Metroid Prime: Federation Force Reviews
Federation Force is an arcade FPS, designed for portable environment, and for cooperative multiplayer. It's perfect to spend few hours of fun in the company of three other friends, but not so great for the Lone wolves.
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Metroid Prime: Federation Force is a bit of a sad way to celebrate the franchise's 30th anniversary — in making this entry so multiplayer-focused, Nintendo has ironically created an alienating experience.
It may be a tough sell for the true devotees of the Metroid franchise, but Federation Force is a good game. Without the expectations of its title holding it back, I think it would have been a clear and easy win for Nintendo, and the fresh perspective on the setting, while divisive, still gives something new and entertaining.
Federation Force is a solid, polished addition to the Metroid franchise, though it admittedly is missing that “it” factor that makes the Metroid games with Samus Aran a great experience. Campaign co-op can be a blast thanks to fun mechanics and multiplayer hijinks while the Rocket League-style Blast Ball is an enjoyable diversion for sure. For players dead set on a new main-line Metroid title, though, the game might feel more like an appetizer instead of a main course.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force isn't really Metroid game, then. But if you can set aside your preconceptions of what Metroid game is, you'll find a more than competent first person shooter that’s fun to play - even if it is let down by some odd design decisions and a lack of checkpoints.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force is not a good game at all. When you find yourself just wanting to complete levels to see if the game ever changes and gets better, that’s a sign that something is very wrong. The core gameplay is simplistic, boring, and not the level of quality one would expect from a Metroid game. Other M may have been the most fan-derided Metroid game until now, but Federation Force will easily take the crown from here on out.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force succeeds at carving out its own identity, but loses a few elements in translation. It’s still Metroid at its core but lacks the masterful execution that the series is known for.
Federation Force isn’t bad — especially when you factor in Blast Ball — but it’s not going to fill the hunger felt by most franchise fans. It doesn’t work as a single-player offering, and those who want to play with friends will need to exert ridiculous levels of willpower and patience to get games in. If you’re willing to give it a go with mates, synch things up ahead of time for the least amount of stress.
Though a serviceable enough intergalactic trip for anyone looking to play a multiplayer shooter on their 3DS, there's absolutely nothing memorable about this by-the-numbers entry into a hallowed franchise. The bite-sized missions lack balance, easily overcome with a quartet, frustratingly difficult done solo. The familiar action and time-worn objectives are quite playable, but the mediocre gameplay inspires little reason to return to the planet surface.
Play Federation Force if you must, and you may even enjoy it- just know that while it's not too bad, it's not too good, either. And for a game carrying the Metroid label, that, perhaps more than anything else, is the worst crime that this game commits.
It may not be the Metroid Prime sequel you were looking for, but if you keep an open mind and give it a shot, you're likely to be pleasantly surprised overall, especially if you have some friends to play co-op with.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force is an interesting idea and definitely not a bad game.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force is not only the best FPS on the 3DS, but perhaps one of my favorite FPS games ever.
Other M is no longer the worst Metroid game.
Sure it’s not Samus but Metroid Prime Federation Force is actually quite a good game on the 3DS and if you’re looking for a challenge with some fun gaming mechanics, it would do you well to check out this title.
Federation Force isn't what Metroid fans expected, or wanted. It's not a 2D Metroidvania or even a slow-burning, atmospheric first-person action game focused on exploration, in the style of Metroid Prime. Yet it stands as a solid spin-off from a legendary franchise, rich in content and fun to play.
Metroid Prime: Federation Force isn’t what you expect when you think of a game carrying the Metroid name. It’s a more freeform experience that encourages you to gather together friends, either locally or online, and cooperatively carry out missions of varying degrees of complexity and difficulty. In the right conditions, it can be wonderful. Find at least one friendly face and you’ll make the galaxy a better place. But, space is cruel to those who choose to go it alone. If you know at least one other person who’ll join the force with you, say “Oorah” and head into battle.
There is a core idea here that could’ve worked, but Metroid Prime: Federation Force is nothing short of a disaster due to horribly thought out implementation and shoddy execution.
An emphasis on bad puzzles and a lack of real communication turns Federation Force's focus away from where it should be: tough battles and strategic customization. It's not the game that most people were looking for, and it's certainly not flawless as a standalone title, but there's a lot it does well. Ambitious but ultimately underwhelming, the title unfortunately emphasizes the parts of itself which are the most problematic.