Samus’ larger foes are formed from X Parasites holding one of her previous power-ups, and they use this ability against her. The variety of enemies on display is impressive, and boss battles in particular are enjoyable and inventive. The research station Samus explores is host to a number of biological specimens now infected with the vicious X Parasites. It’s a gripping tale of suspense and intrigue, perfectly accompanied by the hostile setting and Samus’ unfamiliar feeling of helplessness. To series fans who know the lore, Metroid Fusion’s narrative is worth the concession, too. It’s this lack of ingenuity and originality that keeps Metroid Fusion from surpassing its 2D predecessor - Super Metroid - in quality, but it doesn't spoil the game and arguably suits the shorter play sessions typically associated with portable play. So it’s perhaps a little disappointing that Metroid Fusion often just seals off certain routes with locked doors, particularly towards the beginning of the game. Sure, you backtrack and open up new paths once you've acquired a new ability, but there's typically only ever one thread to follow, however cleverly it's sewn across the map. Metroid games have always been linear experiences, of course. Metroid Fusion has a story, one that it insists on telling, and funnels you in one direction. Samus is given instructions from her ship’s onboard computer, whom she dubs 'Adam' after her late commanding officer, and there’s very little room for deviation from the main path for most of the game. Metroid Fusion’s progression, however, is surprisingly linear. It's one of the most unique entries to the long-running franchise, and it's one we're thrilled to be experiencing again on Switch. You'll be finding new upgrades, additional energy tanks, missiles, and a whole host of grotesque boss characters which you'll need to dispatch with haste. You'll never be stuck on where to go or what to do, but make no mistake, this is still Metroid through and through. Certainly, when compared to Metroid Prime Remastered, Fusion will probably feel like a walk in the park thanks to the frequent guidance from "ADAM", Samus' AI assistance. There's definitely an argument to be made that Metroid Fusion is a lot more linear and, as a result, easier than both its ancestors and descendants. As you'd expect, Samus is stripped of power-ups from the previous game thanks to the removal of her Power Suit, and these are gradually unlocked through progression in the game. Samus is as sprightly as ever and still utilises her signature spinning jump and 8-directional aiming techniques from previous games, but is now also able to grab ledges and climb certain surfaces. The gameplay itself was further refined from past instalments. Weakened, she is given little time to recuperate when the laboratory containing both the creatures collected in the exploratory mission and her Power Suit is rocked by an explosion, thus tasking her with the responsibility of investigating this mysterious space station. Her signature apparel, the Power Suit, is surgically removed and she is injected with cells from the last of the Metroids, saving her from a grim demise but drastically altering her appearance. The reality of this infection is explained once Samus loses consciousness and crashes her ship on the return journey – though she escapes the impact unharmed, her body and equipment are teeming with X Parasites, and her chances of survival are slim. Samus accompanies a group of scientists to SR388, the Metroid homeworld, planning to survey the planet, but is unknowingly accosted by a virulent organism known as an X Parasite. Naturally, you assume the role of Samus Aran, the legendary bounty hunter responsible for overturning the sinister designs of the Space Pirates and obliterating their organic weapon, the Metroids. Released a full eight years after its phenomenal Super Nintendo predecessor, Super Metroid, 2002's Metroid Fusion is a well-paced, tense, atmospheric game and an oft-overlooked GBA classic that, while not as substantial and expansive as other 2D games in the series, suits portable play beautifully. This review originally went live in 2014, and we're updating and republishing it to mark the game's arrival in Switch's GBA library via the Nintendo Switch Online Expansion Pack.
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