Metroid Prime 2 or Metroid Prime 3

[Samus Aran]

Since I never got the chance to play Metroid Prime until this week (lost my GC cables and the Metroid Prime trilogy is too expensive, I had hopes for a remaster of some kind) I'm not blinded by nostalgia when it comes to that game. I currently beat Thardus and have about 8 energy tanks. I have yet to die at a boss this game (though I've been killed by those freakishly small turrets that are annoying to hit with the motion control).

I honestly think people call MP1 the best because it was the first one they played. Another reason is because it has a balanced difficulty (MP2 is super hard and MP3 is insultingly easy).

Things I think MP2 does objectively better than MP1:

- Graphics and art design: this isn't even a contest. MP2 looks far more gorgeous and has better art design when it comes to enemies, allies and overworld. You just don't get the same experience when you see the glowing city beneath Sanctuary Fortress in any other MP game. It's truly a masterpiece. MP feels very claustrophobic at times and it re-uses a lot of the same assets for hallways and what not. My favorite area in MP is Phendrana Drifts, because it has more open level design compared to the rest of the areas. But it just can't compete with Agon Wastes, Torvus Bog or Sanctuary Fortress.

- Bosses: the bosses in MP are a joke and aren't anything to brag about both in terms of AI and art design. MP2 might have some frustratingly hard bosses, they also have some of the most unique and best bosses in the entire series. Quadraxis, the Emperor Ing, Chykka, Amorbis, etc. are all fantastic. The Alpha Blogg can go fuck itself though. I didn't mind the Spider Ball Guardian, people are exaggerating when they call that hard. If I can beat it on hard mode with one energy tank and no dark suit you should have no problem on normal mode. It has the most obvious pattern out of any boss in the Prime series. If you suck at this game then that is your own fault, don't blame the game, the game is never unfair.

- the AI of enemies in general: the enemies in MP are just stupid. Space pirates run like idiots into walls or just rush in to teabag you constantly. A great comparison is the Sheegoth (MP1) with the Grenchlers (MP2): these creatures are very similar in behavior, but the grenchlers are far more clever. They will actually chase you on high platforms and in the water, the sheegoth are far too stupid to do anything of the sorts.

- the story: MP2 has a lot more lore and a far more interesting story. It tells of an epic war between two races that has been going on for more than 50 years. It not only leaves behind lore, but also visual clues (the dead bodies of the Luminoth). Something that was sorely lacking in the first MP.

It seems most people don't like the difficulty of MP2. Well MP3 tried too hard to be Halo, so if you want Metroid to turn into Halo then vote for it!