7.6.2012

Some games are as easy as pie and some are as tough as iron girders. But very rarely does a game get the difficulty pitch just perfect: starting off easy, then gradually narrowing the margin for error before testing the gamer's skill to the max right at the end. Well that's what 2002's Metroid Fusion for the Game Boy Advance succeeded in doing, and it's a brilliant run-over-your-own-mother-just-to-get-your-hands-on-an-old-copy game because of it.The heroine of the game, Samus, returns to a research station after a tough mission out in space...the final frontier!...oh, sorry. Wrong sci-fi franchise. Anyway,when Samus gets back to the station she discovers that the place has been completely overrun by a deadly virus nicknamed "X." All members of staff have perished and mutants are running amok all over the place. Under the guidance of a highly intelligent computer your task is to seek out and destroy these mutants before their destruction stretches far beyond the confines of the once innocent space station. If that's not daunting enough, a powerful Samus-lookalike called SA-X is also onboard the ship looking to take our masculine-yet-feminine heroine down. An evil twin sister? How original!Due to an operation to fix a serious virus infection at the start of the game, Samus has lost all of her abilities from the previous games, and pretty much has to learn to walk all over again. The good news is not only will the X virus no longer hurt her -well most times at least- but collecting the yellow and green (and occasionally other colours) virus blobs will help restore health and ammo. Further help is provided by numerous save rooms for saving game progress; recharging rooms to stock up on health and weapons; and navigation rooms where you can pick up objectives from the computer as well as finding out exactly where you have to go next.Metroid Fusion is a pretty big game. As well the main station, there are six sectors to visit underneath that. Each sector has a large number of rooms and corridors that need to be negotiated, and not all of them will initially show up on the map. It sounds daunting and before you start playing you'll probably be worried about getting lost. But actually the setup is really good.The game provides you with a trail of breadcrumbs in terms of where to go and how to actually get there. You may find that a door is locked and cannot be unlocked until a later time, or some walls and floors require a certain power-up before you can venture beyond them. Even if you do take a wrong turn you won't have to do much in the way of back-tracking so you'll never really get frustrated in that department.On your way to your destinations you'll come across a mass variety of ugly enemies, and when I say "ugly" I mean "Selena Gomez-ugly." The enemies will certainly keep you honest as you attempt to make progress through the corridors. But they do help build up your confidence..."?!" is probably your thought. Well you start the game; you've got basic weapons; and you can run and jump. You'll quickly figure out how best to deal with the enemies, and as you pick up stronger weapons and new moves the confidence levels will steadily rise, making the gameplay experience more enjoyable. Further confidence boosters are provided by pickups. Find these and your max health and ammo capacities will increase, making you more confident as you move into the latter stages of the game.Like I said MF gradually gets harder as you go along, particularly with the bosses. You come face to face with them; you try to attack them; you keep getting your backside kicked in by them. The process repeats itself over and over again until...that pleasing moment comes up. That pleasing moment where you discover which weapon works best on a boss; that pleasing moment where you discover the best way to move around the room so as to keep damage from them to a minimum; that pleasing moment where the lightbulb comes on in your head and causes you to say "Ooooh, so THAT'S how I deal with the boss!" Eventually you'll defeat the bosses and feel really good about yourself. You earned your victories; you deserved them; and the fact that you're feeling positive emotions at these moments is an indication of what a great game MF is.Metroid Fusion has a lot of positives going for it. The difficulty curve is perfect; the gameplay is very rewarding; the game's lifespan is a reasonable length; and the storyline (while not particularly big in my view) will certainly entertain lovers of anything sci-fi. There isn't really much to criticize here. The only thing I can think of is that there are no end-of-game unlockables or cheats to play around with; therefore the replay value is reduced. But that's about it.Metroid Fusion is an amazing sci-fi blast from start to finish. It's a game you simply have to hunt down and have to play. No excuses.

5.10.2009

I wonder if Samus Aran believes in the Chaos Theory; the idea that order will always descend into chaos. Surely she must question her luck, because it seems that every time one enemy is defeated - the Metroids, Space Pirates, and even her sometime allies, the Galactic Federation - another very quickly rises to take its place. Such is the case here. Samus is infected with the X Parasite which nearly kills her, and is saved only with Metroid cells which kill off the virus but make her... more... than what she was.In a weakened state and having lost most of her trademark abilities, Samus must investigate an abandoned space station, under guidance from a Federation AI she names Adam Malkovich after a respected former commander.Before long it becomes apparent the X Parasites are far more powerful than anyone had expected, having infected almost all life on the station and stolen Samus' powers and cloned her in the form of a hunter called the SA-X. Encounters with the SA-X are superb and incredibly tense, with the powerful alien hunting Samus in order to eradicate her, and little Samus can do but run and hide.Henceforth, it's business as usual. There are seven areas to investigate including the hub level, and these sections are opened up as Samus regains her abilities and closed periodically according to the SA-X's intentional destruction. The narrative is well-developed for a handheld Metroid instalment - it doesn't have the text logs of the Primes, but there are periodic cutscenes charting Samus' thoughts and happenings on the station. Props to Nintendo for making such a prominent atmosphere in such a dinky instalment.As the game progresses and Samus regains her abilities, more of the space station becomes accessible and increasingly fierce and powerful X Parasite creatures are encountered. Level design is inventive, with a slew of dead ends, secret passages and collectible items - in fact, if anything there is too much emphasis on hidden passages, often meaning that if the way forward is not apparent you'll need to shoot at or blow up random walls until the hidden passage is revealed. After the game pulls this trick a few times, it does get more than a little tiring - in one later section I spent a good 30 minutes upwards blowing up every wall in one section before finally finding the way forward and being able to proceed.The controls have been adapted to the Game Boy Advance's concise layout very comfortably. Samus grabs hold of ledges making tall jumps that much easier, and she can climb ladders as well as monkey hang, so generally getting around is a breeze and probably more fluid than any other entry in the series. Shooting is done with the A button and later weapons such as the charge beam or handled by holding down the button. Missiles are allocated to the right shoulder button which works really well, and aiming up or down is done via the left. All in all there are no issues with the controls, which are both instantly responsive and well thought out.Although this is a handheld instalment and the overall package is of high quality, it's a real shame the experience is so brief. The average gamer would probably finish up in less than five hours, six at the absolute most, accounting for getting lost and really struggling with bosses. Obviously this isn't such a problem any more given the game can be picked up for a few pounds or dollars, and there's fair replay value in the considerable collectibles and secrets to explore, but it still feels like things begin to wrap up just as the ball is really getting rolling. The narrative is definitely interesting, showing a previously unseen vulnerable human angle to the intergalactic bounty hunter, and this is something which is due to be further explored in forthcoming Wii release

26.11.2002

This is the fourth game in the Metroid series which, until now, hasn't had the recognition it deserves. Hopefully, this is set to change, however, with the advent of this fantastic new Gameboy Advance update, and the upcoming Metroid Prime on Gamecube.If I were to describe Metroid Fusion as a side-scrolling shoot 'em up adventure, it would really be selling it short, even though that's exactly what it is. You take on the role of Samus Aran, female bounty hunter, and star of the Metroid games, whose DNA has been fused with that of the Metroids in order to save her from an attack by the parasitic life form, X. The plot is driven by well-drawn cutscenes of events and Samus’ own internal monologue,

17.1.2003

Metroid 3 on the SNES rates in my top 5 games of all time, so this version had a lot to live up to, and in some respects it is the reputation of its illustrious predecessor that takes away some of the sheen of this game. By no means is it bad, oh no far from it, this is without doubt the BEST game on the GBA by far.But I can't help comparing it to the SNES classic, and when you do that you come across the shortfalls. This game is EASY. I mean really easy, I completed it in 5 hrs 9 mins. But having said that, it was 5 hrs well spent.The game is much like many Nintendo games, you start off stripped of all the abilites you had from the previous game, and have to start building your character up again,

24.3.2003

I'll start off with a summary of my thoughts upon this game. It was amazing.I read magazines, and when told by several that this was a great game, I bought it. I had high hopes, but was pleasantly surprised by this neat little game. From the start, the graphics almost stun you. When compared next to something like Turok for the Game Boy, or even Tomb Raider, the graphical quality surpasses the best. It represents the location of the game exactly.The game introduces you to what's what gently. It will give you limited moves to start off with, but as you progress you gain better and stronger suit upgrades, which allow more weapons, such as the power bomb. Also, as you're playing the game,

20.5.2012

Metroid Fusion is probably the last 2D Metroid Game, well except Zero Mission which is a remake of the first one but still 2D Metroid goes out with a bang!!!In terms of controls the game play smoothly and you can move Samus to where you want to move her.The level design is of high Nintendo quality and is a over all incredibly fun gameThe soundtrack is okey not great just okay but some tracks really stand out, the graphics are impressive for earlyish gba title but are inferior to zero mission.The main difference between previous titles and Fusion is its linearity, which reduces the series staple of exploration.However this keeps the game more fast paced and action filled.Another addition is the SA-X who you meet several times is a powerful advisary that you can only flee,

15.12.2004

If you rush into Fusion expecting it to be a Mario clone... Don't. This is a cold and lonely game that will split gaming forums down the middle. I'm only giving 5 stars because it is my type of thing but if you want a 'twitch sensitive, chucking your character across the screen game' stick with Sonic, Mario or even Lady Sia if you really want. Without wrecking the story (there isn't much of one), Samus gets attacked by poorly named alien creature, becomes Fusion Samus, gets sent to research centre over the planet from original Metroids and has to check it out. As usual, everything goes wrong and Samus' life sucks. it's incredibly linear. Samus hates getting ordered around and so do I.

4.12.2002

Yes thats right, I said creeps. This game recapures the whole esence of Metroid (isolated, lots of bad guys, etc...). Now I wont reveal the story (even though its not that much of a story) In the start your caracter, Samus Aran, is infected by a virus called "X" and she is forced to try a vacine made of another parasite, actualy the universe's worst killer, a metroid, the creature Samus was hunting durring her last 3 adventures. Anyway in a snazzy new suit she travels to a space station where an explosion took place. At the begining of the game you are stripped of all your special powers, and must recover them, to face off against the X. The gameplay is good, if not a bit liniar,

13.11.2012

Metroid Fusion is one of the long line of brilliant games made by developer Intelligent Systems, who made not only the classic Super Metroid, but are responsible for the Fire Emblem, Wario Ware, Paper Mario and Advance Wars series.Ten years on, and it hasn't aged a drop. The music is distinct and still surprisingly well composed despite the limitations of the system. The graphics are crisp and colourful, and well animated. The gameplay itself is built off the formula of Super Metroid, with simplified controls being the most notable improvement. Despite this, it is one of the most original Metroids and refreshingly different, providing some of the series' most memorable moments.You can't go wrong with a classic!

18.5.2004

Probably one of the best single player games on the advance. A whole new Metroid adventure for nintendos hand held. It isn't as timeless or as classy as the Snes game, which some consider to be the greatest game ever created.It is best played it lengthy bursts, 20 to 40 minute sessions. Lots of jumping and shooting but mostly you'll be exploring, looking for ways forward. Normal baddies are easy kills, boss battles are epic and difficult.Lots of surprises, events and hidden areas. For it's running time, which is around 6-10 hours you'll be having fun. I've completed it twice and I'm still enjoying it, still looking for secrets.The plot text can be annoying and it doesn't have the atmosphere or the sheer class of the Snes game.

24.5.2003

Metroid fusion definatly is one of the best gba games. As they already lack shoot-em-up's(although they keep givin us platformers) it was a slightly new feel. The opening part wasok, a bit boring, but once more powers were regained, it became a pure fun game. Strangly,unlike most games of this genre, i found you could just pick it up and play it,e.g if you're playing halo you're running around under time limits and trying hard to beat the game so when you play it, every time is just to advance farther, unlike sports games where you can just play a level and muck around. I'm not saying the game's easy or you just run around aimlessly,

23.8.2009

having played through Zero Mission I was pretty hopeful for the latest of Samus Aran's adventures but oh boy was I undervaluing the game, simply put it is an excellent game, my favourite one for the GBA. The game plays really nicely being set upon a space station, where other games left you in the dark in this you were regularly kept up to date of your next objective and so it is a good game for new people to the series and youngsters alike. To collect all the pick ups you could easily rack up around 20 hours playtime and the game spans a sparse world, I cannot really reccomend this more to be honest, if you have a GBA then I see no reason why you should not give this a go,

13.12.2004

This is a fantastic game by nintendo.It is the 4th metroid game where samus encounters the X virus.From the very beggining of the game it will keep you thrilled with the tricky levels,excellent scenery and immence storyline.You will encouter destructive bosses and cool upgrades to your suit.Without ruining the storyline, you encounter the SA-X (a clone of yourself) with your original devestating power before you lose it at the beggining of the game.The SA-X tries to destroy you as you flee helplessly and the music builds tension.The graphics and scenery are ecxellent and you won't want to stop playing.The worst bits are the tough bosses and puzzles where You'll probably get stuck for ages.This

27.11.2002

In my opinion, Metroid Fusion is the greatest GBA game released so far, as you try to help Samus recover to full strength to take on the X parasites, in an all new game from the creaters of the original Metriods.Technically, the game runs with incredable speed, and it is very fluent in changing scenes and music.A lot of people were worried about the control methods for this game, but i can assure you that the button combinations used within this games are spot on, and very easy to get the hang of.This game is a definate must for all Metriod fans, and for GBA owners who like their platformers nice, fast, and with a good story behind them!

17.4.2004

Metroid Fusion is the pinnacle of a series. It's a work of art, or as close a 2-d platformer can get. Since playing it and realising it's greatness, I've played Metroid Prime, and two of it's predecessors, Metroid and Super Metroid. This is the best. Samus(the main character) responds as she should with p[erfect precision and the controls allow you to move as freely as you wish. However all great things must come to an end and this draws to it's conclusion all too quickly. But the candle that burns brightess is always the first to go out.

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