Classic Studies: Super Metroid – Part 2
Super Metroid plays out similarly to Metroid–so similarly, in fact, that intrepid players will instantly recognize certain iconic hallways. A Metroid veteran will know exactly where to find that morph ball power-up. But it is homage rather than retread and maintains continuity long enough for the veterans to realize that the Zebes they knew only scratched the surface. Here we find Norfair and Brinstar, better known as the red and green areas from Metroid, but we also explore a haunted ship, an underwater maze, and the stormy surface of the planet itself. Each are filled with their own flora and fauna, and each are slowly excavated with the missile, super missile, speed boot, grappling hook, and super bomb. Zebes is peeled back like an onion, and each layer hides a new ability to find, a new creature to best, and a new theme song to hum along to.
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Velvet Assassin
Velvet Assassin falls short of its grandiose attempts to solemnize the Second World War. When it comes to the stealth genre, however, Velvet Assassin aims low – and hits the mark.
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Classic Studies: Super Metroid – Part I
Super Metroid is one of the best games ever made. What does that make Metroid? Turns out, nothing more than a good idea. First part in a three parter, taking us to our roots, to the classic, and to its legacy.
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Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena
“Dark Athena is, like Butcher Bay, a strange mix. A lot of the game is about making your way through guard-filled rooms using little more than shadows and your knives. Most of the time, the game even has enough sense to deprive you of guns entirely, as tempting as it might be for a first-person game. The result is satisfying stealth-action. It is then mixed with some character interaction, with dabblings in fetch quests that, though tried, are worth it simply for the characters.”
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Building a Game, Not a Message
“Resident Evil 5 isn’t racist, but there’s more at work here than “Is it or isn’t it?” How does Resident Evil 5 undermine its own anti-colonial message, and why does it? The answer is simpler than you think. And more frustrating.”
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The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay (2009)
“Escape from Butcher Bay, on the other hand, is not certain what it wants to be, and this lack of confidence proves to be its downfall. What could have been a classic becomes a period piece, a game we will look at one day and say, “Wow, look what it did!” – but not play.”
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Beyond Good & Evil
“Beyond Good & Evil seemed doomed to cult status from the start. It had all the hallmarks: a science fiction story rife with political themes, an alien invasion, and a conspiracy or two. Some may also argue it starred an unusual protagonist, Jade, whose distinguishing characteristic as a female video game protagonist was that she wore loose-fitting jeans instead of a thong. On second thought, that there probably explains the lackluster sales.”
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Age of Empires II
Age of Empires II was a critical success after release. It doesn’t work so well anymore, and it’s hard to forgive its flaws for being simply “an older game.”
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To Make Us Whole
Catch my essay on Flower at Spawn Kill this week! Link is here.
Review: Resident Evil 5
Belated but no less the worse for wear, my Resident Evil 5 review is now up on Spawn Kill. Check it out!
