Preview of Metroid: Other M. Coming in 2010

Nintendo’s E3 conference this year was somewhat lacking. We saw New Super Mario Bros Wii, Super Mario Galaxy 2, Wii Fit Plus, the Wii Sensor (a baffling product that will make them millions), and finally one of the biggest surprises of the year, Metroid: Other M.

Before Metroid went into the 1st person perspective with Metroid Prime, the Metroid games were 2D platform shooters and they were stunningly awesome. Super Metroid is one of the best games on the SNES without question. What makes so many Metroid fans excited is that Metroid: Other M is a return to form of sorts with Samus going back to a 3rd person perspective. Even better is that the game is being developed by Team Ninja, the group responsible for the Ninja Gaiden series.

Samus is An Alien-Destroying Feminist

Now, this also creates a serious worry for fans. Team Ninja is known for great gameplay and epic video games, but they’re also known for reducing things to the lowest common denominator via making every female have huge breasts and a vapid personality. Samus Aran has always stood out as a positive example of a female protagonist that hasn’t been exploited in the way Lara Croft has been. She’s been the example when gamers need to point to a non-sexist representation of a woman in a video game because she isn’t sexualized AND she’s still strong and independent. So Team Ninja’s involvement can be worrisome regarding how they’ll handle the character.

Not much has been shown, though the trailer from E3 certainly got some buzz going. Gameplay looks fast-paced and extremely fluid. Style has been brought back to the franchise where it’s been lacking, finally giving us something truly fresh. Even more, it looks like we’re getting some back story/real story elements. This is another worry for true fans since Metroid has always been known for having a minimalist story.

All we know as of now is that the game looks to be a fun revamp of the series and that it is slated for a released sometime in mid- 2010 (though that usually changes). Keep an eye out for the title and expect a lot more to appear in the coming year.