Metroid II: The Return of Samus is mostly fondly remembered for it's fantastic ending that leads right into Super Metroid. There was more to the game at first. Being a Gameboy game it was actually quite an impressive feat and managed to evoke some real classic Metroid tropes such as a great atmosphere and a sense of being lost. Unfortunately, the original Gameboy game hasn't aged well and it's also rather difficult to find. This is where the remake Samus Returns comes into play. It's a remake and an updated one. It takes the best of the classic 2D Metroid games and combines it with some of the finest qualities of Metroid Prime. The end result is perhaps the best Metroid game we've seen in a decade.
The story in Samus Returns is pretty simple: Samus has destroyed Mother Brain and has now gone to the Metroid home world of SR388 to get rid of the Metroid menance once and for all. She will go to their homeworld and beging eradicating the Metroid's one by one. But the deeper she gets the more dangerous it becomes. And in this remake she'll run into some harrowing new dangers. The story is simple, but the fun of Metroid storytelling is seeing what unfolds in the story by what you discover as you explore. And there is plenty of that to do in Metroid Samus Returns. Metroid has never been that story centric, though. The most story focused game in the series (Metroid Fusion) ended up telling a GREAT story on its own, but the more story heavy a game is the more likely it is to be linear. As Metroid is more about exploration than that, Metroid Returns relies on the environment and the players deductions about what's going on. In spite of that, though, to call Metroid: Samus Returns a nonlinear experience would also be misleading. Certain portions of the game open up at a time. Your goal is to go roaming through areas and defeat enough Metroids to get a pool of acid to lower even further so that you can explore deeper. The game doesn't really open up until the end of the game.
This doesn't mean there's no exploring to do. There's plenty of it. It just means the exploration is more controlled than it lets on. Most of the time your goal with exploring is to find a Metroid to destroy. And often this will take you around the majority of the areas that you're exploring as is. This isn't all there is to exploration, though. As with previous Metroid titles, you'll find power ups that will eventually give Samus better abilities. The original Gameboy game had a surprisingly large number of power ups for such a simple game, but Samus Returns expands on them to provide power ups that would make appearances in other Metroid games such as the gravity suit, power bombs and the grapple beam. All of these additions are weaved in rather well and the game makes sure you'll have to utilize them. The exploration becomes great when you realize you'll have to go back to previous areas to find everything.
So yes, it's a more controlled and linear exploration but the fun in exploring is still there. Mostly. In making Metroid Samus Returns more accessible it introduces Aeion abilities. One of them is a scanner that unveils the majority of the map and points out any hidden power ups or strange blocks that can be destroyed with weapons. This is an optional thing, but more die-hard Metroid fans probably want to have their exploration be a bit more exciting than that. That being said, however, what I find the most fascinating about finding powerups (whether they be more missiles or energy tanks) is that getting a lot of them is like solving a puzzle. They're usually not difficult but if finding them feels too easy, you'll be rest assured that the game will make sure you understand its mechanics to get them.
Other Aeion abilities allow Samus to do such things as slow down time, utilize a rapid fire effect or put up an additional shield to soak up some damage. Samus can also stop and utilize precision aiming if the player holds down a button. This allows for more accurate shots and you'll know if you'll hit something because the lock on sight line will change colors. While all of these seem like they'd make Samus Returns an easy game, you'll be surprised at just how challenging it can actually be. In particular, the main boss fights require excellent pattern recognition and master of one of the best new additions to Samus Returns: The melee counter. At some points enemies will flash and come in for an attack. When timed correctly Samus can execute a melee counter that will temporarily leave an enemy stunned and allow Samus to shoot them with ease. This isn't just used on standard enemies, bosses and Metroids will have this happen as well. In the case of fighting a lot of the Metroids (and you will fight a lot of them) mastering this technique is required and you'll likely learn it just because you'll fight so many of them.
The game's difficulty, however, is definitely more top heavy. By that I mean, the beginning and middle stages of the game are fairly challenging but not so much the last third or so of the game. The difficulty, however, feels rather fair. This isn't the kind of game where you'll find yourself dying thanks to cheap tricks from your enemies. All of the attacks the enemies launch into are telegraphed and can be avoided or countered, it's just a matter of learning them. This is especially true of the game's bosses and the Metroids. You'll find it isn't really that difficult as you fail and begin to learn the attacks of your enemies. Likewise, unlike other Metroid games you not only have a plentiful amount of save rooms and warp rooms, but there's also a checkpoint system outside of boss battles and Metroid battles so that you don't have to constantly start from your last save point.
There isn't really a lot that keeps Metroid down to be honest. If there was anything it would be that the fights with the Metroid's often become repetitive. New variants are introduced throughout but most of the time you'll fight the standard alphas more than anything and the layout of the arenas don't often change much. Eventually other types are introduced and they do things like run to other rooms, but after a while you wish that there had been more thrown in there to break up this monotony. For instance, the game has three specific boss fights, but there was definitely room for a couple more. Some Metroid's add in new gimmicks and the like but after you've fought your tenth alpha Metroid the experience feels more like a bump in the road rather than a mission. On the other hand, what bosses you do fight are actually quite enjoyable because the battles go in phases that require you to recognize patterns and really test you on how we'll you've learned the gameplay mechanics. They're fun, exhilirating and lengthy boss fights that really test your mettle. Though they're challenging, I was never frustrated at losing. In part because punishment was usually just putting me one room away and because I could rest assured that I screwed up, not that something unfair happened. Metroid: Samus Returns is a learning experience, and it's actually a fun one at that.
The graphics and sound have also been updated. The new look and feel of Metroid Samus Returns is great. It's in 2.5D and has some neat looking backgrounds and environments. The soundtrack is also good, with a lot of themes being remixed from other Metroid titles. There are times when I wanted more Metroid II: The Return of Samus tracks to be updated but I'll have to deal without them. The only real problem with the soundtrack is that it isn't always done well enough evoke exploration but rather action. And sure enough the last third or so of the game is really action heavy with enemies basically being all over the place. Which strangely feels out of place when the original game was so much about isolation the further into this planet you got... only to surprise you with the Metroid Queen. It was a subtle bit of narrative that (whether intended or not) made the trek through the final moments of the game rather haunting. That sense isn't here. Your mileage may vary on that one, but one thing that the original game certainly didn't do was allow it's last moments to be too drowned out in enemies. In particular the original's finale was nice and subtle. The 3DS remake doesn't do that. And while it may be more exciting and it's fun as hell to play, it certainly doesn't make its connection to Super Metroid stronger.
Don't take the criticisms to heart, they are merely nitpicks from a fan who rather liked the original. But keep in mind part of the reason the atmosphere of the original game was what it was is because of the limitations of the Gameboy. The 3DS remake has no such limitations. They make great use of the hardware here and a great use of the environment. What's most important, though is that this is simply a solid Metroid game overall.
Samus Returns feels like a fitting title for the 3DS remake as it truly is the return of Samus this time around. After Metroid: Other M it seemed like the series would be in disarray after some of the most mixed reception a game in the series ever received. This was not helped when just a few years later the follow up would be Metroid Federation Force, a game that didn't even feel like Metroid. Now we have this gem of a game on the 3DS and it really does feel like a return to form. Small problems and nitpicks aside, Metroid Samus Returns is worth the time to play and worth the time to invest in.
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From the manufacturer
A Classic Metroid Adventure Returns
Explore a hostile alien planet as legendary bounty hunter Samus Aran. Her mission? Terminate the Metroid menace in a masterful reimagining of her 1991 Game Boy adventure. This intense, side-scrolling action platformer revitalizes classic gameplay with stunning 3D visuals and a wide range of new content sure to please both new and veteran players.
Metroid II: Return of Samus has been completely rebuilt, with reconstructed maps, gear upgrades, new abilities that use a special energy called 'Aeion', a powerful melee counterattack, and 360-degree aiming. A wealth of hidden paths, power-ups, and secrets await—find enough of them, and you may even start to unravel the mysteries of Planet SR388’s past. A touchscreen-enabled mapping system and informative menus help new players brave the depths of SR388 and track their artillery and inventory while immersing themselves in the haunting isolation, deep exploration, brutal environments, and fierce battles that hardcore Metroid fans demand.
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Explore a labyrinth of tunnels, ruins, and subterranean chambers filled with surprises and secrets as you battle your way to the heart of a menacing alien world and try to find and defeat the deadly Metroids. |
Experience the haunting isolation, deep exploration, brutal environments, and fierce battles that hardcore Metroid fans demand with an adventure that’s a perfect entry point into the Metroid story line and franchise for new players. |
Best Handheld Game 2017 |
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Best Handheld Game 2017 |
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2017 Nintendo. |
Reviews with images
Almost great
Case came damaged but otherwise the game works perfect. Overlooked gem on the 3ds
Top reviews from the United States
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Reviewed in the United States on February 13, 2018
Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Reviewed in the United States on September 22, 2017
Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Top reviews from other countries
A-Qu1No_
Top
Reviewed in Brazil on January 27, 2024Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
France Amélie Légère
Samus 2
Reviewed in Canada on June 6, 2019Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Eduardo Ramirez
Metroid en estado puro de lo mejor de 3DS
Reviewed in Mexico on October 20, 2018Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Jorge
Collector’s item
Reviewed in Australia on March 22, 2022Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
Ram Rios
Very good game
Reviewed in Mexico on November 29, 2023Platform For Display: Nintendo 3DSEdition: StandardVerified Purchase
