Reader Comments (46)
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:52PM Unvrfd said
WHAT JUST HAPPENED
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:53PM Aperture said
That reminds me a lot of my childhood, being born in space and all. My parents were kind enough to have placed me farther away from the asteroids though.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:54PM 831 Son said
Dang, unskippable cutscenes? One of those minor pet-peeves of mine.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:57PM blahblah55 said
@831 Son
Aren't all pet peeves minor?
Hence the "pet".
Reply
Aren't all pet peeves minor?
Hence the "pet".
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:18PM LockeDaemonfire said
@blahblah55
Eh, I think "pet" refers to being personal. You can have pretty major pet peeves (to you), and refer to them as pet peeves because few people worry about it as much as you do. Though I guess if you mean minor with respect to most other people, then yeah.
Though I'd say a lot of people are bothered by unskippable cut scenes to an extent. I'm not really. If I'm sick of watching it, I'll just turn to Joystiq or something on my comp for a brief break. Probably better for my health.
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Eh, I think "pet" refers to being personal. You can have pretty major pet peeves (to you), and refer to them as pet peeves because few people worry about it as much as you do. Though I guess if you mean minor with respect to most other people, then yeah.
Though I'd say a lot of people are bothered by unskippable cut scenes to an extent. I'm not really. If I'm sick of watching it, I'll just turn to Joystiq or something on my comp for a brief break. Probably better for my health.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:39PM gatotsu911 said
@831 Son
Wait, do we know for a fact that they'll be unskippable? I'm kind of figuring that's just an assumption, although I really don't know for sure.
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Wait, do we know for a fact that they'll be unskippable? I'm kind of figuring that's just an assumption, although I really don't know for sure.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:04PM blahblah55 said
@LockeDaemonfire
Oh yeah, that makes more sense.
But yeah, I wouldn't be bothered if it was unskippable... unless it's like my 3rd playthrough. ...there are some games that allow scenes to be skippable after watching through it once, though.
Reply
Oh yeah, that makes more sense.
But yeah, I wouldn't be bothered if it was unskippable... unless it's like my 3rd playthrough. ...there are some games that allow scenes to be skippable after watching through it once, though.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 8:02PM delicatessen lama said
@831 Son :: It sucks when games place a checkpoint before an un-skip-able cutscene and not after. You die and then you have to watch the cutscene again. Or like in some open world games where they don't have checkpoints or quicksaves and you have to travel a great distance to redo the mission, then watch a cutscene again, then get half way, watch another cutscene or have to wait for npc's to stfu and get a move on (ones you are supposed to follow), get another cutscene and then die. Time to do it again. Got to love games, the most frustrating entertainment medium other than Opera music.
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Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:54PM Acosta02 said
Way to spoil 2001: A Space Odyssey.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:54PM Aperture said
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 12:56PM Acosta02 said
@GiantGamer
Nah, if I recall she was born on a mining planet and the Chozo took 'er to Zebes after everybody died in a space pirate raid.
Nah, if I recall she was born on a mining planet and the Chozo took 'er to Zebes after everybody died in a space pirate raid.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:05PM Marco le Polo said
Not sure if I want to watch this "birth of Samus" video...
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:09PM Shadowbender said
wait wut
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:10PM Shadowbender said
@GiantGamer
See, I'm wondering if this is more metaphorical than literal...
See, I'm wondering if this is more metaphorical than literal...
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:17PM BWolf said
...that's not a baby anymore.
That is more likely the scene which is supposed to show how Samus was infused with the power of the Chozo.
That is more likely the scene which is supposed to show how Samus was infused with the power of the Chozo.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:22PM daftsquare said
A baby born with adult features and a full head of green hair...in space...
only in japan...
only in japan...
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:31PM aristokrat said
@GiantGamer
Maybe that's the Other M?
Maybe that's the Other M?
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:31PM aristokrat said
Weird seeing non-letterbox videos anymore.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:36PM Nolan North said
@GiantGamer
We don't know what the FMV symbolizes, odds are it's just a reoccuring dream she has. The game takes places after Super Metroid, so it can't be an origin story.
We don't know what the FMV symbolizes, odds are it's just a reoccuring dream she has. The game takes places after Super Metroid, so it can't be an origin story.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:36PM treeofmana said
@GiantGamer
I think this was intended to be symbolic of Samus being a woman whose life is dedicated to wandering in space and who lives in it because she was "born" of space. I doubt it was intended to actually show how she was truly and physically born.
I think this was intended to be symbolic of Samus being a woman whose life is dedicated to wandering in space and who lives in it because she was "born" of space. I doubt it was intended to actually show how she was truly and physically born.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:38PM Mr Khan said
@GiantGamer
Of course this is metaphorical. Samus was not conceived in the void of space, grew to adulthood in 40 seconds, then given her power suit....
She was born on a colony world of some sort, that was raided for a high-value mineral resulting in the deaths of everyone but herself, then she was adopted by the Chozo and taken to their secret colony on Zebes (since all the Chozo were supposed to have died on Tallon IV)
Of course this is metaphorical. Samus was not conceived in the void of space, grew to adulthood in 40 seconds, then given her power suit....
She was born on a colony world of some sort, that was raided for a high-value mineral resulting in the deaths of everyone but herself, then she was adopted by the Chozo and taken to their secret colony on Zebes (since all the Chozo were supposed to have died on Tallon IV)
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:40PM Mr Khan said
I swear we've seen this before. It's part of the game's introduction video, isn't it? The one that was shown back at the Nintendo media summit on February 24th (shown only to the press, but leaked thanks to the magic of iPhone)
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:44PM beyondxpillar47 said
It seems like Nintendo has mostly been about clever ideas and game play over deep story. All the key franchises have a basis, some more story/history than others, but a majority of time is spent playing the game itself.
Even Zelda, what makes it great? Sure I love it when there's a rich story, but if that was it and there wasn't fun gameplay with puzzle-solving, exploring, swordplay/boss fights etc...It wouldn't be what it is. Why do I play Pokemon? For catching different pokemon and battling. Tons of cutscenes aren't necessarily right for most Nintendo games anyways. (Would Donkey Kong ever need hundreds of cutscenes?) Other M advertises more of a focus on story than we've seen for Metroid. The gameplay looks fairly solid as is- so either way we'll get that element... But perhaps the new studio will deliver a product which gets us more involved into Samus's life, a more engrossing story than we're used to seeing in a First-Party Nintendo title.
Even Zelda, what makes it great? Sure I love it when there's a rich story, but if that was it and there wasn't fun gameplay with puzzle-solving, exploring, swordplay/boss fights etc...It wouldn't be what it is. Why do I play Pokemon? For catching different pokemon and battling. Tons of cutscenes aren't necessarily right for most Nintendo games anyways. (Would Donkey Kong ever need hundreds of cutscenes?) Other M advertises more of a focus on story than we've seen for Metroid. The gameplay looks fairly solid as is- so either way we'll get that element... But perhaps the new studio will deliver a product which gets us more involved into Samus's life, a more engrossing story than we're used to seeing in a First-Party Nintendo title.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:53PM beyondxpillar47 said
@Wiizer
That was a little too many words just to say:
Basically I play Nintendo games because they're fun to play. If they have a rich story, great, it's just not common. It looks like Other M might be an exception with all the advertised cutscenes trying to explain the story. It might be a good thing.
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That was a little too many words just to say:
Basically I play Nintendo games because they're fun to play. If they have a rich story, great, it's just not common. It looks like Other M might be an exception with all the advertised cutscenes trying to explain the story. It might be a good thing.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:49PM Wiizer said
@GiantGamer
I THINK ASTEROID MAKE BABIES!
I THINK ASTEROID MAKE BABIES!
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:49PM gatotsu911 said
Yeah, I don't know if I'm too enthusiastic about the game's purported reliance on cutscenes either. While I don't mind them as much as some people, I pretty much agree that, for action games in particular, cutscenes as a primary method of storytelling are the way of the past, and for Metroid in particular, which is renowned for its minimalist storytelling in Super Metroid and for incorporating such an innovative and original method of in-game storytelling in Prime (and, to a slightly lesser extent, its sequels), this certainly seems like a step backward.
Though really, I guess what I'm most concerned about is the QUALITY of the cutscenes; if a game is going to take my attention away from, you know, the GAME in order to show me a little play, it had better be expertly made, sharply written and convincingly acted, and I've yet to see evidence that any of those things are present in Other M.
Though really, I guess what I'm most concerned about is the QUALITY of the cutscenes; if a game is going to take my attention away from, you know, the GAME in order to show me a little play, it had better be expertly made, sharply written and convincingly acted, and I've yet to see evidence that any of those things are present in Other M.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:03PM Mr Khan said
@gatotsu911
A lot of the design choices in the game come down to the fact that they're trying to make the franchise more popular in Japan. That's why they signed on D-Rockets and all (and apparently it was D-Rockets, and not Team Ninja, that was pushing for more Zero Suit Samus, but Sakamoto put his foot down, fortunately)
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A lot of the design choices in the game come down to the fact that they're trying to make the franchise more popular in Japan. That's why they signed on D-Rockets and all (and apparently it was D-Rockets, and not Team Ninja, that was pushing for more Zero Suit Samus, but Sakamoto put his foot down, fortunately)
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:13PM gatotsu911 said
@Mr Khan
Oh, I'm aware that they're trying to bolster the series' popularity in Japan, but that doesn't mean I approve of the methods they're using to do it. Though, again, if the cutscenes turn out to be good (like, VERY good) then I may not complain as much, even if it is still a step down in terms of innovation.
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Oh, I'm aware that they're trying to bolster the series' popularity in Japan, but that doesn't mean I approve of the methods they're using to do it. Though, again, if the cutscenes turn out to be good (like, VERY good) then I may not complain as much, even if it is still a step down in terms of innovation.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:23PM Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell said
@gatotsu911
I think part of the issue is you've been conditioned to believe that cut scenes actually take you away from the game. Fact is that a well done cinematic experience with cut scenes is exponentially better at telling a story than dialogue between characters or text on the screen. There is no greater example of storytelling through cinematic sequences this generation than the Uncharted series. Nothing better than experiencing the lore and mythology of a universe through a brief respite on the couch. I even like them highly styleized like Mirrors Edge but prefer in-engine like MGS4 or UC2.
Reply
I think part of the issue is you've been conditioned to believe that cut scenes actually take you away from the game. Fact is that a well done cinematic experience with cut scenes is exponentially better at telling a story than dialogue between characters or text on the screen. There is no greater example of storytelling through cinematic sequences this generation than the Uncharted series. Nothing better than experiencing the lore and mythology of a universe through a brief respite on the couch. I even like them highly styleized like Mirrors Edge but prefer in-engine like MGS4 or UC2.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 3:19PM gatotsu911 said
@Johnnynumber5 is powered by cell
Dude, MGS4 was THE game that convinced me that cutscenes needed to go. Its flagrant abuse of them really helped to emphasize the degree to which games need to stop trying to imitate movies and come into their own as a storytelling medium. I've yet to play the Uncharted games, but from what I understand they're basically structured, paced and presented more like movies than games - entirely linear with very little in the way of genuine interactivity. As long as they're legitimately fun then that's all okay, but it certainly isn't taking full advantage of the potential of interactive storytelling, and some of the storytelling methods that the Metroid series has used in the past have been far more intuitive and made better use of their medium than the brand of "beat level, watch cutscene" storytelling exemplified by Uncharted ever has.
Personally, I think cutscenes should only be used as a last resort to communicate information that is simply NOT POSSIBLE to convey in-game, and even then should be used sparingly.
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Dude, MGS4 was THE game that convinced me that cutscenes needed to go. Its flagrant abuse of them really helped to emphasize the degree to which games need to stop trying to imitate movies and come into their own as a storytelling medium. I've yet to play the Uncharted games, but from what I understand they're basically structured, paced and presented more like movies than games - entirely linear with very little in the way of genuine interactivity. As long as they're legitimately fun then that's all okay, but it certainly isn't taking full advantage of the potential of interactive storytelling, and some of the storytelling methods that the Metroid series has used in the past have been far more intuitive and made better use of their medium than the brand of "beat level, watch cutscene" storytelling exemplified by Uncharted ever has.
Personally, I think cutscenes should only be used as a last resort to communicate information that is simply NOT POSSIBLE to convey in-game, and even then should be used sparingly.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 1:51PM DBuckEye said
This must be what happened after 2001: A Space Odyssey, except you didn't see it cause the credits were rolling.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:43PM matthugh said
The logical progression for these trailers is to next show us Samus's conception...right?
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 3:14PM laser beams said
@matthugh
this trailer IS showing the conception: you see, when a piece of space debris and a shooting comet love each other very much- they sometimes collide and explode, destroying one another and creating a star child.
i can't believe your folks never told you about the space-birds and the space-bees.
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this trailer IS showing the conception: you see, when a piece of space debris and a shooting comet love each other very much- they sometimes collide and explode, destroying one another and creating a star child.
i can't believe your folks never told you about the space-birds and the space-bees.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:50PM isotrex said
More like a teaser which in my opinion really doesn't matter. Most teasers are like this anyway.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 2:56PM MGguniverse said
"IT'S A GIRL!" says the nebula.
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 3:43PM LokeSTL said
@GiantGamer
Could be a story about a cloned Samus. I mean, she does kick some serious alien butt. She's a great weapon. And what do governments do with great weapons? They make more of them. And clones would already fit and work with current Samus suit and weapons designs.
But yeah, it is probably just metaphoricle...
Could be a story about a cloned Samus. I mean, she does kick some serious alien butt. She's a great weapon. And what do governments do with great weapons? They make more of them. And clones would already fit and work with current Samus suit and weapons designs.
But yeah, it is probably just metaphoricle...
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 4:43PM mrmobius said
I'm a little ashamed to say I only began playing Metroid Prime Trilogy yesterday. I played a tiny bit of Echoes before but never was good at FPS with Gamecube controller, so this is my first time really playing Metroid Prime. Flipping amazing already. I'm now actually considering Other M as more than just a flagship Nintendo game but one I'd not be getting, so now I'm beginning to keep tabs. If I'm being honest, I like the way Metroid is using cutscenes in the original Prime so far. It progresses the story without being extremely intrusive. The graphics hold up really well for a game that's pretty dated (they look amazing actually).
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 7:21PM gatotsu911 said
@mrmobius
Don't expect Other M to be too similar to the Prime games; they're by a different developer entirely. Playing Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission for GBA will probably give you a better idea of what to expect from this game than Prime (or, if you can't get the GBA games, try Super Metroid on Virtual Console).
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Don't expect Other M to be too similar to the Prime games; they're by a different developer entirely. Playing Metroid Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission for GBA will probably give you a better idea of what to expect from this game than Prime (or, if you can't get the GBA games, try Super Metroid on Virtual Console).
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 6:11PM trigonalmayhem said
How is babby formed?!
Posted: Jul 12th 2010 8:10PM delicatessen lama said
"As smooth as a space-baby's bottom"
"Can you just wait here while I make a call"
*Proceeds to report the creep*
"Sir what is your problem?"
"I met someone that knows how smooth a Space Baby's bottom is"
"Sir I'm not sure if this is meant to go to the child protection agency or the alien combat task-force? I will proceed to call both, thank-you for your call"
"oh-wait, I just realized that this guy calls his girlfriend, Samus, a space baby"
*awkward silence"
"Can you just wait here while I make a call"
*Proceeds to report the creep*
"Sir what is your problem?"
"I met someone that knows how smooth a Space Baby's bottom is"
"Sir I'm not sure if this is meant to go to the child protection agency or the alien combat task-force? I will proceed to call both, thank-you for your call"
"oh-wait, I just realized that this guy calls his girlfriend, Samus, a space baby"
*awkward silence"
Posted: Jul 13th 2010 8:21PM DJMaxxi said
So Samus is the child of space as a whole? Must-buy for me now.
:D
:D
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