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Metroid Prime review
Exceptional
by hypherism

Next to Super Metroid, Prime is one of the best games ever made. It's rare that a game can be fresh and innovative while simultaneously so perfectly executed, all while standing the test of time in every regard.

Despite the realistic art style, the graphics are still beautiful all these years later, with so many great details that even other games today have not included so well (the visor effects, such as Samus' breath fogging it up, the reflection of her face/eyes when hit with a flash of light, the patter of rain drops on the surface, add so much to the immersion). The music is a wonderful new take on the brooding alien atmosphere of past games. These components culminate in a unique style that hasn't been captured by anything else since.

From a gameplay perspective, Metroid Prime also accomplished something bold. They successfully translated the Metroid formula to the FPS genre,  expanded on it with features like the scan visor, and stuck the landing on making a platformer that really worked in first person.

If you haven't played Metroid Prime (or the rest of the trilogy, for that matter) do yourself a favor simply as a person who appreciates the medium; you won't be disappointed.
«Blew my mind»
«Time-tested»
«Beaten more than once»

Other reviews5

Except for the backtracking near the end, this is a masterclass of world design
It was alright. Probably prefer Dread to this game, but I'd have to replay through both to really know for sure. I thought that this game was cool in certain spots, but for the most part it was a bit frustrating. The combat especially was terrible, with every enemy being a HUGE bullet sponge and then making enemies immune to weapon types so you can't be DPS efficient :V Glad I experienced this one, but probably won't be going back to it anytime soon.  

Playtime:
~10 hours
I'll always remember looking up at the falling rain when first landing on Tallon IV. I was in awe as I watched the rain bead on my visor. Metroid Prime contains so many great moments, but this is the prime (heh) example of it's best accomplishment. Retro Studios took the time to get the little details right, and they coalesce into a living, breathing world.