Zero Mission is a remake of the NES classic Metroid with updated graphics and controls inspired by the later Metroid entries. The result just didn't hit the spot for me, it at once feels too similar to Super Metroid but lacks the polish to live up to it making for an overall inferior reimagining of the first Metroid.
The graphics are modernised but the world feels so much more generic despite essentially taking place in the exact same locale. All areas have either polished metal panels or rocky interiors with only a couple of exceptions and lighting differences between them. Every region feels samey and it lacks the character of Super's grimy aged textures, not to mention the environmental variety and the way the world changed and reacted to your progress. It's a shame that ZM diminishes the stark visual upgrade Super provided despite being a newer game on more powerful hardware.
I found the worst part of the game was the controls. The difference between jumps and summersaults, missiles as a hold instead of switch, moving in and out of ball mode, jumping out of ledge grabs, wall jumping, and timing for space jumps all combine to make the controls feel inconsistent and over complicated. It was like the controls eroded over the course of the game as every new mechanic compounded the issue. The unexplained shinespark mechanics were the point I gave up my hunt for collectibles and finished the game. I never had these issues with Super and maybe it's just how the levels are arranged but ZM just feels sticky, stiff, and rigid as no movement smoothly transitions.
The new pirate ship area was the least inspired part of the whole experience, introducing a new extra rocky area, a new metal panel area, and a very forced stealth section. It's clear that they didn't want to stray far from the Super formula with this one and they don't take any risks. The puzzles, item placement, level design, and mechanics are all very samey but without any of the character from Super. Even the bosses are either 1 to 1 repeats of what's come before or unimaginative big bug encounters that are easily forgotten.
While I've laid out a lot of harsh criticism that's not to say that ZM isn't a perfectly playable platformer. The majority of gameplay is fine and the control issues are circumstantial. It's a good game I just didn't feel like it was a good Metroid game and even then I seem to be in the minority. If you're looking for more of that style of gameplay ZM is going to mostly scratch the itch, just don't expect any wild innovation.
The graphics are modernised but the world feels so much more generic despite essentially taking place in the exact same locale. All areas have either polished metal panels or rocky interiors with only a couple of exceptions and lighting differences between them. Every region feels samey and it lacks the character of Super's grimy aged textures, not to mention the environmental variety and the way the world changed and reacted to your progress. It's a shame that ZM diminishes the stark visual upgrade Super provided despite being a newer game on more powerful hardware.
I found the worst part of the game was the controls. The difference between jumps and summersaults, missiles as a hold instead of switch, moving in and out of ball mode, jumping out of ledge grabs, wall jumping, and timing for space jumps all combine to make the controls feel inconsistent and over complicated. It was like the controls eroded over the course of the game as every new mechanic compounded the issue. The unexplained shinespark mechanics were the point I gave up my hunt for collectibles and finished the game. I never had these issues with Super and maybe it's just how the levels are arranged but ZM just feels sticky, stiff, and rigid as no movement smoothly transitions.
The new pirate ship area was the least inspired part of the whole experience, introducing a new extra rocky area, a new metal panel area, and a very forced stealth section. It's clear that they didn't want to stray far from the Super formula with this one and they don't take any risks. The puzzles, item placement, level design, and mechanics are all very samey but without any of the character from Super. Even the bosses are either 1 to 1 repeats of what's come before or unimaginative big bug encounters that are easily forgotten.
While I've laid out a lot of harsh criticism that's not to say that ZM isn't a perfectly playable platformer. The majority of gameplay is fine and the control issues are circumstantial. It's a good game I just didn't feel like it was a good Metroid game and even then I seem to be in the minority. If you're looking for more of that style of gameplay ZM is going to mostly scratch the itch, just don't expect any wild innovation.