Email: Open-world Sidescroller

I’d just like to say that I really, really like this term, and I’m gonna push any time I get the chance for it to replace “Metroidvania” (a term I’ve hated since I first heard it.) It’s far more accurate, and it’s not equating Metroid and Castlevania to something that is clearly not either.

Anyway, keep up the good work (and the blog too)

Sincerely,
a reader

Metroid was coined to combine two words, android and metro, as Metroid was an android running around through tunnels. But Metroid is 1986 technology, it was amazing how you could go anywhere in any direction in a game back then. You couldn’t do that in Super Mario Brothers or Kid Icarus.

In Metroid II, we got the Space Jump which created very large and very massive chasms. I was amazed by this. That, and the spider ball, created some massive areas.

With Super Metroid, I think the ‘open areas’ are the most impressive. The surface is extremely impressive and very fun to explore once you have the abilities. Large areas in Brinstar were impressive first time I went through it. Maridia was interesting though annoying after a while. I vividly remember space jumping around the surface, exploring it, being amazed at this open world sidescroller as well as the place in Maridia where you grapple beam in this massive area where you can literally spin yourself like a whirlpool. Tourian was boring compared to these large open areas.

Super Mario Brothers 3 remains so interesting, perhaps, because the game has an ‘open sky’. Flying made GIGANTIC levels that are fun to explore.

Metroid Prime had corridors too, but that was due to 3d technology of the Gamecube Era. The doors had to keep you in until the next area loaded.

The solution to Metroid is already in front of us with Zelda BoW “Wow!”. Make the world sci-fi which means you can cut down on some of the weather effects and all. The shrines are elevators which work well in Metroid. The elevators could lead to large caverns like Metroid. Also, the BoW abilities like bombs and magnesis would feel right at home in a Metroid game. The ice arrow, fire arrow, bomb arrow, guardian arrow -> Ice Weapon, Fire Weapon, Bomb Weapon, Pulse Weapon. Samus can climb anywhere with the Spider Ball. Instead of a paraglider, you have space jump which you hop your way up. Space Jump is an ‘open air game’. As BoW shows a game can be compelling upgrading your health and armor, this Metroid would have you find energy tanks and gain upgrades like before. It just works too well.

But we will get shadows from the past. We will get a 1994 Metroid ‘remade’ but with Sakamoto secret sauce (ninja moves!). We will get Metroid Prime ‘remade’ but with anime soap opera with other hunters.

If BoW shows the way how Zelda should be, doesn’t it speak to Metroid and Mario? Super Mario Brothers and Metroid were heavily influenced by the ‘open world’ in their primitive forms. Why not give it a try? We’ve done the formula to death. Time for something new!