The Perfect Game

I still have yet to conclude my video game rant, but I wanted to go off on a tangent. Rarely have any video game reached a level of perfection, and in my opinion, only one ever has.

SUPER METROID

Nintendo's 1994 epic Super Metroid for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System is a masterpiece in every way, and the only title in existence to be worthy of that lofty claim. The Third installment in Nintendo's  famous sci-fi franchise has achieved perfection in every aspect, an accomplishment that no other game can brag.

Being an illustrator, I'll start out with the graphics and aesthetic. Super Metroid has an extremely cohesive design that excels in moody atmosphere, uniquely designed enemies and objects, detailed landscapes, and color harmony, as well as an excellently atmospheric musical score. Metroid, as a series, excluding the inevitable FPS downgrading known as Prime and that piece of steaming crap Other M, excels in atmosphere. The original 1986 NES classic Metroid has an almost unparalleled sense of isolation and empty eeriness, as does the 1991 flagship Gameboy title, Metroid II. Super Metroid doesn't feel quite as eerie or isolated in its design, but it definitely gives you a sense of unbridled isolation in its gameplay.

Super Metroid doesn't treat you like a baby, nor does it hold your hand and walk you across the street, unlike all the crap spewed out today by the gaming industry. There was once a time where gamers were treated as people with enough intelligence to figure things out on their own. Super Metroid throws you smack dab into the middle of an extremely hostile and equally expansive environment, a teeming planet known as Zebes. 

Zebes isn't called a labyrinth for nothing.

The real beauty of Super's gameplay is the fact that it challenges you without being ridiculously hard, or even too complicated to find your way around. Items and obstacles around the game's astronomically huge map are so perfectly placed that, if you just use that often neglected intellect a little, you can easily find out where to go next. Every room, every object, every item, every event, strategically placed for optimum experience.

Unique abilities and powerups keep the game fresh.

The story, especially for 90's Nintendo game, is unusually dark, but keeps it interesting. I really enjoy the fact the the main character, Samus Aran, is female, but this fact isn't exploited. Samus is a no nonsense chick who gets the job done, and doesn't care about looking pretty doing it. For those of you who don't know, the Metroid series follows the adventures of space bounty hunter, Samus. The original deals with Samus explorign the planet Zebes, to exterminate an artificial life form known as Mother Brain, and to destroy the ravenous parasites known as the Metroids. The sequel, The Return of Samus, tosses Samus onto the planet, SR388, home planet of the aforementioned Metroids. The Metroids on their home planet go through extreme metamorphosis, ranging from Alpha to Zeta, and Samus is tasked with exterminating them all, once and for all, ending the adventure by destroying their queen. on the way off the planet, she finds a Metroid hatchling, who thinks Samus is its mother, and decides to take it home for scientists to experiment on.

Super begins with Samus' recurring foe, the space dragon Ridley, stealing the Metroid hatchling after massacring the scientist crew, and taking it back to Zebes. Samus is then tasked with recovering the hatchling, and finds out that an old foe has been brought back from the dead. The game ends with one of the best story twists, and an unforgettable climactic battle. 

They sure grow up fast!

There are several games I own that I've only played through once, and may never play through again. Super Metroid isn't one of them. Super Metroid is the type of game, much like a favorite movie, that you just have to pull out and play every few months. I've probably palyed through the game at least 8 or 9 times, and never get sick of it. This is total testament to the importance of replay value.

Super Metroid has stood the test of time, and beats the ever-loving crap out of modern games. It doesn't have fancy 3d graphics, no cutscenes every 2 minutes, and most importantly, treats the person playing it as someone with intelligence. 

If Super Metroid is so perfect, why haven't modern games taken cues from it? Why hasn't Nintendo kept with it's perfect formula? You wanna know why? I'll tell you why. 

People are stupid.

What makes a good game? Part 1

Felt like ranting, especially because I feel as though the Video Game industry is totally suffering in almost every department, and most companies don't have the sense to even notice it.

So, what makes a good game? Really, it all comes down to gameplay. It has to be fun, simple to figure out, yet challenging, and hopefully something unique. The uniqueness is of course, the hard part, and unfortunately, this is where the industry is completely lacking.

I don't know about you, but I'm sick to death of the FPS genre. I solidly state that I wouldn't give a single flying crap if another one ever came out ever again. In order to captivate me with a FPS, you really have to blow me away story-wise, challenge-wise and fun-wise, as FPS games are the easiest formula in the entire medium. This is why they totally oversaturate the market.

Even though I hate FPS games now, I still like a few, but it's because they excel in other departments. Going way back, my first favorite would have to be Bungie's 1994 Mac Classic, Marathon, but more particularly, its sequel, Durandal. The gameplay is pretty average in the first, and is improved drastically in the sequel. But it won me over in Level Design, character design and weapon variety.

What other game can brag dual wielding Shotguns?

But, high above all other aspects, is the incredible storyline, revealed to you, optionally, through computer terminals. This 'aint no run of the mill Halo story, or Doom plot, as much as I liked Halo 1-3 and Doom 3. This story deals with artificial intelligence, the concept of rampancy, ancient civilizations, and alternate realities and timelines. Heavy Stuff. I'll take this over Call of Duty any day.
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 Secondly, is it just me, or have games stopped being fun? Sure, online gamers find it fun to kill each other over the the internet, but there's a point where it seems to become an obsession. Game have stopped being fun in both gameplay, and graphics. Briefly, I ask you: What looks like moe fun, the colorful, artistic, games of the Super Nintendo and Sega Genesis, or the gray and brown palette of just about every other FPS and action game?   Which ones below look outright fun, and which look dull?

Mcdonald's Treasureland Adventure- Suprisingly good game

Warioland 4- Excellent GBA Game.

Call of Duty # Whatever. Looks Grayyyt!

Gears of War- Solid game, same gray.

Well, that's part 1 for you. Next time I'll go over the ever important, but too often forgotten aspect of what makes a good game. Challenge.