Super Metroid(SNES/WiiU)

 Over the years, certain games have reached a status that makes them nearly untouchable. May it be because of the nostalgia associated with the game, the obsession of a small group of die hard fans or because the game is actually good, these few titles are borderline gods for most "gamers". Super Metroid is one of these "god like" games and has become one of the most beloved games in the series. But does it hold up to the love people give it? Well the short answer is yes, it does.

For those who are still unaware of what Metroid consist of, here's the low down. You play as Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who was once tasked with eliminating a base filled with space pirates and with eradicating a whole species known as "Metroids". However, during the second mission, Samus came across a freshly hatched Metroid "chick", one who thought samus was her mother. Samus, unable to harm cute little creatures, decides to let it follow her around. At the start of Super Metroid, we pick up after the end of the second mission. Samus has given the baby Metroid to some scientists so they can study it and is about to leave when, suddenly, the lab is attacked and the Metroid is kidnapped by space pirates. It's now up to Samus to go and retrieve the Metroid and eradicate the space pirates for good(or at least, the ones that have been causing her all this trouble). Overall, the story is pretty straight forward, as are most stories for platformers at the time. This lack of story has even sprung many theories about Samus's true intentions. These range from completing missions to avenging her adoptive family and even to her simply wanting to do what's right as she know's she they only one who can do it. Even so, the fact to the mater is that the plot isn't that important in this game as it doesn't help progress the game in any way. In fact, the only type of story development you get is at the start of the game and near the end, when you fight the final boss, which is barely even something to be considered "development".

The gameplay, on the other hand, is where the game starts to shine. The game's controls are simply great. You can easily perform most of your moves with ease, with the exception of the wall jump, which is a move that is hard to master. It's apparent that allot of thought went into it and that the way Samus moves was made as smooth and gracious as a 16-bit video game could allow it. Overall, the gameplay is straightforward and easy to pick up, so I doubt anyone would ever have trouble with it.

....I stand corrected.

Metroid is also well known for giving you tons of upgrades to play with and leaving the difficulty in your hands. If you think before you act, you will breeze through the game very easily. However, if you run in, guns blazing and shooting everything.....you're most likely going to die at a boss fight sooner or later. Each enemy you encounter has a certain pattern, with some having specific "berserk buttons" that will bring out devastating attacks and others having specific weaknesses you need to find out. If you take your time to analyze these enemies and their reactions, you will find yourself having an easier time later on and will be able to conserve your health and ammo more easily. The weapons and upgrades you can get in Super Metroid are a mix of the ones from the previous games, as well as a few new additions like the grappling beam and the X-ray scope. Energy tanks, which boost your health, also make a return and the newly added reserve tanks, which conserve excess energy you pick up, will come in handy whenever you find yourself in a pinch.

Now for the real deal: the graphics and music. The game looks and sounds amazing even to this day. The environments are easy to differentiate and interesting, the enemies are unique and different and the music comes in and just adds to the atmosphere.

The graphics are great and have aged very well over time.

Each area has there own theme music, with the exception of certain areas like the elevators and power up areas which have computer like noises that will make chills go up your spine. I don't really need to elaborate on the fact that everything just looks amazing and makes you actually feel as though you are exploring a creepy, run down secret base. The only thing to nag me about the visuals is that some of them seemed to be used as a way to lure you into a trap or to get you to take a detour that was out of your way. There is one wall that really annoyed me, as it was made of a unique sprite, was set behind a wall of destroyable blocks and seemed as though it was something I could get passed. However, I never found any type of item that could clear said area, leading me to just give up and guess it was an unfinished area. Many other parts of the game lead you to believe they hide secrets like this. Then again, the game is about exploration, so having fake leads might be a normal thing.

Overall, I have to agree with the fact that Super Metroid does deserve the love it gets. It's fun, addicting and a good introduction to the series. It's definitely a game that can be easily recommended and I urge everyone to play it. And for those who have played it already, just replay it. Hell, that's what I did the moment I finished the game the first time.

 Final Verdict: 9/10
Pros:
+A timeless classic that has aged well.
+Great weapons and upgrades.
+Gameplay that forces you to think before you act.
Cons:
-False Leads in the graphics and level designs get really annoying.
-BACKTRACKING GET'S VERY ANNOYING AFTER 10 FUCKING HOURS OF IT!(note, I beat the game in a third of the time the second time I played.)

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