Video Game Spotlight #57 - Metroid Prime: Hunters (DS)

[Bird Boy]

http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lbox/180003b.jpg

http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/sscreen/180003s1.jpg (http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lscreen/180003l1.jpg) http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/sscreen/180003s2.jpg (http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lscreen/180003l2.jpg) http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/sscreen/180003s3.jpg (http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lscreen/180003l3.jpg) http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/sscreen/180003s4.jpg (http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lscreen/180003l4.jpg) http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/sscreen/180003s5.jpg (http://www.gamestop.com/common/images/lscreen/180003l5.jpg)

Release Info:
US: March 20th, 2006
Rated: T for "Teen" (Animated Blood, Violence)
MSRP: $34.99

Short Description:

A ferocious race, now extinct, has left behind relics of their once powerful warrior culture. Now bounty hunters from across the galaxy are racing against each other in order to lay claim to these relics hoping to harness their power for themselves. In single-player mode, control Samus as she navigates her way through several stages collecting the relics. Along the way she must prevent the other bounty hunters from stealing them away. In multiplayer, compete against your friends in over 3 different modes. Choose from Samus, or any of the other six bounty hunters, and find out who really is the best hunter in the galaxy.


Features:

Three ways to play: Single Player, Local LAN and WiFi.

Compete head-to-head in a series of action packed arenas as you take on other bounty hunters in a completely intense, multiplayer, Metroid first person shooter.

Samus is calculated and precise and hardcore, but this time around she is taking on 6 other Bounty Hunters.

Link wirelessly with up to three friends for intense multiplayer action off one game card.


_________________________________________________

Want to order this game and support Toon Zone at the same time? Then order it from Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/) by clicking here (http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg/detail/-/B0009Z3MQ0/toonzone03/)!


Official site: http://www.metroidhunters.com/

(Source(s): ESRB (http://www.esrb.com/), Gamestop.com (http://www.gamestop.com/), Amazon (http://www.amazon.com/))

_________________________________________________

Previous Editions of Spotlight:
#56 - 24: The Game (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=161338)
#55 - Kingdom Hearts 2 (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=159492)
#54 - Dead or Alive 4 (XBOX 360) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=157710)
#53 - Animal Crossing: Wild World (Nintendo DS) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=155424)
#52 - Sid Meier's Civilization IV (PC) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=152698)
#51 - Fire Emblem: Path of Radiance (GCN) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=151449)
#50 - We Love Katamari (PS2) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=148736)
#49 - Geist (GCN) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=145971)
#48 - Battlefield 2 (PC) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=144012)
#47 - Killer 7 (GCN / PS2) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=141154)
#46 - Jade Empire (XBOX) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=138136)
#45 - The Matrix Online (PC) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=135590)
#44 - Gran Turismo 4 (PS2) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=133234)
#43 - Resident Evil 4 (GCN) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=131178)
#42 - Knights of the Old Republic 2 (XBOX) (Plus Talkback) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=128313)
#41 - Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=126394)
#40 - Halo 2 (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=125071)
#39 - Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=123080)
#38 - Fable (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=120914)
#37 - Pikmin 2 (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=119240)
#36 - Sudeki (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=116802)
#35 - Spider-Man 2 (PC, XBOX, PS2, GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=114022)
#34 - City of Heroes (PC) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=109675)
#33 - Onimusha 3: Demon Siege (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=107295)
#32 - Unreal Tournament 2004 (PC) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=105250)
#31 - Metroid: Zero Mission (GBA) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=102179)
#30 - Final Fantasy Crystal Chronicles (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=99322)
#29 - Beyond Good and Evil (PC, XBOX, PS2, GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=97157)
#28 - Ninja Gaiden (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=96103)
#27 - Castlevania: Lament of Innocence (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=94391)
#26 - Lord of the Rings: Return of the King (PC, XBOX, PS2, GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=92810)
#25 - Grabbed by the Ghoulies (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=91281)
#24 - Viewtiful Joe (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=90077)
#23 - XIII (PC, XBOX, PS2, GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=88241)
#22 - Star Wars: Jedi Academy (PC, XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=86364)
#21 - Silent Hill 3 (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=84282)
#20 - Soul Calibur II (PS2, GCN, XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=83051)
#19 - Star Wars: Knights of the Old Republic (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=80156)
#18 - Wario ware, Inc.:mega Micrograme$ (GBA) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=78051)
#17 - Wario World (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=76496)
#16 - Enter the Matrix (XBOX, PS2, GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=74757)
#15 - Dynasty Warriors 4 (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=73037)
#14 - The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=71221)
#13 - Xenosaga (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=69321)
#12 - Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time & Master Quest (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=67208)
#11 - Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (PS2,GCN,XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=65290)
#10 - Dead Or Alive: Xtreme Beach Volleyball (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=62631)
#09 - Devil May Cry 2 (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=60509)
#08 - Splinter Cell (XBOX) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=58335)
#07 - Metroid Prime (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=56235)
#06 - Resident Evil Ø (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=53619)
#05 - Suikoden III (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=50880)
#04 - Star Fox Adventures (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=49393)
#03 - Animal Crossing (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=46133)
#02 - Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (PS2) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=43387)
#01 - Super Mario Sunshine (GCN) (http://forums.toonzone.net/showthread.php?t=39558)

Thanks to Borg4of3 for recommending this spotlight! Want to see a certain game spotlighted? Then send it in (http://forums.toonzone.net/private.php?s=&action=newmessage&userid=34)!

[JohnCrichton]

Hands-On Impressions:

Played a couple more seconds of it on my co-worker's DS.

First thought to my mind was, "So THIS is why playing a FPS is so much better on a mouse!" I used the thumb-nubber and it was pretty awesome how quickly I could move my gun about the play.

Environments are nothing short of awe inspiring and pretty damn good for the DS.

BUT.... where it comes up short is where the touch screen is located. Since it's in the middle your thumb has to stretched over just a little bit to use it. Not noticable at first, but after a while it get uncomfortable. But there's "Duel Mode" where you end up useing the X,Y,A, B buttons as your second analog. This is what I'm more used to and it's a bit better, but not near as fast. I doubt one would survive long online fighting like that.

The game itself is pretty damn remarkable, as any Metroid Prime game. And to have it on the go is snazzy.

I played it for less than ten minutes, so I'm not sure yet if it's possible to get used to the controls.

More later as I play it...

Okay, tried playing it with the stylus and am liking it a lot better. MUCH better, infact now I see how first person shooters are SUPPOSE to be.

I didn't like the demo too much, but I dunno... I'm really liking this finished version. Engaging and damn hard to put down. Hurts a little bit, but that's cuz of the DS's clunky design. Mario Kart DS hurts my hands after a while.

But oy... this is one full bodied game. Give it a rental and give it a little time to see if you like it. So far I'm liking this better than Prime.

Kinda dig the hand held experience.. damn hard to take my eyes off it.

We'll see how it turns out. I was in love with the beginning of Prime too and after the introduction I stopped playing it. Might be the same with this, but I have to give it a thumbs up.

I've added another great game to the list of games I should play but never get around to.
__________________

[MattThomasM2B]

I found the thumb-strap just too much of an annoyance to use. Always having to readjust the stupid thing, accidentally screwing my aim up because of a slip. An analog stick would've been 10x more convenient and 10x less of a hassle.

[JohnCrichton]

Biggest problem I found, and I feel all handhelds should have this standard, is the ability to save at any moment in time.

I mean, with handhelds you should feel any time constraint. You should be able to pick up and play and just stop.

Alas, I figured out too late that if you Quit, you're game is motherlovin' gone and there is no save function. So at the door of the level's boss, I lost my game.

But... I liked playing through it, so I'll it it again when I get the chance.

[Dogasu]

Single player's a blast so far. The only complaint I can really find with the game is the high learning curve on the controls. While playing with a combination of the stylus (in my right hand) and the control pad (in my left hand) is least awkward of the control schemes I've tried so far, it's still nowhere near being comfortable.

This is definately a game that'll play better on the DS Lite than on the heavier model.

[PRdude]

Aiming is a pain in the neck. That's for sure. I'm using the control scheme where you use the lettered buttons to aim. Using the touch screen to aim is wicked inconvenient.

By the way, am I the only one who doesn't care for the wi-fi multiplayer feature?

[Dr Crocodile]

Why aren't you people using the thumbstrap? A little less accurate than the stylus but so much easier. Anyway, I'm having a blast with this game. I kind of fell victim to the hype as I didn't originally plan to pick this up but now I'm glad I did. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do now.

[Charlie]

Picked it up today, and its alright. I like how the single player is semi-level based, but still sort of keeps the wierd ambiance of Metroid when you hit a dead end. Can't get over the controlls yet though.

I also find Wifi-Connection pretty lame. I've played 5 matches so far, each time against 1 other person (Can't seem to connect with any more than 1 person at a time.) and each time said person just used the Red-guy with the sniper rifle and wasted me befor I could find 'im. I'm really hoping multiplayer becomes one-trick like that.

[Dogasu]

Why aren't you people using the thumbstrap? A little less accurate than the stylus but so much easier. Anyway, I'm having a blast with this game. I kind of fell victim to the hype as I didn't originally plan to pick this up but now I'm glad I did. I didn't expect to like it as much as I do now.

For me, the stylus is just easier. While there's still the issue of you basically supporting the entire system with your left hand, at least it doesn't squeeze on your thumb the way the thumbstrap does.

I'm starting to like the game more that I'm getting used to the control scheme. It's going to be weird to play the GameCube games after this because the aiming just isn't as good as it is with the touch screen.

I must say that I'm surprised with how...inactive this thread is. I would have thought that this, being such a long-anticipated title, would have caused a lot more replies.

[PRdude]

I must say that I'm surprised with how...inactive this thread is. I would have thought that this, being such a long-anticipated title, would have caused a lot more replies.

You're going to have to wait until The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess comes out. :)

[Artimus Gigan]

The stylus control is average for this, however preferibly an analog nub or stick would have been the best method for the FPS, prehaps with the next DS resdesign there will be one or the GBA2 if it has backwards compatibility.

Apparently the Sniper Bounty Hunter may end up be the most chosen character in multiplayer...because snipers usualy have easier kills(why the hell do they always have to include snipers, someone just leave them out for once)

I like that they put less scanning into the game to get the complete ending(I felt that the scanning was way overdone in the console versions, it's well over many hundred items, and there is no telling which ones were manditory or one time only)


It shows however that the DS can do portable console games very well, it may not have the resolution or the large screensize as the PSP, but it's good enough.

Now then more portable console quality games for the DS....just make sure to include a "save anywhere" function next time, like the other console quality portable games are doing.....so I don't loose my data when the battery light turns red and I fail to realise it and it then shuts off unexpedidly...

[PRdude]

Not only is the dual control better for me, but it's more convenient when fighting bosses than with stylus control.

[Fresh V]

Well, I just got it today. Awesome game. And the music and graphics are so cool.

About the controls, the stylus mode feels somewhat uncomfortable after awhile, but, although more comfortable, it's not as easy to aim in dual version. So I dunno yet which one I like better. Dual = more comfortable. Stylus = easier to aim but gets really tiring after a while.

[Lord Andy]

I for one have fallen in love with this game. Except for the graphics, the single player adventure didn’t impress me until I got to the third world. Then you finally have a branching path, so it felt at least a little more Metroid-y. But the multiplayer mode is what’s eating up all my time. I’m impressed at how solid this game is in this regard. The Metroid franchise has brought out a unique FPS game with the ALT forms.

As for the controls, I use the stylus to get me that accurate aim (once I turned down the sensitivity, of course). I need to support the system with something else like a couch’s arm rest or my knee, but I think that way works well.

[PRdude]

So, might any of you here already finished the game yet? I have, today.

I've tried using the stylus controls scheme in some parts of the game. I guess it's not so bad now though. I still like the dual control scheme better though, even if it may not be as easy to aim.

[Agent S7]

Having never been a FPS player, I picked this up Sunday expecting to be astounded.

And I was. Just yesterday I finished the pulse-pounding first Boss. (The tower.) That game is INSANE! Right when I thought it was over...self destruct! Crap, man!

Now I'm on Planet Lava. VERY cool.

~S7

[The Falcon]

just picked this up the other day and have to say i am liking it. as others have said though, my hand gets severely cramped after sitting down and playing it for a while. too bad there is no save stations and you have to go all the way back to your ship to save, otherwise i could just save, quit, and go do something else while my hand rests. i guess plugging the ds in and putting it in sleep mode may help take care of this

biggest annoyance, besides the hand cramps, would have to be the evacuation of the planet after you collect an octolith. i mean, what's the point? the planet's not exploding. there are no bad guys after you, except for the guardians and other hunters in the rooms after you collect the octolith, but then again, they'd be there anyway. i just don't see the point, so, no. no, i do not want to escape. let me continue to explore and find the next octolith please, or else face the almighty wrath of my judicator!