Blog Post: You're not my girl, Samus... Subscribe to this RSS feed
- Author: Ishaan Sahdev
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With the upcoming conclusion to the Metroid Prime trilogy in Corruption, the gaming public is getting to know Samus more intimately. Ishaan doesn't like what he sees.
Left, Samus in Smash Bros; right, Samus in Metroid Prime
Something I've noticed of late is that good art really seems to be lacking in games nowadays. Way too many people are willing to sacrifice good, believable art in favor of stylized anime-inspired crap that doesn't make any sense. Now, don't get me wrong ... I'm a huge anime fan. But that doesn't mean that a stylized, anime-ish design works well for every game out there. Case in point: Metroid Prime 3.
Before I go any further, I'd like to point out that I think Samus is, by far, Nintendo's coolest character. She's mysterious, she's silent ... she's just Samus. She really comes across as a mature person under her helmet. That said, I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw what she looked like under the suit in the original Metroid Prime. She was perfectly depicted. Mature. Not too young or old. Experienced. Maybe even a bit sad.
Then Prime 2 came along and sent Retro's design sense flying out the window. I'm afraid to say, I can't stand how Zero Suit Samus looks in Metroid Prime 2 and 3, and Super Smash Bros. Brawl.
Really, now. She looks like a girl. Nothing close to the battle-hardened woman you'd expect to see under her helmet. One could argue that you wouldn't expect to see a woman at all, but why the change in design after establishing such an awesome look in Metroid Prime 1? I still love the Metroid franchise, and I will be finishing Prime 3. But, I really hope that in future games, Nintendo tries to establish a more suitable look for their most mature character that actually sticks.
I see no need to turn Samus Aran into a cutesy anime girl. The only reason I'm forgiving the constant changes in design is because the retro and handheld Metroids have always featured slight variations of Samus's face under the helmet. However, now that the games have made the jump to 3D, it only makes sense to establish a believable design that sticks with the character.
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Comments [ 7 ] Post your comment subscribe to this rss feed
Posted at: 08/20/07 at 11:48 AM PST
I see what you mean, i like anime too, but just looking at those pics side by side i really see what your trying to say. The real looking pic makes it seems as if she has lived a life, the anime-ish one makes it looks like shes about to do something stupid. Like a DOA girl playing vollyball.
Posted at: 08/20/07 at 4:48 PM PST
I understand where you are coming from, but you forget that Samus began as a "cutesy anime girl"... well kind of. In Super Metroid, you get a sprite anime-ish looking Samus Aran (If you got 100%). Then Metroid Fusion did the same thing and Zero Mission as well with the artwork. Plus add the origin of Metroid is from Japan.
You shouldn't really be blaming Retro for changing it since it was really Zero Mission that officially put the face of what Samus looks like today. With the Zero Suit and the hair, and everything else. Everyone just followed that.
And last, I don't know if the Metroid Series will continue with Fusion being the last in the series...well so far. They could do another sub-series, but between where, Super Metroid and Fusion? I would like to know who Adam Malkovich(SP) is. Metroid Dread hasn't come to fruition. I guess they could do Metroid 5. I hope Nintendo will continue the Metroid series. It always been one of my favorite series.
Posted at: 08/21/07 at 7:11 AM PST
I like Samus's appearance on the 1st Prime. I have to admit that when I saw her Zero Mission appearance in the 2nd prime, I was "well that looks just about right" But thats just me though.
Posted at: 08/21/07 at 8:08 AM PST
very true
Posted at: 08/21/07 at 11:40 AM PST
You're right Ishaan, i miss the old samus; her deep, meaningful persona. I hope she's in mp3 and not some sell-out chick.
Posted at: 08/21/07 at 3:27 PM PST
I like the new design. You don't see Samus outside of the suitvery much so seeing her as a beautiful, sexy temptress is very striking and seems to add to the character. They have to make sure see acts mature however and doesn't start doing cutesy things like the Anime giggle.
Posted at: 04/01/08 at 1:53 PM PST
I completely agree with you. I felt the same when when they made that transition in Prime 2. I also understand that that was her cartoon version back when games were only cartoon so those exadurations had to be rendered to pull. But when games transitioned to 3d now we have the ability to be more practical in appearance As a character artist I would use the old samus look for the reason that a persons appearance is impacted by life style. I dont see a cutesie girly girl type to be fighting giant aliens as a carrier. Not to say she wont be pretty (samus in prime one is hot). Samus's look would fit a pony tail, light to no make up with almost a domineeringly attitude (as appearing in prime one) What tends to happen in the entertainment industry is popular things get caught up in the trends and loose their originality. For example: Avril Lavigne. I like her old look. Skater type, anti Britney. Now she turned into some wierd morph between two different types of personas (excuse my rambling)
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