Zero Punctuation: Metroid Other M

[Bek359]

So the best way to enjoy a game that's trying not to be an FPS is to play an FPS? Huh.

When was Samus established as having a "bold, independent spirit"? I don't remember that being mentioned at all in any of the games other than the fact that you, the player, are controlling her and she's completely alone. She blindly followed our orders even if it meant smacking into a wall repeatedly when our phones rang or falling into an acid pit when we mis-judged a jump she probably could have handled were she in control of her own body.

You never played Fusion, did you? She quite blatantly disobeys orders several times in the game, and when she's called out on it by her AI CO, she doesn't exactly apologize for it.

 

[Magmabear]

Oh yeah, I heard somewhere that it was Nintendo who wrote Other M. Team Ninja only did the gameplay and graphics. So I suppose that we can blame the bad writing from the creator himself (shockingly). I dunno, I'm gonna have to look into that somehow.

 

[WraithGadra]

Wow, I never thought I'd agree with Yahtzee regarding a Wii game. It's kind of neat that nearly everyone who dislikes Other M is making the same general complaints about it.

 

[GloatingSwine]

Oh my. Could this be one of the few times where people don't comment before watching the video?

IT'S A MIRACLE!

EDIT: "And it's a lot smaller and more linear than, say, Metroid Fusion"

I see what you did there

I do not. I remember metroid fusion being a 2d sidescroller for the gba but I don't get the joke.

OT moreso: He didn't review reach so I can only imagine he was dumbstruck by how good it was. (in joke). I bet his review of reach will be something I don't agree with (I like reach) but still ind hilariuos

Metroid Fusion was, at least before Other M came out, the most linear Metroid game.

And because it didn't have the stupid authorisation system you could still sequence break the fuck out of Fusion, and indeed it was specifically designed with rewards for those who did so. Yet another instance of the people making Other M not knowing the first thing about their likely audience.

The authorisation system is really not how Metroid is supposed to work, because the whole point of most Metroid games up to now has been player driven exploration. You find out how to get to places, you figure out what you need to do using the abilities you have, or what kind of ability you need to have, and then you go and look for it, and when you do you feel the accomplishment of having worked something out for yourself.

Also, if this was an attempt to introduce genuine depth and three dimensionality to Samus, they could at least have hired a voice actress and scriptwriter who were out of fucking high school drama class. The writing is shit and the delivery is leaden, it's like a bad '90s anime dub. That's probably the biggest insult to Samus' character, the fact they couldn't even be arsed to spend that extra few dollars and extra few days looking for a decent voice actress to portray her. (What, one of the most profitable games companies this generation can't afford Jennifer Hale any more?)

 

[Swifteye]

awesomem review yahtzee, i had a feeling this would be rather crap.

it appears most of the other reviewers are being extra special nice to it for some reason..

What other reviewers? I've been hearing almost everyone say bad things about this game. Gameinformer gave it a 6.5 and the reviewer here gave it a bad review too. the only one who hasn't is the game overthinker who is bias for nintendo.

 

[mjc0961]

The only problem here is that its recommended one play Metroid Prime instead, a game whose controls are also like reflecting bricks with ones head while wearing a brick earing. Whoever decided you should be nailed to the floor whenever you go into "look around the room for the enemies who aren't right in front of you" mode deserves a few bricks to the face of his own. Fights usually consist of some flying jackass coming out and getting free shots on you because you have to stand there in the open like an idiot trying to find him, until you finally do and can use the lock-on which allows you to move again.

Forget Metroid in general, I'm going to go play a series that's actually good.

(What, one of the most profitable games companies this generation can't afford Jennifer Hale any more?)

"I'm Samus and this is my favorite store on the Citadel"

 

[LWS666]

Damn, I was looking forward to getting this game eventually. Oh well, I just got Civilization V working this morning so I should be fine on games for the next 2 years.

civ v isn't released until friday, how'd you get it working?

 

[Aiddon_v1legacy]

The stronger emphasis on story was done to appeal to Japanese gamers, thus has Japanese ethics. Samus' respect for Adam comes from the Japanese having a lot of respect for their elders. Her dogged devotion to him is ordinary by Japanese standards, where devotion to your superiors is a fact of life. Calling the game out on these is culturally insensitive.
On a side note; it has been established that Samus was mentally traumatised as a child, given what happened to her why is anyone surprised she has issues?
With reference to the Ridley scene, Samus has ptsd related to Ridley. As a result of believing he was dead she was not ready to fight him and suffered an attack. An attack that is actually a fairly accurate presentation of ptsd. Personally I believe calling this out to be extremely insensitive to real people in real combat situations with ptsd.
I enjoyed playing this game and I agree that Samus' voice actor was wooden as all heck, but it was still fun to play.

I don't think it was actually designed to appeal specifically to the Japanese as Nintendo has never really been about keeping things to one culture. However, as the writer for the game WAS Sakamoto, let's face it, people from Japan are going to write in a way synonymous with Japanese culture as it's JUST HOW THEY ARE. I am getting more than a little sick of comments about the Japanese; it's starting to get outright RACIST.

And another thing I'd like to bring up is military protocol. Yeah, Samus may not be part of the army anymore, but the GF has jurisdiction over the Bottle Ship and they have EVERY right to refuse her access if they see fit. Adam allows her to participate as long as she follows orders which SOLDIERS HAVE TO DO. When you're in the armed forces you obey your CO, you carry out orders, and you don't make your problems the problems of others.

 

[VMerken]

For me, this game was an instant no after learning that it was outsourced to the makers of Boing. And definitely now that Yahtzee revealed that there's a gosh-darnit family theme in the game. Also, it appears that outsourced IPs in the industry rarely incorporate the spirit of the original and build from there to give us an equally worthy experience. The company who the game has been outsourced to simply has only a vague notion of what the game their extending actually is, and thus can only build from there, often within a tight deadline.

Of course exceptions exist, Metroid Prime 1 itself being a prime example since it took Metroid into 3D in a really well done way. In the future, I suspect Fallout: New Vegas will be good too since the "outsourced" made Fallout 1 & 2, and possibly Dead Rising 2 will be good as Inafune kept it close to the chest after Dark Void and Bionic Commando tanked. And naturally Case Zero was a solid appetiser from things to come. But, you know what they say: it's the exceptions that prove the rule.

Pity this, because I really liked the Primes, especially parts one and two. Therefore, good review, let's see what friday will bring.

 

[GloatingSwine]

As a result of believing he was dead she was not ready to fight him and suffered an attack.

Why should Samus possibly believe that Ridley is dead? She's beat his ass down four times now and yet he keeps coming back. It's more of a surprise when Ridley doesn't turn up yet again. Quite frankly by now it should be him that suffers PTSD. The Space Pirates are already piss scared of Samus and shit a collective brick whenever she shows up. (seen in the scannable logs in the Prime games)

 

[Sir Prize]

Well, I saw this one coming!
I don't think anyone can call it a good game.
Off-topic: Just finished Mogworld, excellent!

 

[shogunblade]

Surprisingly, this is one of those games that nobody really seemed to give a positive line about: There was that one member of the Escapist who said it wasn't that good, X-play said it wasn't very good, and Yahtzee. It says to me that Team Ninja just know how to create interesting "Visuals" ("You may not yet caress my daughter's Awesome Bew-Bidge") but not much else.... oh yeah, and incredibly difficult ninja games.

All's that aside, a good review.

and I don't think Yahtzee is going to retire, but I have a feeling that he might announce the "Quantum Theory Contest Winners". Yeah, probably not his thing, or maybe he'll do a special review and take next wednesday off, he's certainly allowed to do whatever he wants, but retiring... I don't think so. Think about it, he did say he will have to re-review Duke Nukem Forever, that's next year. We've got him until 2011.

I won't say much more than that, but here is hoping.

 

[Cherry Cola]

I'm still pretty positive on it being a joke. One of those subtle ones that not everyone can catch. He's had a few of them, so this being one doesn't seem that far-fetched

Well then, can you explain the joke to me because I don't really get it.

Well, as I said, Fusion was the most linear Metroid game before Other M, and it got a little flack for it by some (heavy emphasis on the little). Games before Fusion, like Super Metroid, put you in the game and then let you find all upgrades and power-ups by yourself, find your way through the game by yourself and so on and so on. Fusion had a much stronger "Go do this, go do that" feel than previous games.

Of course, as GloatingSwine pointed out, Fusion became much more open towards the end of the game when you had all the power-ups and could go scout for upgrades, but the fact that it started of very linear is what I think Yahtzee had in mind when saying that Other M was more linear than Fusion.

I could be wrong though. Who knows? Well, Yahtzee does, but he isn't going to point it out.

 

[BlueInkAlchemist]

Since game one when she was a space mercenary that kicked ass and took names without ever having a single order barked in her ear.

Other than the ones we barked into her ear through the use of a controller, you mean.

So you've never played the game yet you're sucking its meat regardless. Here's a towel so you can clean all that Nintendo wank off your chin.

How am I "sucking its meat" by pointing out a flaw I saw in the arguments that Samus Aran as a character had been completely derailed? I fail to see the connection between looking for clarification as to the source of all this nerdrage and wrapping my lips around the nearest Wiimote.

 

[Turbo_ski]

sorry yahtzee, bob's argument makes more sense to me in this case then your does, so it looks like i'm gonna get this one
http://screwattack.com/videos/TGO-Episode-40-Heavens-to-Metroid

Except Bob incredibly biased towards Nintendo. Calling him an Nintendo fanboi is an understatement in that regard.

 

[Atmos Duality]

And another thing I'd like to bring up is military protocol. Yeah, Samus may not be part of the army anymore, but the GF has jurisdiction over the Bottle Ship and they have EVERY right to refuse her access if they see fit. Adam allows her to participate as long as she follows orders which SOLDIERS HAVE TO DO. When you're in the armed forces you obey your CO, you carry out orders, and you don't make your problems the problems of others.

There's military discipline...and then there's blind retardation.
Asking someone to run through a burning building is one thing. Asking them to do it naked for absolutely no reason, is another.

 

[David_G]

Oh my. Could this be one of the few times where people don't comment before watching the video?

IT'S A MIRACLE!

EDIT: "And it's a lot smaller and more linear than, say, Metroid Fusion"

I see what you did there

I didn't. Can you explain? Disregard this, I suck cocks. (Didn't see the other post you made.)
Well, I don't make a habit out of posting in ZP videos, because of the magnitude of posts that get made, it's really unlikely that someone will see your post, but, anyway, great review, really did make me laugh at some points.

 

[repeating integers]

Oh my. Could this be one of the few times where people don't comment before watching the video?

IT'S A MIRACLE!

EDIT: "And it's a lot smaller and more linear than, say, Metroid Fusion"

I see what you did there

I do not. I remember metroid fusion being a 2d sidescroller for the gba but I don't get the joke.

OT moreso: He didn't review reach so I can only imagine he was dumbstruck by how good it was. (in joke). I bet his review of reach will be something I don't agree with (I like reach) but still ind hilariuos

Metroid Fusion was, at least before Other M came out, the most linear Metroid game.

Yes, but Metroid Fusion was awesome and shame on anyone who does not believe it to be so.

I'm glad this wasn't a review of Halo: Reach, since any review he did of that game would undoubtedly be negative... and may run the risk of turning me against Yahtzee forever. <3 Reach.

In other news, I wonder what the special ZP will be about. I'm certainly hoping it won't be him announcing the end of the series, as this is just too entertaining. Still, it's all mysterious, making me a bit tense.

 

[historybuff]

Nice job, Team Ninja. Jerkoffs.

 

[BlueInkAlchemist]

So the best way to enjoy a game that's trying not to be an FPS is to play an FPS? Huh.

When was Samus established as having a "bold, independent spirit"? I don't remember that being mentioned at all in any of the games other than the fact that you, the player, are controlling her and she's completely alone. She blindly followed our orders even if it meant smacking into a wall repeatedly when our phones rang or falling into an acid pit when we mis-judged a jump she probably could have handled were she in control of her own body.

This sounds so much like so many other arguments against Other M I'm wondering if Yahtzee either got bored with the ZP enterprise now that his novel's out or has just been too busy to form salient points that he's cribbed notes from other sources. Not that I myself would ever do such a thing [http://gameoverthinker.blogspot.com/2010/09/episode-40-heavens-to-metroid.html].

Funny? Yes. Accurate? No idea. I'm too poor to own a Wii. But I find myself kinda confused by all of the hatred. Maybe it's just me.

To be fair, in Metroid Fusion her personality was rather bold and independent. It starts with her going on a mission to inspect a space station that's gone silent, but when she realizes that the place is crawling with creatures that can kill and then clone living organisms, and that the government wants them for weapons, she abandons her mission AND defies her partner AI (which is hinted at to actually be Adam) so that she can destroy the space station.

But mostly I think that when people say her personality is bold and independent, they are only trying to give more power behind the fact that Samus was one of the first iconic female badasses in gaming, and she didn't need a personality because by that time, most badasses didn't need personalities to be badass (Like the majority of 80s action films). Giving her a personality wasn't needed, because Samus wasn't supposed to be a deep character, she was supposed to be a badass without personality, showing that the role of badass wasn't exclusive to men.

Now, I'm not saying that they shouldn't add more depth to her. On the contrary, not adding depth to her would be stupid. But you can add depth to a character without taking away the badassness. What Other M did was take away the feeling that Samus was a super-badass. She was too dependent on other characters, she froze still when facing Ridley, and all that other stuff people complain about.

I guess what I'm trying to say is that while Samus didn't have much of a personality before Other M, her character still made a statement: Women can be equally as awesome as men. And Other M took away that statement.

Metroid Fusion is still the best Metroid game in the series for me, because that game managed to add some more depth to Samus while keeping her a badass.

Thank you for responding intelligently to my question rather than taking refuge in the idea of me being a Nintendo fanboy or saying I like getting it down the throat from their marketing department. I'll ask you a question pursuant to this in PM, because this has gone on long enough. We're not talking about the review any more at this point.

Which was funny. I guess.