Released in the US on November 18th, 2002, Metroid Fusion was the 4th installment in the Metroid series. Following the events directly after that of the SNES classic Super Metroid, bounty hunter Samus is exploring the surface of planet SR388 when she is attacked and infected by an unknown parasitic organism known as "X". She is saved through a vaccine made of Metroid cells, the only predator of this hostile parasite. Armed with this new Fusion Suit, Samus can now absorb these organisms for health and ammo, but due to the Metroid's genetic makeup, is also vulnerable to the cold. Back in commission, Samus is sent to investigate an attack aboard the BSL space station, where she discovers that the X parasites have begun infesting with the help of "SA-X", an X parasite who has replicated Samus' genetic makeup after her attack on SR388. There are many horror games that will try to rile you up with a good jump scare or unsettling imagery, but it's remarkable how much this simple 2D doppelganger can strike such a greater chord of fear and unease. As you're crawling through the shadowy vents of the space station, and the door beneath opens to reveal the dreaded SA-X walking in with loud echoing clanks of the metal walkways, you're filled with such tension knowing you can be torn to bits with with one shot of its ice beam.
Aside from these fantastic moments of fear and tension, Metroid Fusion retains the fantastic action and exploration-based gameplay that is your coveted Metroidvania genre. With a greater emphasis on narrative in this particular entry, players are directed around the space station with varied mission objectives and goals. While this may appear like a more linear approach at first, it is still ultimately up to the players to figure where and how to reach these objectives. They also provide excellent means and reasons for revisiting previous areas and noticing how different chambers change as you affect other parts of the space station. Additionally, these story beats offer a nice change of pace from the fast-paced intensity of blasting aliens, and the narrative isn't half bad either, adding just another layer of captivation in this gripping world building.
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| Concept art of the Fusion Suit in Metroid Fusion. |
Metroid Fusion took a familiar formula, but implemented it with a bold new approach that paid off quite well with this entry. And Metroid: Samus Returns shows they're not done with shaking up the 2D Metroid formula either. With Metroid Prime 4 on the horizon now, it seems as though the series will be returning to further explore the FPS Adventure genre it helped pioneer, but I can't wait to see how this esteemed bounty hunter continues to pioneer and shake up the series.
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