\"Why Nintendo decided to make it instead of simply making a new 2D Metroid game, which is already a proven success on handheld consoles is a mystery for the ages. \"
Nintendo solved that mystery themselves. The game\'s director at Nintendo (the game itself was physically made by a Canadian company) wanted to make a co-op shooter. Since Nintendo likes to slot new ideas into existing franchises (they\'ve said this themselves many times), they figured that Metroid was the most appropriate franchise to fit this game into.
In that case, it\'s a shame the director didn\'t want to make a metroidvania. I hear Metroid is the most appropriate franchise to fit that kind of game into.
Nintendo likes to try new ideas with their franchises as a way to try to expand them. It\'s partly why Mario has done so many different things. (Only partly; some of the ideas were intended for Mario in the first place, others had Mario put into them and the gameplay mechanics worked to feel more Mario-like)
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It's a good game, but who is it for?
Federation Force is a decent multiplayer FPS with good mechanics that translate well to a single player experience with strategic use of ammo types and modifiers. But it's not a Metroid game. And that's where the problem lies: Who is the target audience of this title?
It's not for the established Metroid fanbase, who voiced their vocal opinion very quickly after the announcement. It's not for Samus Aran fans, as she's barely in the game. It's not for newcomers to the series, who would have no reason to be drawn in by the Metroid title. It's not for multiplayer FPS fans, who can find far better titles with actual voice chat instead of adlib shouts. It's not for solo FPS fans, who'll be quick to tell you that first-person shooting on a handheld device is a huge handicap to the experience.
Who was Nintendo aiming at with this title? I can't figure it out, and judging by the poor sales, it would seem their target audience simply doesn't exist.
Would I recommend it? Well, it's a fun game, but there's no aspect of it that other games don't do better. If you want Metroid, there's the Prime Trilogy and the brilliant 2D games on the Wii U eShop. If you want a multiplayer shooter, you'll find far better choices on Steam. If you just want to know if Samus's awful characterisation from Other M is reflected in this game, then I can at least tell you the answer is no: She's as badass as ever and far more in line with her representation in the Prime games.
Ask any Metroid fan what they want and they'll tell you they want a new Metroid game. This isn't it. Why Nintendo decided to make it instead of simply making a new 2D Metroid game, which is already a proven success on handheld consoles is a mystery for the ages.