Metroid: Other M

As in previous Metroid games, Metroid: Other M is set in a large open-ended world with elevators that connect regions. Each elevator contains rooms separated by doors, which mostly open automatically, but sometimes need a special action to be unlocked. Other M unfolds in a more linear manner due to its focus on storyline; Navigation Booths, similar to the Navigation Rooms from Metroid Fusion, tell the player where to go, and the in-game map highlights the next objective. The gameplay revolves around solving puzzles to uncover secrets, platform jumping, and shooting enemies. While there are power-ups scattered around the Bottle Ship, a few items are already equipped by Samus, but she cannot use them until commanding officer Adam Malkovich authorizes her to do so. Unlike other games in the series, enemies do not drop items, with the restoration of health and ammo occurring either by using the Navigation Booths, or employing of the Concentration technique, where Samus rests and replenishes missiles and health.

The regular gameplay features a third person perspective, where players hold the Wii Remote horizontally. Samus can jump, fire the arm cannon, and turn into a morph ball, which can roll into narrow passages and drop energy bombs. While gameplay is similar to early Metroid titles, the game's environments are three-dimensional and movement is not limited to a two-dimensional plane. Other M is the first in the series to feature a melee combat system. With well-timed button presses, players can use special techniques such as the Sense Move, which allows them to dodge enemy attacks, and the Overblast, where Samus jumps on the enemy and fires a charged shot at point-blank range.

When the Wii Remote is pointed towards the screen, the angle switches to a first-person view, where players can lock onto targets and fire missiles; however, players cannot move in this perspective. There are several instances where players will have to constantly switch between play modes; for example, fighting off a horde of flying enemies in third person, while switching to first person to destroy their spawn points. Additionally, the first-person mode is also used in exploration, such as locating hidden items.