Suddenly even Samus Aran finds herself in the staff's critical crosshairs as the discussion comes to a close.
Continued from "Is the Nintendo Direct Format to Blame? Also: New IPs"
Jon Lindemann
The sad thing is, even if Nintendo did announce Metroid Prime 4 at E3, my reaction would be "Good, it's about time. What else do you have?"
Alexander Culafi
If the big Retro reveal is another Metroid game, I'm going to be pissed.
Trying out a new series like DKCR should have been the new standard, not the exception.
Jon Lindemann
I will hate EVERYTHING by the time this thread is over, I promise you that.
Alexander Culafi
What took you so long?
Justin Berube
I really hope Retro is working on something new and not another 3D Metroid. I wouldn't be pissed if they were making a new 3D Metroid, but I think I'd rather Retro take a stab at a 2D Metroid title if they go back to the franchise. The series desperately needs another 2D entry, hopefully one that isn't as short as the two Game Boy Advance titles. It's still crazy to me we didn't see one on the DS. The two screen layout would be perfect for the series, one for the standard game play and the other for a map. With both Wii U and 3DS using two screens, there is no excuse.
Carmine Red
I'm less than excited for Metroid because I think it's actually been proven to be a B tier franchise in terms of sales and ability to effect any audience shift.
Alexander Culafi
I mean, Ill take a Metroid game if theyre making it, but I would rather it be the second game they make for the gen rather than the first. I think Retro is way too valuable to be simply "The Metroid Company". Kudos to you if you love that franchise and what they do with it, but I would rather they reimagined franchises like Star Fox or made their own IP before working on yet another Metroid.
That said, it's probably "yet another Metroid" that we're actually going to see.
Jon Lindemann
Nintendo is the "yet another" company nowadays.
Carmine Red
I was about to propose a "No More Metroid!" campaign...
Jonathan Metts
I want to kill you all so hard right now. Except whoever said 2D. That would fill the hole in my heart just fine.
Carmine Red
Honestly, I think the only Metroid they should make is a 2D Wii U Metroid "spiritual successor to Super Metroid."
Alexander Culafi
I want that too as their "other" Wii U game.
I understand that Nintendo likes to make their subsidiaries into series-specific developers, but they shouldnt be doing that to what might just be their most talanted non-EAD studio. They're better than that. It has nothing to do with Metroid. It's cool if you love Prime so much and think it's amazing, but I just think Retro isn't reaching its full potential by simply going back to the well. They've proven what they're capable of with other franchises, and stopping now would just be a waste.
Alexander Culafi
Man, imagine if Mario Kart was the big Retro game.
Dave Mellert
I think I could make a strong argument that Nintendo could and should blow everyone away with a new 2D Metroid. Not "make a good Metroidvania game". Like seriously blow everyones mind. But then again I am slightly drunk on sour ales and am prone to wistful fits of fantasy.
Carmine Red
New Super Metroid! Death to Big Budget 3D Metroids!
Dave Mellert
I think a new Super Metroid would be setting the bar too low. When was the last time Nintendo really moved the field forward? Probably Mario 64. They need to do that with a new 2D Metroid.
Nicholas Bray
Metroid is only exciting to the hardest of hardcore generally. I hope Retro is doing something completely original, it would gain more long-term excitement I think.
This Direct is the first of a bunch we have coming right? So it makes sense that this one focused mostly on the things we already know are coming relatively soon. I expect more bombs to drop in the coming ones, probably building to some massive reveals in the last.
Dave Mellert
Nicholas, Metroid is as much a game-design philosophy as an IP. The IP may be niche, but the game design philosophy can hardly be described as such. If Nintendo makes a *game* that blows people away (like Mario 64 and...perhaps...Metroid Prime), the popularity of the IP barely matters.
Nicholas Bray
I'd argue that the gameplay of Metroid is also not welcoming enough to accommodate the larger gaming audience. The Prime games sold pretty well, but they were selling less and less, I don't know if nice HD graphics are enough to pull a lot of people back in if the gameplay stays largely the same.
J.P. Corbran
The hardest of the hardcore are who Nintendo needs the most right now. We've already got Mario and Mario Kart coming in the fall to bring in the mass market crowd, what we need is something to make dedicated gamers sit up and take notice. Maybe Monolith's game is that, but whatever Retro's doing should be aimed at that group as well.
Carmine Red
And honestly, the so-called "hardest of the hardcore" don't care for Metroid.
Dave Mellert
Here is my argument against that: Batman Arkham Asylum and Arkham City, Shadow Complex, Metroid Fusion. All sold very well and the Batman Games were bona fide smash hits. And they were Metroid games.
Nicholas Bray
Problem is, Nintendo needs the broader audience of games like Uncharted, Bioshock or COD. Metroid appeals to a much smaller slice of the gamer market than most AAA games.
Dave Mellert
The idea of Nintendo trying to make a game like Uncharted, Bioshock, or COD makes me throw up in my mouth.
Nicholas Bray
I'm not saying make games like that, I was talking about the appeal. Metroid just doesn't cut it with the larger audience these days.
Dave Mellert
I think there is a hang up on the Metroid thing due to conflation of the IP with the game design. I don't care about the IP. Make it Captain Olimar's 2D Happy Slap Adventure for all I care. I want a 2D game with an upgrade path, interesting exploration, solid combat, subtle but interesting story, and a kick ass atmosphere. You're telling me that wouldn't have appeal?!
Carmine Red
Like I said, as long as it's not Metroid...
Andy Goergen
I think it would, but I don't think Nintendo knows how to market those games.
Nicholas Bray
I'm saying Metroid itself at this point has a limited appeal in the overall market.
J.P. Corbran
I don't think Metroid is too much narrower in appeal than something like Bioshock or even Uncharted. It certainly has the reputation to be taken seriously by a lot of people. A game more along the lines of Other M as opposed to Prime, but with Retro's level of quality and polish, could bring in a lot of people.
Carmine Red
Hmmm... I'll have to disagree with you there J.P. I think that the small things that make a Metroid Prime game a Metroid Prime game actually have a huge narrowing effect on the audience.
Dave Mellert
I love how Uncharted is thrown out as an example of an IP that has selling power. Am I so old that I am the only one that remembers when people were appalled that Naughty Dog was betting the farm on such a boring, derivative concept?
J.P. Corbran
That's what I'm saying, Prime has a narrow appeal, but if you took the Other M concept and fixed the problems with it it could have a relatively wide appeal.
Carmine Red
BTW, finally watched the ND.
Sochi
sounds cool it's got pairs figure skating,
Shining Sword II,
that dear childhood game's waiting,
NSLU box whose green really
sings...
These are a few of my favorite
things!
New Puzzle Panels:
oh darn got a blue tile,
Exclusive Sonic, I hope that has real
style,
But Pikmin 3 where's my pikmin with
wings?
These are a few of my favorite
things!
Zelda VC sale will
save me two dollars,
AC Youtube vids with Treehouse white
collars,
And Best Buy Game Demos me E3 brings,
These
are a few of my favorite things!
When
the game bites,
When delays sting,
When I'm feeling
sad,
I simply remember my favorite things
And then I
don't feel so bad!