Cognition Dissemination: The Problem with Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Nintendo’s Digital Showcase at E3 this year left some fans a tad irate thanks to being devoid of surprises. But one particular title pissed fans off the most: Metroid Prime: Federation Force. Previously thought to be a new IP called Blast Ball after its introduction during the Nintendo World Championships, that turned out to be an alternate mode in this new Metroid spinoff. Regardless of its potential, the mere announcement and showcase sent fans into a fit of rage, one they’re still figuratively trampling about over a week later.

Those fans are upset for good reason, whether Nintendo realizes it or not. It’s been five years since Metroid: Other M released for Wii, a divisive entry in the mainline series thanks to the antiquated way in which it treated longtime protagonist Samus in a futile attempt to humanize her. In considering that, it’s been nearly eight years since Metroid Prime 3, the last installment to receive nigh-universal praise. After Other M’s comparatively (to previous installments, that is) poor reception and sales, the fanbase believes Nintendo has left the franchise for dead, desperately wanting to be convinced otherwise. The announcement of this new title, a significant departure from the main series after years of dormancy, presumably buries it further in the grave.

I wasn’t above having a sudden feeling of resentment upon first seeing the title. After years of dormancy, I wanted the franchise to rise from its apparent ashes in the form of a new 2D or 3D mainline title, or both, especially after Shigeru Miyamoto mentioned Nintendo was planning them one year ago. We receive our fair share of indie-developed Metroidvania titles, from teams who’ve picked up the slack after professional (for the lack of a more succinct word) developers left it behind — especially in Japan. Though many of their efforts are good — sometimes even great — they haven’t reached the heights of the best Metroid titles.

(Perhaps the same could be said of Castlevania, though that’s at least receiving a spiritual successor which ill needs that franchise’s name to continue.)

The classic 2D Metroid games and the 3D Prime titles did a fantastic job of making the player feel stranded on an unfamiliar environment, with the need to explore every facet for answers concerning that world’s secrets and eventually finding a way off. Many of them abided by what’s called the “wordless pantomime,” titles bereft of the need of feeding the player information through dialogue and cutscenes to increase the sense of mystery. The original Metroid (and its remake, Zero Mission) and especially Super Metroid mastered this technique, while the first two Prime titles also did a fine job with it. The atmosphere in those examples are unmatched by many other titles in all genres.

That’s why I’ve been eagerly anticipating Nintendo’s next stab at the franchise, one from a team (in Japan or at Retro Studios) well aware of what went wrong with Other M. But Federation Force was far from what anyone had in mind for a new installment, and to say some aren’t taking it well would be the biggest understatement I’ve ever made on this blog. I can understand some of the upset, since spiritual predecessor Metroid Prime Hunters wasn’t what people defined as a Metroid game — though it’s closer than this. But it’s not unlike the internet to take things a little too far.

Spamming the Youtube version of the trailer with “thumbs down” votes and virulent comments is one ridiculous thing, but starting a petition to get it cancelled on change.org is silly. Federation Force happens to be the wrong game at the wrong time, and while there’s nothing wrong with Nintendo being criticized for this, it could be a worthwhile game. Developer Next Level Games is talented, and the Treehouse demonstrations (whose videos also has a disproportionate amount of dislikes) made it look enjoyable time with some human teammates. It’s not what fans wanted, but it’s also not a worthless effort.

This announcement would have gone over much better if we had some assurance that traditional Metroid has a future. For all we know, Miyamoto’s aforementioned comments may not have been hot air, but future games in development could still be in the conceptual phase. Metroid Prime producer Kensuke Tanabe expressed interest in continuing the Prime series where MP3 left off, but claimed that if development started now, it would release for their next console. Sadly, the biggest takeaway from this is…no, not that NX might be a console (which could be a mistranslation for all we know), but that a Metroid Prime game definitely isn’t in active development.

That’s not all bad, because it also possible Metroid titles could be in development that aren’t related to Prime — though you’ll want to emphasize “possible.” If that’s the case, I’ll assume Nintendo announced Federation Force just to play with people’s emotions, Square Enix style. It’s also possible the main franchise hasn’t been dead long enough by Nintendo’s standards. Star Fox is finally getting a new installment with Star Fox Zero for Wii U, which will be the first new game in nine-and-a-half years by the time it releases. (The last new game was Star Fox Command on DS in mid-2006.) If it’s well-liked, it will be the first game in the series that isn’t divisive since, man, Star Fox 64. Perhaps they’re preparing a proper reintroduction for Metroid, though that would be fitting for its 30th Anniversary next year, and not Federation Force.

Basically, I’m asking you to not hate the game, but the company. There’s nothing wrong with disliking an announcement, but don’t take it so far that it makes you look like a cartoonish internet denizen caricature. Meanwhile, we’ll just have to keep hope alive that Metroid has a future.

But if it doesn’t, hopefully some indie developers take the concept and run with it. Axiom Verge is a good first step, and Ghost Song has the potential to be another one.