Both. The single-player is more of an adventure game like the ones on the Cube, and the multi-player is more of a FPS similar to Unreal. You collect upgrades, and solve puzzles - there is some backtracking, but it wouldn't be Metroid without that, I guess.

Well.. I played the DS version, hasn't changed my opinion. I guess I could try it online at some point but it'd have to be with someone here.. I've heard that it's 99% futile to play random matches anymore due to asshats.

I love Metroid.. but for the adventuring. I don't think I'll have love for the franchise outside of that but I may pick it up for the single player and check out the multi. I just have a LOT of DS games to play already.

Game is awesome hard to believe that it's on the DS. Anyone able to view there personal stats on Nintendo's Wifi site. It says link your account to view your Hunter's Liscense but I'm not sure what they are reffering to.

Damn my lack of will power.

Was looking at games in Wal-mart, came home with Peach and Metroid. Almost got Tetris as well, but passed as I never really cared for the series beyond Tetris Attack (so I'll wait and hope for a wifi version of that).

My wallet weeps.

I won't be able to fire them up until Sunday or early next week as I'm out of town and my g/f has my DS.

That's funny.. I had to get groceries last night and there's a Wal*Mart almost across the street from my apartment. I took the extra five minute drive to Kroger because I knew if I passed by the games I'd end up with something (aka Metroid) in my cart.

I'm not impressed yet, after playing through the first boss in adventure mode. The controls are just unwieldy. There's no comfortable way to hold it using the stylus mode, and the dual mode is too imprecise for aiming. It's playable, but it seems like the main difficulty will be in fighting the controls...just like in Mario 64 DS. 3D games just don't work without an analog stick.

The game looks phenomenal though. I didn't think the DS could do 3D graphics that well, looks better than anything I saw on the N64.

Actually, I found the stylus-based play to be very intuitive.

The aiming is intuitive, I just can't find a good way to hold the DS while doing it without my hands cramping up, or having to sit hunched over with it on my lap and making my back stiff.

I got this pen that Nintendo made that also has a stylus tip. It's much bigger and allows me to hold the system more comfortably. Try searching for something like that.

That's a thought. My main problem is with my left hand cramping up as it's awkward to use the d-pad and L button while not having much grip on the other side since you're using the stylus.

I'll give it some more time, not sure that I'll end up liking the game enough (control issues aside) to spend more money on a new stylus.

Well, the reason I like the pen-stylus is because I can hold it between fingers, instead of gripping it directly, so I can hold the right side of the DS with the rest of my hand. That relieves a lot of hand cramps.

I already put my ring and index fingers under the DS, but still get the cramping problem. I think part of it is I never play with my left index finger on the trigger on the DS or any console with the buttons rather than triggers (i.e. PS2, SNES, GBA), and just move my finger up when needing to hit the button. Always hated those damn shoulder buttons. :D

Played some more, got passed the 2nd boss and back to the ship.

I'm licking the game more, but still struggling a bit due to the controls and the fact that it just doesn't feel like Metroid. It's just a typical FPS with a few metroid elements, where as Prime 1 & 2 felt like Metroid in 3D.

Haven't had time to take it online yet though.

I haven't played much single player. I might try more and switch from right-handed stylus to left-handed thumbstrap and see if that works better.

What bugs me most about this game is that it wants to be a major fragfest in the Metroid world, which I'm fine with. But I'm not sure the DS is the proper venue for this title. If the revolution's controls work the way we all seem to expect it to with regards to this genre, I see a full-console version of this being a major killer-app.

Hmmm, maybe this is why you aren't enjoying the game.
I know Samus is a chick but :rolleyes:

Haven't tried that. Will give it a whirl. I have a feeling the size of the thumbpad will cause problems with accidentally hitting the morph ball and other control options on the touch screen. But that should be more comfortable if it's precise enough.

:lol:

Maybe I should try that method. Would have to be more comfortable than the stylus mode. :D

You guys just gave me a great idea for an adult DS game!

...off to design a tongue stylus.

If you do, perhaps you could bundle it with this
http://www.joystiq.com/media/2006/03/pokecock.jpg
http://www.joystiq.com/2006/03/26/in...ble-ds-stylus/

Got it tonight and played through the first "level". Like everyone else has said it takes a while to get used to, but I'm finding it quite enjoyable and see it as a welcome extension of the metroid universe thus far.

I beat the game tonight. To echo my previous statement, it does expand the Metroid universe, just not as fully as I would have liked seen.

It's apparent in the art direction and movies that they had grand ideas on incorporating the new hunters in innovative ways, instead they just come accross as mini-boses you have to deal with. (In single player) I would have loved to seen more personal stories portrayed in the characters. The ability to play through the game as said hunters would be awesome as well, but that would be a little much...

Overall, the game is much more a straight forward FPS approach to the Metroid universe. The game still relies on scanning for certain information, but the game fails to reward any form of exploration like a traditional Metroid game. There are some hidden items, but nothing that significantly changes game dynamics.

If you are a fan of Metroid, and like FPS in general you will no doubt enjoy Hunters IMO. The game falls short in the single player environment of recreating a traditional Metroid game. Thusly, it corrects many of the concerns people had over Prime, but at the same time sacrifices what made Prime true to the original.

The online play is rather seamless and the fact that it so easily tracks your stats in game and online is pretty neat. The idea of "Rivals" makes for a strong intermediary between "friends" and "random matches", very clever incorporation.

Overall I'd give the game a 8.2 out of 10. Nothing here screams "must own" (unless you are a FPS nut) but the game is a solid offering very good control. In fact, this is the best portable FPS shooter I have ever played and is clearly the mark that future DS and PSP titles will be measured against. Go with your instinct on this one, if you think you will like it you probably will, vice versa is true as well.

Thanks for the write-up.. I think I'll pass for now. I'd probably like the multi-player a bit but as I don't currently have a wireless hub I'd have to throw another $35 at least on top of the game to go online so it's probably not worth it at the moment. I may pick it up once a good dungeon-crawler or action RPG comes out with Wi-Fi.

I've only got the first 3 octoliths, so I can't do a full review, but a this point I'd probaby give it a 7.0/10.

1. The controls are just uncomfortable and cramp up my hands. The aiming works well, but I can't play for more than 20 or 30 minutes.

2. The level design is too linear. It's just a generic FPS. Doesn't feel much like metroid.

3. The bosses are repeated and there aren't many different types of enemies in each level (unless that improves as you get further, but not likely since there is only 1 world I haven't been to yet).

4. Multiplayer isn't great IMO. To easy for people to be cheap and annoying with some of the subweapons and alternate forms. Not enough people on. I almost always end up in one on one games which is no fun with a death match game.