Soze]

5 hours ago, Brick said:

Nintendo games do stay expensive for too long. We need a Nintendo Selects line to hurry up and come to Switch. 

 

Speaking of expensive, damn some of these cock rings I've been looking at are expensive! They're pretty extravagant, and complex! I don't want to break @Keyser_Soze's bank here! 

 

Make sure you pick the ones with lab grown diamonds.

[Brick]

4 hours ago, Keyser_Soze said:

 

Make sure you pick the ones with lab grown diamonds.

 

You joke, but I'm willing to bet there are ones with diamonds in them lol. 

 

Seriously some of them aren't just a ring, they've got this big vibrating pack on them. Didn't expect some of them to cost up to 50 bucks. If you're serious about sending me one, what's your budget? 

[Keyser_Soze]

19 minutes ago, Brick said:

 

You joke, but I'm willing to bet there are ones with diamonds in them lol. 

 

Seriously some of them aren't just a ring, they've got this big vibrating pack on them. Didn't expect some of them to cost up to 50 bucks. If you're serious about sending me one, what's your budget? 

 

I think 50 sounds like a good upper limit

[GameDadGrant]

What is happening to this thread.

 

Is there a Metroid-themed ring?

[Paperclyp]

I wish there was a good way to play fusion… i think I have access to all the other 2D ones. 

[Keyser_Soze]

44 minutes ago, GameDadGrant said:

What is happening to this thread.

 

Is there a Metroid-themed ring?

 

Yes, and you put it on a very special place on your body.

[GameDadGrant]

57 minutes ago, Paperclyp said:

I wish there was a good way to play fusion… i think I have access to all the other 2D ones. 

Agreed. Kinda sucks if you don’t have a GBA and the cart, you’re stuck downloading it on Wii U Virtual Console. 
 

Or 3DS, if you’re lucky enough to be an Ambassador. 
 

Why GBA games aren’t on Switch is baffling. 

[BloodyHell]

1 hour ago, GameDadGrant said:

Agreed. Kinda sucks if you don’t have a GBA and the cart, you’re stuck downloading it on Wii U Virtual Console. 
 

Or 3DS, if you’re lucky enough to be an Ambassador. 
 

Why GBA games aren’t on Switch is baffling. 

Why every single mobile Nintendo game isnt a part of an aggressive online strategy is an absolute travesty. Never has a successful company acted so willfully obtuse.

[Paperclyp]

2 hours ago, GameDadGrant said:

Agreed. Kinda sucks if you don’t have a GBA and the cart, you’re stuck downloading it on Wii U Virtual Console. 
 

Or 3DS, if you’re lucky enough to be an Ambassador. 
 

Why GBA games aren’t on Switch is baffling. 

I have a Wii but IIRC you can’t even buy it on there? Like A) the store is shut down? and B) I think on the Wii it was like a special reward or something for one of their obscure rewards programs 

 

It is very frustrating lol. Nintendo could have so much of my money if they wanted it. 

[GameDadGrant]

58 minutes ago, Paperclyp said:

I have a Wii but IIRC you can’t even buy it on there? Like A) the store is shut down? and B) I think on the Wii it was like a special reward or something for one of their obscure rewards programs 

 

It is very frustrating lol. Nintendo could have so much of my money if they wanted it. 

It was never available on the original Wii, only Wii U. You can still download it from the Wii U eShop. 
 

It was a “reward” for people that bought the 3DS prior to the price drop. The “Ambassador Program” from 2011. 
 

 

[GameDadGrant]

1 hour ago, BloodyHell said:

Why every single mobile Nintendo game isnt a part of an aggressive online strategy is an absolute travesty. Never has a successful company acted so willfully obtuse.

I actually agree with this as well. Throw all your Game Boy/Game Boy Color/Game Boy Advance games on Switch, Nintendo! Figure out how to put DS and 3DS games on there, too! Like...why not?!

 

It’s not like they’ve been opposed to this idea before. 3DS could play all those games, plus NES, SNES, and even SEGA Master system, Game Gear and Genesis titles. 
 

Are they trying to keep 3DS relevant or something? I don’t get it.

[GameDadGrant]

It should be noted that Nintendo isn’t alone about not putting their portable games on their home console. Unless something changed recently, I’m pretty sure you can’t play PSP or Vita games on PS4 (or PS5?) You need either the original hardware those games came out on, or a PlayStation TV. Sony can be “willingly obtuse” from time to time as well as anyone.

 

But that shouldn’t be an excuse. Nintendo can be better than this. And they should. They have before!
 

We need to make Nintendo great again. 

[Biggie]

I’m so hyped for this game @GameDadGrant

[best3444]

2 minutes ago, Biggie said:

I’m so hyped for this game @GameDadGrant

 

Play Ori and the Will of the Wisps and you won't be anymore.

[CastlevaniaNut18]

Metroid Fusion was my first Metroid game. I bought a copy at Walmart on sale and still have it. Game got expensive.

[TheLeon]

I’m a little surprised they haven’t announced some kind of 1-4 compilation. 

[Ghost_MH]

6 minutes ago, TheLeon said:

I’m a little surprised they haven’t announced some kind of 1-4 compilation. 

 

The first and third games are up, so they likely wouldn't bother.

 

Knowing Nintendo, it's something stupid like they haven't figured out how to cleanly make Joycon versions for the GB/A and N64 controls and that's what's delaying them adding those consoles to Nintendo online.

[GameDadGrant]

46 minutes ago, TheLeon said:

I’m a little surprised they haven’t announced some kind of 1-4 compilation. 

What’s crazy is that there is only ONE way to actually play all 4 original 2D Metroid games on a single system (legally, anyway). 
 

The one system that can do that right now is the NEW 3DS. And even then, only if you are a 3DS Ambassador, *AND* you transferred your original 3DS account to your NEW 3DS. 
 

I’ve done that, of course, but even I look at this situation and just...marvel at how bonkers it is, LOL

 

But here’s the silver lining: you wouldn’t have had to actually buy any of them. IIRC, each game was given away free at some point. The original game and Fusion were both part of the Ambassador Program, so those were free. And then Return of Samus and Super were given away at different times via Club Nintendo (RIP). 
 

So there is at least that!