Episode 48: Super Metroid
Retro Spectives9 Marras 2020

Episode 48: Super Metroid

The Metroidvania genre has a long and complicated history, but the game that invented the modern model is without a doubt Super Metroid. Released in 1994 for the Super Nintendo, it blew critics away with its smooth gameplay, open level design and incredible boss battles. While previous metroid games had similar open ended level structure, it was Super Metroid that refined it into the smooth progression and pacing that we take for granted today.

But does Super Metroid still hold up today in the face of the many advancements made in the genre over the past 25 years? The genre has seen a renaissance in the last 5-10 years, particularly in the indie sphere, headlined by Hollow Knight and Ori. Can the original possibly hope to stand strong when compared side by side to these masterpieces?

On this episode, we discuss:

  • How well does Samus control? Is her awkward, vertical inclined jumping a dealbreaker, or can you adapt to her moveset with time and practice?
  • How linear is Super Metroid? Are metroidvanias really as open as they appear, and if not, is this even a problem?
  • What’s in a secret? How does Super Metroid incentivise secret hunting, and is the process of uncovering them really all that enjoyable?

We answer these questions and many more on the 48th episode of the Retro Spectives Podcast!

Intro Music: KieLoBot - Tanzen K

Outro Music: Rockit Maxx - One point to another

Super Metroid OST: Minako Hamano

Is there another Metroid game we should play? Were there more diverse routes to explore the world than we gave Super Metroid credit for? Come let us know what you think on our community discord server!

Jaksot(141)

E123: Resident Evil 2

E123: Resident Evil 2

After their magnum opus that was Resident Evil 1, Capcom were not going to sit on their heels.  Coming out just two years after the first in 1998, Resident Evil 2 sought to have everything the origina...

30 Heinä 20241h 8min

E122: The Legend of Zelda

E122: The Legend of Zelda

The Legend of Zelda is perhaps the most iconic video game series of all time.  Boasting 19 mainline entries, and an endless swathe of critical acclaim and awards, it's hard to find someone who hasn’t ...

8 Heinä 20241h 9min

E121: Killer 7

E121: Killer 7

Killer7 is one weird game.  Developed in tandem by Grasshopper Manufacture and Capcom and first released in 2005, its very existence as a game defies description.  Within moments of starting, you’re p...

21 Kesä 20242h 20min

E120: System Shock 2

E120: System Shock 2

System Shock 2 is considered by many to be the finest immersive sim ever made.  Released in 1999 in a coventure by Looking Glass Studios and Irrational Games, it sought to combine the classic 3D dunge...

3 Kesä 20241h 55min

E119: Gran Turismo 4

E119: Gran Turismo 4

Over the years, we’ve played games from pretty much every genre under the sun, but there is one that is notably missing - the racing sim.  We’ve dabbled with arcade racers like Burnout 3, and have pla...

6 Touko 20241h 33min

Episode 118: Hitman Bloodmoney

Episode 118: Hitman Bloodmoney

Hitman: Blood Money, first released in 2006 by Eidos, is considered by many to be the best Hitman game ever made.  After the first few games played around with novel ideas and concepts to mixed succes...

8 Huhti 20241h 39min

Episode 117: Final Fantasy VII

Episode 117: Final Fantasy VII

Final Fantasy VII is a landmark title not only for the JRPG genre, but for all video games.  First released in 1997 and developed by Square, it took the format of the previous games and brought them t...

11 Maalis 20242h 43min

Episode 116: Rain World

Episode 116: Rain World

Rain World is a game that was released to very mixed reviews.  With a whopping 59 on Metacritic, it was panned for its controls, difficulty, tedium and general obtuseness.  But take a gander at the co...

22 Tammi 20242h 14min

Suosittua kategoriassa Vapaa-aika

nikotellen
antin-matka
sita
the-harlin-show
ihan-oikeesti
unicast
rss-nikotellen
everypodi
eturivi
tahtitehdas
mutsiputki
rss-naapurissa
mysteeripodcast
rss-viihde-media
oral-sex
terkuin-jenna
kaikkea-hyvaa
himocast
moottoripodi-2
junnut-pelissa