Critically Analyzing Other M: Sensemove (Gameplay)

Ahh, Sensemove. I hear that's actually been pretty well received, so I have to be a bit careful here, as I don't think it's anything other than a slimmed-down quick-time event. Anyways, I mentioned before that I think the awkward control scheme is, at least partially, implemented because of Sensemoving.

Basically, how Sensemove works is this: By tapping the D-pad in a direction when you're about to be hit, you'll perform a dodge that will made you briefly immune to damage. If you happen to be charging a beam as you Sensemove, then your beam will be instantly fully charged, giving it an offensive use as well.

I think I have two fundamental issues with this:

One, it's just a really simple quick-time event. Quick-time events are bad because they aren't SKILL reliant, they're reflex and memorization-reliant. Also, it gives the developers an excuse to program in some bullshit "Sensemove" event. Now replace the word "Sensemove" with "Quick-time event" and tell me you haven't said the phrase "some bullshit..." before. And they are even worse, I think, than your normal quick-time event just because it uses the Dpad...tapping the Dpad SPECIFICALLY to avoid something while I'm running...REALLY awkward.

Two, it reduces a lot of battles to "mash Dpad" "shoot charge beam" "keep mashing Dpad", which, I will say, the occasional need to switch to first person mode for missiles REALLY interrupts the flow of. You'd think that would be a good thing, but it actually REALLY bugs me, almost as much as Sensemove itself. That also makes a lot of the fights really trivial, except when I want to pretend I'm pro enough to actually KNOW when to press the Dpad.

And of course, I'm probably a little butthurt from trying to dodge things the "normal way" -- y'know, getting out of the way, jumping, ect, and just getting owned because of it. But really, what's so bad about that? I think the implementation of the Sensemove mechanic was a bit...unnecessary. Why do I need a quick-time event to dodge, Metroid: Other M? It's not like Samus isn't quite speedy in her own right. And I know how to jump. I make extensive use of these two traits in every other part of the game. Why not tweak the mobs in this game so it's actually possible to dodge them like this? Every other Metroid in the series pulled that off and didn't need some bullshit quick-time Sensemove mechanic to dodge. And for those of you that say I'm not hardcore enough, we can leave this version of the game in Hard Mode without Sensemove. I'm sure there are those of you out there that could pull that shit off, you hacks with no lives. XD

But the Sensemove mechanic isn't the only thing that forces this awkward control scheme. A certain Sakamoto felt it would be a good idea to have pixel hunts, too...