6 reasons why Nintendo shouldn't cancel Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Not just because we're scared of Reggie
Although Nintendo's E3 presentation introduced several welcome additions to the roster of upcoming 3DS games, it was by no means an unqualified success.
Post-conference, the internet still teems with angry Metroid devotees. And that's despite the fact that Nintendo actually announced a new Metroid game.
Here's what happened: hoping for a new addition to the traditionally single-player series, fans instead received a co-op shooter completely devoid of exploration. And their reaction was extreme.
But although Federation Force diverges substantially from the Metroid template, it still has potential. Here are six reasons - gathered by watching hours of E3 footage - why canceling the game would be a bad decision.
It's headed by Next Level Games
I'd be remiss not to mention Federation Force's developers before starting on the game itself.
And that's because Next Level Games is at the helm of this project - the same team that delivered the 3DS sequel to Luigi's Mansion, which we called "the sort of game worth purchasing an entire console for." With such a stellar track record, we can safely expect great things from Next Level's new Metroid.
The visuals are neat
Typically, 3DS games look pretty rough on a screen bigger than the device itself. Take Monster Hunter 4 Ultimate, for example: two types of jaggies plague this title, and one's not an in-game enemy.
Federation Force, on the other hand, appears smoother overall; its futuristic interface is slick, its animations are excellent, and its performance was consistent, even on a pre-release build.
Blast Ball is a substantial experience
Don't think of the multiplayer mode Blast Ball as a throwaway extra, as it's actually a complex and strategic experience.
In addition to pushing it around, players can shoot the bottom of the ball to chip it over enemies - or perhaps at them, since opponents can be temporarily disabled if they incur too much damage by touching the ball.
Oh, and there are power-ups as well.
The objectives are varied
We've only seen a couple levels of Federation Force's campaign mode so far, but we can probably look forward to a good deal of variety.
In one level - set in an icy region - the goal was to lead four ice beasts into their respective cages, which tested distraction and avoidance. In another, players fought space pirates across a large chasm in a shooting gallery setup.
This early diversity bodes well for the final product.
There's a lot of customisation
Federation Force doesn't include traditional classes such as medic or gunner. Instead, players choose offensive or defensive "mods" at the beginning of each mission.
The version shown offered (along with other options) missiles, repair capsules, and decoys, and the selection will no doubt increase before launch. But those who prefer specific roles can, for example, equip a set with only healing mods, keeping everyone happy.
Playing cooperatively is always a blast
Even mediocre games can be fun when played with friends, and Federation Force is shaping up to be much better than average, especially for a handheld shooter
To the Metroid fans feeling burned by Nintendo: take Federation Force on its own merits, and you'll find a promising experience that looks really fun when played with friends. It's not a true sequel to the Prime series, but past the disappointment there are quite a few reasons to get excited for this one.
