Ain’t Nothing but a Wii Thing.

After seeing some of the E3 coverage from this year’s show I can say without a single ounce of reservation in my body, mind and or soul that ‘Metroid: Other M’ is officially my number one anticipated video game title of the next year. The trailer gives very little away, but reveals just enough to let us know that this new incarnation, which sees Nintendo building a working partnership with Ninja Studios, is going to be taking some pretty imaginative leaps from the Metroid games we’ve been entertained by before. In a way it is sad to see that Retro Studios are not involved as they really revitalised the Metroid franchise and brought it stylishly into the 21st century making it an FPS which had some serious, heavy balls, but also kept faithful to Metroid’s isolated atmosphere and exploratory dimensions. But after delivering three excellent games, which to be fair, though advances were made with each installment the premise always remained the same, so we are due to a new direction, and ‘Other M’ certainly looks likely to deliver on this. The trailer comprises mostly of what must be pre-rendered cinematics, but really gorgeous looking ones, which hint at this game featuring a more involving storyline which focuses on Samus’s past and her relationships. The teaser shows that the game is likely to combine 3rd and 1st person perspectives and feature extensive hand-to-hand combat on top of the usual blaster melees. The trailer shows Samus facing off against an number of alien foes but most excitingly of all are Ridley and Motherbrain!!! It’s going to be interesting watching this one develop of the next few months. Whilst I’m glad to see some serious action I hope that they also maintain the platforming and puzzle elements of the series, I certainly don’t want to see Metroid become a mindless exercise of waggling the Wiimote. Perhaps this new game will be like ‘Hunters’ in the sense that levels are episodic and have clearly defined entry/exit points and objectives, or maybe they’ll keep the usual immersive environment, who knows yet but the developers. Either way this is the one to watch, lets just hope that the 2010 release date is early on in the year. Also mentioned was that Shigeru Miyamoto held another secretive boardroom conference in which the new, in-development Legend of Zelda title was discussed. Mr. Miyamoto apparently showed some new concept artwork for the game which showed Link as a much more mature character than ever depicted before in a game and Miyamoto let on that the game will feature overhauled sword fighting mechanics and that players should look to how the motion plus peripheral is utilised for certain Wii Sports Resorts mini games for clues as to how it’ll be integrated into the new Zelda title. To be honest this is pretty much what we all expected, Zelda was the hotly tipped announcement, so it is interesting that Nintendo have kept this one so quiet, obviously the game is still too early on in the development phase for them to want to share it, but at least we know that it is happening and so can expect up dates to filter in over the next few months, but I wouldn’t hold out for an actual release until perhaps late 2010 more likely 2011, but then Ninty need to be quick because we can’t be sure on how much more lifespan the Wii has! Mario Galaxy 2 was a bit of a surprise as I wasn’t expected another ‘hardcore’ Mario game so soon, but this is a pleasant if somewhat underwhelming announcement. I love Mario games and have always enjoyed playing them, so I have no problem with Ninty rolling another one out, all that I feel let down by is the seeming lack of effort to approach the franchise with the usual dedication to offering something different from the previous game. Galaxy 2 appears to basically run off of the same engine, with the same graphics, controls etc. but with just added power ups, new level designs etc. and when you consider that in a presentation of other new Mario title ‘New Super Mario Bros. Wii’ when the Nintendo spokesperson said that their team was looking to go beyond this, it doesn’t wash down with the nicest of tastes. Still I loved Galaxy and I’m not that much of cynic/snob/twat to say “Sorry Nintendo, but making a game which offers me more of something which I love just isn’t good enough” because well that would be foolish to say the least. I look forward to Galaxy 2 and I’m sure the game will include enough new tricks to keep me satisfied. I’m very happy overall with Nintendo’s performance at E3, and I think it is a very cool time to be a Wii owner right now. Not only have we got the aforementioned titles to look forward to, but High Voltage Studio’s ‘The Conduit’ is juts around the corner, the same studio has also announced a further two Wii exclusive titles are in development, we’ve got some cool sequels lined up in the form of Red Steel 2, Sin & Punishment 2 and No More Heroes 2, and all of these games appeal to the hardcore market, something which Nintendo have been accused of dismissing of late, but at last we’re seeing an influx of quality software both for release and in tantalising development. These also a ton more, these mentioned here only scratch the surface of what there is to enjoy and look forward to, it is very exciting times indeed.