Board 8 > March Game of the Month Club Replay: Metroid Prime and Castlevania: LOS

(+) Yeah! (+)

Made it to Phendrana Drifts in Metroid. I have enough time this week that I should be able to finish.

My save file had 14 hours of progress for 100% though it helped that I know the game pretty well beforehand (might also have left it on at some point so maybe it evens out).

It's pretty short so should definitely be doable.

Also I told myself I wouldn't scan everything but I've been scanning everything, I can't help it.

I'm on the Artifact hunt.... And let me tell you my enjoyment has taken quite a dive.

It's not really that much extra time added for scanning everything I think. At least must of the time it's pretty useful to know the enemy intel anyways and most data stuff can just be skipped if you don't care.

And yeah Abacus, I understand that, though I personally find it enjoyable enough trying to figure out the hints you can get. A QoL change that would help a bit they could have considered making was some way to fast travel.

The enemy scans have been pretty useful, and I love the lore/world building on the unnecessary ones.

I got the Spider Ball last night. Owing for idle time and fucking around with the controls...I've probably clocked in 5-6 hours.

I tend to be a slower player though, so I'm not sure I'll get it done by the end of the month. Haven't played this game since it originally came out, but it's funny how there's little bits and pieces that I remember.

Obtained the Gravity Suit. I know there's at least 3 major upgrades left, plus getting all the artifacts.

I've always found the backtracking to be much more annoying in the 3D Metroids.

Have all the artifacts


ctesjbuvf posted...

A QoL change that would help a bit they could have considered making was some way to fast travel.

It wasn't as arduous as I expected, but yeah a fast travel thing would have helped a ton. Or hell, even map markers. So often I'd forget where something was and spend a million years exploring.

Much like Seanchan, I do agree backtracking is more cumbersome in this than other Metroids I have played.

I have overall enjoyed it though. Should have it finished tomorrow night.

Cody11533 posted...

Also I told myself I wouldn't scan everything but I've been scanning everything, I can't help it.

Why would you not scan everything? It's so much joy.

ViolentAbacus posted...

Or hell, even map markers. So often I'd forget where something was and spend a million years exploring.

YES! This is one of those small things most of the modern Metroidvania/Search Action games do that really helps. Or even just having rooms with secrets left to find a different color on the map, ala Resident Evil.

Like, I know where one of those major upgrades is, but I can't get it until I've got a different upgrade first. But I'll be damned if I could tell you where that room is on the map! I know which region it's in, but I'll probably have to run through the whole thing, unless the game does that explicit hint thing of "hey go over here".

There is a sound you can listen to that appears if there is something to get in the room. It's not perfect but it's something.

ctesjbuvf posted...

There is a sound you can listen to that appears if there is something to get in the room. It's not perfect but it's something.

Yep, I'm like Pavlov's dog when I hear that sound. "WHERE, WHERE?!?"

FakeAccount3000 posted...

Why would you not scan everything? It's so much joy.

I had it in my head that having to scan everything would be a nuisance, but I have seen the light and embraced the joy of scanning.

One beam left, which I know generally where it is. I think there's also another suit. Plus 8 more artifacts. Somewhere around 60% items and 90% scans, though I probably won't bother going for 100%.

Finally gotten to the point where I can move through most of the world with ease. Not looking forward to going through the Mines again though...

Anyway, I think I should be able to get it done before the end of the month.

Gonna get it finished tomorrow! I forgot about a bunch of optional upgrades, probably because I never used them during my original playthrough. Used a guide to point me to a bunch of the artifacts because I just wasn't going to waste my time and it's time consuming having to run all over the world.

Metroid Prime beated!

Fucking boss battle against Ridley took me 3 tries because I just couldn't get the last goddamn super missile shot. Very fucking annoying.

Final battle took me 2 tries, mostly because, well, learning the patterns, but also I lost too much health getting through the chambers before that point. Didn't realize the enemies in that one room would continue respawning. Second time through I just ran and did fine.

Super > Prime, and that's a no doubter.

Cody has beaten Metroid Prime

Great game, but the backtracking was driving me nuts by the end. Fast travel would have been appreciated, especially because I was up against the end of the month. Still greatly enjoyed it.