Metroid Fusion

The Good
Imagine a gameplay screen. Imagine all the different things that can be displayed on such a screen. Now, Metroid Fusion decided to do something epic and fill that screen with crumbling blocks. These are ominous symbols of desolation and sorrow. What Samus has to do is either Space Jump like there's no tomorrow, or remain in a Shinesparking state and run past these blocks. There is also symbolism in this. Some of these rooms require very extensive use of the Shinespark technique. Samus remaining in a state of light (Remain in Light) is symbolic of the ever-present battle between light and dark, good and evil.

There are also Screw Attack blocks everywhere. The thing is that you don't get Screw Attack ability until near the end, and after that, the game will direct you to fight the final bosses, effectively preventing you from exploring the rooms behind the Screw Attack blocks. This adds a sense of distrust and unrest. You shouldn't trust the in-game navigation computer. You're still the rogue agent who answers to no one but her own plans and strategies. After the Screw Attack ability is unlocked, you'll travel in some amazing paths that connect the puzzle pieces you collected throughout the adventure. Things finally make sense.

The Bad
Some puzzles don't make any sense. Bomb the center of a platform to reveal a bridge? Kill a spider and expect it to morph into another creature and kill that and wait for it to morph into yet another?

No X-Ray. The Select button is useless in this game and could have been used to activate the X-Ray ability found in Super Metroid. Without X-Ray, plus the fact that the game violently dictates where you should go next by disabling doors and paths that were previously open, you just feel that the game is bullying you and deceiving you at all times.

Lack of moves and tricks. The map and layout of the rooms aren't memorable enough, probably the least memorable Metroidvania map I've played. I can't tell the various areas apart since they look alike and have similar layout.

The Bottom Line
It took me 15 hours to beat it with 99% item collection rate. Metroid Fusion is solid, but life is too short and I wouldn't really recommend a game that's not excellent. If you have played Super Metroid and liked it, it's probably a better idea to just replay Super Metroid, rather than playing this.

The Good
Metroid Fusion is a departure from the Metroid series in a lot of ways, but still maintains the many good aspects of the series. The graphics and level design are awesome, and I still find myself wondering how the GBA was capable of such things. There are still plenty of kick-ass boss fights, each one offering you a new power-up. I liked the whole concept of the X parasites too. Being able to absorb them for health and missiles proved more convenient and predictable than the items dropped by enemies in past Metroid games. The length and difficulty of the game are also satisfying, which proved to me (back in the day) that not all handheld titles are short and easy.

The Bad
The main problem with this game is that there's too much text and linearity. You constantly have to wait and read what Adam has to tell you, and it's often a simple objective that you could easily figure out on your own (go in, kill boss, activate something, get out). Also, the fact that you're confined within a sector for each objective greatly decreases the amount of open-ended exploration which you can do, a thing that the rest of the series is greatly known for. However, aside from these minor (in my opinion) problems, the game is still damn good.

The Bottom Line
Metroid Fusion takes the main gameplay mechanics from Super Metroid, and applies them in a different fashion. It's a very different game in the series, but is still worth checking out. And if you don't mind the text and linearity, there is literally nothing keeping you from loving this game.

The Good
Some friends almost forced me to play this game - bus when I laid in the bed, connected the GBA to my stereo, adjusted the light and was sucked into this strange, paranoid and very intense world... At first, this is just a simple 2D jump 'n run - but it turnes out to be much, much more! Sound and graphics are well - the gameplay is fantastic! And bonus-thumbs-up for the intuitive controls!

The Bad
Difficult questions! I'd say, that this game is a bit short - but on the other hand, it offers enough replayabilty. And then, there are some bosses, that are invincible for hours - until you find out the right technique, and finish them off in a minute...

The Bottom Line
Classical 2D jump 'n run thru a complex spacestation, where a strange alien virus break free. You have to shoot enemies, turn switched, discover secret rooms&tunnels. Doesn't sound special, huh? But the great gameplay, the gloomy atmosphere and the simple to handle, but powerful controls turn Metroid Fusion into a triple-A title!