CaptainIronMan's Hack Reviews - Metroid Construction

CaptainIronMan's Ratings and Reviews

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SM Redesign: Axeil Edition by Drewseph [

Exploration], rated by CaptainIronMan on Dec 04, 2015 (

)

72% in 10:31

I have mixed feelings about this hack. While it does many things well, such as aesthetics and helpful mechanics (wall-jumping, hint system, etc.), other changes (physics, morph ball speed, etc.) make it very frustrating. Personally, I like the concept of a large, explorable world for a Metroid game. This hack is certainly large, but exploration is poorly done. The player is forced to progress exactly how Drewseph wants. This takes all the fun out the experience. At least the original Redesign had some sequence breaks. I have always liked Metroid games for making me feel powerful. This hack didn't make me feel powerful until I collected all the major items and lots of ammo. And even then, this feeling of power was taken away from me during the final area where it felt like I had to use everything just to survive. The escape sequence made this even worse since mother brain just so happens to strip the player of everything they worked so hard for. Others things like wall-jump boots and the beam combo item are just unnecessary. If you are new to Super Metroid or hacks in general, avoid this hack until you have built up skill. If this hack fixed all the negative changes, it could be one of my favorites.

Great potential, but falls short on execution.

Hyper Metroid by RealRed [

Exploration], rated by CaptainIronMan on Dec 04, 2015 (

)

98% in 7:07

Note: this is a review of version 1.0

I love the original ideas this hack brings. The alternate story is a bit strange, but this hack is more about the gameplay experience. The more open world is a good idea. The world isn't completely open, but it is open enough to give the player plenty of options in terms of progression. Sequence breaks are definitely possible, giving the player several routes to choose from. This isn't so great for the first playthrough, however. It is very easy to get confused as to where to go next. Once you know where everything is, it makes the game a lot easier (This could be a good hack to race). The ammo system is an interesting idea. This ammo system encourages a 100% completion rate. It makes finding every item rewarding, not just super missiles. Being able to "run" while morphed (if you collect spring-ball) is also a nice feature.

There are a few things about this hack that prevent me from rating it 5 stars. While I think the ammo system is a fresh idea, I don't like how much ammo super missiles and power bombs use. I think it would be better if supers used 5 ammo and power bombs used 10. The morph/un-morph sound is annoying and unnecessary.

I really dislike how Samus is completely naked during the death animation. This hack gives no warning about this that I am aware of. This is an unnecessary change and has no place in a Metroid game.

If this hack and Redesign Axeil Edition had a baby, it would be one interesting hack.

Project Base 0.8.1 by begrimed [

Improvement], rated by CaptainIronMan on Dec 14, 2015 (

)

No completion stats.

This hack is excellent. There really isn't much to dislike, if anything at all. If you are into speedrunning, racing, or the item randomizer*, you need to play this hack. In short, this hack gives Super Metroid a fresh feel while maintaining the original layout.

*More about the randomizer at the end

Good:
-Physics changes. I love the physics changes, my favorite in any hack so far
-Power to the player. There are some minor changes (fast firing super missiles, "running" in morph ball, etc.) that make it feel as if some of Samus's limits have been removed. It's really great.
-Shortcuts. The additional shortcuts are implemented very well
-Colors. Some colors are a bit strange, but most of the new colors give the game a bold new look that looks very nice in a lot of places.
-Minor details considered. I didn't realize how amazing the fully colored Samus in the item menu was until I played this hack. I don't know why Nintendo didn't do this for the original. Also, I really appreciate that reserve tanks come full instead of empty. This, in a way, gives value to grabbing reserves. I saw this level of attention to detail throughout the hack and it deserves praise.

Bad (kind of)
-The only "bad" thing about this hack are some of the colors. Personally, I think some areas are colored oddly but that is my personal preference. It doesn't really distract from the experience of the hack. Plus, if you are like me and prefer the original colors, you can look at the other configurations of this hack on Grime's website.

In my opinion, the physics only patch (or gameplay only patch as it is called on Grime's website) should be used for randomizer races. This patch allows suitless underwater wall-jumping and space-jumping. This means that players could manage suitless Maridia without falling way behind.

Super Made In Metroid - Attack Of The Rinkas by pontarou [

Unknown], rated by CaptainIronMan on Dec 14, 2015 (

)

No completion stats.

If you haven't played this, you need to. Just play it. Go on, play it.

Super Metroid: Z-Factor by Metaquarius [

Exploration], rated by CaptainIronMan on Dec 14, 2015 (

)

No completion stats.

This hack reminds me of the first time I played Super Metroid. I died a lot, didn't know where to go, and it took me a long time to finish. But after finishing it, I wanted to play it again, and when I did, it was a lot easier. This hack is pretty difficult at the beginning, but it eases up after you start collecting major items. Exploration is nice, there is an intended path, but there are also sequence breaks that aren't too difficult to pull off (kind of like vanilla Super Metroid).

I highly recommend this hack to anyone who has at least beat the original Super Metroid. This hack can help you increase your skills as a SM player.

By the way, this hack has the BEST Tourian by far out of any hack I have seen or played. It is easily the best part of the hack. I won't spoil anything because the best way to experience it is to play it without knowing anything other than that it is AMAZING.

Also, super secret room is so rewarding...

Stardust by Tyjet66 [

Quick Play], rated by CaptainIronMan on Dec 14, 2015 (

)

No completion stats.

This is a neat hack. I would recommend this to someone who has never played a SM hack before. The hack is pretty short and isn't too difficult. The level design could help a newcomer recognize the kinds of things are suspicious and should be explored without being too challenging. Some things are more obvious than others, but any player should be able to find plenty of items.

There are a few errors, some are a bigger deal than others. One error in Tourian caused me to get stuck in a wall while in morph ball and I had to reset the game.

The room that ice beam is in is my favorite room in the hack, very cool idea.

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