Zero Punctuation Season 10 Episode 36 Metroid Prime Federation Force

In the 36th episode of Zero Punctuation's 10th season, Yahtzee Croshaw takes on the latest entry in the Metroid franchise: Metroid Prime Federation Force.

From the beginning of the episode, it's clear that Yahtzee is a bit wary of this game. He acknowledges that Metroid has always been a series set apart from the mainstream, and that its hardcore fans might not appreciate the deviations from the norm that the new game represents. However, he also notes that change can be a good thing, and that he's going into Federation Force with an open mind.

The first thing Yahtzee mentions about this game is its art style. He describes it as "blocky and cute," with character models that resemble Lego people. While he's not entirely sold on this aesthetic choice, he admits that it does make it easy to see what's going on in the game. He also notes that the bright, colorful environments are a welcome change from the grimdark tones of many modern shooters.

As he delves into the gameplay, Yahtzee notes that Federation Force is a departure from the traditional Metroid formula. Rather than playing as Samus Aran, the player takes on the role of a member of the Galactic Federation's elite squad. The game is designed for co-op play, with up to four players working together to complete missions.

Yahtzee seems somewhat ambivalent about this change in perspective. On the one hand, he thinks it's an interesting idea to explore the wider world of Metroid beyond Samus. On the other hand, he feels that the new characters lack the depth and charisma of the established protagonist. He also notes that the missions themselves can be somewhat repetitive, with a lot of backtracking and repeated objectives.

One aspect of Federation Force that Yahtzee appreciates is its focus on teamwork. He notes that the game makes it clear that players need to work together to succeed, and that communication and strategic planning are key elements of success. He also mentions that the game's bosses are challenging and require coordination to defeat.

However, Yahtzee also notes that the game can be frustrating when playing with strangers online. He describes a scenario where he was repeatedly killed by a laser trap because his teammates didn't communicate well enough about how to avoid it. He notes that this is a common problem with online co-op games, but that it's especially frustrating in a game that requires such tight coordination.

Another aspect of Federation Force that Yahtzee praises is its use of the Metroid lore. He notes that the game features nods and references to previous entries in the series, and that the story is reasonably well-written. He also mentions that the game has some interesting collectibles that expand on the backstory of the Metroid universe.

However, Yahtzee also notes that the game's story is somewhat disconnected from the gameplay. He mentions that the missions themselves often don't feel like they're contributing to the overall narrative, and that the story feels somewhat tacked on as a result.

Overall, Yahtzee seems somewhat conflicted about Metroid Prime Federation Force. While he acknowledges that it's a departure from the traditional Metroid formula, he appreciates the game's focus on teamwork and its use of the franchise's lore. However, he also notes that the repetitive missions and frustrating co-op gameplay can hold the game back. Ultimately, he recommends that fans of the series approach the game with an open mind, but warns that it may not be for everyone.