Metroid Other M review

You’ve waited for it, I’ve waited for it and now the time is finally here. Metroid Other M has arrived and so has Samus in the newest blockbuster for the Nintendo Wii console. Has the title lived up to the hype or has Nintendo and Team Ninjas love child fall flat? Read on to find out!


Let me start out with this; Metroid Other M is a BOLD step for Nintendo and I feel that it is a bold step forward for this historic franchise. For the first time Nintendo has allowed story to take center stage and thus yields some very (mostly) positive results.

The game takes place right after the events of Super Metroid. Other M opens with an amazing cinematic showcasing the final battle with Mother Brain at the conclusion of Super Metroid. After escaping the exploding Planet Zebes, Samus Aran awakens on a Galactic Federation ship. She decides to leave the vessel and receives a distress signal from a dormant “Bottle Ship”, which is floating a short distance away from a Federation ship. From there she meets up with old crew members and an old captain and thus begins your adventure.

The story unfolds with Samus speaking throughout the game and plays out like a narrated storybook. The cut scenes take you on a fantastic journey of Samus’ past and are all done masterfully. From the excellent graphics to the spot on voice overs, it is clear that this title has some of the highest production values of any Wii title out there. The game feels like a PS3 or 360 title that has found it’s way on Nintendo’s 5th console and truly gives Nintendo gamers something to be proud about.

Without delving too much into the story line, other reviewers of this title feel as though Samus feels out of place and sexist, but in my opinion, with the events that have happened to everyone’s favorite bounty hunter, maybe Other M has her taking a step back and really thinking about her past and possibly her future (at least that’s what I got out of it). I know she has been known as a bad ass bounty hunter but maybe this time around, she wants to “blend in” with the crowd for a little while after 15 years or saving the galaxy….

Gameplay wise, the game features a unique control scheme that I both liked and hated at the same time. I LOVE the throw back retro 2-D but 3-D gameplay mixed in and holding the Wii remote old school really shows that developers can still make awesome titles with 2 (mainly) buttons. When gamers point the remote on screen the perspective changes into 1st person mode and has an “on rails” feel to it… While I applaud the effort of making something new and interesting, ultimately the whole 1st person thing doesn’t quite work. Once you switch into 1st person mode, Samus remains stationary and cannot move thus putting gamers in some hairy predicaments and often times seeing the “continue” screen more often than not. I feel as though the nunchuck should’ve been implemented in order to help Samus move around the screen better however I preferred using the 2-D, 3-D mode more. This was honestly the only drawback I found in the title but you do get used to it after a little while. It will still frustrate some but you do get used to it.

All in all I am highly suggesting this game. There have been numerous reviews out there stating that the title is mediocre but I disagree. The game truly has an epic feel and I applaud Nintendo’s efforts on taking this franchise to the next level.  I enjoyed the game and I know you will too.

Overall Gameonnintendo Score: 8.7* out of 10

*(8.7 because I feel as though the game isn’t a 9…. but not an 8.5…. SO THERE!!!)

Discuss in comments section:

Hardcore Metroid fans- yay or nay on Other M?

Girls- Do you find this title sexist?

Thanks for reading!

Prepare yourself for the game… watch this final trailer:

Share
  1. You see, you think a lot like I do. This game isn’t about being sexist or anything like that, it’s about developing a character or giving more insight into a character that’s been around for a long time. I’m loving it.

    I’m doing great buddy, nice to see you’re still holding your own strong. Never change who you are for anything. Keep up the good work.

  2. Thank you!! I thought I was taking crazy pills reading other peoples reviews…

    • Blue
    • September 1st, 2010 6:50am

    Nice review. Most others I have read complain that it isn’t exactly like every other Metroid game that has been. I agree with you that it isn’t necessarily a bad thing. Once in a while, you need to shale things up (just don’t touch Mario!!!).

    I still won’t buy the game as it doesn’t interest me at all but hopefully it will do better than most such games do on the Wii.

  3. Thanks blue. Honestly I loved every minute of it. The only thing that I forgot to put in my review was that I wished they put in some of the old school metroid music. Not a gigantic deal just wanted a homage to previous titles.

  4. I do hope we hear from some females on this title…

  1. September 3rd, 2010