Fans do what nintendon't. I will readily admit I have a general disinterest in fan games. Most lack polish and, in their attempt to replicate the source, lack any identity of their own, much less the originality that made the original so appealing. AM2R surpasses that expectation by such a margin that it ranks in the top half of my 2D metroid games. Every level of this game breathes life into it that just wasn't possible in the original. Finally, each area feels unique and distinct. Some of the oppressive and alien nature of the original is lost simply by making it a game for normal humans by zooming out the camera and adding color, but that feeling returns in the final zone. However, the highlights of the game, for me, are where it departs from the original and adds its own ideas instead. The bullet hell-esque boss and water area made me forget this was a fan remake rather than a brand new metroid game. In summary, play this game. It's not too hard to find online and far more worth your time than the official metroid 2 remake.