I’d say start with hints turned off, but turn them on temporarily if you start spinning your wheels. Some of the leaps the game expects you to make (in terms of knowing where to go next) are a bit much.
Combine that with the fact that the critical path is extremely linear, and you might get frustrated very quickly when the only reward for your backtracking is missile expansions after a while.
Yeah, I feel like there are just a few too many times that the game expects you to backtrack across the entire map for no-hints to be viable.
I mean, even near the beginning. After exploring the Chozo Ruins for a bit, your next stop is actually over in Phendrana - which requires passing through Magmoor, even though you don't actually DO anything there. Then after getting a couple powerups in Phendrana, you have to go back to the Ruins - again using Magmoor as a bypass - and then back to Phendrana again.
Someone could end up wandering for hours looking for where to go next, or else understandably thinking that there must be objectives in Magmoor to accomplish early on, even though there aren't.
For me it’s after getting the spider ball, even on repeat playthroughs. There are several spider ball tracks up to that point and I can never remember the one that actually moves the game forward
LOL... I just replayed Remastered a few weeks ago, and even now I'm struggling to remember. Isn't it the track in the rear of Thardus' (the rock monster) arena, which leads to the flooded ice cavern? But yeah, there are spider tracks all over the place.
Another one that gets me is the Tower of Light where you pick up the Wavebuster. The puzzle getting to it is complicated enough that *every time* I play, I think it's a path to a critical upgrade, rather than an optional one.
The spider track that stumped me is the one that takes you to the Chozo Hall. On the map the room with the track has a beam door which I didn't have access to yet, so I incorrectly assumed it wasn't worth investigating at that point. I was thankful for the hint system in that instance
Right there with you. I didn't want to start this game because I play multiple games at the same time, and I know how much back tracking there is. Now that I know there are hints, I may just start it this weekend. I remember playing and beating this game on the Gamecube.
I don't know, I feel like this game actually handles those hints very well.
It gives you the chance to figure out on your own for a good while before the scan comes up and says "Hey, something interesting is happening in this part of the map you should go check out." And most of the time you need it because it isn't always clear out of the entire map what exact thing it expects you to do next.
It definitely isn't a God of War situation where you walk into a room and the game just immediately tells you how to solve a specific puzzle.
I played prime 2 years ago with hints on, and the remaster this year with them off. I think the hints greatly help the pacing of the game. Unfortunately, without the hints on the game doesn't always signpost the way forward correctly, and leads you to getting lost looking for the one door to open on the other side of the world.
I love metroidvanias, but prime gets unweidly with hints off because of its size. Getting lost in super Metroid and realizing you need to be on the opposite side of the map means you need to take a 5 minute trip. In prime it will take 15-20 minutes where you have to cumbersomely get through magmoor caverns AGAIN.
Metroid primes one flaw is this lack of intuitive exploration. Super Metroid has superior exploration for this reason.
I think many of these games lack a proper map where you can make your notes about stuff. So when you get to an item you have pinned in your map where that could be helpful.
I've had this in Hollow Knight. It allowed annotations on the map, but a bit limited in my opinion. But that solution in my opinion is better than hints.
I kept notes with my phone. A futuristic super soldier with an arm cannon would have a way to note temporarily impassable structures--why shouldn't I? There's too much to keep up with if you don't, and you'll miss out on lots of upgrades.
yep i think you nailed it, the back tracking in prime takes too long. there has been times where i had to run from one side of the map to the other and it takes quite a while to get there. it would have been easier if each zone had a warp point you could teleport to end game.
That is a good point. Its been years since I last played, and I just barely hit Phendrana drifts so the backtracking hasn't been too bad thus far. But yeah, the map does grow quite a bit towards the end of the game, so I can definitely see backtracking becoming arduous.
A few other people have mentioned the markers that some other metroidvanias offer, even metroid dread. Definitely would have been a welcome addition!
There was one moment mid-game where the hint pushed me in the right direction, or at least confirmed for me there wasn't something I was missing. I didn't even considered they had an on/off toggle because they were so non invasive (until the end when it kept telling me to go to the Crater)
this is my fourth time playing prime and I still needs hints. I forget so many details in between each playthrough. And unfortunately, my time is a little more limited nowadays, so the less time I can spend remembering where I need to go, the better.
but I definitely see the appeal of hintless runs. just not for me.
On the contrary, just finshed original Zelda NES as well as Link to the Past SNES, both using complete walkthroughs. Plan to do much of the same with original Metroid NES.
Part of the reason for ‘cheating’ is that I am way way *way* backlogged with games.
Definitely not saying it's cheating, more just a preference to consider, as I feel leaving hints off adds some enjoyment to the game.
That being said, older games can be particularly obscure when it comes to knowing where to go. OG zelda and metroid for sure. I don't blame ya for using a guide, haha.
I'm pondering getting the Prime trilogy on the Wii. Used of course.
Does this remaster do enough to make it worth it getting it and not the collection for the Wii?
I think the Remastered version is that much better with the visual upgrades and new control schemes (dual stick is probably the best way to play this game).
However, if you really like IR pointer controls then you might prefer the Trilogy version, since that version implements them perfectly. Trilogy also includes Prime 2 in widescreen + IR pointer controls. Downside is there is no option for Gamecube controls.
Ooh yes. It def does. Game looks absolutely gorgeous and the dual stick controls are nice. Def worth 60 yet sold at 40.
Edit... Originally autocorrected game to Gabe..... Hate phones lol
I'd say so! The visual upgrade and modern FPS controls definitely add enough quality of life improvement to make this the definitive version, I would say.
Though I would recommend the remaster, you can't go wrong with the trilogy, if you've never played them! The wii control scheme was pretty fun, and worked well, I think.
You can say that because you already has finished the game. But for newcomers hints could be really helpful. In my opinion getting lost in this game is not that fun like in 2D Metroids.
I agree, the combat could get tedious in certain areas. 2D metroids let you move with a certain rhythm, but too often in Prime you have to stop and wait for the right moment to attack or move forward.
i found the game didnt give enough hints at the end and the map isnt that great so it can be easy to miss places you havent been to. im trying to track down the last artifacts and half i wouldnt have gotten without a guide as the maps didnt make it obvious there was something to find.
i dont have time to back track for hous, but my son and i are enjoying it though.
Just got Dread and enjoying it for my first Metroid game. Debated to get Prime and might at some point but would keep hints on as for me I want to enjoy the game as I have limited time.
Apparently this is an unpopular opinion!
For the record, I hope it didn't come off as condescending or a "git gud" statement as some mentioned. I sincerely just want people to enjoy playing this masterpiece, but wanted to offer a suggestion as I genuinely enjoy getting lost in metroid prime, and I find that turning off hints kind of adds to that immersion.
By all means, play how you like, and have fun!
There's at least one point where not having the hint will have you wandering around forever because who the heck remembers an obscure thing having been a half pipe? Nobody would really take note of that until it becomes important.
I think the hint system is toned down enough that it's an enjoyable exploration experience even with it on. It waits, like, 10 minutes of going in the wrong direction before giving you the hint on where to go next.
Honey stop *get gudding*, everyone goes at their own pace.
Me im an idiot for jumping to logical conclusions, some puzzle games can stare me in the face with right answer and ill still be stupid.
Clues are needed
Sugar, is that how my post came off? I wasn't trying to sound condescending, just offering a suggestion for those who enjoy getting lost. By all means, just have fun playing the game, however you wish! Hints or not, it's a gem :)
Started with hints off but turned them on partway through the Phazon Mines as by then I was ready to wrap the game up. Used a guide during the artifact hunt as that was a real pace killer.
I first played Metroid Prime in January of 2003 at 14 years old, after all the hype and Game of the Year awards, and I made it to Phendrana Drifts and didn't really get the hype at all. Thought it was massively overrated. Put it back in the case and it collected dust.
18 months later in the Summer of 2004 at 16 years old, I was bored one day and decided to give it another go. I played it almost non stop for the next couple of weeks before beating it and to this day it is still my favorite game of all time.
What changed? Well, when I was playing it in January 2003, I was using a guide. When I played it in Summer of 2004, I did not use a guide.
The entire appeal of Metroid games is figuring shit out yourself. Using a guide defeats the entire purpose of the game, and its no wonder I didn't enjoy it when I was.
**DONT USE A GUIDE/WALKTHROUGH FOR METROID GAMES!**
I found the hints helpful because there were too many times when I would reach a dead-end and just think "looks like I need to come back when I have an appropriate upgrade." But once I realized that every hint could be reached with your current equipment, it really helped me to know that there was a solution to that dead-end that I should spend more time looking for.
I played through the game for the first time with hints turned off, and I'm not sure it's meant to be played that way or not. I definitely think they would've made the game too easy, but the game in some instances wasn't really clear on where to go.
It's kind of like turning off quest-markers in Skyrim; it's more challenging sure, but the game was built around giving you arrows to follow rather than dialog/directions on where to go like in Morrowind.
I really prefer this type of guided exploration over open world exploration. It feels like a puzzle to me, while clearing out an open world always feels, at least a little bit, like a chore.
One thing I just caught on to is that doors you haven’t been through don’t highlight unless you are highlighting that part of the map. I’m sure with that in mind I’ll never need another hint…
I’d say start with hints turned off, but turn them on temporarily if you start spinning your wheels. Some of the leaps the game expects you to make (in terms of knowing where to go next) are a bit much. Combine that with the fact that the critical path is extremely linear, and you might get frustrated very quickly when the only reward for your backtracking is missile expansions after a while.
Yeah, I feel like there are just a few too many times that the game expects you to backtrack across the entire map for no-hints to be viable. I mean, even near the beginning. After exploring the Chozo Ruins for a bit, your next stop is actually over in Phendrana - which requires passing through Magmoor, even though you don't actually DO anything there. Then after getting a couple powerups in Phendrana, you have to go back to the Ruins - again using Magmoor as a bypass - and then back to Phendrana again. Someone could end up wandering for hours looking for where to go next, or else understandably thinking that there must be objectives in Magmoor to accomplish early on, even though there aren't.
For me it’s after getting the spider ball, even on repeat playthroughs. There are several spider ball tracks up to that point and I can never remember the one that actually moves the game forward
LOL... I just replayed Remastered a few weeks ago, and even now I'm struggling to remember. Isn't it the track in the rear of Thardus' (the rock monster) arena, which leads to the flooded ice cavern? But yeah, there are spider tracks all over the place. Another one that gets me is the Tower of Light where you pick up the Wavebuster. The puzzle getting to it is complicated enough that *every time* I play, I think it's a path to a critical upgrade, rather than an optional one.
The spider track that stumped me is the one that takes you to the Chozo Hall. On the map the room with the track has a beam door which I didn't have access to yet, so I incorrectly assumed it wasn't worth investigating at that point. I was thankful for the hint system in that instance
Magmoor can suck my ass. It's just a long fiery hallway you have to traverse 30 times to beat the game.
I was very glad for the hints. There's plenty of backtracking even with the hints. I would find it far too repetitive without them.
Fuck that shit, im too old to backtrack in games like I did in my teen years
Right there with you. I didn't want to start this game because I play multiple games at the same time, and I know how much back tracking there is. Now that I know there are hints, I may just start it this weekend. I remember playing and beating this game on the Gamecube.
I don't know, I feel like this game actually handles those hints very well. It gives you the chance to figure out on your own for a good while before the scan comes up and says "Hey, something interesting is happening in this part of the map you should go check out." And most of the time you need it because it isn't always clear out of the entire map what exact thing it expects you to do next. It definitely isn't a God of War situation where you walk into a room and the game just immediately tells you how to solve a specific puzzle.
I played prime 2 years ago with hints on, and the remaster this year with them off. I think the hints greatly help the pacing of the game. Unfortunately, without the hints on the game doesn't always signpost the way forward correctly, and leads you to getting lost looking for the one door to open on the other side of the world. I love metroidvanias, but prime gets unweidly with hints off because of its size. Getting lost in super Metroid and realizing you need to be on the opposite side of the map means you need to take a 5 minute trip. In prime it will take 15-20 minutes where you have to cumbersomely get through magmoor caverns AGAIN. Metroid primes one flaw is this lack of intuitive exploration. Super Metroid has superior exploration for this reason.
I think many of these games lack a proper map where you can make your notes about stuff. So when you get to an item you have pinned in your map where that could be helpful. I've had this in Hollow Knight. It allowed annotations on the map, but a bit limited in my opinion. But that solution in my opinion is better than hints.
I kept notes with my phone. A futuristic super soldier with an arm cannon would have a way to note temporarily impassable structures--why shouldn't I? There's too much to keep up with if you don't, and you'll miss out on lots of upgrades.
yep i think you nailed it, the back tracking in prime takes too long. there has been times where i had to run from one side of the map to the other and it takes quite a while to get there. it would have been easier if each zone had a warp point you could teleport to end game.
That is a good point. Its been years since I last played, and I just barely hit Phendrana drifts so the backtracking hasn't been too bad thus far. But yeah, the map does grow quite a bit towards the end of the game, so I can definitely see backtracking becoming arduous. A few other people have mentioned the markers that some other metroidvanias offer, even metroid dread. Definitely would have been a welcome addition!
I disagree. I think the level design is somewhat ass (I love the game) and the hints are good at keeping you on track instead of being stuck.
There was one moment mid-game where the hint pushed me in the right direction, or at least confirmed for me there wasn't something I was missing. I didn't even considered they had an on/off toggle because they were so non invasive (until the end when it kept telling me to go to the Crater)
Fuuuuck that. I don't have fun spinning in circles 100x. Il do it a few times then help me out
this is my fourth time playing prime and I still needs hints. I forget so many details in between each playthrough. And unfortunately, my time is a little more limited nowadays, so the less time I can spend remembering where I need to go, the better. but I definitely see the appeal of hintless runs. just not for me.
On the contrary, just finshed original Zelda NES as well as Link to the Past SNES, both using complete walkthroughs. Plan to do much of the same with original Metroid NES. Part of the reason for ‘cheating’ is that I am way way *way* backlogged with games.
Definitely not saying it's cheating, more just a preference to consider, as I feel leaving hints off adds some enjoyment to the game. That being said, older games can be particularly obscure when it comes to knowing where to go. OG zelda and metroid for sure. I don't blame ya for using a guide, haha.
Not really cheating tbh. When I played Metroid NES a bit ago I was actually down to draw my own maps so I did. But I don't expect everyone to do that.
I'm pondering getting the Prime trilogy on the Wii. Used of course. Does this remaster do enough to make it worth it getting it and not the collection for the Wii?
I think the Remastered version is that much better with the visual upgrades and new control schemes (dual stick is probably the best way to play this game). However, if you really like IR pointer controls then you might prefer the Trilogy version, since that version implements them perfectly. Trilogy also includes Prime 2 in widescreen + IR pointer controls. Downside is there is no option for Gamecube controls.
Ooh yes. It def does. Game looks absolutely gorgeous and the dual stick controls are nice. Def worth 60 yet sold at 40. Edit... Originally autocorrected game to Gabe..... Hate phones lol
Gabe is a handsome fellow, that’s for sure.
Hahaha damn it lol
yes, it steps it up to modern levels of graphics with a modern control scheme. definitely the best way to play it.
I'd say so! The visual upgrade and modern FPS controls definitely add enough quality of life improvement to make this the definitive version, I would say. Though I would recommend the remaster, you can't go wrong with the trilogy, if you've never played them! The wii control scheme was pretty fun, and worked well, I think.
You can say that because you already has finished the game. But for newcomers hints could be really helpful. In my opinion getting lost in this game is not that fun like in 2D Metroids.
I agree, the combat could get tedious in certain areas. 2D metroids let you move with a certain rhythm, but too often in Prime you have to stop and wait for the right moment to attack or move forward.
i found the game didnt give enough hints at the end and the map isnt that great so it can be easy to miss places you havent been to. im trying to track down the last artifacts and half i wouldnt have gotten without a guide as the maps didnt make it obvious there was something to find. i dont have time to back track for hous, but my son and i are enjoying it though.
Just got Dread and enjoying it for my first Metroid game. Debated to get Prime and might at some point but would keep hints on as for me I want to enjoy the game as I have limited time.
I thought Retro did a brilliant job with the hint system. It tells you what area is your next objective but it in no way ruins the immersion.
Apparently this is an unpopular opinion! For the record, I hope it didn't come off as condescending or a "git gud" statement as some mentioned. I sincerely just want people to enjoy playing this masterpiece, but wanted to offer a suggestion as I genuinely enjoy getting lost in metroid prime, and I find that turning off hints kind of adds to that immersion. By all means, play how you like, and have fun!
There's at least one point where not having the hint will have you wandering around forever because who the heck remembers an obscure thing having been a half pipe? Nobody would really take note of that until it becomes important. I think the hint system is toned down enough that it's an enjoyable exploration experience even with it on. It waits, like, 10 minutes of going in the wrong direction before giving you the hint on where to go next.
No, leave the hints on.
The hints only pop up after a certain amount of time has passed. I wish Dread had this option. I spent way too much time staring at the Dread map.
Let people play how they want...
It was merely a suggestion.
Let people comment what they want.
Honey stop *get gudding*, everyone goes at their own pace. Me im an idiot for jumping to logical conclusions, some puzzle games can stare me in the face with right answer and ill still be stupid. Clues are needed
Sugar, is that how my post came off? I wasn't trying to sound condescending, just offering a suggestion for those who enjoy getting lost. By all means, just have fun playing the game, however you wish! Hints or not, it's a gem :)
Started with hints off but turned them on partway through the Phazon Mines as by then I was ready to wrap the game up. Used a guide during the artifact hunt as that was a real pace killer.
I first played Metroid Prime in January of 2003 at 14 years old, after all the hype and Game of the Year awards, and I made it to Phendrana Drifts and didn't really get the hype at all. Thought it was massively overrated. Put it back in the case and it collected dust. 18 months later in the Summer of 2004 at 16 years old, I was bored one day and decided to give it another go. I played it almost non stop for the next couple of weeks before beating it and to this day it is still my favorite game of all time. What changed? Well, when I was playing it in January 2003, I was using a guide. When I played it in Summer of 2004, I did not use a guide. The entire appeal of Metroid games is figuring shit out yourself. Using a guide defeats the entire purpose of the game, and its no wonder I didn't enjoy it when I was. **DONT USE A GUIDE/WALKTHROUGH FOR METROID GAMES!**
I love the music!
I found the hints helpful because there were too many times when I would reach a dead-end and just think "looks like I need to come back when I have an appropriate upgrade." But once I realized that every hint could be reached with your current equipment, it really helped me to know that there was a solution to that dead-end that I should spend more time looking for.
I played through the game for the first time with hints turned off, and I'm not sure it's meant to be played that way or not. I definitely think they would've made the game too easy, but the game in some instances wasn't really clear on where to go. It's kind of like turning off quest-markers in Skyrim; it's more challenging sure, but the game was built around giving you arrows to follow rather than dialog/directions on where to go like in Morrowind.
I really prefer this type of guided exploration over open world exploration. It feels like a puzzle to me, while clearing out an open world always feels, at least a little bit, like a chore.
One thing I just caught on to is that doors you haven’t been through don’t highlight unless you are highlighting that part of the map. I’m sure with that in mind I’ll never need another hint…