Review: Metal Eden — Sometimes combining elements from two fan favorite is a great idea if develop right
CyberBoxTV 2 min read
First-person shooters are among the most overused genres in the industry, but few manage to stand out by staying innovative. Metal Eden arrives without bringing anything new to the table, though it does offer a refreshing experience by blending elements from two beloved titles: Metroid Prime and Doom Eternal.
The setting takes us to a future far beyond the usual Cyberpunk aesthetic, in a world where humanity has vanished and machines now dominate. Levels stand out for their verticality and breathtaking vistas, powered by Unreal Engine 5’s visual capabilities. However, the futuristic design becomes overly repetitive, making it feel like you’re always in the same place.
The soundtrack, with its energetic techno beats, keeps the action flowing, while the story begins with an intriguing mystery: you play as Aska, a battle android with apparent consciousness, guided by a mysterious voice that slowly reveals narrative details until the conclusion. Unfortunately, what begins as promising quickly loses momentum, with the plot fading into background noise.
Gameplay is where the title shines. Combat is fast-paced, taking place across platforms and arenas filled with enemies, zipline gunfights, and acrobatic maneuvers. The arsenal rifles, shotguns, machine guns, grenade launchers may feel derivative, but it delivers satisfying gunplay. Enemy variety is decent, with robotic archetypes ranging from heavy to fast, flying, and armored.
Metroid Prime references are equally obvious: inspecting newly acquired weapons, morphing into a ball to solve puzzles, and even the suit’s design feels like a direct homage. In this sense, Metal Eden plays like a short but intense fusion of two recognizable styles.
Its biggest strength lies in its brevity: in around four hours, the game delivers a compact experience without overstaying its welcome. However, technical issues such as frame rate drops in late-game segments and during the final boss fight detract from the experience. More importantly, its lack of identity prevents it from standing out, especially when its inspirations both have new entries released in the same year.
In summary, Metal Eden is visually striking and offers solid gameplay, but it fails to establish a unique personality. For FPS fans, it can be an entertaining ride, though it won’t leave a lasting mark compared to its genre-defining inspirations.
Final Score: 3/5
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