The "Sin" of Metroid Prime: Federation Force

Picture Source: Nintendo

If you're lifelong dream was to beat me in a game of Blast Ball I have good news for you. You don't have to wait another two Months until Metroid Prime: Federation Force launches in Europe because Nintendo, out of nowhere, decided to release Blast Ball for free on the e-shop. So grab it while it's still hot.

This got me thinking however. It seems the negative publicity surrounding Federation Force is getting to them if they release a mode from the game for free. To me it looks like a desperate atempt to gain back a little bit of favor. This move simply screams: Just take a look at it and you'll see that it's not too bad.

This is sad for a game, which has only one problem. It's a Metroid game. Metroid Fans are just sick of waiting for the next adventure of Samus Aran since 2010 (or 2007 if you didn't enjoy the lackluster Other M). If Federation Force was it's own IP it wouldn't even receive a fraction of the hate it gets now. In fact I'm sure some people absolutely lambasting the game would be quite interested in trying this new co-operative Shooter for the 3DS.

And in a recent interview Kensuke Tanabe, Federation Force Producer, revealed that the, to put it lightly, controversial Chibi Artstyle came to be because of the 3DS. The technical limitations and the smaller screen forced them to make the characters easier to distinguish.

It seems from the get got everything was stacked against Federation Force. As a multiplayer only download title for the Wii-U with decent graphic it maybe could have been a moderate success. Of course the sales figures will tell us if the game is a success or not, but from the current lookout I wouldn't be to optimistic.

Another problem with the Artstyle is the fact that it pushes Metroid further away from it's roots. Nintendo is in dire need of a more adult oriented IP and Metroid has stepped in and fulfilled this need in the past. Federation Force, with its Chibi Artstyle and multiplayer and action focused gameplay, moves away from the series roots. Lonely exploring dark and dangerous alien worlds has always been the core of the Metroid franchise.

Picture Source: Metriod

Fans are angry at Federation Force because it ignores this core and transforms Metroid into something that it isn't. Now with a true Mainline Metroid to go along with and by clearly declaring this as a spinoff the blow could have been lessened. But as it stands the fans are alone with their fears about the future of Metroid. And with no proper title on the Horizon to squelch those fears Federation Force gets all the slightly undeserved, but completely understandable heat.

Still Blast Ball is a lot of fun and you should try it, even if Federation Force doesn't interest you.

But what are your thoughts on this controversial game? Do you intend to give it chance? Let me know.

And as always

thanks for reading