Metroid Prime Remastered is a haunting adventure disguised as a bright and colorful shooter. Standing still is a surefire way to get killed by hostile creatures or traps, so keep your feet moving and your head on a swivel.
The scan visor is essential for exploring this game’s world and unlocking its many secrets. Everything from enemies to environment can be scanned, adding new entries to your Log Book and revealing interesting lore.
1. Don’t be afraid to explore
The original Metroid Prime was an exploration-based shooter that made a strong case for itself as one of the best games ever created. This Remastered version continues that tradition, albeit with some new additions.
One big difference is the redesigned control scheme, which makes it easier to play if you’re used to modern first-person shooters. Another change is the addition of save rooms. These don’t auto-save, so you have to visit them when you want to reclaim your energy.
Despite these changes, Metroid Prime Remastered still feels like the same game as the original. The varied world of Tallon IV prompts exploration, and the story is told through in-world scan items and brief cutscenes. The game is challenging even on normal settings, and the hunt for the next room to save at can make things tense.
2. Take notes
When it comes to first-person shooters, few remasters do it better than Metroid Prime Remastered. Nintendo and developer Retro Studios took a risk with the jump from 2D to 3D, but the results were stunning.
The remaster is just as enchanting today as it was in 2002, with Samus Aran still roaming the ruins of Tallon IV. Players will need a keen eye to spot secrets like scan-able symbols on walls, or the proximity hum that indicates there’s an energy tank or missile pack nearby.
Metroid Prime also doesn’t include checkpoints or autosave, so players will have to seek out save rooms if they want to avoid losing progress. It’s a minor pain, but it helps to keep the game’s atmosphere intact. It’s a haunted adventure disguised as a brightly colored shooter.
3. Don’t be afraid to scan
The Scan Visor in Metroid Prime Remastered allows players to see enemies and objects on the screen, but doesn’t pause the game. Using it to scan a creature or object registers the item in Samus’ Log Book, and unlocks various “extras.”
This system is reminiscent of the Batman Arkham games where detective mode gives players clues about the environment. But it also channels the moody exploration that the Metroid series is known for.
The Log Book is one of the many things that can make Metroid Prime Remastered feel less like a modern shooter and more like a moody sci-fi adventure. Taking the time to scan everything will add more context to the world and help players uncover important information that can help them beat the game.
4. Don’t be afraid to upgrade
The Metroid series has always put a huge emphasis on exploring, puzzle-solving, and upgrading Samus’s gear. Whether it’s missile expansions or health tanks, each upgrade provides players with an incentive to keep searching out new areas and uncovering more of Tallon IV’s secrets.
One of the most exciting aspects of this remaster is its visuals. Water ripples, steam occludes, and insects light the way; the world looks more alive than ever before while maintaining its beautiful 3D design.
It also has a few new touches like a more intense charging animation for the Ice Cannon, though some fans have complained that the doors don’t look as cool as they used to. Still, those are minor complaints for a remaster that is truly a work of art.
5. Don’t be afraid to explore
In the era before quest markers and omnipresent protagonist dialogue, Metroid Prime trusts players to look back at their progress and remember where they are going. Whether it’s a blocked area now accessible after an upgrade, or a lava-filled cavern no longer able to burn Samus alive, these discoveries are like little hints that complement new abilities and add to the sense of exploration.
It takes a lot of memory, intuition, and creativity to move forward in a world where platforms sink, hostile creatures swim at you, and hidden traps are ready to spring on you at every turn. But this is part of what makes Metroid Prime so compelling. It’s not easy, even on Casual Difficulty, but it is worth it to see what the game has in store for you next.