By this point, it's no surprise that 2D Metroid has consistently been based ever since Super Metroid. Samus Returns, the remake of GameBoy game Metroid II, continues that trend. As far as remakes go, this game could be compared to Fire Emblem Echoes (hey look, both of them came out the same year) where the original game was as barebones as barebones could be and so the remake is really more of a reimaginaing. It's still Metroid II but much like the Metroids in the game, it's evolved to something more.
What's interesting about Samus Returns is that the combat takes a more gradual approach. In the other 2D Metroids, even when you weren't actually at full power, it still kinda felt like you were. Not the case in Samus Returns, as Samus feels noticeably at her weakest at the start of this game (which is ironic since Fusion is actually when she's at her weakest). However, as you progress through the game, you get stronger and soon enough, you're back to how it feels like it should be. Combine this with the Counters (which admittedly do take some getting used to as they are the ideal way to kill until you get the Plasma Beam) and the Aeion abilities and you've got some pretty solid gameplay (especially since Scan Pulse is super based and they should keep that in future games). But what was most fun for me was the Morph Ball. I love how versatile it is in this game and it's mainly due to the Spider Ball upgrade.
The music has also seen some good stuff here. While the soundtrack isn't consistently as good as in Zero Mission, the remixes of existing tunes and brand new ones are pretty good. For example, the Lower Brinstar theme from Super Metroid shows up and in that game, i thought it was pretty unmemorable. Not bad, just unmemorable. But in Samus Returns, when it showed up in Area 4, i loved it. And speaking of remixes, i love that some of the songs incorporate the literal beeps and boops from Metroid II's """"soundtrack""'. And it's the music that really adds to the atmosphere of the game and i gotta say, i do not understand the notion that Samus Returns "doesn't capture the atmosphere of Metroid II". Because imma keep it real with y'all: Metroid II did not have atmosphere. Yes, there are games where the technical limitations add to the atmosphere but Metroid II is not one of those games and even if it was, it's not worth it to play on a tiny-ass screen where everything looks the same because no color and also no map.
I think where Samus Returns does fall short is the bosses. Most of them are various evolutions of Metroid. And by most, i mean only two bosses aren't Metroids. Fighting a Metroid evolution the first time is cool. Fighting it the fifth time isn't. And you have to do this 40 times. Even Fusion's bosses that take place in the narrowest of rooms were better than this. That being said, the low boss quality isn't a huge dent on this game.
Samus Returns is yet another fantastic addition to the 2D Metroid line and i absolutely can't wait to see what MercuryStream improve on with Metroid Dread.
What's interesting about Samus Returns is that the combat takes a more gradual approach. In the other 2D Metroids, even when you weren't actually at full power, it still kinda felt like you were. Not the case in Samus Returns, as Samus feels noticeably at her weakest at the start of this game (which is ironic since Fusion is actually when she's at her weakest). However, as you progress through the game, you get stronger and soon enough, you're back to how it feels like it should be. Combine this with the Counters (which admittedly do take some getting used to as they are the ideal way to kill until you get the Plasma Beam) and the Aeion abilities and you've got some pretty solid gameplay (especially since Scan Pulse is super based and they should keep that in future games). But what was most fun for me was the Morph Ball. I love how versatile it is in this game and it's mainly due to the Spider Ball upgrade.
The music has also seen some good stuff here. While the soundtrack isn't consistently as good as in Zero Mission, the remixes of existing tunes and brand new ones are pretty good. For example, the Lower Brinstar theme from Super Metroid shows up and in that game, i thought it was pretty unmemorable. Not bad, just unmemorable. But in Samus Returns, when it showed up in Area 4, i loved it. And speaking of remixes, i love that some of the songs incorporate the literal beeps and boops from Metroid II's """"soundtrack""'. And it's the music that really adds to the atmosphere of the game and i gotta say, i do not understand the notion that Samus Returns "doesn't capture the atmosphere of Metroid II". Because imma keep it real with y'all: Metroid II did not have atmosphere. Yes, there are games where the technical limitations add to the atmosphere but Metroid II is not one of those games and even if it was, it's not worth it to play on a tiny-ass screen where everything looks the same because no color and also no map.
I think where Samus Returns does fall short is the bosses. Most of them are various evolutions of Metroid. And by most, i mean only two bosses aren't Metroids. Fighting a Metroid evolution the first time is cool. Fighting it the fifth time isn't. And you have to do this 40 times. Even Fusion's bosses that take place in the narrowest of rooms were better than this. That being said, the low boss quality isn't a huge dent on this game.
Samus Returns is yet another fantastic addition to the 2D Metroid line and i absolutely can't wait to see what MercuryStream improve on with Metroid Dread.