Metroid is a series whose fans are split in to three groups: The group that loves the 2D games, the group who loves the Prime series, and the group that is in love with anything with the Metroid name attached to it. With the Prime series taking over on consoles for the past few years, the 2D entries we did get were limited to handhelds… but not anymore! Well, not completely.

Metroid Other M is an experiment that’s being marketed and released as a full retail game with mixed emotions from the Metroid community. As things stand, “excitement” tends to be the main word to describe their emotions, but almost all are hesitant to declare confidence in the title. After all, it’s being co-developed by Team Ninja and Nintendo, with a variety of different gameplay styles all thrown into one. The main focus of Metroid: Other M will take place in 2D/3D, with Samus running, jumping, exploring, morphing, and shooting her way through various levels. This will be handled by holding the Wii Remote horizontally, like you’re using an NES controller. When the remote is pointed at the TV, the game will switch into a first-person mode, which has been reported to work seamlessly and fluidly.

The biggest worry for Other M focuses on the involvement of Team Ninja, who is notoriously known for the Ninja Gaiden series. Metroid: Other M is said to be extremely cinematic and action packed, which almost goes against the nature of the foundation of the franchise. Metroid usually focuses on exploration and the feeling of isolation, but the action packed nature that Team Ninja added has a few fans nervous.

Most hands-on impressions seem to be positive, but I can’t help but feel uneasy while watching the videos from E3’s show floor. It’s just so fast, with non-stop action, which I’m just not used to from the series. How is everyone else feeling about the game? Are you excited or nervous? Let us know in the comments!

Screenshots (Click to expand)