Metroid Fusion is a generally well-regarded entry in a well-regarded series.
I rarely see it get called "the best" anything, however.
I would like to put forth the claim that it is the most atmospheric and aesthetically appealing game in the franchise.
-It takes the iconography we know and turns it on its head. Samus looks different. The Samus we're used to is now made into an Alien-esque villain. The gunship is different. The setting is completely different, taking place completely on a research station in space rather than an alien planet. Everything is new and exciting, which is something that's quite bold and adventurous for an otherwise relatively thematically consistent series.
-The idea of having your previous abilities taken and used against you is an amazing idea. You don't just lose them, but are now at their mercy. This gives the player a feeling of starting again without it feeling forced for gameplay reasons.
-The X-parasites are a creepy and cool enemy that have good justification for existing. They bring a new element of sci-fi to the series. Metroids were predators, but the X-parasites are something more than that, something that lurks in the darkness and get beneath your skin... or someone else's.
-The abandoned research station manages to be visually diverse despite it technically being a single location. There's ice and lava and shadow areas. Because it's all synthetic, rather than an organic location like Zebes, Tallon IV, SR-388, etc., it has a feeling of cold isolation that even an abandoned planet can't compare to. Look at the image above. Even though Sector 1 is simulating SR-388's environment, there's a huge honking ventilation shaft lodged in the wall. It reminds you that you're trapped on a hunk of metal floating in space.
-The claustrophia of the ship works very well with its partner, the SA-X. You never know when this thing is going to pop out. Its eerie footsteps echo throughout the metallic flooring of the station. It is extremely dangerous, and you cannot kill it, only run. And sometimes you have to run. Having a parasitic, alien version of your past self chase you and try to kill you adds a whole new level of atmospheric horror to the game.
-Speaking of horror, this game seems to have a bit more of it. Seeing Ridley's frozen corpse just sitting there, ages before anything happens with it. Nightmare's shadow passing behind you in the background of the frozen sector of the station. The obvious example of the SA-X constantly chasing you down. Fusion is creepy, and I love it for this.
I love Fusion for a lot of reasons, and I don't share the distaste many have for its linearity, but I have a special place in my heart for its atmosphere and mood in particular. It's my personal favorite of the entire franchise.
I rarely see it get called "the best" anything, however.
I would like to put forth the claim that it is the most atmospheric and aesthetically appealing game in the franchise.
-It takes the iconography we know and turns it on its head. Samus looks different. The Samus we're used to is now made into an Alien-esque villain. The gunship is different. The setting is completely different, taking place completely on a research station in space rather than an alien planet. Everything is new and exciting, which is something that's quite bold and adventurous for an otherwise relatively thematically consistent series.
-The idea of having your previous abilities taken and used against you is an amazing idea. You don't just lose them, but are now at their mercy. This gives the player a feeling of starting again without it feeling forced for gameplay reasons.
-The X-parasites are a creepy and cool enemy that have good justification for existing. They bring a new element of sci-fi to the series. Metroids were predators, but the X-parasites are something more than that, something that lurks in the darkness and get beneath your skin... or someone else's.
-The abandoned research station manages to be visually diverse despite it technically being a single location. There's ice and lava and shadow areas. Because it's all synthetic, rather than an organic location like Zebes, Tallon IV, SR-388, etc., it has a feeling of cold isolation that even an abandoned planet can't compare to. Look at the image above. Even though Sector 1 is simulating SR-388's environment, there's a huge honking ventilation shaft lodged in the wall. It reminds you that you're trapped on a hunk of metal floating in space.
-The claustrophia of the ship works very well with its partner, the SA-X. You never know when this thing is going to pop out. Its eerie footsteps echo throughout the metallic flooring of the station. It is extremely dangerous, and you cannot kill it, only run. And sometimes you have to run. Having a parasitic, alien version of your past self chase you and try to kill you adds a whole new level of atmospheric horror to the game.
-Speaking of horror, this game seems to have a bit more of it. Seeing Ridley's frozen corpse just sitting there, ages before anything happens with it. Nightmare's shadow passing behind you in the background of the frozen sector of the station. The obvious example of the SA-X constantly chasing you down. Fusion is creepy, and I love it for this.
I love Fusion for a lot of reasons, and I don't share the distaste many have for its linearity, but I have a special place in my heart for its atmosphere and mood in particular. It's my personal favorite of the entire franchise.
