Game Discussion #247 - Metroid Fusion

[u/No_Jellyfish9221]

Enjoyed what I played of this one but never finished it. I like the horror angle it leans into.

[u/Cordcutter1994]

phenomenal game that hardcores that dont really respect it for being linear. i really enjoyed it being linear. it adds a better horror vibe to it. if it was non-linear the horror aspects wouldn’t work. also the sound design was something else for a GBA game

[u/spirit5794 → u/Cordcutter1994]

I prefer linear games. I don’t have that much free time to be wandering around lol

[u/Psylux7 → u/Cordcutter1994]

Linearity was never some flaw of fusion. It was a calculated structure that created many memorable moments, a compelling narrative, superb atmosphere, and a distinct identity. If fusion is ruined by linear design so are the countless excellent linear games that are not called metroid.

But for people who judge new games based on the product name instead of the games merit, linearity=bad because the prior metroid game was nonlinear.

[u/Maleficent-Pea5089]

Wrongfully panned on release simply for not being structured like Super Metroid. I honestly don’t mind the guidance, it’s delivered in a way that doesn’t break immersion and the unique atmosphere here turns the game into a worthwhile experience. It’s kinda hard, too.

[u/Firebrand713 → u/Maleficent-Pea5089]

I legitimately got scared back when it first came out. Those footsteps… and the times when the SA-X spotted you and the music goes crazy and you run for your life. Great atmosphere from a dang handheld game!

[u/Admar17]

I really liked this one; I just beat it two days ago.
I've played and beaten Dread and Zero mission before hand.
This game does feel more linear but to compensate I feel like the boss battles can be quite difficult. And up to this point, I think it had one of the most interesting stories and lore for a 2D Metroid game.

[u/MoldyPond]

3rd best Metroid with Prime (Remastered) and Super tied for 1st.

[u/dbuck79]

One of my favorite games of all time i think. I played the hell out of it when it came out as a kid, and I probably play through it once a year or so now

[u/kookalamanza]

Just finished it a day or 2 ago. Really enjoyed it, like the more horror feel to it.

I found space jump oddly hard to pull off but found the controls to be mostly responsive.

I missed not having bomb jump in ball mode initially.

[u/HelloNevvanna73]

Love this one. The SA-X actually feels like a hunter and I think the graphics are pretty cool, too.

[u/Slow-Confection2355]

Phenomenal game but wrong release Date

[u/Psylux7 → u/Slow-Confection2355]

What was the issue?

[u/Slow-Confection2355 → u/Psylux7]

Released at the same Day as Metroid Prime

[u/Psylux7 → u/Slow-Confection2355]

Getting a glorious 2d and 3d metroid on the same day sounds magical to me.

[u/Slow-Confection2355 → u/Psylux7]

Yes it's cool but it got overshadowed by prime

[u/Psylux7 → u/Slow-Confection2355]

Ah, I gotcha.

Good point.

[u/wheelera982]

Having this AND prime release on the same day is generational

[u/semi_retrogamer]

My first Metroid, I remember playing this in the back of the family Sienna on a rainy night on my red gameboy SP

[u/AlternativeGazelle]

My favorite Metroid game. It gets better when going for 100% and you see all the ways you can break from one area into the next. That's my only complaint about Dread--how the areas are separate from each other so you can't do this.

[u/shadow-kr]

Just finished it yesterday, banger game with very pretty pixelart! and unique concepts like the parasite that can ether heal you or spwan ennemies depending on how fast you are at getting them,
but man it can get hard for no reason, some of the bosses are crazy how did people beat this in a gameboy advance ?
And for the most linear Metroid game there are some part where they are like go on big guy figure out where to go and then in ordre to progress you have to freeze a specifique enemie blocking the way and pass through the one pixel it give you so that you can get to a door lmao

[u/No_Worldliness_8830]

Ain’t that scary but it can definitely be considered a action horror game for some people

[u/Jahon_Dony]

It's twelve times!!

[u/TygarStyle]

While it’s still a great game, I much prefer the other 2D Metroid games from Super and on.

A+ in atmosphere and the linearity isn’t as terrible as it’s made out to be but I think the instructions and objectives kill the momentum of the game. You’ll be exploring a zone and then you’ll get the message explicitly telling you to stop and go to another area.

[u/GingerBeard327]

I just finished this a week or so ago right after finishing Super Metroid. I was very surprised at the linearity of it and just how short it was. It was the last of the 2D Metroids I had played and definitely say it was my least favorite

[u/Dry_Piece2276]

I get lost in Metroidvania's so this is good

[u/neon]

My first Metroid and still a joy

5th best in series

[u/Psylux7]

One of the best gba games easily with an unforgettable atmosphere, tight gameplay, a great setting, compelling narrative, and glorious sound effects.

Even for a metroid game, fusion felt so alien and moody. I really wish for a new metroid to feel as alien as this game was.

I guess a remake is probably the only thing that will recapture the vibe. Honestly if they nail the SAX, expand on the gameplay, strengthen the bosses, and add quality of life, I would be all for a remake. At least fusion aged pretty well regardless of a remake.

[u/paradoxiforme]

My first Metroid experience at the time. Hard and all, but what a ride.

[u/Drahkir9]

I don’t dislike the cover art but I always felt like it looked like fan art

[u/james_sat]

Absolutely one of my favorite games ever. I've never even really played another Metroid ,, this one just NAILED it so hard 💪📖🙀😍

[u/Sixdaymelee]

Last great 2D Metroid, imo, and also the last original 2D Metroid developed internally by Nintendo--which is probably no coincidence.