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METROID PRIME REVIEWS: 2002-2003
ZenGamer.com
http://www.zengamer.com/review.php?revid=65
The music is hauntingly familiar from the start. Small wonder, since the composer
is the same Kenji Yamamoto that did wonders for Super Metroid. Some tracks
will be instantly recognizable as they're souped up versions of Super Metroid
tracks, and some will be new and fresh, adding to the atmosphere of the region
you're in. Again there will be cues that will remind you that this is a Metroid
game, such as appropriate music for each region (just wait until you get to
Magmoor caverns) and the silence or a steady drone in each elevator chamber
- all Metroid staples.
The sound effects are also well done. Your footsteps sounds are spatially 100%
on target, and vary with each type of surface. All assorted water/acid splashes,
steam vent hisses, acidic splats and other atmospherics are expertly concocted
and the sounds of battle and weapons are on par as well. The helmet interface
is once again augmented with appropriate beeps as target and scanning locks
are acquired; static and getting hit all sound too close for comfort. The only
area which I would have liked to see improvement on is speech - the game finally
reveals something about those pesky Space Pirates, and they appear to have
a highly evolved (if completely predatory) culture! I was hoping for more language
from them, but there are only a few phrases they will occasionally rasp out
- even that is plenty, and worlds better than just chittering, but I was hoping
for a bit more in the way of speech.
GamingWorldX.com
http://www.gamingworldx.com/gcn/MetroidPrime.shtml
Sound - The chilling shrieking of ominous creatures, the clanking footsteps
on metal floors, the realistic buzzing of (alien) wasps, the whirring blasts
from Samus’ blaster, and even the noises emitted from upgrades when Samus
nears them all add to the experience.
AllRPG.com
http://allrpg.com/games/metroidprime/index.php3?page=review&num=2
Sound also plays an important part in the game and believe you me, Metroid
Prime has a beautiful soundtrack. Every world has an emotion to its backing
music and every world has its own piece that fits it perfectly. From the fiery
caverns of Magmoor to the lush beauty of the Chozo temples, the music is always
fitting and is always prevailent, but never gets in the way. Creatures move
in for an attack and you instantly know it from the crisp announcement from
a growl and when they are engaged a heart pounding score jumps into the fray
to add yet more to the overall experience. Every sound effect is crisp and
clear. Overall, the sound and music in the game is breath taking.
GamersMark.com
http://www.gamersmark.com/reviews/view/257/
All other sound effects are equally amazing, such as the electrical screech
that Samus’s armor emits when falling into a lava pit. Metroid Prime
has one of the greatest soundtracks in videogame history.
GamerWeb.com
http://nintendo.gamerweb.com/reviews/gc/metroid_prime_r1.asp
The sound follows suit with music by series composer Kenji Yamamoto. Metroid
Prime has a good balance of themes remixed from previous games as well as entirely
new music that is equally excellent. Much like Super Metroid, a great deal
of the music is comprised of mood-setting themes, which help to convey the
isolation of many of the game’s locales. This is accompanied by fantastic
sound affects that have become a series staple. While the “Ploop” of
Samus’ morph ball laying a bomb is missing, many of the noises creatures
make will instantly be familiar to series fans and everything in the game has
its own distinctive noise. The attention to the sound is so great that you
can actually locate missile upgrades by following the sound of the hum they
make.
Game
Rankings
http://www.gamerankings.com/htmlpages3/4560.asp
Sound is also top quality. The weapons produce realistic and satisfying effects,
and although there is no speech in the game, the enemies squeal and scream
in all of their three dimensional glory.
Game
Revolution
http://www.game-revolution.com/games/gamecube/action/metroid_prime.htm
The sound effects are true to their roots, with every blast and shriek resounding
in a twinge of nostalgia. Instead of the 'whirl' of Samus' spin jump, there's
the pleasing electric hum of her morph ball.
Gamezone
Online
http://gamecube.gamezone.com/gzreviews/r18021.htm
Sound: 8
Deep and atmospheric, Metroid Prime's sound suits the game well.
Gamespy
http://www.gamespy.com/reviews/november02/metroidprimegcn/index2.shtml
...the music and sound effects are of such high quality -- even more so when
piped through Dolby Pro Logic II -- that the majority of gamers will be more
than pleased.
Gamers.com
http://www.gamers.com/game/289115
The new Metroid stands with the very best of modern games in almost every important
respect. Well, except sound and graphics, where Prime surpasses them all.
The amount of time, skill, and dedication that obviously went into crafting
and polishing this game just completely blows my mind. Videogames, regardless
of what system they are for, just aren't supposed to sound this good, look
this detailed, be this large in scope and this fun to play all at the same
time; it's like the best title from six years in the future fell through a
time warp.
Games
Domain
http://www.gamesdomain.com/gamecube/reviews/Metroid_Prime.html
Audio features some great Dolby Pro Logic II effects though, that really take
advantage of home theater systems, with room-shaking explosions and well implemented
surround
Tech
TV - Extended Play
http://www.techtv.com/extendedplay/reviews/story/0,24330,3407838,00.html
"Metroid Prime" is an aural delight. Using Dolby Pro-Logic II, the
game surrounds players with engaging compositions (some using classic "Metroid" themes)
and crisp sound effects. The alarming buzz of war wasps can instill a sense of
urgency from any side, at least until the splash of your wave cannon silences
the insects. Every sound in the game just adds to the experience, and you will
become adept at identifying dangers using only subtle sound cues.
Electronic
Gaming Monthly
http://www.egm.gamers.com
"Oh, and you'll want to crank your stereo. Whether it's screeching monsters,
the whir of your gun charging, or the fizz of sparks on a busted computer, the
effects are excellent across the board. Prime's audio is more than just good
- it demands and keeps your attention. Sound: 10" From: Print Magazine
EGM's Gamecube
Guide
"The sound sets the perfect stage and tone for the action in Metroid. Unbelievably
good sound effects, too. Videogames...just aren't supposed to sound this good" From:
EGM's Guide to the Gamecube, December 2002
IGN.com
http://cube.ign.com/articles/376/376866p1.html
"Complimenting the high quality soundtrack, Metroid Prime comes chock full
of a sound effects library to die for. There has been great attention to detail
from the foreign growls of the Space Pirates to the screeches of the alien insects.
Every mechanical sound that Samus's Power Suit utters is almost exactly as you
imagine it would be. Add to that, the environment around you is littered with
random noises, whether it is the hiss of a nearby steam vent or the cranking
of a nearby elevator there is a lot to absorb. The atmospheres just seem to echo
and blend perfectly with the overlying soundtrack."
"It should come as no surprise that Metroid
Prime is home to the best sound design yet on GameCube."
Gamespot.com
http://gamespot.com/gamespot/stories/reviews/0,10867,2897768,00.html
"It also supports Dolby Pro Logic II setups for some great surround sound.
Though the visuals are spectacular and really pull you into the experience, the
game's audio also makes a significant contribution to Metroid Prime's atmosphere.
There's no speech whatsoever, but a large variety of sound effects accompany
all the various weapons, creatures, and environments that you'll see. Some of
the creatures sound really menacing, and the weapons shriek with the sort of
intensity you'd hope for. But the environmental audio is probably what's best.
The game is loaded with hidden items that boost Samus' missile capacity, energy
capacity, and more, and you'll learn to listen for the distinct low whirring
that signifies the proximity of these objects. To actually find these items,
you'll often have to switch visors, but the thermal and X-ray visors make their
own noises that all but drown out the ambient sound of the power-up. At any rate,
sound is a critical part of the game. Metroid Prime's musical score is also by
and large very successful. Though the tracks are heavily synthesized and sound
as though they could have come from 1994's Super Metroid, they help evoke suspense,
intensity, calm, or panic mostly at all the right moments. Metroid fans will
also really appreciate that a majority of the game's music actually consists
of remixed tracks from previous installments in the series."
Gamepro.com
http://www.gamepro.com/index.html?/nintendo/gamecube/games/reviews/27117.shtml
"Great sound effects bring to life both Samus’s suit and the world
she’s exploring, and evocative music keeps the blood flowing while perfectly
expressing the alien environment."
Gamecube Advanced
http://www.ultimategamez.com/reviews/metroidprime1.shtml
"Now onto the other element of Metroid Prime that is just amazing: the sound.
First, I will start off with the music in Prime. The music is absolutely amazing,
and you'd be surprised at how much ambience it adds to the experience. Some of
the songs are remixes of Super Metroid's songs, and they are very similar to
the original compositions. The reason that they are so similar is because the
original composer of the Super Metroid songs, Kenji Yamamoto, has made a return
to the Metroid series to do the soundtrack in Prime. Yamamoto has brought back
some series nostalgia; a shiver went down my spine when I first heard the remix
of the popular sound you heard from Super Metroid when coming out of a save point.
All of the new remixes are absolutely memorable as well. They capture the moment,
and cause you to hum the tunes again and again when listening. I found it hard
to believe that the game's soundtrack was done all in MIDI format, but it works
surprisingly well. Metroid Prime is also full of sound effects that are done
incredibly well. Almost everything you do in Prime causes a separate and interesting
sound effect. When switching beams and visors, you hear a mechanical noise that
signal the change. The sound in Metroid Prime is absolutely incredible."
Updated: March 19, 2003 |
