Metroid: Samus Returns - Nintendo 3DS

Super Metroid is one of my favorite games of all time, and I'm ALWAYS in the mood for more of Samus' adventures, even if some of the games in the franchise left me with a bad taste in my mouth. Exploration, discovery, tense encounters, and atmospheric environments are the bread and butter of Metroid, and although I have high standards when it comes to these things, Metroid: Samus Returns gave me another quality entry in the series. Metroid: Samus Returns is a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus, and Nintendo really overhauled the entire game. Enemies are updated, new abilities are added, and the game is far more expansive. If you are looking for a full-bodied Metroid game, this is it. Metroid: Samus Returns has over 10 hours of content, even for players who want to mainline the essential encounters, which makes it over three times longer than Super Metroid. Bigger isn't always better, but in this case, cleverly designed puzzles, tons of new abilities, and strange boss encounters create a truly fantastic experience. The new melee ability, in particular, is one worth mentioning, as it makes it easier for Samus to rebuff charging attackers, taking advantage of a momentary stun to do boosted damage. The game requires players to use the ability too often, and it can get tedious when melee countering provides the only opportunity for damaging dangerous enemies. Overall, Metroid: Samus Returns is a fantastic game, and one of the best Metroid games, and one I'd highly recommend for any fans of Metroid, Castlevania, or other platforming adventure games. Now if it would only come to Switch...

I am a long-time fan of Nintendo Games, and of Metroid in particular. Metroid has always been a series I've regarded with a great fondness. Super Metroid was one of the first games I was truly enamored with, even before Mario and Zelda. This title is a remake of the second entry in the series, Metroid II: Return of Samus, which appeared on the original Gameboy. I have only played a little of the original myself, and therefore cannot go in-depth into the updates in the Remake, aside from improvements that have become standard since the time of the original release. The gameplay shares the style of side-scrolling Metroid titles like Super Metroid and Fusion. Abilities such as the Spider-ball make their re-debut, and abilities like Wall-jump and Edge grab are present as well. Four new abilities, called Aeion abilites, reveal a portion of the map, offer damage protection, rapid-fire, and slow-down time. They are powered by an Aeion meter, and are unlocked a certain points in the game. The premise of the story, which I'll get to, is that Samus is hunting-down and exterminating the Metroid population. As such there is a certain amount of repetition. The development team did a good job of making the level design varied, and the gradual progression into more challenging Metroids satisfying. Still, most Metroid fights aren't all that unique. Also many of the standard enemies in later levels are upgraded versions of those present in earlier levels. Even so, I personally found there to be enough variety to avoid making the game a slog to the end. Difficulty-wise, this game isn't punishing, but it isn't easy either. Newer players will likely struggle, even with helpful abilities enabled. When the next level of Metroid is introduced, fighting it can be a pretty decent challenge. By the time you're pretty used to that kind of Metroid, a more powerful one is introduced. The Omega Metroid was epic to fight, and a joy to defeat. There are also a few boss fights that are pleasing, if occasionally frustrating, challenges. I also greatly enjoyed the final boss, and found it to be quite difficult. A gaming savant might find it easy or moderately challenging. An unskilled gamer would likely find it impossible. Overall, I found the challenge to be slightly more than what I would find in most other games. Story-wise, there isn't much there explicitly. Lore exists outside the game, such as the origin of Metroids, or the Chozo, but it isn't delved into. Veterans of the series will definitely notice nods to other titles, and easily see where this game falls between the original Metroid, and Super Metroid. Newcomers may be lost entirely to the narrative, or the significance of certain events or enemies. What this game accomplishes is a sense of solitude. A lone huntress charging in headfirst into a danger-filled world. The story, in that sense, is more experienced than told. Much can be, and has been, extrapolated from the series as a whole, for those who are interested. For average gamers, I encourage you to simply play the game, and enjoy it for what it is upfront. Overall, I think this game appeals more to experienced gamers than newcomers. While the difficulty curve isn't extreme for newcomers, this wouldn't be the first game I'd give them to play. As a game, it is mechanically solid, and is a blast to play. It is more centered around an experience than a narrative, which may be a turn-off for some. However, I think most gamers will enjoy it, and especially fans of the Metroid series.

Took me about 18 hours to 100% complete as I am new to the metroid series. Really good game that takes advantage of the 3D tech so if you have a NEW 3DS its really a lot of fun to use. Be prepared for a lot of backtracking and frustration, but that is kinda how Metroid games work. I wish they gave you more than 10 pins per area as I ran into a lot of road blocks early on. Controls are good and you feel really powerful by the end of the game. Probably wont play it again, but its great to have in the collection and i definitely feel like I got my moneys worth.

Finally we get a real Metroid game! Metroid Samus Returns is a remake of Metroid 2 which only appeared on the game boy. The remake is awesome and plays fantastic. The remake expands and makes the game better in alot of ways by adding more to explore and making it less linear than the original game. The only thing I wasn't a fan of was the new melee attack. Enemies will often flash signaling that they are going to rush you and you can counter them with a melee. Usually if successful you will kill the enemy (if its not a boss) with one shot of your beam after a counter. I feel this really changes how the game is played and I didn't like it as much. Some of you might like the melee counter alot, but for me it didn't click. However, it isn't enough to bring the game down since the game is still fun.

Samus Returns is a return to the sidescrolling 2D Metroid series and it does not disappoint. There's plenty to enjoy but this entry is particularly brutal; newcomers will have some difficulty at first getting used to the new mechanics. The 3D effects are gorgeous and it's a shame only now is the 3DS finally graced with a Metroid title. A pivotal scene of development is beautifully fleshed out and paints a clear picture of who Samus is without a single word spoken toward the end. This game is the longest and most expansive of the 2D Metroid games but replaying it has been a joy.

Yes, it's a retelling of Metroid II for the original Gameboy. Yes it's 2.5D instead of a 3D game on the 3DS. But, that doesn't matter once you start to play. It's been wonderfully executed, overall. The controls are tight, the graphics are sharp, and there is absolutely no slowdown in the game. It plays like the best of the Metroid games, and is a wonderful distraction until Metroid Prime comes out for the Switch.

Metroid 2: Return of Samus is a frustrating timesink that can feel hardly worth the effort you put in. Now Metroid: Samus Returns is a fantastic game that sets the standard for "remastered" games. The first breath of fresh air Samus Returns introduces is the counter-attack mechanic, which lets you manage fights and your speed. Then the first Aeion ability you're given is Scan Pulse, which reveals most secrets within a certain distance, removing the need for guessing which blocks are destructable. Just as with the original, how you go about exploring is mostly up to you. The map helps tremendously with this, as well as the hints from the Chozo seals. You'll *almost* never feel lost. Only once did I really feel lost, and it was during a specific boss fight (which I feel could've been designed better). Now, the downsides. While the counter-attack mechanic is nice, it also gets fairly stale, fast. Although, this is mostly due to the lack of variety in enemies and having to backtrack through them. The controls a great, but they're locked in. That means no adjusting your key configs for the physical buttons or the touchscreen controls. The touchscreen buttons would've been great to rearrange because some of them are in such awkward positions. Whether you have big, small, or the perfect hands for the 3DS, unless you're fine taking your time to select things, you'll find yourself thinking the same thing. Overall, Samus Returns is a great addition to the Metroid series, with very minor issues. The perfect thing to sit on while you wait for Prime 4.

I LOVE and own every METROID game on the market and finally was able to pick this up today and it is AMAZING! Of course this is the remake of METEROID 2 from the gameboy WHICH WAS AMAZING IN ITS OWN RIGHT and now in 3D! WOW! A must have for ANY Metroid fan. What are you waiting for. BUY IT!