Metroid prequel lives up to hype

The naysayers and skeptics can grab a controller and shut up -- "Metroid Prime" lives up to the hype. This brilliant mix of next-gen, first-person-shooter and the old-school, platforming "Metroid" games is an amazing triumph. This is the best reason to own a Gamecube, and even the most hardcore "Metroid" fans will be impressed by the series's evolution. \n"Metroid Prime" puts players in the role of bounty hunter Samus Aran in a prequel to "Super Metroid." The game begins with Samus responding to a distress beacon on a ship, where she fights an old enemy and crash lands on nearby planet Tallon IV. The story unfolds slowly as Samus explores the planet. The game is not driven by the plot, and much of the details in the storyline depends on how involved you become in the gameplay. \n"Metroid" is not the standard shoot-'em-up in the vein of "Timesplitters 2" or "Unreal Tournament." The bulk of the game revolves around exploring the planet, picking up Samus's trademark abilities, destroying massive bosses and solving puzzles using the many varied tools at your disposal.\nThe game world is huge, and much like the earlier "Metroid" games, a great deal of backtracking is involved. The backtracking is never repetitive due to the boatload of abilities Samus has. The morph ball, ice beam, missiles and a host of others from the original games return and are vital to the game's progression. \nThe visuals are the most detailed of any game in console history. From the raindrops on Samus's visor to the monstrous bosses, it is evident that painstaking effort was taken to ensure that the visuals were perfect.\nThe music, while true to the many themes throughout the "Metroid" series, is the weakest point of the game. The music is composed well, but it is often repeated so much it begins to annoy. The sound effects are ample, and thankfully there is no spoken dialogue. \n"Metroid Prime" is a classic worthy of any self-respecting gamers collection. Forget "Vice City" or "Splinter Cell" -- this is by far the game of the year.