Metroid Prime 2: Echoes

First of all, the key feature that clinches Metroid Prime is the scan visor. This device gives you the ability to play the game without an in-dept story, but allows the player to discover his or her own path through the game with an amount of problem solving. In Metroid Prime 2, this feature not only returns, but it organizes all data and it has been made easier to scan objects. Although the Dark Visor is a disappointment in this game, the echo visor is an excellent addition to the series, and would be a terrific item in any collection.

The story seems a bit strange - and far-fetched at first. Samus's new mission is to discover the fate of a group of Federation Marines who disappeared on a planet know as Aether. When she approaches her destination, atmospheric distubance dammages her ship, making it impossible to leave. Even if repairs were completed quickly, the atmosphere could still destroy her ship in the process. After learning of the fate of every federation soldier, Samus meets one native of the planet, a Luminoth. She discovers that a Aether has a parallel dimension infested with dark and evil creatures known as Ing. The Ing have slaughtered the Luminoth for years, so the leader decided to let his people rest while he waited for hope (rather than let the massacre continue). By aiding the planet's desparate civilians, she would also end the disturbance that damaged both hers and the Federation ships.

The beautiful story is complimented by beautiful graphics. Metroid Prime 2 has the very best graphics I have seen on any system, only rivaled by Resident Evil 4. Metroid Prime 2's graphics only seem sub-par to some games because of alien life and technology. None the less, everything on plaent Aether is constructed with nearly flawless detail.

Challenge has always been a strong point of the Metroid Series, and Echoes delivers promptly. Combined with the deadly poisons of Dark Aether, bosses become more menacing while Samus darts from safe zone to safe zone to maintain health. Essentially, many battles become timed. Early on is Samus's new journey, her newfound equipment from her first 3D adventure is stolen by her new enemies, morphing new bosses that can use her own abilities against her, but there is one boss in the game that actually use an item stolen at the end of the first Prime game, which creates one of the greatest villians of the entire series - Dark Samus. I will make note that the new bosses of this game are not quite as innovative as the first Prime, and nothing is as menacing as the Omega Pirate, but I am more than satisfied with all performances.

I bought Metroid Prime 2: Echoes because Metroid Prime the original was and still is an awesome game. It had great graphics, and an obsurdly fun gameplay. The levels were a fair challenge, and the boss fights were exciting. Well, take all that, make it harder, even better graphics, and a multi-player mode, and you have the second Metroid Prime. The only complaint I have with Prime 2 was that there was a little too much backtracking. Not a whole lot to where you want to stop playing and return the game, but a little to where it gets a little (and I stress, it was only a little) boring travelling back and forth. But! Aside from that, I enjoyed this game almost as much as the first Prime.

I was looking forward to Metroid Prime 2: Echoes following a good experience with the orignal in the Metroid Prime series. When I bought the first Metroid Prime, I was amazed with the graphics and quality of gameplay. The controls are hard to get used to at first, but once you have them down, the game is freakin' sweet. Well, if you have already played the first Metroid Prime, the 2nd installment is Prime 1, and then some. The story is interesting, and graphics are awesome, some of the best for any system. And what makes me happy is that there is a multiplayer mode along with the beautifully made one player story mode. The one thing that one could say is bad (which I wouldn't say, but it is argueable)is the larger amount of backtracking compared to the first Prime. Aside from that, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a must have title for every GameCube owner.

METROID ROCKS!!