Summary
Metroid Prime’s first-person gameplay has become the definitive standard for modernMetroidgames. Developed by Nintendo’s Retro Studios, the sci-fi action-adventure follows Samus Aran, a lone bounty hunter, through an often horrifying alien world. This unique journey, which hones in on Samus’ isolation, makes it a contender for a potential virtual realityMetroid Primemovie.
While many virtual reality gamers long for an experience akin toThe MatrixorReady Player Onefor the ultimate gaming simulation, virtual reality film fans desire a more immersive story that brings the journey closer to an emotional lived experience. The technology is available for VR films to create that experience. Unfortunately, attempts to captivate audiences with VR movies have thus far been largely disappointing. Samus Aran’s journey, on the other hand, is primed for a potential VR movie thanks to the critically acclaimedMetroid Primegames.
Possible Metroid Movie Formats
Metroid, likeThe Legend of Zelda, could likely work as either animation or live-action in film. But the franchise’s Ridley, Metroid larva, and other creatures, especially those that fly, would work best in a 3D or virtually reality film project. The latter format is perfect for a first-person sci-if horror adventure, likeMetroid Prime.This entry in the franchise would be bounty hunter Samus Aran’s best candidate for a movie, especially a VR movie.
TheMetroidgame seriesisn’t just a sci-fi action-adventure. As a potential film in any format, aMetroidmovie should emphasize the cosmic horror, the alien hunt and gore, and the classic horror genre beat of escaping the “monster house.” This escape is usually illustrated as a race for Samus to escape the impending destruction of the planet in the games. All these elements can come together as a survival horror sci-fiMetroidmovie. Films with their roots in this genre, likeAliensorResident Evil, tend to fare well at the box office despite the niche audience. Adding the kind of intergalactic space elements that maketheStar Warsfranchiseattractive could also help to draw an even wider audience, even those who may be unfamiliar with Nintendo’s deadly bounty hunter.
The originalMetroid Primegame lacks an engaging cast of speaking characters to create an experience that survival horror film fans have come to expect. This, however, doesn’t detract from the possibility of Nintendo faithfully and successfully adaptingMetroid Primeas an isolated movie-going experience. The VR headset lends itself well for immersing the audience into Samus’ courageous yet terrifying point-of-view. That being said, Nintendo could also add other bounty hunters, space pirates, or speaking aliens to liven up the story.
Metroid Prime 3: Corruptioncaptured this more dramatic storytelling with the inclusion of the Galactic Federation, dialogue scenes, and Samus’ flashbacks. Combining these dramatic elements or sticking with the traditional lone, silent bounty hunter experience that has defined most of theMetroidseries are both viable options for aMetroidmovie.
Why A Metroid Prime Film Can Be The Perfect VR Movie
The third-person, 3D movie experience may be the less expensive option compared to a VR movie, which requires headsets for audiences as opposed to 3D glasses. Both are more immersive experiences than non-3D formats. A 3DMetroidmovie would provide a shared movie-going experience with a potentially horrifying atmosphere. A VR movie, though, could do that more, and reinforcing the themes of isolation and dread.
It’s this sense of isolation and looming fear that makesMetroid’s classic gameplay thrilling. There’s a constant stalking sensation of not knowing whether Samus is prey or predator, which is elevated by the dark atmosphere. This is heightened even more for players who choose to play the games alone in a dark room. Any theater can provide the perfect dark atmosphere for aMetroidmovie, but only VR can evoke the dreadful sense of isolation, even when viewers are surrounded by scores of people in a theater.
This is where the lack of an ensemble cast can work to the advantage ofa potentialMetroidmovie. Viewers could instead be surrounded by legions of monstrous alien creatures coming for Samus, and thus, coming for them too, in a sense. Both Samus and viewers would have to endure carnage in order for the bounty hunter to survive, get the suit upgraded, or finally put Ridley down. It’s an enthralling and emotionally gripping tale that would only amplified by VR.
Samus Aran’sMetroid Prime-style story fits perfectly with a VR experience as a future game and movie, should Nintendo choose to adapt the franchise. Considering most of the lackluster VR film projects, this strategy could be the blue ocean filmmaking opportunity Nintendo can take advantage of to further carve out a branded Nintendo movie-going experience. From Metroidvania to first-person shooter,Metroidis a niche-defining franchise that can dominate the niche market of VR films. If successful, Nintendo could finally put VR films on the map as a viable mainstream format, while simultaneously increasing the reach of itsMetroid Primefan base.
