Metroid

Beginning of the Space Saga This is one of my favorite video games of all time and one of my favorite games of the NES console. It's also no doubt the game that begin or helped begin the Metroid Vania genre which just like this franchise is still going strong today. Sure, there have been plenty within that genre but to me the Metroid franchise is the one and still the best in my book. It's true that this NES game might seem a tad dated compared to some of the later entries in the franchise along with Metroidvanias, which is why this game is a little lower on my list, it's sometimes that fundamental factor even with the movie franchise like with the Bond films. But it's still fun to play for its retro goodness and just to see where it all began.

Not a whole lot I can say that hasn't already been there is so much to like about it from the graphical presentation where it was dark and gothic. In a way it was sort of a haunted house but in space and instead of a giant mansion it was caverns on an Alien planet. The game was different as it wasn't the linear point A to B, but actually nonlinear where you had to actually explore, figure out and map out where certain things are and where you need to go. I'll admit that was part of what hooked me on the game as there were always so many more places yet to explore, I always wondered what was behind that door that has yet to be penetrated or what's beyond the cavern channel I'm exploring.

I'll admit the only misfire of the game is that you don't have a map to track down your movements which can make the game a little troublesome as it can mean some pain in the butt backtracking or even just being plain lost. Which is why when you play this game you might have to watch a visual guide to figure out where to go next.

Gameplay is very solid it's the typical platform action as well as action RPG action as your character collects some items and weapons to make yourself stronger than before. Also each of the cavern channels and section you explore are always a different challenge and surprises, so make sure your well-armed because you never truly know what's behind that next door and cave. Yeah, I know all this is commonplace, but you must understand this game was in the 80's none of these things were commonplace, so it's easy to see how anyone back in that decade was blown away by this game; I know as I was a kid from the 80's.

You have a good variety of enemies to fight as they consist of aliens that are all weird and cool looking at the same time. Like those dreaded alien porcupine crawlers, not much of a threat depending on where their placed and how many there are. Missile bats that just drop right down on you. But of course the most memorable is the head honcho Mother Brain, really like that you have an antagonist that is female and inhuman as she's just some evil alien brain that's all messed up and just want to kill you and take over the universe, all you need to know.

And of course, you have a protagonist Samus whom was one of the first female video game protagonists and one of my first fictional character crushes. I always thought that was cool as even as a kid strong female protagonists I've always had the biggest crush on as they not just could kick ass but are actually interesting characters.

And of course, it was the 80's where strong female protagonists and characters were on the rise like Ellen Ripley from "Aliens" which was one of the partial inspirations for this game. Scarlett, Lady Jaye and Cover Girl from "G. I. Joe", martial arts now academy award winning actress Michelle Yeoh, you name it they were everywhere and here to stay.

She was just cool from that power armor suit she was in, the color scheme of it were just the colors of a hero. But also, how that armor had capabilities that put you one step ahead in the game and a step above your enemies, I wanted power armor suit of my own. You could say it sort of a big homage to the sci-fi genre mainly the book "Starship Troopers" which had armored power suits. And of course, just seeing what she looked like without the armor which was a mind-blowing surprise at the time, and I leave that to you if you ever beat the game, but I'll just say it didn't disappoint me.

Just like the constellations in the sky, Metroid is a vintage classic that stays forever.

Rating: 4 stars.