Metroid: Samus Returns - Nintendo 3DS

Samus Returns was an excellent game, and it holds up very well to the older 2D entries in the series. I say this as a life-long fan of the series, having played through every mainline entry Super Metroid and forward many times. Compared to the others, I would personally rank this game above Fusion, but slightly below Zero Mission and Super. My runthrough of the game with 100% items took exactly 20 hours according to the 3DS timer, and ~15 hours according to the in-game timer. That makes this the longest 2D Metroid game by quite a lot, and arguably the lengthiest game in the whole series. The gameplay is extremely smooth and natural-feeling, and once you get used to it you almost wonder how you ever got by without free aiming. All of the abilities are well implemented and the maps are very well thought out and beautiful to look at. I also loved the new Aeon abilities you get in this game, which adds a whole new dimension to the existing gameplay formula. If I have one complaint, it's that the maps don't interconnect in quite the same way as they do in Super or Zero Mission, but that's mostly to stay true to the original Metroid 2 which was laid out differently from those games as well. Also, while I personally enjoyed it, many people aren't fond of the new Melee mechanic, which is essential to progressing through the game. In terms of difficulty, this is certainly the most difficult Metroid game. I feel pretty safe in saying that. The saving grace, however, is that the game is *very* generous with checkpoints. That's right, new to the series, this game has a checkpoint system, and the game gives you these checkpoints a *lot*. As far as I could tell, checkpoints occur after every elevator and teleporter ride, before and after every boss/Metroid fight, and of course whenever you use a save station. So, while you will probably die way more in this game than past Metroid games, you will never lose more than just a minute or two of gameplay. Nonetheless, this game is *not* easy - many enemies take out an entire energy tank or more, and bosses can take out several just with one hit - and that's on Normal difficulty. I haven't started Hard or Fusion (very hard) mode yet, but I can't even imagine how difficult those must be. - And finally, as a second part to this review, I want to compare this to AM2R. For those who don't know, AM2R (Another Metroid 2 Remake) is a fan remake of Metroid 2. It took the sole developer an entire decade to complete, and it quickly spread across the internet and got great reviews once it was finished. It is very possibly the most in-depth and intricate fan game ever created. Some would argue that it is actually just as good as a real 2D Metroid game. The game can be found freely many places in the internet for those who may want to play it. (Hint: googling "Reddit AM2R" isn't a bad start to finding it.) AM2R was finished and released about a year before Samus Returns was even announced. I myself did play AM2R, and I was very fond of it. At the time I would have called it the definitive Metroid 2 experience. So how does AM2R compare to Samus Returns? Personally, I liked Samus Returns more. AM2R was great, and I would argue that it, too, holds up well to the older Metroid games. But Samus Returns was still better, to me. The core gameplay was smoother, the boss fights were more polished, and I enjoyed the new gameplay additions in Samus Returns quite a lot. And not to spoil anything, but the climax segment of Samus Returns was also significantly better than in AM2R. The one thing that AM2R *did* do really well, though, was that it did a much better job interconnecting the different areas. AM2R made an effort to interconnect the different areas with a more advanced overworld/system than Samus Returns has. For whatever it's worth, that one aspect of AM2R is better than Samus Returns. (Also, I personally like AM2R's soundtrack better, but that's really very subjective, and the soundtrack in SR is good too.) That being said, Samus Returns is still my preference. After you play and finish Samus Returns, AM2R is a very interesting case study of a remake of Metroid 2 that comes from a completely different angle, and in my opinion it shouldn't be skipped over if you're a fan of the series. But if you are unfamiliar with Metroid 2 or what happens in the game, Samus Returns is the one to play first.

This Samus Returns along with Super Metroid are hands down the best Metroid games to this day! Music in this game can be listened to over and over even outside of playing the game without being bored. The visuals of this game are so incredibly beautiful without me even using the 3D feature, the backgrounds really pop out and make me feel like I'm really playing a 3D game. Just so awesome! This game can be really challenging sometimes and I love how creative some of the boss battles are. There is a counter attack move in this but I never really used it and it's not required to actually enjoy or play the game. I also love how exploratory this Metroid is and how you can get completely lost. There is a map of course but the way the layout is, it's so perfect and so many secret areas to find and explore. There's also some really creative ways to attain some of the items like energy tanks and missile pickups, stuff like that. I also got Metroid Dread but this to me is true Metroid and I want so much this game ported to current systems and want more Metroid's like this one. Definitely get this Metroid game if you want a true Metroid experience, a must buy!

I have played the original Metroid 2, and while it was fun, going to this is a huge difference for anyone who may be interested. The modern feel and extra features added to Samus Returns creates a more unique experience (oh, and... there's actual color this time). I do not think playing the original is required, but even just watching some gameplay of it would allow one to appreciate the changes showcased in this remake. With its good mix of old and new (i.e. Aeion abilities), I was really curious to see how it would work out. The premise is roughly the same. Eliminate the Metroid threat by journeying further into the depths of SR388, all while having fun enjoying the same familiar aspects the Metroid series has to offer -- exploration, hidden paths, doors that cannot be opened early on until an item is found that will do so, suddenly allowing way more access to areas you couldn't explore before. It's a good thing. One of the differences I was surprised to see was how an Aeion ability has to be used to help expand the map of any area you explore, rather than finding one map room and syncing with it. It's not even a bad thing, just different. I had to get used to it at first, but decided it was easy enough to do as long as I conserved the energy for it (and found expansions that increased said energy for other abilities). The rapid beam ability is pretty awesome, and has numerous spots in the game where it is actually useful, rather than a gimmick (which is good when you're trying to introduce something new). Overall, I liked the addition of all the new Aeion abilities, and how they could be used. The counter ability is also an interesting aspect in some ways. At first, it was redundant to use as it was basically always used to counter little bat creatures (I guess more for practice). Yet, even that gameplay aspect was used for other scenarios later on that ended up being really helpful. While searching for Metroids, it was good to see that regular enemies throughout the game would at times pose a good challenge depending on how long I had explored between save points. I would sometimes wander where I'd risk losing a lot of energy without expecting it, so I'd have to sometimes backtrack throughout lots of enemies and/or dangerous environments to try and not die before getting back to a save location or energy replenish thing. I was at times very relieved to remember that now entrances to Metroid rooms and recent elevator uses created a little checkpoint. That helped me out more than once, especially when Metroids now have many more ways of attacking Samus to make the fights interesting, and at times dangerous depending on how many energy tanks one may have early on. I didn't really try and pick a favorite Metroid form to fight. They were all fun in their own way without spoiling anything. I recommend "Samus Returns" for anyone familiar with Metroid, or for those who want to try something new.

I have a pretty long history with the Metroid series, and I think this is definitely one of the best of the 2D Metroid games. I think too many people get so hung up on nostalgia for the older games that they can't accept how good Samus Returns is. I think it is easily the most playable 2D game in the series control-wise, it's more streamlined making certain movements and weapon switching easier and thus more fun. Being able to stop and aim in any direction is just awesome. People complain about the counter system, but once you get through the early areas of the game, you don't use it nearly as much- but it keeps you on your toes. Having the map on the bottom screen is immensely preferable to having to press a button to go to a second screen, back and forth, back and forth. The 3D effect is excellent in this game- it really feels like you are looking into an alien world, and it really adds to the atmosphere. The graphics are great- nicely detailed polygons, however the frame rate isn't what I would have liked- it's all a bit juddery, and 60fps would have made the game feel and play much better (the Kirby games were able to pull off 60fps- I'd prefer they dial the graphics down if necessary so they can target 60fps). There really should have been a Switch version as well, that does run at 60fps. I do wish there were more boss fights/variety, but that's a weakness of the game that SR is based on- fighting the same Metroids over and over gets a little repetitive. There are only 3 major boss fights. and they are NOT easy fights...they will require multiple tries- I think they could have reduced they difficulty of these fights just a little. But as a total package, I really can't complain. I had an overall great time with it, and recommend it to anyone with a 3DS especially (the 3D effect is worth it- if you only have a 2DS it's still great, but you'll be missing out). I really don't know why Nintendo seems to hate the Metroid series so much that we get games in the series so rarely, but I really would like to get more Metroid games more frequently.

After the reveal of Metroid Dread, I really wanted to play the game. It looked awesome, but I didn’t really want to drop $60 on a game that I wasn’t sure I would like. Samus Returns is made by the same studio, so I figured it would be a good starting point. If I didn’t like the game I’d resell it, since (at the time of writing) even used copies go for about MSRP. To be brief: I won’t be reselling this game. As my first real entrance into the Metroid genre of games, I’m a big fan and it’s left me even more excited to play Dread now. The gameplay is fluid and fun, the exploration mechanics are excellent, and it looks super good on the 3DS. I’m just getting to the last area in the game now and I’ve throughly enjoyed my play through. There are some tedious parts, but it does a really good job of introducing you to the series’ core mechanics and gameplay loop. Plus the boss fights are super fun. My favorite part is that every fight seems fair. Maybe at first I lost a lot, but the boss’ moves are telegraphed really well, and by the time I finally beat some of them I was able to finally do it without taking any damage because I’d finally learned all its little tricks. Beyond boss fights the game is no slouch in terms of difficulty. I’ve been playing on Normal Mode, but even then there have been times of increased difficulty and I’ve died more than I almost ever do in a Nintendo game. But, again, most every death feels fair. I almost never get absolutely destroyed out of nowhere. Most of the time if I die it’s because I didn’t manage my health or ammo better. Then retreading the paths I lost when I died feels even better because I know what to expect and how to prepare. The exploration is too-notch as well. Some areas are locked off until you can backtrack with stronger items, but exploration is almost always rewarded somehow. It may be an extra ammo or health station, maybe a hidden power-up. The game wants you to explore the planet and does such a good job of motivating you to do it because you get rewarded nearly every time you do

I was a huge fan of the original Metroid and Super Metroid growing up. The games were challenging, and games that require "skill" tend to be a bit hard for me. This game, for the most part, is true-to-form. I've sank a few hours into the game since receiving it. Overall, the look, sound and feel is very much on par with the original series (with some obvious improvements as the technology has advanced significantly.) The play control is very responsive - maybe slightly too responsive. I really have one gripe - and that's the need for repeated use of the counter-attack. Metroid games have always required fast response times, and the need to recognize patterns during boss fights. Each enemy takes several shots to kill (even when using missiles or charged beam.) Most will wind up and charge you. You can either dodge, and pick them off, or master that counter. If you pull off a successful counter, the enemy is stunned for a period, and can be dispatched readily. Unfortunately, I find myself losing the advantage it gives (due to terrain or another incoming enemy.) The counter could be a great mechanism, but it seems to be a bit overdone. Ultimately, this is a balance issue. I feel that Samus's weapons are underpowered, while the enemies attacks are overpowered, and you NEED to rely on the new counter in order to really make progress. All that being said, I got used to employing the counter attack, and the game is flowing. It does a nice job scratching that nostalgia itch while feeling current (which makes 2 games in a row on the 3DS... this and The Legend of Zelda: A Link Between Worlds.)

Samus Returns is a reinvention and a return to form all at the same time. A 2.5 D (3D models on a 2D space) is a place Samus has only gone once before with the "like it or hate it" Other M but beside that and the fact it's a Metroid game focusing on Samus it has nothing to do with that other game. This is actually a ground up remake/reimagining of the original Gameboy(the Grey brick one) game Metroid 2: Return of Samus in that it carries on the same plot of: After the events of Metroid 1 Samus Aran is sent to SR388 with the job of KILL ALL METROIDS. From there it's more environmental storytelling with small blurbs of text here and there. This is from Mercurysteam, the team behind the Castlevania Lords of Shadows series and most notably for this review: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of fate that came out from near launch of the 3DS. It's clear MS learned a lot and refined the old stuff they learned from MoF both from a gameplay and level structure wise. Gameplay wise it's mostly Metroid as we've always known it: Missiles, Super Missiles, Moon Jump, Varia suit and all that Jazz. There are a few new tricks with the Aeon abilities, which are powered by a separate gauge from your health and Missiles that provide new traversal options I won't spoil. There's also the major new addition of the Melee counter, where most(a few don't) of the game enemies will flash before attempting to charge at you and pressing the button at the right time will give a short(3 to 5 seconds) slow downed moment of Samus using her canon to knock the enemy away for what is sometimes an instant kill attack except against the bosses. The Bosses in this game are mainly the titular Metroid aliens with a few curveballs thrown in there. The Metroids start off as armored flying creatures that are mindlessly charging at you but further you get the more complex and evolved they get until you're fighting what can only be described as the offspring of a Xenomorph(Aliens film series with those long black heads) and a Metroid. Level structure has been completely revamped from the original game where you'd kill a few Metroid and something somewhere, for some reason, would lower or open. Instead there's now Chozo(the alien people who raised Samus) built machine controlled reservoirs that require certain amounts of Metroid DNA to lower/shift away from the path you're going. It gives you a clear idea of how many Metroid are left in the area, why things are changed/changing and what is your goal for the area. With a few of the curveball bosses mentioned earlier, you are sometimes knocked off path temporally which breaks up things. They've also kept the secret Health/Missile(and Now Aeon) Tanks that you have to figure out using your abiltieis. For parents who are looking through the reviews for "if this is right for my child": There's almost no blood in this game and the little there is, is alien in origin . There are weapons but they're unrealistic lasers canons that can shoot through surfaces, suddenly produce missiles and freeze things instantly. There's no human-like enemy that acts human. the most intense things that happen are a few scenes of Alien attacking alien or during melee counters with bosses they will show a sequence where Samus will grapple with them before tossing them off or jumping off. Dying in this game consist of the screen going white around Samus, samus yelling out in a small 2 second clip and her armor plating showing her in a body suit (that looks like a blue unitard) before it fades to white then a "Game over try again?" screen showing space in the background.

I absolutely love this game so far, partly for nostalgia value and mostly for the intriguing design and well thought out gameplay. I haven't completed the game, but have logged many hours and am perhaps halfway through. I have a 3DS with only 3 games (all Nintendo releases, which says something about why I own a 3DS), spending most of my gaming dollars on my PS4. As a child, I loved Super Metroid for the SNES, so when I see a new entry to the series it is a must buy. It was incredibly hard for me at the time, and I used the strategy guide. Since then, I've completed the game from memory many times over. I admit I have never played the original NES Metroid or Samus Returns because I was spoiled by the graphics of SNES and it's 3D successors. I still play Super Metroid on Wii's virtual console every so often. I'm glad to experience this entry in the series thanks to the redesign. While the style of Samus and enemies might be influenced by the Prime series, the game's heart and soul is Super Metroid. The weapons and gameplay take a lot from the game while adding a few new concepts like free aim. Much of the music is taken straight from Super Metroid's memorable soundtrack. I get chills sometimes listening to the music that got stuck in my brain as a kid. To me, the game isn't too difficult past a couple of tough baddies that might require a continue or three. I have gotten frustrated by some metroid fights, but nothing is impossibly tough that it turns you off. The world is gorgeous to me, so I love backtracking and exploring the areas. Sometimes you just need to scan and bomb your way around when you're lost. I have always loved the atmosphere, being a bounty hunter alone on an alien planet. If you're a Metroid, Nintendo, or platforming open world fan, you'll enjoy this game. Many hours of gameplay and enjoyable enough to replay.

Attenzione truffa, edizione usa non funziona in europa

Another great game for the series. Now a must for collectors

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Jogo maravilhoso

SI NUNCA HAS JUGADO METROID yo te lo recomendaría es una excelente saga, y es una oportunidad con un título bien ejcutado y bien llevado la dificultad va subiendo conforme vas avanzando niveles pero nunca es un Dark Souls, si eres usuario nuevo de 3ds dale una oportunidad no te arrepentirás y ayudarás a que esta saga continúe vigente. El juego es grandioso si quieres saber un poco más conntinua leyendo mi opinión Si te gusta el metroid más clásico de la época de snes para atrás o fusión de Gba...Este es el mejor momento, para empezar lo corroe a un excelente precio, pero hubiera pagado el precio completo el juego me enganchó al instante es un remake de metroid 2 de game boy, pero con muchas mejoras y funciones que lo hacen mejor y más contemporáneo sin un control tosco de la época, por la dificultad la verdad en normal me pareció difícil es una dificultad progresiva que no te da tiempo de descanso, siempre hay algo que hacer, las zonas y el backtraking es ameno y no se siente forzado hasta da gusto regresar para ir obteniendo más armamento y mejoras para el próximo enemigo que enfrentarás... si te gusta metroid y tienes un 3ds y eres fan de Nintendo lo debes jugar ya, el juego es divertido, desafiante y extenso para completarlo al 100% dure 30 hrs y en dificultad normal El juego es de los mejores de 3DS.