Metroid Prime 2 Echoes (GC) Review

There was never a Metroid game released on the N64, therefore we thought that Metroid died. Finally, Nintendo decided to release Metroid Prime for the Gamecube, which got everyone by surprise and became a big hit. It won tons of Awards including Gamespot’s game of the year 2002. Now Nintendo makes a sequel, that it’s yet another hit.

The gameplay is very similar to the first game, with the same controls. The new additions include new weapons, new monsters and 2 new concepts of stages in which includes the Light and Dark World of planet Aether. The main problem of this game is that you can get lost a lot, which will make you backtrack and explore some areas again and again. Then again there is little to say because is just very similar to the first one. The first person shooting style remains the same and so does the morph ball. The puzzles and exploration, once you know what to do, can get really exciting that it keeps you playing the game. Still there is nothing revolutionary on this sequel except for the multiplayer addition.

The first game was known as the greatest in terms of graphics as well and this sequel is no exception. Everything from beginning to end looks even better even if it is the same console, the design has improved overall. This is the best looking game for the Gamecube in my opinion because the environment is very believable. The first game has his good music that fits with the game, but on this sequel is spectacular because the soundtrack, specifically during a fight, is now more engaging.

The multiplayer experience is great and fun with up to 4 players. Unfortunately the multiplayer does not feature bots which means computer controlled characters. And there is not a lot of modes or stages to play in. It feels in the end like a pasted in multiplayer just to add something different to the game. It would have done much better online but we know the gamecube can't manage it.

Metroid Prime 2 Echoes overall is not revolutionary, but it proves that you don’t have to change completely a game in order to be good. Everyone who played the first Metroid Prime game should give this one a look because it all remains great in this one. "If it's not broken, don't fix it".

Score: 9/10