Metroid Prime: Federation Force

 3DS
User Score
5.4

Mixed or average reviews- based on 275 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 122 out of 275
  2. Mixed: 39 out of 275
  3. Negative: 114 out of 275
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  1. Kaniya
    Aug 19, 2016
    7
    Federation Force is meant to be a multiplayer game and it is not necessarily but game suffers from a few critical issues.
    Federation force encourages you to play with your friends, it does not restrict from doing missions solo but it just feels so bland and tasteless. with having other friends in your game the game feels more alive and enjoyable.
    first problem is problematic control    Federation Force is meant to be a multiplayer game and it is not necessarily but game suffers from a few critical issues.
    Federation force encourages you to play with your friends, it does not restrict from doing missions solo but it just feels so bland and tasteless. with having other friends in your game the game feels more alive and enjoyable.
    first problem is problematic control scheme. getting used to motion sensor for shooting accuracy is kind of annoying, but the second control scheme which benefits from extra control of new 3ds is much better.
    The gameplay takes place in 3 different planets, variety of missions are present and takes roughly 11-13 hours to complete the campaign. The problem is some of the objectives are a bit dull, but each mission has its own set of unique designs, battles and puzzles which kept me interested throughout the whole game enough. One of the biggest issue in the game is upgrades and guns, sadly there arent enough resources in the game to use these upgrades more often, this result into a boring single gun for the whole 13 hours. I believe this is the biggest issue and it adds so much repetition. battles are fun and boss fights are challenging and amazing but sadly having a same gun makes the action boring. Overall I should say Federation force could have been much better if some of the ideas were executed better.
    Is it worth it ? Im going to say YES it is, its not like 3ds gets FPS games now and then, nth is better than a metroid prime spinoff at least ! but i am going to emphasize also this game isnt that good playing solo !    … Expand
  2. VidyaBum
    Aug 20, 2016
    5
    You know I would have been happy to come here and say "yeah it's not even resembling a Metroid game, but at least it's fun", but...it's not.

    It's generic as hell, uninspired, it's a decent game, but take out the brand name, and most people would just say "it looks like monster hunter crossed with Halo, but way less good than either". Which is why they stuck the brand name I guess.    You know I would have been happy to come here and say "yeah it's not even resembling a Metroid game, but at least it's fun", but...it's not.

    It's generic as hell, uninspired, it's a decent game, but take out the brand name, and most people would just say "it looks like monster hunter crossed with Halo, but way less good than either".

    Which is why they stuck the brand name I guess.

    So let me just add my paper to the pile and say: I'm a metroid fan, this is not what I wanted, this is not a metroid game, AM2R is a metroid game, which was forbidden by Nintendo by the way, and it's still far more loving and respectful of Metroid than this generic shooter.

    Speaking of respect, let me spoil and say that the final boss of this already forgotten crap is Samus herself. Yes, you end the game by killing Samus Aran and trapping her under falling debris. Nice love letter for the 30 years of existence of your best franchise, Nintendo.

    Play AM2R.

    Don't bother with Federation Force.    … Expand
  3. LightningLiam
    Sep 2, 2016
    6
    I just got the game, and here's my honest opinions on it. Metroid Prime: Federation Force can be fun with multiplayer, and a hell of a struggle on singleplayer. The simple, chibi character design compliments the game, runs smoothly online and offline, and the environments look nice, especially for a 3DS game. The downsides I found are there's no character development, repetitive missionsI just got the game, and here's my honest opinions on it. Metroid Prime: Federation Force can be fun with multiplayer, and a hell of a struggle on singleplayer. The simple, chibi character design compliments the game, runs smoothly online and offline, and the environments look nice, especially for a 3DS game. The downsides I found are there's no character development, repetitive missions and is a somewhat linear game compared to other Metroid games, being exploitative (But opinions on liking linearity and exploration are different from person to person) Give this game a chance, who knows, you may like it! I kinda did.… Expand
  4. EpicLadySponge
    Aug 19, 2016
    7
    You see, I've been sitting all day... asking my 3DS, "Is this game worth it or not? They can't fail to make this one a bummer, unlike Star Fox Zero (Score for that is a solid 7/10)." That's until I'm starting to recognize its flaws while playing this game. While the game itself may or may not be filled with the best fun, the iconic feeling that made Metroid what it is today is obviouslyYou see, I've been sitting all day... asking my 3DS, "Is this game worth it or not? They can't fail to make this one a bummer, unlike Star Fox Zero (Score for that is a solid 7/10)." That's until I'm starting to recognize its flaws while playing this game. While the game itself may or may not be filled with the best fun, the iconic feeling that made Metroid what it is today is obviously missing and I can't play this game without thinking of those feelings. It may seem to work enough as a 30th anniversary game though. All Metroid fans, this game is not as bad as you thought it would, but don't be expecting much of it because I know what your opinion could be.… Expand
  5. Kiddkyle
    Aug 24, 2016
    5
    This game is decent, not great or terrible, just standard. When comparing this game to others in the series it's easy to see why this is the worst. No exploration, most iconic upgrades are missing, and the art style takes away from the grim atmosphere that the Metroid series is known for. The lack of actual characters or an interesting story doesn't helps its case either. The only thingsThis game is decent, not great or terrible, just standard. When comparing this game to others in the series it's easy to see why this is the worst. No exploration, most iconic upgrades are missing, and the art style takes away from the grim atmosphere that the Metroid series is known for. The lack of actual characters or an interesting story doesn't helps its case either. The only things making this game a metroid game are the space pirates/metroids, the secret ending, and the occasional appearance of samus. The gameplay is fun with friends but can become a tedious chore alone, which is why its always advertised as a co-op game, even though all of the game's predecessors were single player. The controls are tolerable but nothing compared the the fluid controls of the original prime trilogy. All in All, this game is a not the best co-op shooter by far or the best metroid game by far. I would only recommend it for people who have friends with 3DS's and even then I would advise them to wait for a price drop because 40 dollars per person is not worth it.… Expand
  6. IsaakGames
    May 13, 2017
    7
    Metroid Prime: Federation Force is the best FPS for the 3DS, because there is no other good FPS games on 3DS. Not to say it is a bad game, it just didn't impress me that much. Including this in a wonderful expansive game library with games such as Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Smash Bros, I feel like they could have done a Galactic Federation-focused game much better. A lot ofMetroid Prime: Federation Force is the best FPS for the 3DS, because there is no other good FPS games on 3DS. Not to say it is a bad game, it just didn't impress me that much. Including this in a wonderful expansive game library with games such as Zelda: A Link Between Worlds and Super Smash Bros, I feel like they could have done a Galactic Federation-focused game much better. A lot of people say that this game is bad because it is slower than the Metroid games where you are Samus Aran. This is intentional, as you are NOT Samus. No speed booster, spin jump, morph ball, and much mobility. You are a team of clunky Federation tanks tasked with blasting the **** out of the Space Pirates and (for one mission) Metroids. Just because you are using heavy Federation elites doesn't mean it is a slow game. It can actually get very fast-paced at times, especially in rooms that lock you with waves and waves of Space Pirates. I also really like the variation in missions that never fails to provide tension, excitement, and overall hectic moments. My least favorite thing about Federation Force: the lack of a single deathmatch mode. Sure, you can disable other Mechs in Blast Ball, but you cannot lock on to them like the Space Pirates and Metroids. A team deathmatch mode with a slew of (not destroyed) iconic Metroid locations such as Phazon Mines or a rebuilt B.S.L station would be amazing and not worth missing by any means. Also, the limit of 3 planets throughout the entire game was a bit disappointing for a 3DS game. Each environment is amazingly crafted and the enemies haunting each environment can make some moments exciting and sometimes even threatening. The DOOMSEYE mission was amazing, and provided pure excitement and action that made it worth calling a final mission. Samus saving your life TWICE in this mission was also cool and even surprising, and provided another reason to say that a single blind playthrough of this game was well worth it.
    Blast Ball was fun... if you had anyone to play it with. That is all I am saying about it.
    Overall, MPFF was a solid game and still worth the buy, despite the amount of hate it gets.    … Expand
  7. jotamasu
    Aug 19, 2016
    5
    Haven't completed it yet, and I think I'll never will. This is just a bad game.

    I could excuse it for not being what a "Metroid game" should be (read as "exploration game where you obtain powers to get to places or beat enemies you couldn't before"), but it's not even a good game by its own. It's heavily biased to be a multiplayer game, yet I don't feel it's a game worth playing with    Haven't completed it yet, and I think I'll never will. This is just a bad game.

    I could excuse it for not being what a "Metroid game" should be (read as "exploration game where you obtain powers to get to places or beat enemies you couldn't before"), but it's not even a good game by its own.

    It's heavily biased to be a multiplayer game, yet I don't feel it's a game worth playing with friends. Graphics are a joke, they could be way better and without that **** "chibi" artstyle. Also, there's some weird thing with proportions between characters and environments, I don't know if it's an optical illusion, a trick, it's done on purpose or it's simply bad graphics, but characters seem to change size from one cutscene to other, to gameplay, it's really weird.

    Controls are bad if you have a O3DS (like me), there's better ways to do a first person shooter on 3DS than relying on motion control. Best and most precise for me was Kid Icarus, but it was hard to grow accustomed to.

    Single player is quite bland and uninspired, and the last boss is a great f*** you from the developers to the fans who were waiting a Metroid game with Samus since Other M.

    Play the free football thing instead of this (Blast Ball).

    I give it a final score of 5 because even with all its flaws it can still entertain someone, but if you have any doubts about buying this or not, just don't do it. Even less if you're expecting a Metroid game    … Expand
  8. Kadeemluvmusic
    Aug 19, 2016
    5
    This is how to celebrate Metroid's 30th anniversary and what did I get: a blatant shooting that doesn't even quite bear the Metroid Prime name. Nintendo promised me a 4th Metroid Prime game, but nope. Star Fox Zero sucked and it's Federation Force. Unlike Other M, it was a big slap in the face to what the series is know for. A dull multiplayer campaign and poor story aside, maybe I wouldThis is how to celebrate Metroid's 30th anniversary and what did I get: a blatant shooting that doesn't even quite bear the Metroid Prime name. Nintendo promised me a 4th Metroid Prime game, but nope. Star Fox Zero sucked and it's Federation Force. Unlike Other M, it was a big slap in the face to what the series is know for. A dull multiplayer campaign and poor story aside, maybe I would talk to Nintendo and say "Reboot the franchise." In short, Tomb Raider just brought Lara Croft back to its roots and finally nails a perfect origins tale from start to finish. Why not Nintendo try something special and make a new and better Metroid game once the NX drops as a surprise pop and a launch title.… Expand
  9. pikby
    Aug 29, 2016
    5
    A bland single player experience graced with a fun but bland multiplayer experience, metroid prime federation force is just another soulless sci fi shooter and does nothing else to impress newcomers or fans of the series

    56%
  10. Chevaca
    Jun 22, 2020
    7
    Well made video game on gameplay and the FPS , but still it doesn’t feel like Metroid game .
  11. GameFace98
    Feb 25, 2021
    6
    This is one of the most disappointing games Nintendo has released. This was also announced when Metroid turned 30 and it's very heartbreaking for fans to see this as a way to celebrate this incredible franchise. It's not good at all, instead of the realism of the past games, we got chibis in mech suits that remind me of a Chibi-Robo game. Is the game fun, with multiplayer yes. The onlyThis is one of the most disappointing games Nintendo has released. This was also announced when Metroid turned 30 and it's very heartbreaking for fans to see this as a way to celebrate this incredible franchise. It's not good at all, instead of the realism of the past games, we got chibis in mech suits that remind me of a Chibi-Robo game. Is the game fun, with multiplayer yes. The only good thing about this game is it's multiplayer and music. But at the same time the music lacks it's atmospheric tone, this game is just a first person shooter for 6 year olds, hell I don't think 6 year olds would like an fps like this. This is so mediocre, it's close to being bad out right. The cartoony/chibe design of this game is not nessecary and a good look, especially if it is a Metroid game. Metroid Prime Federation Force is mediocre as hell, but at least they tried something new with the story.

    I do not recommend Metroid fans and gamers to try this out.    … Expand
  12. TheLinkgirl
    Dec 13, 2022
    6
    Deprived of games, the Metroid fandom cried from the darkness: we will take anything! Thus, Nintendo blessed us with this game, and everybody... Hated it? Well, you did ask for "anything". Federation Force feels like a cruel joke, both in the fact that it gave the fans exactly what they asked for while not being what they wanted, and that it's actually not a bad game at all. Heck, it'sDeprived of games, the Metroid fandom cried from the darkness: we will take anything! Thus, Nintendo blessed us with this game, and everybody... Hated it? Well, you did ask for "anything". Federation Force feels like a cruel joke, both in the fact that it gave the fans exactly what they asked for while not being what they wanted, and that it's actually not a bad game at all. Heck, it's actually slightly good, even if massively flawed. While it is slow and clunky, something about it was kinda enjoyable, and it's obvious that there was a good amount of effort put into it. It's just a shame that it wasn't what anyone really wanted.… Expand
  13. MystiBriks
    Apr 28, 2022
    7
    Si on est totalement objectif avec ce jeu, si on en oublie son nom "METROID PRIME" et qu'on le prend comme étant un jeu a part, il est vraiment bon, l'ambiance sonore et visuel est très bonne et sur NEW 3DS le jeu est vraiment intéressant !

Awards & Rankings

39
#39 Best 3DS Game of 2016
6
#6 Most Discussed 3DS Game of 2016
12
#12 Most Shared 3DS Game of 2016

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
64

Mixed or average reviews - based on 56 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 15 out of 56
  2. Mixed: 35 out of 56
  3. Negative: 6 out of 56
  1. Pelit (Finland)
    Nov 9, 2016
    61
    Metroid Prime: Federation Force is a clear sign of Nintendo either not understanding or just not caring about what kind of games their player base wants. It’s a shame really, since Federation Force controls pretty well. It just has the burden of being a multiplayer shooter in a series no one wants to be about multiplayer shooters and on a platform no one wants to use for multiplayer games outside of Japan. [Nov 2016]
  2. Games Master UK
    Nov 9, 2016
    70
    No classic, but no mess either. [Nov 2016, p.76]
  3. Game World Navigator Magazine
    Oct 21, 2016
    74
    Mission objectives are rarely limited to simple elimination of opposition: from the very beginning game presents tasks like luring animals into cages or infiltrating enemy base. Not to mention that there are tons of levers or buttons to be pushed and secret passages to be found, which brings back fond memories of FPS from the 90-s, as well as classic Metroid games. [Issue#213, p.56]
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