Everything we know about MP2 (giant pics inside!)

[Gunpei]

I have compiled a thread with all of the Information, Videos, Screenshots, and (my) Speculation on Metroid Prime 2 (tentative title)



Metroid Prime 2 (tentative title)


Information


Metroid Prime has been one of the biggest hits for the GameCube so far. What can we expect from the second Metroid game?

Miyamoto: What we did with Metroid Prime was gather individual developers and programmers from different areas and put them together into Retro Studios. This was their first project with all of these members working together, and while we were making Metroid Prime we didn't really know what the strengths and the weaknesses of the Retro team might be.

So Metroid Prime, as a first project, we thought went very well and based on that experience of their first project together we've learned where their real strengths lie and so... well I can't really say a whole lot about what's going to be in Metroid Prime 2, but because they have this experience behind them and they're going to be able to take advantage of their new-found strengths - I think you're going to find the game's going to be a lot cooler.

And the team of course after seeing everybody's reviews of Metroid Prime and winning multiple awards, they've really been excited by all that and they've got a lot of passion about it and they're excited to be working on the next one. But I do think that a multiplayer function that we were unable to include in the original is probably definitely within reach. [laughs] I don't know about any networking though!



April 11, 2003 - Nintendo of America today announced that its wholly owned software company Retro Studios has been appointed a new president. Michael Kelbaugh will lead the Texas-based developer.
Kelbaugh joins the firm from Nintendo of America, where for the last 15 years he has held the position of director of business development. Kelbaugh replaces Steve Barcia, who took over the studios after original owner Jeff Spangenberg was bought out and removed by Nintendo.

Many ex-Retro employees have alleged Barcia's mismanagement of the company was one of their primary reasons for leaving.

Retro Studios, the maker of Metroid Prime for GameCube, is currently underway with the highly anticipated sequel to the game, which is expected to release sometime next year.

More as it becomes available.

SOURCE (http://cube.ign.com/articles/393/393234p1.html)


Videos


IGN's Teaser (http://mediaviewer.ign.com/ignMediaPage.jsp?media_id=1720476&object_id=499105&channel_id=74&page_title=Metroid+Prime+2&adString=network%3Dign%26site%3Dcube%26pagetype%3D video&return_url=http%3A%2F%2Fcube.ign.com%2Fobjects%2F4 99%2F499105.html)


Gamespot's Teaser (you must have Gamespot Complete to view) (http://www.gamespot.com/gamecube/action/metroidprime2tentativetitle/index.html)


Screenshots


http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen001.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen002.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen003.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen004.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen005.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen006.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen007.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen008.jpg

[Gunpei]

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen009.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen010.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen011.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen012.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen013.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen014.jpg

http://image.com.com/gamespot/images/2003/e3/0513b/gc_metroidprime20513_screen015.jpg


Speculation


From Miyamoto's comments and the short teaser of Metroid Prime 2 I have come to many conclusions. First, this game will most likely not be released until mid-late 2004 and if Nintendo plays it smart, they will release it as a launch title for GCN's successor (http://cube.ign.com/articles/383/383515p1.html).

The game will most likely be played from First Person View, but still be an adventure game.

Also, the game may include some type of Co/op. This may not be the normal type of Co/op that we have seen in other games. I think that one option could be one person controls Samus while the other has a GBA hooked up to the gamecube and plays as the computer from Metroid Fusion. Information on how to defeat enemies, powerups, secret areas, and energy could come across the GBA's screen. This wouldnt be the only Co/op though, i just thought that this would be a cool GBA connectivty. Another type of Co/op could be that if this game is set after Metroid Fusion then the Adam could have his own type of suit and weapons and go along with Samus and help her through her mission. Also, From Miyamoto's comment he mentioned network play which could mean LAN Co/op (I would like to see them pull that off)

Now, a full out Multiplayer deathmatch COULD work, but would be really really hard to integrate it into the storyline to keep this a Metroid game and not turn it into a full out First Person Shooter.

Another interesting thing is that from the Teaser there is obvious graphic upgrades. The texture on Samus's suit is a lot smoother, there is obvious bump mapping on her suit now, the environments look more detailed (imaging the final build :) ), and overall the colors are a lot better.

From the Screenshots you may notice some translucent blue textures and it reminded me a lot of Phazon, so this game may very well take place on Talon IV, BUT the Phazon could have easily been transported back to Zebes by the Space Pirates.

I think that the Scan Visor will have a comeback in MP2 but as I have stated in previous threads, it would be very cool to have them add in cutscenes after you scan certain things. IE after you scan a chozo lore saying that the space pirates have massacred the Chozo, a cutscene would show that actually happening.

Right in the beginning of the teaser, if you go frame by frame you can see Samus going from the ground and then springing off of a wall. This may very well prove that wall jumping is back! It would be very interesting to see how Retro implements that into a FPperspective game. Obviously though you couldnt do that in FPview so there may be a lot more 3rd person parts in the game besides the morph ball.

With Steve Barcia gone and Michael Kelbaugh in place I think MP2 will be able to implement a lot of things that Barcia was holding back. For example, MP2 could be more violent (Shiggy said it would be "cooler"). I think that an M rated game of this calibur published by Nintendo could wipe away their "Kiddy" image and open up Nintendo to a lot more casual gamers.

And finally, I think that from the 100% ending in Metroid Prime that this game will take place after Metroid Fusion. That hand with the eye instantaneously reminded me of the SA-X from Metroid Fusion so that means that Metroid Prime came before Metroid Fusion.


Feel free to add any more information, speculation, screens, or videos that you have.


P.S. - I hope you enjoyed my thread, it took me a while to make so please keep it alive. :)

[Kliq]

I hope its a third person view this time.

[smellslikenintendospirit]

Awesome post. You're a beast! You can use this to keep us updated.

[the poe collector]

( kisses gunpei, slaps booty )

thank u VERY much, I REALLY wanted some screens and info, and now u have provided it, thank u, gunpei shiznit, this is easily my most anticipated game of 2003-2004-2005-3300, ever, I guess...

[nigelfloe]

nice speculation, wish it were official though

[lilgomezer03]

sweet havent seen those screens

[Serene Samus]

Originally posted by Kliq
I hope its a third person view this time.

NO!!! 1st person is way better. I wouldn't mind third person but I would prefer 1st person.

[Zelda Prime]

If they can make it better than Metroid Prime 1, I'll be all over this baby. An M rated Metroid game would be cool, I guess, but I'd hate it if they took too much time making it gory instead of making it a fun adventure.

[Gunpei]

Originally posted by Zelda Prime
An M rated Metroid game would be cool, I guess, but I'd hate it if they took too much time making it gory instead of making it a fun adventure.

Yes thats very true. They should focus on the core gameplay first and then implement the gore. :)

[HolyPaladin]

I trust this game to be at least as good, if not better, than Prime. I hope to see more of this game soon.

[Darkness_Essence]

Thank you SOOO Much Genpei.You've done an awesome job.

I really can't wait for the game now :)

[Majora]

If I never played the sequel I wouldnt mind, the first was enough for me.

[Kliq]

I actually didn't like Metroid Prime.

[the poe collector]

Originally posted by Kliq
I actually didn't like Metroid Prime.

it's a matter or preference, I guess. Most everyone in the world loved metroid prime, so go sit in dey corner,OUTSIDER!

[video game master]

quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Originally posted by Kliq
I hope its a third person view this time.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fat chance!

[Wafangor]

Why not third person, that would be awesome. What would be even better is if you had 1st and 3rd person views and you could choose between the two.

[Gunpei]

A Metroid game that is ENTIRELY in third person would NOT work. The whole reason that 3D Metroid games are in FP view is because it allows for faster exploration. Now, i do agree that they should add more third person parts to the game (ie wall jumping) but the game would suck if it was in all third person perspective.

[LinkCube]

^I agree

3rd person doesn't go well with Metroidf Prime (With the exception of the morph ball)

[Gunpei]

Sweet...I found this .GIF. It shows from that teaser that now Samus has a SPRING BALL!!

http://ice.prohosting.com/~mattcoz/Prime2/SpringBallLR.gifz#gif

Also, this may be the creatures weak spot....

http://ice.prohosting.com/~mattcoz/Prime2/BlobPulse.gifz#gif

Wait for them to go a few times and then the GIF's will work good.

[Pigobenus]

The screw attack in third person would be cool.

[cheetahmanhood]

Looks fantastic, thanks for all the info!

[firefly]

this game just got my attention

[Gunpei]

Here is some more speculation on the Multiplayer;

In 1996, a man named David "Zoid" Kirsch made a mod called Capture the Flag for the game Quake. This was actually a big deal because all FPS had to offer back then were deathmatches. This mod became very popular and is implemented into most FPS games nowadays.

Zoid's Capture the Flag modification to Quake spread like wildfire through the online FPS community, and can now be found in dozens of different games. Capture the Flag, and Zoid's top notch programming skills catapulted him into a rewarding career at id that already exceeds many peoples goals. While not specifically a level designer by trade, many know Zoid for his his levels alone, which is a testament in itself. Zoid is currently AFK ( Away from Kanada ) working at Retro Studios on Metroid Prime 2, following the release of the megahit Metroid Prime, which he also worked on.

Zoid also worked on the Parasite Queen boss battle in Prime and was responsible for adding the data streaming into the Metroid Prime engine that made the game play at a solid 60 Frames Per Second. I think it will be very interesting to see if Zoid can come up with another type of multiplayer mode that would be as popular as this.

SOURCE (http://www.threewave.com/readpage.php?content=about)

And this is just ONE of the many people that Nintendo hired to work for Retro that have a lot of background experience in FPS's.

[nigelfloe]

^nice

[Michael Bluth]

There's no way this will be on the GCN's successor (assuming there is one :-X ), which you can tell simply by the graphics. I don't see Nintendo taking an Eternal Darkness overhaul to this game....... and it looks to mainly be in 3rd person. Boooooooo.

[TheGreenElf]

Nice screens...looks like there are a few more cutscenes.

[Gunpei]

Originally posted by Phantagram
There's no way this will be on the GCN's successor (assuming there is one :-X ), which you can tell simply by the graphics. I don't see Nintendo taking an Eternal Darkness overhaul to this game....... and it looks to mainly be in 3rd person. Boooooooo.

No, its not in third person. That was a short cutscene.

[LarsDrummer99]

woah! thanks alot man u rule!

[Pigobenus]

I am looking forward to this game, the gamecube really does have good games.

[moggo]

it looks awsome
i want it
lol

[seraph]

Nice info

[KamiKaZe]

the first one kicked ass...can't wait for the new one

[Notedog]

I liked metroid fusion way more

[Beast1004]

Thanks for the pics, they look great! the graphics look even better, and from the pics, the cutscenes might actually have some action in them, unlike the 1st Metroid Prime where the cutscenes just showed Samus walking around....

I believe this game will be the major hit on gamecube!;)

[Notedog]

cutscenes should have voice acting didnt Europe get that