Old-school fave gets vivid, immersive update
Platform: Wii
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption marks the debut of a classic Nintendo franchise on a next-gen console; thinking back to the original two-dimensional Metroid on the Famicom and NES, it’s breathtaking to see how the alien-zapping, pirate-thwarting, space-crawling series has evolved. And yet some things never change, as the latest chapter in the long-lived series marks the return of its classic silent heroine, Samus Aran.
We’re able to see the Alien-inspired futuristic battlescape through her eyes—literally. The most ?uid and immersive use yet of Wii’s motion-sensing controls puts the player inside Samus’ high-tech space suit. Move your arm to tap a control panel, and so does she; point your remote at a target, and Samus’ gun sights follow. Her symbiotic suit’s functions are controlled in a polished, appealing visor interface, navigated with movements so minute they feel like thought. And while we’re still no closer to knowing more about the mysterious Samus, from time to time, re?ected in the visor, you can catch a glimpse of her eyes where you’d almost expect to see your own.