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View Full Version : Metroid Prime 3 sucks...and here's why.



maxlords
09-09-2007, 11:19 AM
All right, so I finally sat down with Metroid Prime 3: Corruption last night....and holy crap is it an annoying game! The game is awesome, don't get me wrong....it's just that the controls are atrocious! First things first, the camera is controlled by the Wiimote...so if your hand strays, so does your friggin viewpoint....which means that if you're trying to talk to someone or get, say, a drink of water, or even looking at the controller to see where the button you're supposed to hit is...your camera is likely to move with you, forcing you to hold a very rigid grip on the Wiimote. The only thing that makes it any better is the lockon.

Secondly, when you DO finally get the hang of the camera...you'll find that firing with the Wiimote while moving the camera is even harder! Slamming on the fire button while trying to hold the controller perfectly still or tracking to hit your enemies is ridiculously difficult. it's better if you switch fire to B and jump to A but still very difficult! Why not move fire to the nunchuk where it didn't matter if you move it around while firing? I don't know.

Then there's the visor....which you have ot activate with the - button. and then aim at a certain part of the screen to activate scan mode...which then lets you scan objects if you let go of it while you're inside the area. Which would be fine....if it didn' t take forever to scan things and enemies can still attack you while you're scanning. And if you've played the other Prime games, you'll know that scanning everything is important to getting a full completion of the game.

Of course there's more too. The missiles in the game can only be fired....by pressing down on the D-pad. Now THIS is a dumb idea. I literally have to reseat the controller in my hand on the fly to reach the D-pad, then try to press it while holding the Wiimote perfectly still to shoot a missile at something. Good gods I hope there are no bosses that have to be killed with missiles...cause lockon doesn't work on bosses and that'll be impossible. Honest to god I can barely hit a DOOR with missiles.

And there's the matter of having some of the controls mapped to the nunchuk...like the scanning activation even though EVERYTHING else is mapped to the Wiimote...firing, jumping, firing weapons, etc. The buttons you use most are all mapped to the Wiimote except scanning...so every time I try to scan something I tend to accidentally hit fire....which kicks you out of scan mode! Grrrrrrrrrrrr. The learning curve on these controls is just insane.

Without a doubt this is one of THE most frustrating games I've ever played. The first big battle....took me about 30 minutes when it should have taken five simply because the enemies were too fast and I couldn't track them with the Wiimote fast enough to get a lockon simply because if you move too far out of range of the bar, the Wiimote doesn't work and you end up with a camera spinning endlessly or stuck in a corner and the game won't let you move until you re-center the Wiimote. Once you get the hang of lockon and manage to half-chase down the enemies and lock on...it still doesn't ACTUALLY lock onto them either. It locks your camera onto them to let you aim your gun at them! So you're STILL aiming with a lockon! Oh yeah...and if you don't adjust it, you can barely see out the visor cause the HUD blocks half your view. I honestly almost threw my Wii out the front door last night I was so irritated.

Oh yeah....and the game is VERY VERY VERY hard for left handed people to control. With virtually every console forever having had the movement controls mapped to the left (d-pads, sticks, etc) and virtually ALL 3D games having had cameras mapped to the right, it's ludicrously hard for any serious left handed gamer to pick up a Will controller and try to control their firing and camera with their left hand and their movement with a stick in their right. I found the game COMPLETELY umplayable until I switched the Wiimote to my right and the nunchuk to my left hand. And because of that....I can barely aim because I'm extremely left dominant. I suspect the game is about twice as hard for me as most people....

With all this....it's a damn good thing that the story is cool and the game is neat and all.....without that I'd just say screw this and never touch it again. I don't really care for the other hunters....in fact I find that confusing...with a vast galactic military, the galactic government is crippled without 6 hunters? I don't get that at ALL. THe military is pathetic in this story...and makes NO sense. Same with "Space Pirates" being the dominant bad guy...just gibberish. Still fun and engrossing though IMO...at least everything is very detailed and interesting. I do like the magnetic lasso....that IS easy to use and neat. The morph ball is fairly handy too. Nintendo needs to realize that games just can't be THIS complex on the Wii....it's too much to do IMO. I'd pay $100+ for a copy of the game that worked with a GC controller or the Nintendo Classic controller instead. Sadly, Nintendo assumes that EVERYONE things complex motion controls are fun :( Boo.....

Mayhem
09-09-2007, 11:38 AM
Aside from the penultimate paragraph, I disagree with everything you've said. I've had no issues moving, controlling, shooting everything, although it takes a little while to understand the differences in lock-on versus free aim. Although I'm a leftie, I can play either hand perfectly okay, so the Wii remote in the right is fine for me.

As for missiles, I use the same control holding I have for Mario Strikers... top of the thumb on the D-pad and bottom of the thumb on A (to jump) with B button for firing.

Chuplayer
09-09-2007, 11:52 AM
Can you at least use the classic controller or the Gamecube controller?

agbulls
09-09-2007, 11:58 AM
Can you at least use the classic controller or the Gamecube controller?

read every other topic and every other impression across the net, and you'll see this impression about the controls being shitty is about .001% of the people who've played it.

There is no way the NGC controller would - or should work. And, you wont want it after you've tried the new controls.

klausien
09-09-2007, 11:59 AM
One long play session of the game is not enough time to really give it an up or down. There is a learning curve with every game of this type, and most of your criticisms appear to be a knee jerk reaction to the learning curve of this game. I did the same thing when it came to Halo and it's dual analog control. but eventually saw the light. That said, the only real annoyance I found had to do with the scanning as a gameplay device in general. I didn't like it in the other Prime games either, so it is par for the course. The new way of bringing up visors is much better than fumbling with the GC d-pad though, as it is easier to do on the fly. just give it some time. It is also weird to focus on aiming while locked on, but that too can be overcome with a modicum of practice.

agbulls
09-09-2007, 12:02 PM
One long play session of the game is not enough time to really give it an up or down. There is a learning curve with every game of this type, and most of your criticisms appear to be a knee jerk reaction to the learning curve of this game. I did the same thing when it came to Halo and it's dual analog control. but eventually saw the light. That said, the only real annoyance I found had to do with the scanning as a gameplay device in general. I didn't like it in the other Prime games either, so it is par for the course. The new way of bringing up visors is much better than fumbling with the GC d-pad though, as it is easier to do on the fly. just give it some time. It is also weird to focus on aiming while locked on, but that too can be overcome with a modicum of practice.

If you haven't, make sure you adjust the controls to "advanced." You'll find turning and aiming much easier - and also find the lock on feature becomes kinda not needed.

Apollo
09-09-2007, 12:03 PM
I had no problems learning the controls, especially after playing Red Steel, which was definitely harder to control. Now, if you excuse me, I'm off to play MP3

gepeto
09-09-2007, 12:46 PM
On one of the reviews I read said set the control setting to advanced.

BHvrd
09-09-2007, 12:54 PM
Yeah they strongly suggest setting the controls to "advanced", they say it's essential and can ruin the game if you don't.

I think alot of Wii games suffer from this honestly. I think Nintendo is taking a safe approach to default controls when they should just be going balls out and unlock the full potential of the thing, people are ready, maybe they are trying to slowly shoe people in though.

Mr.FoodMonster
09-09-2007, 01:20 PM
This is the best controlled console FPS ever in existance. It's almost as good as a mouse and keyboard, but different enough for me to love it in another way. It's amazingly excellent.

djbeatmongrel
09-09-2007, 01:36 PM
today isn't opposite day maxlords

heybtbm
09-09-2007, 01:48 PM
I'll chime in with the same thing everyone else seems to be saying...

...set the controls to "advanced". It changes the game (for the better).

GrandAmChandler
09-09-2007, 02:46 PM
Yeap, I have my controls to "Advanced" I have very few problems. It's a great control setup. Never play a FPS the same again.

Leo_A
09-09-2007, 03:25 PM
I believe you can even remap the buttons if the current configuration doesn't suit you.

SkiDragon
09-09-2007, 04:33 PM
This is my favorite Metroid Prime game, and I am starting to think the only reason for that is the controls. The Gamecube controls were not bad necessarily, but I wen't back and tried them and realized how frustrating they were in comparison (I also tried Bioshock yesterday and unfortunately found it almost unplayable). I wish I could use the new control scheme for those old games. I would replay them. I've never been a huge fan of scanning, either (especially missing important scans), but it was so much easier with the remote that it was almost enjoyable.

neogamer
09-09-2007, 05:06 PM
Wow-I loved every minute of that game and thought the controls were perfect!

Anyway, I guess recommending Lair for the PS3 is out of the question-LOL

Just kidding! We all know the controls on Lair do suck!

Dangerboy
09-09-2007, 06:19 PM
I thought the control was dead on, including how they got you to mimic the way Samus checks her map arm by making you use your left arm to press the right side 1 button.

Couldn't disagree more. Control is damn perfect.

-^Cro§Bow^-
09-09-2007, 06:57 PM
I thought the control was dead on, including how they got you to mimic the way Samus checks her map arm by making you use your left arm to press the right side 1 button.

Couldn't disagree more. Control is damn perfect.

That's what they expected us to do to use the map?! That is the ONLY control option I wished had been assignable to something else. Because I've been physically moving my thumb to press the 1 button. I hadn't even thought of using the index finger of my opposite hand to press it. Then again, as was stated at the top of the post. Moving your hand enough for the remote to not "see" the IR sensor bar will cause a few spins on the screen before resetting. That annoys me more so I prefer to keep my eyes focused straight ahead. Besides with my hand on the Wii Remote as is..the bottom buttons on nearly covered with my right hand anyway. Oh well...I might give it a try. I've already beaten the game and I too found this control scheme to be the best I've played for a FPS on a console. I still prefer the accuracy and quicker movement of my mouse/keyboard combo on my PC games...but for a console shooter..this control scheme is it!

maxlords
09-09-2007, 07:32 PM
I set it to Advanced right off the bat, didn't help much. A little...but not much. The REAL problem is that I'm left handed I think. I aim with my left...and due to the way the movement and camera are controlled, I'm forced to hold the Wiimote in my off-hand. It's WAY too hard to use the right for movement for some reason. I'm just really not enjoying the controls at all. I'm in that 1% of people I suppose but I loved the last two Prime games...and this one irritates the hell out of me.

agbulls
09-09-2007, 07:38 PM
I set it to Advanced right off the bat, didn't help much. A little...but not much. The REAL problem is that I'm left handed I think. I aim with my left...and due to the way the movement and camera are controlled, I'm forced to hold the Wiimote in my off-hand. It's WAY too hard to use the right for movement for some reason. I'm just really not enjoying the controls at all. I'm in that 1% of people I suppose but I loved the last two Prime games...and this one irritates the hell out of me.

Have you considered just holding the wiimote in your LEFT hand and the nunchuck in your right hand? I don't see any reason why that wouldn't work.

Also, why all of sudden does the wiimote seem to be giving you issues? With the analog in the left hand and the wiimote in the right, its really the same natural setup as a traditional pad. The only difference is that you've split the controller in half, and changed the horizontal/vertical aim in your right hand from an analog into a motion sensing device.

I've tried to think about why you're having problems. And, frankly -- I just can't figure it out. :hmm:

Overbite
09-09-2007, 07:48 PM
stop having seizures and it'll be easier to control

to add, the only other Wii game I've ever played is Wii sports and I got used to the Metroid Prime 3 controls in 10 minutes by walking around the base and trying things out.

Mayhem
09-09-2007, 08:34 PM
Also, why all of sudden does the wiimote seem to be giving you issues? With the analog in the left hand and the wiimote in the right, its really the same natural setup as a traditional pad.

That's his argument though... on pads he would aim with the left stick and move with the right instead, counter to how most games are set up. At least Timesplitters 2 let you fully customise how things work. Mind you, despite being a lefty as said I earlier, I still do movement on the left stick.

Having said that, I'm a bit fucked up as well in terms of control. MP3 is the first real time I've been able to handle having strafe on the same "controller" as forward/back. Normally I have forward/back and turn on the left, with look up/down and strafe on the right. Actually much like Goldeneye controls. I think that's why I'm like that and can't play FPS any other way easily.

Xizer
09-09-2007, 08:37 PM
That's awfully negative! I tried Metroid Prime 3 today, and the controls seemed pretty fluid. Are you sure your sensor bar is working right?

I quite enjoyed the controls, I thought they were pretty accurate.

maxlords
09-09-2007, 08:47 PM
Not QUITE what I meant Mayhem :) What I meant was with a control pad, cameras are mapped to the right stick and movement to the left, just as Prime 3 is...but if I try to hold the Wiimote in my dominant hand (i.e. my left hand) I end up with the camera mapped to the left where the Wiimote is, and the movement mapped to the right where the nunchuk is...exactly the opposite of what I'm used to on a control pad. I do movement with my left as well.

@ agbulls: It's simply because I'm left handed that I'm having issues I've decided. I've tried using the Wiimote in my left and the nunchuk in the right and it's EXTREMELY difficult. All other games I play are the opposite of that...on consoles...on PC, on EVERYTHING. There are no games that have the camera mapped to the left and the movement mapped to the right...makes it REALLY hard to get my hands to do it with how much gaming I've done over the years. Try it. Seriously. You won't even believe how difficult it is. I've spent some time trying and honestly I couldn't even get up the ramps in the capital ship at the beginning of the game...I kept falling off em.

I didn't get ANYWHERE in the game until I switched the Wiimote to my right...now I just can't aim :D And with the Wiimote in my right, it's hard for me to aim with an off hand...but at least I can move properly. It's the lesser of two evils frankly. Keep in mind that I'm EXTREMELY left dominant...I barely do anything with my right.

SkiDragon
09-09-2007, 09:27 PM
I normally use "legacy" controls (inverted) in console FPS games (this is why Bioshock is ruled out, unfortunately). On the PC I basically use the default. Third person shooters bother me because I want to use legacy but for some reason it seems wrong, so I can't find a good control scheme (which is why I am not a big fan of Gears of War).

Even though I am used to "legacy" on consoles, it only took a few minutes for me to get used to MP3 and for my mind to switch into "PC mode".

That being said I wish they would start adding options to use the Gamecube or classic controller for these games, like they are doing for Brawl. I guess Gamecube controls wouldn't really work for this game very easily, but still.

gepeto
09-09-2007, 10:17 PM
I must say that I have been playing for the past 2 hrs and this is hands down the best wii game to date. At first the controls seemed weird the cursor little floaty but I went through the ropes and although I am not johnathan fatality I am slowly starting to tweak and get alot better.

This is my first time playing a fps like this(wii mote) and it takes some getting use to but a man I love it. I love the way they intergrate the training with the action.

Having samus interact with others is pure gold and long overdue. Please nintendo lets have more quality games like this on a more frequent basis. My wii was getting lonely.

One more note is it me but ever since super metroid the metroid games have had awesome menu screens and soundtracks.

SkiDragon
09-10-2007, 12:28 AM
I was thinking the same thing about the menu screens. Prime 2 had a neat, if unpractical menu system.

hbkprm
09-10-2007, 05:18 PM
its bout total control