Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Review

The audio in Echoes was very well-done, even if it’s also very similar to MP. The same serene, action-oriented and suspenseful themes make their return, but with a different feel. The loveable music themes when grabbing something new makes a welcomed return. It never has really changed much, but it doesn’t need to. Everything does well to help drive whatever you may be doing at the current time, so you won’t find yourself falling asleep playing it. Some of the music can sound downright strange though, especially the final boss part, but it’s all great. The sound effects are awesome just like last time as well. One thing you may notice immediately is the sound effect you hear when you download a new logbook scan. It was rather generic in Metroid Prime, but this time you hear a muffled computerized female voice in the background when you get something new. You don’t ever actually hear anything clearly or different each time you do, but the sound effect is just really cool sounding. The special effects and ambience of your environments don’t disappoint either. All your weapons and the trademark Metroid sounds from causing a special event are prevalent.

The planet of Aether is a great looking one too. It may not be as environmentally varied like Tallon IV from MP’s was, but it still offers awesome looking landscapes. While there is a Light ad Dark world on Aether, the whole game is really made to look a little more gloomy and downtrodden than Metroid Prime’s Tallon IV. Nevertheless, seeing the rainy marshes, sandy deserts and futuristic looking fortress add for some incredible new elements of graphical appeal. Dark Aether is even a spectacle in of itself. It is meant to be a sick and twisted version of the Light World, as each dimension are connected by portals, and you really see just how different everything looks when you go there. The only annoying there here is for two-thirds of the game you can take damage from Dark Aether’s atmosphere and water. Not until you get the final suit can you avoid this, so you will have to constantly take refuge in these predetermined areas of light to regenerate your energy.

Not only do the environments look great, but the enemies do as well. Unfortunately one too many baddies from Metroid Prime have made their return in one form or another, but it’s still nice to see a mix of old an new. Some could be considered blatant copies of Metroid Prime enemies just with a slightly different design, but they’re all satisfying to eliminate nevertheless. Whether you’re in the Light or Dark world, you will encounter countless enemies. Whether it’s the simple, feeble and annoying War Wasp or the leader of the Ing himself, you’ll be fighting a lot. Echoes and Metroid Prime have heavy exploration factors, but the combat is very much a factor as well.

Echoes also carries a great bit of replay value for yourself. Depending on your tastes, you may enjoy playing Metroid Prime over and over again rather than Echoes. It’s still a great experience to return to. The adventure should run those that can play the game well in the neighborhood of 20 hours. Newer players may take longer, and those experienced may take less time. Whatever it may be, it’s a fun game to play no matter what. There are also numerous things to find and unlock just like in Metroid Prime. You have your Energy Tanks, Missile Expansions and various other entertaining goodies. If you want 100% in the game, it could take a while. This is due to the game’s heavy duty backtracking. This could easily be the most annoying part of the game, and may very well put off casual gamers. Especially near the end, you have to search the farthest reaches of Aether to net nine keys for accessing the final temple. This could prove a daunting task for anyone, and can really be frustrating. The backtracking generally isn’t too bad before this point, but this task can be intimidating.

The game also features a brand new multiplayer venue. While this isn’t any kind of special addition to the heavy single player experience, it certainly is a welcome to the package. There are the different modes, including the obvious Deathmatch and an interesting Bounty mode. Each carries a small number of maps, as you and up to three friends can duke it out to see who’s the better Samus. There are no other selectable characters, just a number of different colored Samus suits. It can be something you find worth in if you have nothing else to do, but when it comes down, this is Metroid, a single player game experience.

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, while it isn’t a stellar sequel, does just enough to offer a new experience that many can find joy in playing. If you’re a Metroid fan and enjoyed Prime, by all means take yourself through this if you haven’t yet. If you’re not, but just a casual action-adventure gamer, you can still find worth in this even if the backtracking can prove boring and tedious. Echoes really just takes most of what Prime did extremely well and tries to refine and polish it up. It didn’t succeed on every level, but it did on enough. The core gameplay is still there, and the new additions are welcome. It was just disappointing that most of the game’s real fun takes place near the end of the game. That’s when you get most of the really fun goodies, but it’s worth the wait. The story may be somewhat lacking in core originality, but still something that should be experienced. If you’re looking for a game to pass the time while you’re waiting for something to release, this is truly a high recommendation.