Yes Metroid...because it has the same built in mechanics through 5 generations of games. Then when they switch to a more 3D look, all of those games share the same basic mechanics. The gameplay does not improve through out. The ONLY thing that changes are characters, and that includes enemies and monsters, weapon/items, and story/location...What other game does that? Oh let me think...Oh ya POKEMON. Nintendo, Super Nintendo, Gameboy, and Gameboy Advance Metroids use the same boring side scrolling travel in every game.
It has the same goals despite different stories, just like every major videogame listed before. The 3D ones all use the Samus helmet vision and a fighting style very similar to playing a Duke Nukem or some other severely outdated FPS game.
Also I have played them. I currently have the two for the 3DS' Virtual Shop downloaded and own Other M. I've played it with various friends who are advocate players of the series.
So you're argument for the 2D Metroids is that they're still side scrollers, ignoring the things that that Metroidvanias need like new level designs, level structure, enemies and boss pattern and desgins, new physics and new abilities? Metroid Fusion plays NOTHING like Super Metroid, or the original. Metroid Fusion was more linear, precise and fast paced than it's exploration and puzzle based predecessor, and that alone is a huge difference, forget the different abilities throughout. I don't know about about Metroid Prime since I only played a bit of 3, but I heard from several people that they're completely different so I'll take it from them. Might as well call the other Metroidvanias repetitive as well. Pokemon, on the other hand, is an RPG, and interestingly enough, the only big name RPG that is repetitive and gets that complaints.
There has to be a reason why Pokemon is also a better selling title than Metroid. Metroid has been around much longer than Pokemon and it still sells way better. So really its a stupid comparison since Metroid can't compete with Pokemon. Since its sells are worse its obviously a worse game franchise.
That has got to be the most ridiculous reasoning to determine a series quality. Sales? Get out. Metroid was never popular in Japan because of the serious sci-fi theme, aliens and shooting aspects, hence it was a mostly franchise geared for the west. As for the games quality, Metroid is more critically successful (going by metacritics), and in that regards, it's normal to consider it the better game series. (No Pokemon game went above 90% in metacritics, if you're curious, whereas all main Metroid games have) It's the same case with every single franchise you mentioned.
As for Mario, repetitive is repetitive. If it can be overcome for one game it can be over come for all games like it. Its Save the Princess, travel through 8 worlds because she's never in the castle you go to. Spin offs like party, which are also incredibly repetitive and yes quite boring at this point as they have severely dumbed down the party's integreal system. I liked the difficulty of earning my stars and buying upgrades that the first three had, but after that everything is pretty much just handed to you. Paper Marion is getting to the point where its repeating basic story line stagnancy even went as far as to try and copy basic Mario gameplay and add in an RPG element into it which while Sticker Star is possibly one of my favorite Paper Mario games, its fairly boring when played for long periods.
My arguments with Mario are still the same with Metroid. Innovative level designs (the only thing you need for platformers), structure (for 3D Marios), enemy and boss pattern, new physics and abilities, etc are all you need.
So, please kindly STHU. You do not know anything about me, or about any of the franchises you are trying to use to spread more of your useless and petty Pokemon hatred. I happen to like all of them outside of the sports and CoD series games and play them fairly regularly. I also don't go around spouting out hate rants on a site dedicated to a specific franchise about that specific franchise. If you hate it so much just stop playing the games. Stop dealing in areas about those games and move on so maybe you'll finally find something that won't make you just sit around with nothing to do but waste your time and just whine about everything.
I have NEVER ranted about Pokemon. (I ranted about B/W's weird design decision back in summer and X/Y's graphics, but that's it) You seem to hold a grudge on me because I criticize your favorite franchise, which is quite childish for a staff. If you don't like my criticism, tell me, or better and prove me wrong. It's fairly simple. This is a message board, I am free to express my opinion however I like it provided it is within the forum's rules. You are personally attacking me with your last sentence particularly, which for your information I do have a life. (I box, I go the gym nearly weekly, work out near daily, hang out with friends whenever I can.) I barely even come here unless I'm bored. In the end, how the hell did you come to that conclusion? We're arguing about Pokemon's repetitiveness and how it fares compared to other big names. You are arguing that games that are MUCH more interactive and responsive are more repetitive than Pokemon, which has battles that is just choose and click.
Just curious, but was it you who posted this post comment?
If it was, then I can't believe you didn't talk to me about it in my face instead of hiding yourself like this. I don't like scared people like you, and given the message's context I'm going to take it with the staff. (Had I known it was a mod I'd have done that sooner.)
If you hate Pokemon so much why are you on a pokemon site? If you have nothing worth saying then just don't bother posting.
I'm playing baseball with this thread and right now, it's on strike two. Everyone cool your jets, or you may be infracted if you get too rowdy. And the thread will be locked on strike three. And we don't want that. So if you can't say anything nice, don't say nothin' at all.
Carry on.
Relax, there's nothing heated, it's only a discussion relevant to the thread. The only thing that is, though, was XanderO's last paragraph in his previous post, which I have every single right to respond to.