Malstrom may or may not know about Metroid, but basically I think his point is:  Nobody (or almost nobody) play Metroid for the story. He is just worried listening to Sakamoto talk about Samus feelings and things like that, and I agree. It may be good to have a bit more story, but I don't want a soap opera or crap like that, that's not the reason I love Metroid games.

I'm pretty sure even games like Halo have a story, without being a soap opera. Almost every game nowadays has some sort of story, Metroid Fusion is the closest we got to that in a Metroid game. It ain't Space Invaders (where you go around mindlessly blasting aliens), and why is everyone so scared of a little plot development in a Metroid game?

"why is everyone so scared of a little plot development in a Metroid game?"

That's NOT this issue he and some of us have. If it actually was just a little plot development, we wouldn't worry. It's the plot overwhelming the game, as happened to many other series.

Where is Falcon? He's the biggest Metroid fan i know!

Metroid has always been a story for context game. Meaning the story exists solely to supply a reason for the events to be happening. Why Samus is on the planet and what she needs to do there is explained by the story. The story itself is not for entertainment, that's what the game is for. I think what Malstrom is worried about is that Sakamoto doesn't realise this.

Maelstrom seems like he is just trying to be superior to everyone in any argument, if folks like something he seems to play devils advocate no matter how stupid he sounds...I also love how this guy seems to think everyone is against him all of the sudden...

"while in the 16-bit days it was understandable if some games were lacking today there is no excuse."

No, just because you like story games does not make it a "no excuse" situation not to have them.

Geometry Wars doesn't need a story. Many FPS players play the multiplayer mainly and when they play the single player they skip the story and cut scenes when they can.

I'm fine with story in my Metroid as long as I don't have to read/watch it. Just set up a system like Metroid Prime, where I have to choose to initiate whatever storytelling method they use, and I'll be happy as a clam.

Hell, I'll even partake of the story. I just want the option.

"All gamers love stories and never skip a thing. See, I can post stuff like that and not back it up too, but hey, I'll humour you. If people don't like story in Metroid they can skip it, everyone is happy that way."

I wrote "many", not "all". But I should back that up. I get plenty of anecdotes around here and elsewhere about people or their friends (who don't post stuff online) doing this. Not claiming that's scientific of course, just that is shows a lot don't care about the stories in all games.

"I suppose you think if Transformers 3 or whatever movie was a silent movie or used rubber models instead of CGI like in the old days it would be acceptable right?"

Movies are not games. You play a game. You sit and watch a movie.

Gah. Gamers are often too stubborn. They complain when Mario's story isn't more than "Go rescue the Princess and shut up" and complain when Metroid's story is all elaborate and such.

One thing you all must understand is that you can't wish for Metroid to not have a story: It already has one. Not the most original one at first glance, but full of details and beautiful when seen with more depht.

And why does, suddenly, more story automatically relate to lack of gameplay? Even if you say an established story means forced linearity, there are games (Metroid games include in this, though not so deeply... yet) that have multiple endings depending on how you play the game, with one being the real ending that leads to sequels and others being alternate endings that relate to your progress through the game.

Finally, I don't see how cutscenes can create a bad game. Metal Gear Solid 4 and Uncharted 2 are full of them (quite more than what I've ever seen in a Nintendo game) and they both got many Game of the Year awards...