Critically Analyzing Other M: Introduction

Metroid: Other M is a bit of a phenomenon of a game. It's the first Metroid game to give its beloved heroine a voice, and to add emphasis to her backstory. It's also the first to adopt the feel of its 2D predecessors in 3D. It's polarized many people over how they feel about the game, long-standing fans of the Metroid series or no (Just go look on the GameFAQs forums). Nintendo is baffled as to why it's selling so poorly (albeit, not poorly, just not as well as they wanted.) Because of the above, (as well as a personal interest in the game) I think we should take a closer look at the subtle Metroid: Other M.

As a disclaimer, I want to say at least that I'm going to critically analyze it as much as I can. Samus Aran is a character of much significance to me and my earlier developmental years, so obviously I can't look at the game through a purely analytical mindset. Nor am I someone, similarly to Samus, without any sort of paternal issues in her life. With that in mind, let's look at critically analyzing the good and the bad of Metroid: Other M.

Hm. Perhaps first, it is poignant to establish what lens we're looking at Other M through. For a game, the lens usually used are, basically, "Gameplay" and "Story". However, as someone who develops games, I can see how these things are both separate, and yet, are not. Thus I propose a "Story through Gameplay" lens, that observes how the game crafts the story from its mechanics. I will probably analyze Other M through one of these lens at a time, but, in doing so, I do not mean to imply that they are separate. Great gameplay will exemplify a story through its mechanics, and a great story will make gameplay worthwhile and memorable. ((And of course there are other aspects to a game, but these are very core pieces to a game and, more to the point, the two aspects in which I feel Other M failed them most.))

Finally, I want to say that I haven't actually finished Other M, as it's really painful to play. XD But I've done extensive reading about the game, and as much as I detest it I'm fascinated by it. There are those that, as I do, loathe this game and everything it stands for, and there are those that love the way Samus has been characterized and quite enjoy the control scheme. I can't really say either viewpoint is more valid, but I can say that people who fall into the latter category haven't actually had a fulfilling relationship with a paternal figure, or at least aren't empathetic enough to realize one when they see one (or more accurately, don't.).

And Google, if you'd kindly stop telling me that "gameplay" is not a word?

((This post is broken up into several parts for the benefit of my readership.))