Metroid Database.com

Nintendo Enthusiast's Mike D. (aka EvilTw1n) has revealed that their top choice for the "Most Misunderstood Wii Games" is none other than Metroid Other M. In the first half of his article, he explains quite explicitly that in order to fully understand the game's greatness, you must overcome and forget all the preconceived notions you had before about 3D gaming mechanics. In the second half, he breaks down what most people have pinned negatively to MOM: its story. Isn't balancing gameplay and story something that many other AAA developers still struggle with to this day?

For the most part, I've tried to distance myself from the petty arguments on MOM, as they not only bore me, but they don't ever seem to get anywhere. And it mostly ends up someone linking to a certain blog article (that shall not be linked) and pointing out that it's "proof" of the game's sophomoric attempt on story and reduces the character of Samus to a pitiful, one-dimensional brat with "Daddy issues." Because that's what makes the game totally suck, right? Riiiiight...

Opinions are subjective. When it comes to the true greatness of a game, nothing's really right or wrong -- if you found it fun, then great. If you were repulsed by it, then also great - keep that with you. Unless you're a developer, it's going to do absolutely nothing for you in return. Other M didn't kill the Metroid franchise, it just made a lot of distinctive choices that turned off some players, and consequently split up a lot of the fanbase. But it's much more likely these people were turned off due to preconceived notions and expectation than what was actually given to them. That shouldn't be enough of a reason to demonize the entire game, should it?

You can see the list recap here.

--Infinity's End