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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