
Engadget has been speaking to Metroid Prime: Federation Force producer Kensuke Tanabe about the game, its origins and how it plays. While the title has gained a lot of hate from various parties online, it's actually shaping up to be a very interesting team-based shooter - and it would appear that its inception can be tied in directly with a recent Nintendo hardware launch.
Tanabe explains that the idea to create Federation Force happened when he saw the New Nintendo 3DS system:
The last game in the Prime series was in 2007. It's been a while. When I heard about the New 3DS, with the C-stick, it would be ideal for a shooter. I thought: "It'd be great to have a Prime title to launch alongside the new hardware."

The idea to develop a new Metroid Prime title came along with the New 3DS, with controls suited to the title. Ideally, the plan was for the game to arrive alongside the hardware but, well, it's a little late!
It would seem that while Federation Force uses the C-Stick, it's not exclusive to the New Nintendo 3DS console - Nintendo hasn't said so in any of the press materials relating to the game so far. Presumably the Circle Pad Pro will be supported, or there will be alternative control methods - such as using the touchscreen for aiming, for example.
Metroid Prime 2's multiplayer was another inspiration, and Tanabe answers that most burning of questions: why isn't famed bounty hunter Samus in the game?
In Metroid Prime 2, we included multiplayer, but here we wanted to focus on the co-op aspect. But then, if we have four "Samuses", that would be odd. And that's where the Galactic Federation came in. Controlling the game, and in terms of how it feels, it feels like a Metroid Prime game.
He also goes into a little more detail about how the game works, and talks about the weapon load-out system:
However this time there's a "load-out" system: players start with a basic mech [the controllable robot suit in Federation Force] But before a mission starts, you can choose what weapons to load into it. There are certain powerful weapons you can bring, like a "super missile" which comes with a heavy weight penalty. We tried to create a balance with these load-outs that would decide your role in a squad, similar to a role-playing game, with wizards, warriors and healers. [As you play, you can collect] mods for these mechs. Even if you fail in a mission, you'll receive some of these upgrades.
Finally, the producer reveals that at one point, a Wii U version was on the cards, but limited development resources meant that idea had to be shelved:
If I'm honest, we did look into a Wii U version. However, we had to consider the resources it would take, what teams to devote for a Wii U game.
Are you still angry about Federation Force, or have Tanabe's words soothed you a little? Let us know by posting a comment.
[source engadget.com]
Comments 153
The more I know about this game, the more I wish it would be out sooner.... and have a Wii U version to follow!
Couldn't they easily have just had one Samus and then three of the Federation Force mechs?
I must say, the more details the better this title sounds and it already sounded pretty good.
@Shiryu
Me too! I trust Nintendo and Next Level Games to put out a fun game.
I trust next level, just figured this would be better on wii u given controls. 3DS is odd fit for hardware.
From what I saw in the Treehouse video it looks incredibly chaotic and fun. I'm definitely looking forward to it.
That's like saying it would be odd to have four links in four swords adventures. It's an easy thing to work around. Samus was duplicated 4 times due to an alien relic, and to reverse it you must journey through the worlds of a Metroid Prime.
Game looks like the best Metroid game in a long time. People need to stop complaining. You didn't buy enough copies of MP 1,2,3 or Other M. So stop begging for Samus. She's sadly further proof MOST Of the time, female leads in games don't sell.
@jeb_leeds It actually makes good sense. WiiU got its FPS - Splatoon. 3DS needed one too.
@XCWarrior
...I don't think there's any kind of causation between Samus being female and Metroid games not selling.
@XCWarrior Telling people they didn't buy enough copies isn't going to work. I own MP 1,2,3, Hunters Trilogy (disc and VC) and Other M. Also all of those games (other than Hunters and Trilogy) sold over a million copies.
@XCWarrior Splatoon is not an FPS.
@Shiryu I wasn't really sure what to think when I first saw it, but the Treehouse stream did get me interested in it. And with possible ties to Metroid Prime 4/Sylux, I really want to find out what happens.
Having 4 Samusus would be odd hahah
While Link has had 4 and 3 at the same time -_-
Once we have confirmation on C-Stick (it sounds like it is pretty likely) controls, then I'll be totally sold! This is the type of game that could really benefit from the extra power of the New 3DS (but it is understandable that they made playable on all 3DS models!)
@Nintendo_Ninja Difference being Zelda is in a world of magic. Plus I hated the four Links... or even the three Links with Triforce Heroes. Why do you need them to be Links??? sigh.
@Nintendo_Ninja Difference being Zelda is in a world of magic. Plus I hated the four Links... or even the three Links with Triforce Heroes. Why do you need them to be Links??? sigh.
@Nintendo_Ninja Difference being Zelda is in a world of magic. Plus I hated the four Links... or even the three Links with Triforce Heroes. Why do you need them to be Links??? sigh.
Nintendo sure loves FPS these days...As if that will bring all those COD players to 3DS.
The reaction to this game is totally uncalled for. Yes, it's a weird entry into a beloved franchise, and a long way from the original feel, but Next Level Games almost always delivers fun games. Nobody complains that Samus in in Smash Bros, yet that's a long way from the original feel too. Just try to keep everything in perspective here - Fun games are worth playing.
Samus, Dark Samus, SA-X, Gandrayda Samus?
Oh c'mon. Prime Hunters on DS and Echoes multiplayer had multiple...
Nope I'm done.
@yokokazuo Me too, I hope the game shifts with a robust single player campaign.
Didn't we get Ironfall earlier this year already?
I like the look of this game a proper FPS for 3ds!
Must suck to be this guy, producing a game that no one wants. lol
@Locke159 yes, but that was part of the game's overall story, not to mention that link is a completely different character than Samus. Samus has always traveled solo it wouldn't really match her defined character.
I'm sure it will be a fun game. But why did they brand it Metroid Prime? They should've made it a new IP.
@DBPirate then itd be a fight over who got Samus.
Yeah im still upset. I think federatioj force will be a fi e game bit its absolutely a damning sign that no "actual" Metroid experiece is nigh. That just upsets me.
The more I see of it the more I want three things from this title: A proper Single-Player Story mode (complete with Prime staples like scanning to add entries in a logbook), a Competitive Multiplayer mode (deathmatch, battle royale, whatever you want to call it), and for Blast Ball to be fun as hell.
I think the bad reaction to this will die down, eventually. I think if it had been called Federation Force, or 'From the world of Metroid: Galactic Federation Force', then the reaction would have been much more positive. Yes, there still would have been some backlash over not showing a 'true' Metroid game, but I think fans would have taken it more positively. Even Metroid: Federation Force would have created less anger. I'm willing to give Next Level Games the benefit of the doubt here, as, I'll admit, I wasn't best impressed by the show, in the direct aftermath, but having slept on it, I'm feeling much more positive. There's still hope for a Wii U Main series Metroid yet.
Animal Crossing: Amiibo Party, on the other hand... Well, no rebranding of that would have helped it. It looks like a cheap, £10 max Eshop game, and I really hope they brand it as that. I do however, have a theory, that the two Animal Crossing spinoffs will feed into a main game in some way. It just seems a bit weird, with the timings of them...
I still feel like this would have been received so much better if they would have at least announced during the Direct that this fills a gap while "Metroid Prime 4" is in the works. Not every Nintendo character needs to be cute and cuddly. Samus is that one character that definitely shouldn't be.
I only hope there's a significant single player mode. If there is (maybe with some way to give commands to your squad), I'll be all in.
@Aromaiden its a spinoff game, or doesn't matter who is on it. Ridley could be there for all it matters
Glad to see that some people are lightening up as for the rest, especially the people who signed the change petition, need to stop acting so childish
I can't be mad at anyone who is working hard to create games for the empty desert of Nintendo. I just don't under why they would spend so much time and resources creating a 1st person shooter on a platform that (even with New 3DS C-Stick) isn't made for great 1st person shooters. Why not develop a new 2D Metroid game that can play well on the 3DS controls and breathe fresh life into the franchise?
@Hachiko @DBPirate They could have easily gone the same route as Metal Gear Solid: Peace Walker.
In that game, you could have 4 player Co-Op, and everyone could be Snake. However, in game when looking at your partners, they all look like one of your MSF troops. You would always see yourself as Snake if you selected Snake, but on your screen, your partners aren't Snake, and on their screen, they are Snake and you aren't.
Same thing could have worked here.
Do people really think that the problem here is the missing Samus? Holy crap!
I'm sure the game will be pretty good. It's just the metroid prime. no. just don't put the name on it if its NOT a proper metroid game. It's like I would do "The legend of Zelda : Hyrule Soldier football". would be horrible
ANd now someone is gonna tell me they are interested in this concept. lol.
I lol'd hard when the producer said having four Samus' would be "odd". Odd would be how I describe the entire game so far.
It's the same gripe here that I had with Other M. It's not necessarily a bad game or concept, just don't call it a Metroid game is all.
the anger is real and it seems investors are taking note. just look at nintendo's stock
Hey guys remember when Pokemon was a race game? When Zelda became a Dynasty Warriors? When Toad got his own game without Mario? When Kirby was caught in an explosion next to a yarn shop?
Yeah...all of those games. Different from the original formula. Some, without their main heroes, and those games were okay. Some great. At least its letting us play as a whole faction of metroid soldiers to play with. It looks fun, so get over it.
@DBPirate Well, no one would want to play with a Federation... employee. Or whatever they're called.
I'm not mad, just a little disappointed. Honestly if I knew we were getting a Metroid spin-off I'd have liked to see the Hunters returned. They had really cool designs and in my opinion were much more interesting than bland Federation Marines. I don't think the game looks bad, but I would've liked to see something that looks and feels a little more like Metroid
Would they make Mario Bros without Mario?
It might be interesting but they really should have had Samus in. Even worse who are the main characters are they just generic nobody's ? Wasted opportunity to develop new characters. Metroid Prime Hunters had great looking new Bounty Hunters so what happened.
@AyeHaley
How do you know it won't? It also might deter new players away from COD.
COD sucks in my opinion.
@Hachiko It's not a different formula. It's a spin-off. dude. Metroid...whre? samus, exploration, stroyline. Don't tell me that if you removed everything from zelda to make it a platformer, "its a different formula". if you want a game that is so different frome a said series, do another IP.
@Nintendo_Ninja
...
Seriously? Do you think people would be happy with that?!
I've calmed down a lot since yesterday and have decided just to take it as a new Hunters style game (a game which I quite enjoyed) so hopefully it will be quite good, I trust Next Level to create a good game.
Also I had a thought: at the beginning of Prime Hunters it shows short scenes of all the hunters and the Sylux one has Federation troopers encountering him on some icy-looking planet. Could this game lead to that scene? If it does it could be a good way to lead to Prime 4 and with all the talk of Sylux from Tanabe it could be possible.
@CrimsonZA They have New Super Luigi U
@doomgc
The legend of Zelda : Hyrule Soldier football sounds awesome!! That's probably why a new Mario Strikers isn't out yet! Or did you mean american football? If that's the case, look out Madden fans!!!
Who cares if Samus is in it!? It's not like you can tell the difference! (Unless this is Other M) This guy doesn't owe anybody an explanation, too many whiny Metroid fans. It's made by Next Level which is sad because they didn't deserve the reaction this game got. Im sure this will be a good, if not great game.
@Hachiko
The problem is think is that those game series haven't been dormant for so long. Everyone knows Pokemon comes out constantly and therefore people were ok with the spinoff. Metroid on the other hand has not had a game come out for a long time (longer if you think other m was not good)
Here's an odd thing though, next level games already has cool concept art for a Metroid title. Why pour resources into this instead of making a traditional Metroid?
@beautifulstrong screw it. Let's make this Hyrule Soldier football (soccer) happen. where did I put Miyamoto's phone number?
That said I think this will be a decent game but this was not the right place to announce it at
@Locke159 It most definitely does matter. The game may be a spin-off, but it carries significance. The game is meant to portray the Federation Force present in the Metroid universe. So it makes perfect sense to utilize them in the game, and Samus herself has never really been a character who requires a team, considering she prefers the solo route.
The game itself, will help provide greater depth to the universe. Not to mention that it will also provide set up for the future events in the Metroid series, and will probably help lead into the next game in the series. Does that really appear like a soulless cash grab.
Samus is such a symbolic character, why would anyone desire her to be in a spin-off, when she could be saved for the main game. I honestly have faith in Next Level.
Okay, I eased up pretty quickly after seeing this game on Treehouse, but man everybody is now telling everyone that was upset to be glad with what we got... but we wanted a Metroid game that looked glamorous and atmospheric, exploring huge deserted space stations or planets... The problem is not this game, it looks fun, but it's that Nintendo doesn't seem to want to give us what we really want this year... We wanted to be proud Wii U owners, but it's kinda hard when Nintendo doesn't seem to stand behind us in the coming year...
This game looks like it could have been rendered on a regular DS almost. Metroid prime deserves a better art style. If Xenoblade Chronicles could be rendered on 3ds, so could a legit metroid prime game.
I do think Federation Force looks alright, but there is still no justifying for making it a Metroid Prime game. Sure, it may FEEL like one, but if you're going to have a spin off, at least have the main character of the franchise the main character.
Looks fun to me, not disappointed if Samus isn't there, games did this sort of thing before and they weren't bad, now to get a team!
Am I the only one not minding a spinoff of a metroid game espically if it has online multiplayer?
I think nintendo needs to start asking its fan base what it wants. I would have released this game after i released a main franchise game for Metroid. When nintendo gets out of the console business and allows other studios tonwork on their franchise, then we may actually get to see what is capable of this franchise.
@Atlantidas I am a proud Wii U owner. I can't wait to play Star Fox Zero, Xenoblade Chronicles X, Super Mario Maker, Yoshi's Woolly World, Devil's Third, Fatal Frame IV and Zelda next year. I am happy with the games coming out for the 3DS like Happy Home Designer, Pokemon Super Mystery Dungeon, Project X Zone 2, Legend of Zelda TriForce Heroes, Fire Emblem Fates, Mario & Luigi Paper Jam and Hyrule Warriors Legends. Plus I will probably even get this game. So tell me again how Nintendo isn't standing behind us. Yes we didn't get everything we want but when is life fair? Nintendo can't make everyone happy, no gaming company can.
No having 4 Samus' would be cooller than these wannabes
People are bringing up things like Hyrule Warriors, Captain Toad, and Pokemon Dash.
But this is nothing like those games. It's not a title where you get to play as one of the other well-established larger-than-life characters from a franchise.
It's an opportunity to play as the faceless mooks that get slaughtered by the bucketload by other cannon-fodder mooks. It's an opportunity to play as people that Other M and Fusion told us were evil, but a really inept and boring type of evil.
And "formula-changers" like Hyrule Warriors, Captain Toad, and Pokemon Dash didn't come out right after something as poorly received and deeply divisive as Other M.
People were accepting of Hunters and Metroid Pinball because those games came out when the Metroid franchise was in good shape. This really isn't a good time for a game focusing on faceless Federation goons playing space soccer.
Yes, four Samuses would be very odd. But you know what's even more odd: NO Samus!
For hell's sake, this just proves that Metroid is a terrible choice for a co-op multiplayer game, nothing else! You screwed it up, Next Level Games, and I saw it coming!
@doomgc It sounds like you haven't played Zelda II.
I'm glad I'm reading some more positive comments related to this game. It really does look fun to play. And while it's not the Metroid Prime people wanted, I'm sure Metroid Prime Pinball wasn't either.
I'm honestly hoping that from this game we might establish more characters that can represent Metroid in the next Smash.
Looks good to me. I can't believe the fit so many threw. It's not supposed to be like the main series. Just have fun with it if you can.
@D1Puck1T How about formula changers like Tingle's Rosie Rupeeland or Warioware Mega Microgames? I honestly hated the thought of Wario microgames until I played it. That's why we probably need to reserve some hate for these faceless redshirts until we play the game...
@DBPirate or even better, one of the many other bounty hunters from Corruption or Hunters. At least they had personality, as opposed to "Generic Space Police - Yellow"
@Samuel-Flutter
Tingle and Warior were not faceless mooks. You said it yourself - they're nameless redshirts, and the fact that you get a team of them with the same faceless helmets doesn't bode well for them having a speck of personality. Moreover, Warioware and Tingle's Rosie Rupeeland came out when the Mario and Zelda games were in good shape. Right now Metroid is badly in need of a strong game to repair the damage to the franchise's name done by Other M. A Space Soccer game where you get to play as subpar stormtrooper knockoffs is not what the doctor ordered.
gonna have to get a new 3ds xl finally.
I hope that by the time this game launches next year heads will have cooled and people will be more willing to judge this game on its own merits as opposed to just being furious that its not a "real" Metroid Prime game.
@AhabSpampurse Agreed.
@Hachiko @VeeFlamesNL Fair points. They could've just done what @Knuckles or @AhabSpampurse said though.
@D1Puck1T So if Samus makes a cameo in this game you would be satisfied? Would you like a rushed and bad Metroid game starring Samus? Just out of curiosity if it was a game starring all the characters that died in Other M would you be pleased?
@Samuel-Flutter You seem to be trying very hard to convince me that I'm being unreasonable for thinking that a soccer game about generic footsoldiers was not what Nintendo should've done with Metroid after Other M was so badly received that Reggie had to admit it was a failure in interview and say that Nintendo was looking into what went wrong.
You can stop. I'm pretty firmly committed to thinking they dropped the (morph) ball with this. Maybe the gameplay will be stellar, but nothing is going to change the fact that the timing is abysmal and the choice of playable characters is remarkably dull.
Metroid Prime is my all-time favorite game but I'm cool with this. Don't know whether I'm gonna buy this or not since multiplayer is not exactly my thing but it does look kinda fun. Bland but fun. Now with the current generation being fully on the 3DS starts to look kinda weak no matter how much I love the lil guy :/
Y'know, if they released a demo, which shouldn't be hard, maybe that could alleviate some of the rage(myself included) against this game...
"It'd be great to launch a new Prime title alongside new hardware."
Great, then why isn't there a Metroid for the Wii U? Complete BS.
Also, I just thought of something... Nintendo just Rockman Xover'd this franchise!!
I fully expect this game to be good, even if it's not what fans wanted. I hope the disappointment that it wasn't a true Metroid Prime on the Wii U doesn't hurt it too much, but I don't think Federations will ever fully overcome it.
4 Samuses, how odd! ::Goes back to playing an 8-player Samus vs. Samus vs. Samus vs. Samus vs. Samus vs. Samus vs. Samus vs. Samus match in Super Smash Bros.::
@D1Puck1T You seem to be trying very hard to be convinced that this game is just a soccer game, so I can stop. It would be very hard to have a reasonable discussion if you aren't aware of all the facts. Maybe some other time.
@Samuel-Flutter
They gave roughly equal time to Blast Ball, and the fact that they're trying to make this into "two games in one" is also a problem. Making a game focusing on the uninteresting generic NPCs was a strange move to begin with, devoting some of the development resources to also including a second game? That's downright bizarre.
@D1Puck1T I really don't understand the point of Blast Ball myself. I was thinking it was more akin to them saying, "Hey remember that game they played at the NEC this game has it." That it was something like Kirby fighters or DeDeDe Drumdash from Kirby Triple Deluxe.
No Blast Ball doesn't look interesting to me, but (hopefully) the main game Federation Force looks quite the Blast. (Pun intended)
@Haiassai
I like the multiple Links and you don't have to write it 3 times to get your point though?
Game looks fun. Metroid Prime branding and the way it was revealed was a mistake. Would have been nice on Wii U. We sort of have this game, of course, in Nintendo Land and with several players it's a blast. (ahem). People are just wishing we had the atmosphere, the exploration, the isolation and this game has none and yet bears the Metroid name. It's problematic. I hope the game overcomes that a bit.
My individual issue is that I just don't like playing on the 3DS that much. I'd so much rather have every single game I like on it playable on Wii U instead. :/
@DBPirate Exactly, I believe they did something similar in Kid Icarus Uprising. (though it's been a while since I used its online ) I think it was 3v3 battles (not unlike Blast Ball...) and one player would be Pit or Dark Pit.
I don't know much about the Metroid Prime Hunters games, but I also don't see why they couldnt just use those characters to be selectable. Either way, the Federation troops look very ugly and bland so far.
@KirbyKirbyKirby that was a submission error
Why is it so big of a deal that Samus be in a multiplayer? I don't understand. I get why somebody could be angry that a different company entirely isn't making a completely different game that they wanted. I at least understand how somebody could develop those emotions. But multiplayer modes in Call of Duty or Halo have you playing nameless soldiers and space marines. I'm no expert at the Halo series, but I think a lot of people liked the game where you play as the Spartans. There is precedent for this and most fans don't respond this way? I mean, no developer could ever predict that people would be upset that the player character in a first person, multiplayer spin-off game isn't 4 clones of the player character in other games in the series. I'm cutting Next Level Games some slack on that thing that they couldn't possibly predict and I couldn't possibly care about.
Because it's not a Metroid game, they are using the name just to sell whatever this is
@XCWarrior
Splatoon isn't even an FPS, it's third person.
@carlos82 The words "Metroid" and "sell" on the same phrase does not compute.
If this game would have been announced alongside a WiiU Version/Title, there would be NO backlash at all, but people, including me are pissed because it's not what we've asked for... at all... Imagine if you go at a restaurent and you order a meal, but instead you get a dessert, even if its the best dessert ever, its not what you're hungry for, so of course you're gonna be mad...
@Scizor711 nor does "Metroid" "Prime" and "IV" unfortunately
I never hated on this game. I think it looks great. I just wish they weren't calling it Metroid. Just as I wish they weren't calling Amiibo Festival Animal Crossing.
I am ashamed at the reactions yesterday,including myself.Sigh...
'If I'm honest, we did look into a Wii U version. However, we had to consider the resources it would take, what teams to devote for a Wii U game.'
This is a worrying statement- not only did a game that was intended to launch with the 3DS- ie years ago, arrive VERY late, but they were not provided the resources or support from Nintendo to create a Metroid Prime Game for Wii U.
The more I read into this, the more clearly I see a very glaring problem. That Nintendo of Japan has far too much control over software being greenlit, preferring to stick to less than a handful of franchises, and that Nintendo of America needs its own, fully dedicated production teams to better keep in touch with what turns on Western Nintendo fans.
This E3 wasn't a disaster, it simply showed the huge crack developing between Nintendo of Japan and it's understanding of Western desires. It clearly demonstrated that Nintendo needs to diversify.
Looks fun to me! I understand everyone's disappointment, I really do, but to me (someone who never found the MP series all that appealing) this game looks pretty fun!
I will probably buy this game. I feel so bad for all of you hardcore Metroid Prime fans!
Why do you think Kingdom Hearts' protagonist Sora was an unlockable character in Kingdom Hearts 358/2 Days for the DS? There should be the option to do so in Federation Force as well. I hate it when the mythology gag trope (as in, a throwaway reference in a spinoff to the main events in a franchise) is used to say "yeah, we reference the character you won't get to play as, because we just have to do that in order to keep up the atmosphere"... bah.
At least there's Smash, the number one source for playing as Samus when she gets no games (for example, on the N64).
@XCWarrior Damn, you're ignorant.
So ignorant you don't even know Splatoon isn't an FPS.
Not having Samus in a Metroid game is like not having Mario in a Mario game.
@XCWarrior what an asinine thing to say.
@XCWarrior You know, I was thinking the same thing about Bayonetta 2 not selling as well. At least Nintendo's one company championing for strong female leads rather than recycling the trope of dim-witted, big-titted damnsels in distress.
3DS has needed an online FPS since the Hunters servers went down last year.
Shame they're not making Hunters 3D
I would need to play a demo of this before I can weigh in one side or the other. But I still assert that this anger is understandable, regardless of some extreme reactions.
Will it at least better on New 3DS? Because along with Star Fox Zero, it's one of the ugliest games they've had this generation.
I hope the next metroid game is an educational one like mario is missing or mario's time machine to really upset the fans, they don't know suffering yet.
I trust the developers and I am looking forward to hearing more about this game. Will there not be a single player mode?
bull. Loads of Bull. Not taking that as an answer. Luigi's Mansion Dark Moon multiplayer, you're all Luigi in different colors. Kirby Mass Attack. You play as 10 Kirbys who are only pink (And blue sometimes). Heck, in Nintendo Land, all of the players on the ground are Samus! You could've thought about that!
The game itself looks promising, although I use Wii U over 3DS 90% of the time... but THE NAME. Don't slap the Metroid brand on to this, and definitely don't slap Metroid Prime onto it. The Metroid series, and especially Prime, are supposed to be atmospheric space exploration shooters. Not slighty chibi multiplayer chaotic shooter type games. I know it's a spin-off, but it just seems so off to me.
@Bass_X0 No, there is a reason the franchise is calles "Metroid" and not Samus. There is more to the world of Metroid than just Samus. There are also games like Yoshi's Woolly World, which are part of the Mario universe, but without Mario in it.
I was interested from the get-go, and this just makes me more interested.
They can make Samus various styles unlockable. This game looks fun.
@TerrapinJess I didn't say I liked the fact that female leads in games don't sell. I'm simply stating what is a fact.
@Melkac I'm sorry, TPS, not FPS. It's still a shooter.
@bezerker99 Why would there be games that fill in story gaps in the Metroid universe that wouldn't use the franchise name? This game looks like it will have a bigger story connection to the Metrid mythos than "Metroid Prime: Hunters," and nobody complains about that spin-off being a Metroid game.
@XCWarrior Except that you're not stating a fact. Having a female lead in a game has nothing to do with how much it will sell.
@WaddleDeeWeegee Those modes aren't part of the canon storyline, except for "Kirby Mass Attack" where there's a valid plot reason for the 10 different Kirbys. Unless you want Nintendo to come up with some convoluted storyline where Samus suddenly gains three mature clones and decides for some strange reasons to both work with these new clones and to suddenly reinstate her commission with the Galactic Federation military, using Samus in this game would make absolutely no sense from a story perspective.
To answer the articles question, I was never angry.
@G_M Look at all the best selling games, the almost all have a male lead. And Mass Effect devs have stated like 75% of people use the male Shepherd vs female Shepherd, in case you want to cite that as an example.
@link3710 But they didn't sell enough copies of Metroid. People think 1 million in sales is good. Sometimes it is, sometimes it isn't. RE6 sold 6 million copies, but the dev cost was so high, it was seen as a failure. The last few Metroid games have not hit sales target projections. And that's why they stopped making them for awhile. Same with Star Fox, same with Earthbound, same with Balloon Fight, Wii Music and anything else that was one and done.
Just because you bought them (I own the MP Trilogy too, I got it on CLEARANCE for $20 because NO ONE BOUGHT IT!) doesn't mean lots of other people did.
I think you missed my point in mentioning buying the games. Your post suggested that the people who were complaining were at fault for not buying enough copies.
The title of this article is misleading. The producer never mentioned why Samus isn't in.
@Nintendo_Ninja Yes but Zelda is a much more fantasy type of story... and there being four links fighting together isn't all that odd. I mean just look at the zelda timeline... there are DOZENS of different links. The Hero of Hyrule is constantly being reincarnated. But there is only ONE Samus Aran.
@Locke159 He has also been reincarnated over a dozen times. Every game is a new version of Link. However there has only ever been one Samus.
@KO-Cub Yes but there is no reason in the actual Metroid Universe lore where I would be able to see those versions of Samus all teaming up. This game is supposed to actually take place in the metroid universe. So it needs to adhere to that kind of lore. Prime 2's multiplayer was just a fun little extra thing that didn't take place in the actual timeline, like this game is supposed to.
I am still not happy at all with this game. Considering you'll be paying full retail price for this game just like any other 3DS game I feel like they could have done so much more with it as nearly all other 3DS games look quite a bit better with better art direction. Another peeve I have with it is with the art direction and how it is chibi-fied the world of Metroid, most likely to make it appeal to a much younger audience at the cost of tarnishing the Metroid name and the franchise's artistic design, one of the same reasons many people didn't like Metroid Other M! To put it into perspective it would be like if 343 Studios decided to do a spin off Halo game and completely changed the style and visual feel of the game to where only the title of the game tied it back to the Halo franchise.
Now as some have already stated if they rebranded the game and left the Metroid title to the actual Metroid games then it would have most likely had a more positive reception.
Overall I find it more akin to a cheap iOS/Android game with the addition of "Blast Ball" as an extra mini game to try and boost its lackluster value. Granted I am taking this at face value but that is why reveals are so important and if all you give is a prerecorded trailer of the finished product and a few minutes of talking then it goes to show it isn't a star game Nintendo is really focused on at all, especially considering the time they gave to their Amiibos discussion.
@XCWarrior Unfortunately your statement regarding Metroid Prime is mere opinion without cited proof of Nintendo saying Metroid Prime and/or its sequels fell below expected sales and were considered a loss. Besides sales factoring into how well a game does or doesn't do so do critic ratings and overall buyer reception.
@blackerst When a game sells well, a company makes a sequel. When it doesn't meet expectations, they don't make a sequel. In the case of Metroid, after MP3 didn't do well, they hoped it was just bad luck, so they tried to go in a different direction with Other M. It didn't sell well. And that's why you didn't see a game for like 5 years.
You can also check VG charts for the sales numbers drop on Metroid games. But again, I got the now super rare Metroid Prime Wii Trilogy metal box set for $20 on clearance. Why? BECAUSE NOT ENOUGH PEOPLE BOUGHT IT.
@XCWarrior Your arguement is flawed considering Echoes sold far less than the original Prime game yet Nintendo DID make another sequel despite the lower sales. As for Corruption not having a sequel there are two reasons; 1) Corruption marks the end of the aptly named 'Phazon' story of Metroid Prime with the death of Dark Samus and the destruction of the source phazon planet and 2) Nintendo saw it fit to give one of their revitalizing studios a crack at working with another prized IP considering Retro's track record. Finally you forget games are half art and half sales and some companies will keep making games whether they make billions or not, I.e. Mirror's Edge did worse than Metroid Prime as far as sales go within the time frame of getting a sequel green lit and yet it had a sequel in the making before it reached its current sold amount, and it was on multiple systems!
Finally to borrow something you said earlier to someone else, just because you were able to buy it for $20 at whatever time you bought it at doesn't mean it failed, for all I know you could have waited a few years when agreeably the price would have dropped. Also it was the trilogy pack which was just a repackaged game to eek out some more sales and has no bearing on how well the original games sold and were received individually so your arguement has no suitable support.
Dis nintendo noticed that by removing the brand "metroid" on federation force and blast ball their will have got more hype with new IP's presentation?
@blackerst OK. Here's an article stating Nintendo not happy with Other M sales - http://gamerant.com/nintendo-metroid-other-m-sales-expectation-johnj-52784/
@XCWarrior agreed, that is Other M sales by a developer that did not do so great that was not Retro Studios nor was it a sequel to Metroid Prime, it was just another Metroid game like this Federation Force was and even though this game might do terrible or do great has no effect on how Nintendo would proceed with future Metroid games when it comes to giving the green light to their actual Metroid game making studios.
If you would like to go by your logic then why in the world would Nintendo make another game with the Metroid label on it and especially with another studio that has never worked with the franchise after having a poor sales experience with the same exact formula with Other M? Just another point showing your arguement has no consistency and is merely theory based loosely on trends of other games from other developers and publishers.
@Damien there are several article in the internet about the interview with Kensuke Tanabe who said that the Metroids and Samus WILL appear in the game. The title of your article is misleading. If you want proof, I can post here several links. Even Reddit is reporting about this:
http://www.reddit.com/r/Metroid/comments/3a7nbb/metroids_and_samus_will_appear_in_metroid_prime/
@Kaze_Memaryu No it isn't. First of all, make a single game mode, introduce some characters next to Samus and voila, you have characters for the Multiplayer.
Really, I think we all talked a lot about this topic and it really getting tired. Yes, people are mad about this because they didn't get their "aw-so-beloved-HD-super-realistic-Samus is badass hunter" Metroid game.
Allow me when I say "grow up". Life ain't easy and we don't get what we want every time (like me when I bought Metroid Prime and almost vomited on the screen because of the 3D effect). Nintendo got the message and I'm sure that a new "real" Metroid game will come and continue where Metroid Fusion ended. But see it like this; Nintendo wants to go new ways and tries new things. I mean, it is not their fault that they try to get a foot into the multiplayer games after so MANY people demanded it. And now, people are still not happy? Seriously, grow up to all the people who cried around. As I said, life ain't easy.
Somehow, I have the feeling that players got so damn demanding lately, that no game is good enough for them. Be happy to have a game to play and don't be so damn picky. After all, Nintendo could have gone the same road Capcom did with DMC and forces fans to buy the new physical version of DMC4 or they will finish the series once and for all... but I digress.
I'm looking into this game and I will play it to its core. I mean, Samus will appear just like the Metroids and will have a single player mode. What else does a normal mortal player need!? Just let it rest if you hate it so much, you can't change it anyway but only not buying it. But this "whining" or this childish try to stop the game from existing via a petition is ridiculous. How old are you, people?
@SnuggleMon such a shallow arguement saying grow up. If no one says anything then Nintendo won't get the message. Part of growing up is learning to constructively provide negative feedback that is more than "I hate this game" and explaining why it is bad so Nintendo can learn, because if by your suggestion we stop speaking our minds then no one will benefit in the future.
If you can't handle seeing the negative feedback and can not construct a more mature counter arguement then move on.
@SnuggleMon I never said it's not possible to get new characters in Metroid. However, it's pointless. Samus is a well-established loner, and she has very good reasons for it (besides outclassing every other hunter in the universe), so her teaming up would only be possible under extremely specific circumstances, and even then, it's borderline impossible to establish a co-op situation for Samus without breaking out of character, which even the weirdest spin-off has no right to do, as that degrades the characters to fan-appeal.
Now, one thing that is very often exaggerated to ridiculous extend, is the fans' expectations (and you do a pretty good job at it): nobody expected an HD Metroid game. If you claim that this is the main reason for this outrage, then you are absolutely clueless. Not only that, you lump two completely different argument sides together by claiming that people wanted a co-op Metroid first, and are now whining, which is absolute bull.
Also, people aren't necessarily demanding when they expected something different, because in this case it defies everything the Metroid franchise established throughout all these years, and it does so for basically no reason. Sure, some people were talking about multiplayer for Metroid, or a spin-off of sorts where the focus shifts to a different character, but these people are not only in the minority, they also don't really understand the point of the Metroid series up until this point, which is obviously exploration in an isolated environment. They played other co-op games and wanted that in Metroid because they had fun with it, but sometimes fail to realize that not every game can be everything.
In this context, it's also completely besides the point that it's a spin-off: it still heavily disrespects a full franchise and its accomplishments not only for itself, but for an entire adventure sub-genre, which wouldn't leave much of an impact if Metroid hadn't been on hiatus for several years. A spinoff is easily justifiable for a running franchise, but not for one that was known for being irritatingly absent.
The fact is: it may be a good game, but it's a terrible return for the Metroid franchise. Berate people all you want, that doesn't make your view any less exaggerated than that of the dorks who started that idiotic petition.
Let's look on the bright side...
We now have a Metroid game to hate more than Other M! In fact, Other M is looking pretty good right now...
@Onion I was thinking more like, "Well, at least it's not Other M."
Then why not have the playable characters be Samus, Sylux, Rundas and either Gandrayda, Weavel, Trace, Kaden, Noxus, Spire or Ghor.
Then why not have the playable characters be Samus, Sylux, Rundas and either Gandrayda, Weavel, Trace, Kaden, Noxus, Spire or Ghor.
they're all prime hunters
@blackerst They waited like 5 years after Other M to try again. Makes sense, because MEtroid is still a known thing. ANd the way M: FF has been received, you'll expect to see another 5 year gap before the next Metriod.
Retro won't probably come out and say it, but they're probably not in the mood to do another Metroid game. Otherwise, they probalby would have by now.
@XCWarrior You're speaking for a company you don't represent and assuming outcomes with no credible support to try and further your arguement. Since this has turned into a meaningless 'I believe this' type of arguement I'm going to stop here.
@Genesaur This is true, though considering I avoided Other M like the plague I don't think the positive difference between the two will help change my opinion on Federation Force XD
I think they realized everyone would jump on it and say "4 swords Metroid, booooo" but what they didn't understand was that making it Samus 4 times would have meant far less backlash than no Samus.
@blackerst Handling bad criticism and "jumping on the band wagon to destroy a game" are two different things. The most common thing here is, that everyone attacked a demo. This speaks enough for me to say that people are pretty biased. Especially, if they act like little children and make a petition to stop a game and saying "Nintendo owes them". Nope, they owe them jack. They just had a anger tantrum because their "toy" was not what they wanted. I'm really sick and tired how gamers nowadays act like when a new game comes out. The color of Mario's pants are not the right one. Fox looks too furry. The graphic sucks. This is not that game I wanted.
GROW UP! You can't always get what you want.
@Kaze_Memaryu Oh, and because of the earlier games, it is an unwritten rule to not change the character, their nature or the universe because fans demand this, right? No, if this is what you dislike, that is your problem. I'm an open person, who at least try new way and later say if this is something good or not. Like with Resident Evil 5 and 6. I played them, I disliked them and that's it. However, what we saw, was a demo, not the finished game. We have no idea what the game will be and there is still time to polish and change things. However, you all already made your judgement, so be it. I'm not here to change the opinion, I only say to give the game a chance and to wait until a playable version is out to make a judgement.
People, think what you want about this game. I'm tired of all this. If this is how the gaming community is up when a new game comes out, I don't want to be a part of it. Zero tolerance and demanding, demanding, demanding. No chance to try something new, because you could hurt the feelings of the fans.
Be that way. Stay in your little world and hold tight to what you think you gonna lose, but I'm not a person, who is afraid to go new ways.
I'm out.
@SnuggleMon Yes some of those who disliked the game took it a bit too far but honestly the petition has absolutely no power other than keeping track of and showing how many people dislike the game, it is a freedom of expression that is nonviolent and so I believe you are being a little bit too exaggerated when it comes to the petition. The petition being named as a cancelation of the game is a show of the level of dislike and just like I said to someone else has no direct control over the game being cancelled.
As for it being a demo it doesn't matter. The change was so drastic in regards to the ties between the branding (naming of the games) and the design of the franchise that it was obvious the game was not a Metroid game. Also tie in the fact that Nintendo mentions no current development of an actual Metroid game catapults the negative feelings already generated by the demo as it appears to the gamer that Nintendo had nothing better to make over the past 5 years other than a handheld spin off with a mini game odd on, appearing as if Nintendo is just trying to milk some more money out of the franchise fan base. You must remember any industry is built upon the market and its demands, where gamers are the market (they buy the games) and they have demands just like anyone else, this is nothing new. If gamers are not pleased by the direction of the game they will make it known by both overall sales of the game and also speaking out in varying degrees of negativity based on the type of people in the fan base and also by how much they dislike the game. If you've ever payed attention to the past few Metroid games released you would see the differences in criticism based on the changes made and when it was advertised and released. Take Other M as an example, initial reactions were very neutral and only dropped to negative critisim once the game was released, but the changes were not nearly as drastic as Federation Force and neither was the time between it and the game before it.
If anyone needs to grow up it is the extremists on both sides of the arguement, such as yourself who say gamers should take whatever they are given and not express any negativity about a game towards the publisher/developers, and those who say Nintendo should destroy this game and never release it. You can not just bend over and take it with a smile if you want change, especially if there is change that isn't wanted.
And once again to reiterate about the petition since everyone seems to be blindly flinging rocks back and forth, it has NO, NONE, ZIP, effect on Nintendo canceling the game as it would be a horrible marketing decision on Nintendo's behalf and would only increase the tensions between the divided fan base. It is akin to protesting but has a different effect since the game is a product that the company has spent money on developing.
@Ghost4700 one of the reasons mentioned why they went with Federation soldiers is Nintendo wanted to explore what part they play in the Metroid Prime universe.
@SnuggleMon It's not an unwritten rule not to change characters in unfitting way, it's part of good writing. Good writing means acknowledging previous occurences, and working with them to create an expansive, or at least fitting new chapter to the overall story. Breaking the character is not simply sloppy writing, though, it's stupid. It's ignoring everything written previously for the sake of shoehorning unfitting features into a character. A progressive change is always welcome, as long as it's well-made, but with Samus, who required six full games to become the person she was always indicated to be, with every aspect of her personality becoming a clear point, it's impossible to turn her around 180º in the matter of a single spin-off.
And after making this enormous effort to point out that Samus holds onto her ideals, principles, and rules, it would just be lousy to change her into something she never was.
That's why Metroid is an awful choice for co-op gameplay. Samus works alone, period. It's good to know that this will most likely remain constant, but at the same time, there are no characters in the Metroid universe that are an interesting replacement for Samus, and considering the pacing of the franchise, shoehorning a different character we've never seen or even heard of before into it a clear sign that Next Level games didn't read the Metroid lore properly.
But what you also seem to miss, is that I'm hating this game as a Metroid game. I hate how it tries to push itself into a great piece of lore without any intent to follow the rules. However, I have nothing to say about the actual gameplay, as I haven't tried this, and also didn't watch the Treehous presentations. I made my judgement about this the same way I did with Other M: it would be much better without the Metroid branding.
in Super Smash Brother's you can have four Marios. Don't see why that's weird.
This game's gotten so much flak, but it genuinely looks fun and vibrant! I'll probably still wait for a review though, before deciding if I want to pick it up.
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