10 Times Changing Protagonists Killed Video Games
2. Metroid: Other M
Standing alongside The Legend Of Zelda and Super Mario, Metroid is one of Nintendo's most popular and historically significant franchises. Not only did the series help shape the Metroidvania genre, but protagonist Samus Aran was also one of the first female action heroes.
A large part of Samus's appeal was her mysterious backstory. By prioritising the gameplay over story, the series created a world that was as alluring to explore as its mostly silent protagonist.
When it came to Metroid: Other M, the eighth mainline entry, series creator Yoshiro Sakamoto aimed to take a different approach. Other M was to put a greater focus on its narrative as it set out to explore Samus's backstory.
While a more ambitious Metroid game sounded great on paper, players were unimpressed with the results, especially when it came to the portrayal of Samus. Instead of the quiet but capable character she was depicted as in previous games, her overly emotional monologues and reliance on other characters made her come across as whiny and insecure.
Although Other M initially sold well, it fell short of the figures Nintendo were hoping for. It would be years before players saw another mainline entry, with Metroid Dread releasing in 2021.