The new ‘Metroid’ game is a belter
Metroid fans have something of a tumultuous relationship with their favourite series. While there have been some real high points, such as the first-person Prime Trilogy and the genredefining Super Metroid on the Super Nintendo Entertainment System, in recent years Nintendo has really whiffed the franchise with Other M and Federation Force being met with derision from most quarters. With Samus Returns being handled by third party Mercury Steam and not Nintendo itself, what to expect from the game was something of a mystery. I’ve got some good news: Samus Returns is a “proper” Metroid game. And it’s a belter.
Samus Returns is a remake of the 1991 Gameboy game Metroid 2. While there are some similarities, it feels like a new game. In a nutshell, Samus is sent to the Metroid’s home planet of SR388 to eliminate the jellified rascals once and for all. This means dozens of encounters with the titular aliens in their various guises.
The levels are labyrinthian and vast and, while you’re bound to get lost, the game makes some concessions for this. Here, the purists might sneer slightly.
There are teleports which let you zip about the areas relatively quickly, keeping backtracking more manageable. And there is a scanning ability that uncovers objects and paths in the immediate vicinity.
Part of the appeal of Metroid has always been studiously examining every nook and cranny for secrets, so revealing them at the push of a button is bound to bother some. It’s optional though.
The combat has also seen some changes, the biggest of which is the melee counter. Samus can now take on enemies with her fists when things get frantic. Enemies will choreograph their attacks and dive straight at you and, if you hit the X button at the right time, you can knock them back. When you pull it off, it feels satisfying and looks cool too, but it can interrupt your combat flow. Overall it’s a welcome addition; it just takes some getting used to.
As with other classic Metroid games, you quickly amass an arsenal of weapons and abilities, all of which encourage you to go back to places you couldn’t previously get into. But while previously you would have had to have made mental notes of these areas, the interactive map lets you place up to 10 multicoloured pins anywhere of interest.
The game is huge and, while the original Metroid 2 would take around five hours to play through, Samus Returns will take at least double. – The Independent