[Game Review] Metroid Fusion (GBA)

I remember playing this game when I was younger and having trouble with it. It always seemed so hard at the time. After replaying it a couple weeks ago, I guess you could say my opinion has changed a bit. Regardless, I still love the game.

Storyline
While on her way to planet SR388, Samus is attacked by the parasitic life form X. As she returns to the station, she becomes unconscious due to the effects of X and her ship drifts into an asteroid belt. She is then rescued by Biologic's team and transported back to Galactic Federation HQ. After receiving a vaccine created from a metroid, Samus learns of an explosion on Biologic's ship, and rushes to the scene. And thus the adventure begins. Throughout the game Samus uncovers more of the mystery behind Biologic characters and certain plot elements are introduced through Samus's thoughts. The story definitely isn't the greatest, but it's the best I've seen from a Metroid game yet.

Score: Slightly Above Average 7/10

Gameplay

The gameplay of Metroid Fusion is very reminiscent of Super Metroid, although there are very distinguishable differences. The most important of these differences probably being the tremendously crippled exploration in comparison to Super Metroid. Aside from the fact that there are far less bugs and glitches that allow you to sequence break in Metroid Fusion, there are 4 colored lock doors that must be opened in order to advance in the game. This essentially makes it impossible to go somewhere you're not supposed to be. In my opinion, the exploration element isn't missing in this game. I just feel that the developers implemented a little more control over the sequence of events throughout the game. The only other thing I want to mention about gameplay are the SA-X events. Throughout the game there are a few rooms that when you enter, a clone of Samus Aran formed by the X parasite, known as SA-X, will be looking for you. This clone has all of your old equipment from Super Metroid and will demolish you(especially in the earlier parts of the game) if it sees you. In most of these instances you can actually avoid SA-X if you are careful, and this adds a sort of stealth element to the game that's worth appreciating. But if SA-X sees you, you'd better run like hell.

Score: Almost Perfect 9/10

Sound & Graphics

For a Gameboy Advance game, I feel Metroid Fusion excelled in both of these departments. Particularly graphics, with it's vibrant colors and detailed environments. Aside from the main area in the game, there are 6 themed areas which you explore. While playing this game I got a sense that each area had it's own identity. Not only were the backgrounds and sprites different, but certain gameplay elements were also incorporated to achieve this sense of identity(underwater areas, lava, etc.) And the music truly represented these areas as well. My only complaint was that some areas you can easily spend over an hour in, and the music doesn't change very often aside from boss battles and occurrences with SA-X.

Score: Above Average 8/10

Final Thoughts

Metroid Fusion is a pretty good game. It has it's flaws and is very short(my completion time was like 5 hours, though, I was missing many of the upgrades when I beat the game). If you were one of those people who played Super Metroid and loved it, then you should probably give this game a try. I don't know for sure if you're going to like it as much, but chances are you'll get something out of it. Even if only a few hours of exciting 2D Metroid action.

My overall score is: 8.1/10.0