I feel somewhat wrong for not enjoying Metroid Prime as much as many others.
Don't get me wrong, I think that it's still good, but not great and it is not holy grail of gaming or something like that. For nearly every good game design choice there is a bad one.
The feeling of interconnection in every location is admirable, but sometimes backtracking seems excessive even for the Metroid game (hello, Magmoor Caverns, can't stand your theme anymore) due to lower movement speed (sort of fixable by further upgrades). Some levels are too short and not remarkable enough, but Phendrana Drifts is amazing and it is the whole reason to play the game for me. It was great from start to finish. Some moments can be too frustrating, like save point locations in Phazon Mines. Or platforming and enemy placement in the final location. "Rinse and repeat" patterns of bosses and their bulletspongy "nature" seem like a chore (the boss from Phendrana Drifts is an exception to that).
Also I hate artifact collection with a passion. It is the game prolongation for the sake of prolongation, nothing more. MP won't lose anything without it. Controls are pretty outdated and even bad. Tank controls are so unfitting for a first person game with platforming, even with lock-on. If you plan to play it for the first time, don't repeat my mistake and play Switch version or Trilogy one with Primehack.
But in its best moments Prime clicks and can be intriguing. Lost architecture motivates to explore more and learn about Chozo's lore. Puzzles can be pretty engaging (especially those in the Furnace and Mines). There are some interesting choices with beam vulnerabilities of monsters. Nearly every single Morph Ball segment is satisfying and fun (especially those which require to use boost ball). Sense of isolation of the franchise is spot on in this game. Presentation is top notch, visuals are still amazing with stylized hud, visors, weather effects, lighting. OST is pretty good (except, once again, Magmoor Caverns) and helps to set the mood of the game.
If dozens of issues did not exist, I would consider Metroid Prime as a masterpiece, but that's not the case.
Don't get me wrong, I think that it's still good, but not great and it is not holy grail of gaming or something like that. For nearly every good game design choice there is a bad one.
The feeling of interconnection in every location is admirable, but sometimes backtracking seems excessive even for the Metroid game (hello, Magmoor Caverns, can't stand your theme anymore) due to lower movement speed (sort of fixable by further upgrades). Some levels are too short and not remarkable enough, but Phendrana Drifts is amazing and it is the whole reason to play the game for me. It was great from start to finish. Some moments can be too frustrating, like save point locations in Phazon Mines. Or platforming and enemy placement in the final location. "Rinse and repeat" patterns of bosses and their bulletspongy "nature" seem like a chore (the boss from Phendrana Drifts is an exception to that).
Also I hate artifact collection with a passion. It is the game prolongation for the sake of prolongation, nothing more. MP won't lose anything without it. Controls are pretty outdated and even bad. Tank controls are so unfitting for a first person game with platforming, even with lock-on. If you plan to play it for the first time, don't repeat my mistake and play Switch version or Trilogy one with Primehack.
But in its best moments Prime clicks and can be intriguing. Lost architecture motivates to explore more and learn about Chozo's lore. Puzzles can be pretty engaging (especially those in the Furnace and Mines). There are some interesting choices with beam vulnerabilities of monsters. Nearly every single Morph Ball segment is satisfying and fun (especially those which require to use boost ball). Sense of isolation of the franchise is spot on in this game. Presentation is top notch, visuals are still amazing with stylized hud, visors, weather effects, lighting. OST is pretty good (except, once again, Magmoor Caverns) and helps to set the mood of the game.
If dozens of issues did not exist, I would consider Metroid Prime as a masterpiece, but that's not the case.