Game Boy Advance: Metroid Fusion
November 25, 2008 - 9:00 am - Posted by Luke C.
Metroid Fusion for the Nintendo Gameboy Advance is a huge (but still handheld) departure from the usual Metroid formula.
The mechanics are largely the same as any other 2D Metroid. You run, you jump, you shoot, you find upgrades hidden in the walls, and so on. The only major change is the ability to grab onto ledges and pull yourself up, which makes the platform game design easier for people challenged by that kind of thing (don’t worry, I’m one of you guys).
What makes Fusion different is that is much more heavy-handed with the story than other Metroids. While most Metroid games simply have Samus crash-land on a planet and start to explore it, Fusion provides a much deeper storyline addressing the ecological impact caused by her and the Space Pirates’ predation on the metroids.
Samus is infected by a shape-changing organism called X, which is usually kept in check by the (by now very rare) metroids. To save her, her suit is removed and she is injected with metroid DNA, the titular act of metroid fusion. This allows her to fight off the infection and absorb other X parasites.
Every enemy you fight in this game will be an X parasite in disguise. Killing them will make them revert to their natural form, allowing Samus to absorb them.
The point of the game is to destroy the X that have infested a biological research station. The biggest and baddest of the X is the SA-X, which is imitating Samus herself in all her glory – power bombs, super missiles, ice beam, and everything else.
If you think it would be bad to be half-metroid and fighting the best metroid killer ever known, you’re right. Almost every single one of your encounters with SA-X involves you running like a scared rabbit or crouching in a ventilation duct hoping it doesn’t notice you.
Another major change to the Metroid formula is that this time Samus has a commanding officer. An AI called Adam constantly gives Samus updates on what’s happening on the space station and updates her objectives, sending her to different parts of the map in way that’s much more artificial and urgent than other games in the series.
Metroid Fusion is a good game, but it doesn’t quite feel like a Metroid game. If you don’t have set expectations of what a Metroid game should be, you will probably enjoy this game. On the other hand, if you go into the game expecting the second coming of Super Metroid you’ll be sorely disappointed.
After reading your post Luke, I went to a local used game store and picked up Metroid Fusion. I’ve spent most of the day (while recovering from a cold) playing it. So far I like it.
As you pointed out, it’s not the standard Metroid game, but that’s ok because I did take your advise and didn’t go into the game thinking it was going to be like the previous Metroids.
You were not kidding. There is a ton of story with this game but I guess it’s needed so you know what to do
I’m really enjoying the graphics and sound with Metroid Fusion. It looks like the game developers put a lot of thought into both with this game which is nice.
Thanks for opening my eyes to a new and fun game.
Not sure if you are aware of this little nugget of information but if you own “Metroid Prime”, “Fusion” unlocks some extra secrets in the Gamecube game, most notably the entire original “Metroid” game which is pretty cool.
Nintendo finally got their crap together and fired off a successful game with Metroid Fusion. They’ve redeemed themselves in my eyes for the failure of Metroid 2: Return of Samus.
Metroid Fusion is incredibly short. The game can be finished in 6 to 10 hours. This is almost unheard of in a Metriod game, however even though Metroid Fusion is short, it’s still a fun and exciting game to play.
@Sean: It’s not so much that Metroid Fusion is filled with story, it’s that you can’t avoid the story. Metroid Prime, for instance, has a huge amount of story, but it’s almost all contained in optional environmental scans that you can totally ignore if that’s your choice.
@Retro Bob: Yeah, I found that out a while ago. It also allows you to use the Fusion suit in Prime, which I don’t really enjoy. The Fusion suit just looks kind of slimy in 3D.
@Eric: You really think it’s short? Many Metroid players don’t like Fusion because the enforced story elements mean it takes a relatively long time to finish the game. Metroid as a series is famous for including bonuses for people who manage to finish the game. Don’t get me wrong here, I’m not saying you’re less of a gamer if you’re not finishing Fusion in two hours or less (I certainly can’t), I’ve just never heard Fusion called a short Metroid game before.
Luke, yes I think Fusion is short compared to previous Metroid games I’ve played in the series. As mentioned in my previous comment, it takes me 6 to 10 hours to complete Metroid Fusion on average and compared to previous Metroid games I’ve played, that’s a short amount of time to me.
I think if Yokoi Gunpei was alive today, he would be proud of his new offspring, in these hand-held editions. (God bless one of the industries unsung heroes, RIP sir)
I just started both of the GBA versions recently and do like the sprite work a lot. The colors are vibrant and atmosphere is really unique in this game. I do like Zero Mission a little more, in the way it handles Samus’s movements but do enjoy Fusion for its different color pallet. Both games are easy to pick up and grasp for almost any gamer, fan or not.
Both GBA Metroids’ really give you your moneys’ worth, there only about 10$ a pop at your nearest Gamestop.
I am still near the beginning on both, but like um enough to keep playing.