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Metroid: Other M, the new game for the Nintento Wii system, is truly impressive on many fronts.

From the get-go in Metroid: Other M, a player is dazzled by cinematic cut scenes explaining how the lead character, Samus, got into her current predicament. In fact, many cut scenes are interspersed throughout gameplay. While they are well produced and the voice acting is great -- haunting, deliberate -- if your goal is to just shoot some bug monsters and solve the game, they quickly grow annoying. Especially at the beginning, when a player just wants to jump in and play.

The gameplay is revolutionary in that perspective and controls switch depending on how the Wii remote is held. The default interface for this game is to hold the control sideways, and in this mode Samus is controlled like she's in a typical platformer. You can move her armored form in multiple directions, jump, climb walls, and, of course, shoot her blaster. She can also transform into a rolling metal ball that can drop bombs; using this form to travel in tunnels and chutes is one of the more fun aspects of navigation. Various other moves and weapons are folded into the game as a player advances.

But at times Samus must fire missiles or examine something closely; to do this, the player shifts the Wii remote perpendicular (pointing the end at the TV screen), and it becomes more like a first-person shooter . . . albeit one where Samus can't move. This is interesting in the non-combat situations and frustrating in the combat situations, where the lack of mobility is a detriment. Switching back and forth between the two perspectives can be dizzying and the transition is a little slow.

The game can only be saved at checkpoints, which is a challenge, but not a negative. The enemies and environments are grotesque and very neat. Overall, the game is enjoyable, if not likely everyone's cup of tea.

If you want immersion, or are a big fan of the Metroid series to date, this is definitely for you. If you're more into episodic, spontaneous play -- or you think the constant perspective shifting will annoy you -- maybe take a pass (or rent it first). If your gaming habits are somewhere in-between casual and dedicated, this is probably a good one on which to take a chance. Just be prepared to do a little too much sitting and watching in-between the fun parts.