Game:

Metroid (1986)

Duration: 0:00

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2

The one that started it all

Got the itch to play the Metroid games, at least the 2D ones. I played these games years ago when I was a younger and wanted to play through them again.

Starting with the first game in the franchise on the NES, Metroid. This game is one that is both frustrating but also rewarding the longer you go through the game.

For one the exploration is good and one of a kind at the time since it was non-linear 2D sidescroller game, but it gets frustrating in certain areas. For example if you go through Kraid's Lair without getting the high jump boots and the Varia Suit, youre in for one of the worst experiences as everything deals a lot of damage to you and run the risk of getting knocked into the deadly liquids. Coupled with how floaty the physics are on Samus and its just absolute chaos. One of the worst parts about the game is that when you die, you respawn with 30 Energy/HP and you have to try and regain that back, which is easier said than done since farming can be a bit tricky and also can screw you over since over time, enemies will just stop dropping Energy Orbs.

Another thing regarding exploration is the amount of secret areas it has and this game goes overboard with it. While not as much as i remembered it would be, it's kinda ridiculous how many there are and some are required to get upgrades, but its rewarding at the end of the day.

One last thing though is how easy it is to get lost. The game has no map which means you have to map it out yourself which can lead to an interesting experience, but can get confusing since the level design in here is rather repetitive and rooms are mostly the same platforming sections. Nowadays you can just look for a map yourself which makes things easier.

Despite the flaws, you will feel like an absolute god once you get all the power ups in the game. You feel rewarded for going through the game and youre now unstoppable which is a something I feel like its missing in Metroidvania games nowadays.

Oh yeah I forgot to mention bosses. They have not aged well compared to later entries, but one thing though is that Kraid is an absolute pain in the ass.

Overall, I like the game despite it's flaws. Its one that should be experienced once if youre a fan of Metroidvanias and are interested in seeing where it all started. You can say that this game was the blueprint for what would come next and future games would evolve the concept into what it is today. While its frustrating at times, its one hell of a rewarding experience.

TIMESTAMPS:

0:00 - Kraid
0:34 - Ridley
1:36 - Mother Brain
5:24 - Ending

TAGS: #Metroid #RetroGaming #Metroidvania