After the release of Super Metroid, the Metroid franchise went dormant for a single console generation. There were nearly ten years without a single new game. While I don't find an issue with this - I don't necessarily think franchises need to be alive - it definitely made returning to the property later down the line more difficult. Where do you go from Super Metroid, one of the most beloved games of all time?

Metroid bifurcated in 2002, two titles releasing on the same day. One propelled the franchise further into greater heights, and one allowed it to stagnate, intending on making "Super Metroid again".

Prime is "Super Metroid again." The overarching thematic narrative of the Metroid franchise is ignored here, a game sandwiched between Metroid 1 and 2 to tell a story that is largely irrelevant. With regards to canon, I don't care whether or not this game is a part of the "main story". What I do care about is that it is the beginning of Metroid as franchise, a narrative created outside of the risky thematic confines of the series thus far to make it easier to make more games. How do we make more Metroid games? We make Super Metroid again, but this time in 3D.

Samus once again has to defeat the Space Pirates and grow more powerful and satisfying over the course of the journey. Samus once again slaughters all that get in her way. Samus once again commits atrocities in the name of the Federation.

Metroid as franchise is rote and scary.

Reviewed on Feb 17, 2023


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6 months ago

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