Why Metroid Prime 3: Corruption is a work of art (Part 3)

My greatest fear for MP 4 is that it will look like a generic shooter and lack all the little details that made it stand out as a work of art. It's been countless years since the release of MP3: Corruption and most of the original Prime team won't be back for MP 4. So, do you think they will still have the same artistic vision that made each iteration of the Prime series such a master work of creative design?

Too many games now-a-days look so generic and plain. With developers taking shortcuts with pre-existing engines or just not bothering to have a defined style, that truly stands out from the rest. And in the end, having a game that looks so devoid of creativity and artistic vision.

And that is why I always admired the Metroid Prime series along with Retro Studios and its creative dev team. They had such an extreme amount of talent and every square inch of the Prime series shows that amazing level of artistic detail and flair. For example, Let's look at Metroid Prime 3:

The Background Art:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime1.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime2.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime3.png

Just look at the beautiful background art. The orientation of the planets on Bryyo as they burn across the sky. The floating city of Elysia's majestic sky rails blending into the clouds, fire bursting out from below, keeping the massive structures afloat. To, even the Planet Bryyo itself, looking like something out of a cosmic dream. The level of detail in the design is akin to a beautifully done painting!

The Detailed Architecture:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime4.png

To the incredibly detailed design of each planet's architecture. Just look at the floor tile design. Where most games just have a banal one floor color; look at the level of detail Retro Studios went to here! The line pattern flowing around to create order in its elaborate structure.

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime5.png

The flow of Retro Studio's design work is made even more elaborate for each section of the planet. This floor design almost looks like a winged creature with yellow gel flowing under its wings. With a design that lavishly separates the floor from the lava below. Look at the level of dedication Retro has to its artistic vision, where in most other games the developers would have just made a one color floor texture here.

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime6.png

And here we see more elegant patterns spread across this wall and in front, a central pillar of lava with another piece of complex architecture wrapped around it. Even the walls are inlaid with complex interwoven patterns!

The Small Little Details: Just how far does it go?!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime7.png

Not even something as simple as a wall light is spared from such embellished design, as complex and fairly sophisticated line-pattern work, run along and cover the entirety of this spherical object! Just shows you that Retro Studios didn't even hold back on simple object decorations!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime8.png

Another example of more wall art can be seen on Elysia. It might be one thing to show glowing spheres on the wall but look closely at what surrounds them: a wonderful entanglement of curves coming together to form a fancy design around the majestic spheres' circumference! The level of detail here has to be admired!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime9.png

Next, we see another group of vibrant spheres with beams of streaming light emanating outward. Showing another prime example of just how awe inspiring their design work is!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime10.png

Even the doors of Elysia are a wonder to behold! With neon-like protrusions radiating into an intricately detailed resplendent design!

​

More Background Art:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime11.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime12.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime13.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime14.png

Here we see Skytown , Elysia, the Pirate Homeworld and Planet Phaaze. Skytown can be seen in the far distance trailing off into the lofty clouds. Elysia gives off a cosmic shimmer as it radiates its intense light outward. The Pirate Homeworld is full of ominous reds and orange colors. And lastly, Planet Phaaze gives off a warm blue light. You have to hand it to Retro Studious for making these wonderful works of art that really add to the atmosphere!

Examples of Different Chozo Statues and Buildings:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime15.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime16.png

This Chozo statue has glowing blue eyes and all around its face you can see intricate and finely crafted motifs. On his back you can see spikes with luminous blue tips. And even its eyes have that detailed line-work!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime17.png

This Chozo statue has spherical metal work protruding from each end of its head. Looks pretty intimidating!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime18.png

This one is simply amazing! Just look at all of the different pieces fitting together to form its eyes beak and side components. Retro Studios outdid themselves on this one!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime19.png

This Chozo Statue has a distinctly longer beak and the complex, intersecting metal work below, form an interesting design!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime20.png

This Chozo building has some alluring circle motifs on its exterior. A nice clean design!

More Architectural Designs:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime21.png
http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime22.png

These two circular wall structures glimmer with bright green and yellow lights.

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime23.png

These circular wall structures have a surrounding pattern of circles within circles! Quite complex for something you might have never stopped to look at before!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime24.png

This floor pattern has an array of different shapes, making a very nice pattern. Something you might never see if you don't look down!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime25.png

Here is some Elysian wall art. I wouldn't mind seeing this on the side of a building in real life. It has a sort of flow to it that comes together at the top. Expertly done.

The Small Little Details Part 2:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime26.png

You may have never gotten close enough to even notice this, but even Samus' visor has some beautifully inlaid line-work patterns! Little details everywhere!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime27.png

When this elevator falls down the shaft in the Pirate Homeworld a nice little detail can be seen. Dust and smoke uplift from below! A little detail Retro Studios was sure to put in. But even the smoke looks amazing!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime28.png

This giant eye is a work of art in and of itself. Just look at the finely detailed and complex patterns that run throughout!

The Wonders of Planet Phaaze:

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime29.png

These Phosphorescent plants are a wonder to look at but deadly to the touch! Another example of excellent design work adding to the fantastic atmosphere of Planet Phaaze!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime30.png

These strange plants have so much detail running up and down them I refuse to shoot them with Samus' arm canon! Just look at the interwoven patterns and colors!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime31.png

Samus jumps down to an arena full of extraordinary floor patterns, along with surrounding wall designs of gleaming blue! You would think this would be some kind of chapel not a fighting arena!!

http://pdsoasis.github.io/prime32.png

I always loved the design of Dark Samus! The shimmering wall patterns really accentuate her cool armor along with the lightning jumping off her arm canon!

​

In Conclusion:

I think all of the Prime games are works of art. The dedication and vision it took to create a living, breathing and stylized world came into complete fruition. It took a team of insanely talented artists to translate the concept art into each fully realized game. No stone was left unturned, and there are small little details in every conceivable space you look at. The Prime games have always been a wonder to behold, at least for me. I just hope MP 4 can live up to the artistic expectations the previous games set...