Metroid Prime 2

Platform(s): Nintendo Gamecube

Publisher: Nintendo

Developer: Retro Studios

ESRB Rating: Teen

Players: up to 4

The Story

Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is the newest video game in the series and a sequel to the popular Metroid Prime. The game takes you to planet Aether, where moth-like critters, called Luminoth, are living off the planet's natural energy. Part of the planet is in darkness, courtesy of a meteor that struck the planet years previous; the dark side of the planer is home to creatures known as the Ing. Of course (what else would you expect), the Ing and the Luminoth are fighting one another for the planet's energy, critical to the survival of each race. Samus Aran is sent into investigate and chaos ensues…

The game is rated "T" for violent content.

Gameplay

Like its predecessor, this is a first person action game set in a 3D universe. However, the game is not a simple shooter; instead it has a heavy emphasis on exploration and platform-style situations. The two sides of the planet form parallel dimensions and the player has to explore both of them thoroughly; note that changes on one side often cause changes in the other.

The player will find the expected array of weapons and power-ups that are the hallmarks of a Metroid game.

While the bulk of the game is a one player journey, Echoes also offers Death Match and Bounty Mode multiplayer options.

Tips and Trivia

• Want to turn off the hints during gameplay? Go to the "visor options" menu.
• The black tracks on the walls are Spider Ball paths that Samus can use once the Spider ball upgrade has been located.
• Use the Power Bomb to destroy any objects made of Bendiezium
• In Japan, the game is titled Metroid Prime 2: Dark Echoes