Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Critic Reviews

To match such thrill-a-minute environments, the level design, puzzles, and boss fights are all insanely original.

An amazing masterpiece that is unmatched by any Next-Gen game. The areas are put together flawlessly, the enemies are very cool and the bosses are few but amazing.

It's easily the best title for GameCube this year, and while there's really not all that much new in terms of game mechanics, play style, and presentation, what you're ultimately left with is a rock-solid sequel that offers a bigger, harder, more rewarding challenge than the first game.

Visually, MP 2's dazzling, organic-looking environments represent a quantum leap for console-based shooters.

No game this year casts its web with such distinct mood and sci-fi wonder.

I want to go on about how perfect everything else in this game is, but you need to experience this for yourself. The title is an amped version of the original Metroid Prime, making an epic experience even better.

A much fuller, richer game than "Metroid Prime." That, combined with amazing level design, overcomes the sense of deja vu that permeates the title.

Nothing comes close to the feeling you get when the Eznite shuts down your systems for the first time and you have to reboot.

It has tougher gameplay, a compelling story and the coolest boss concepts in the series' history. And hey, it has Space Pirates, too!

But if you throw away expectations of Metroid Prime: Volume 2, and instead think of it as Metroid: Echoes - a separate game - you'll realise that the changes Retro made are just as amazing as the transition to Gamecube was for the original.

Quite possibly my favorite area of the game, the many boss battles each had a distinct feel and strategy to them.

It is very well made, challenging, long and so amazingly atmospheric. Sadly, there is a small voice at the back of my head, when ever I see or hear something lifted from Prime, nagging at me, asking why Retro couldn't have just put a tiny bit more effort in and given us a completely new game.

Just getting to know the world is immensely enjoyable and extremely rewarding...If you're okay with Echoes being an extension of the first game and not a revolution, you're going to flip out over this sequel. Our highest recommendation.

I doubt Echoes will bring too many new players into the Metroid fold, but if you are an addict like myself, you will enjoy each and every frustrating minute.

It's not dramatically different from the original but, man, is it fun. Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is a title every GameCube owning shooter fan should have.

Easily lives up to its predecessor's outstanding degree of polish, while subtly enhancing some elements of story and mood. In terms of raw quality, disregarding legacy and innovation, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes is easily one of the best titles on GameCube and of this entire generation.

It has taken everything which made Metroid Prime so stunning in the first place and molded, defined and enhanced it into something that is even more stunning.

This is proof not only that the first game's greatness wasn't an anomaly, but also that true effort in game design can overcome even the greatest possibilities for a letdown. Samus is back, people; get ready to ride, for the most anticipated GameCube game of 2004 is here, and it rocks the house.

Every aspect of the game has improved and that's saying a lot seeing as the first game was so brilliant.

It all makes for a very fun experience, though it probably would have been even better with a dual analog setup. Something about locking onto enemies in a multiplayer context just feels like cheating.