AM2R: Return of Samus
2016
- platform
- adventure
- indie
- action
- science fiction
- single player
The story
AM2R, short for Another Metroid 2 Remake, is an action-adventure video game developed by Milton Guasti under the pseudonym DoctorM64, and released in August 2016 for Microsoft Windows, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of the Metroid series. It is an unofficial, enhanced remake of Nintendo's Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991), borrowing the art style and overall feeling of the Game Boy Advance game Metroid: Zero Mission (2004). Shortly after the game's release, Nintendo sent DMCA notices to websites hosting AM2R; download links to the game were removed from its official website, but Guasti said that he still planned to continue working on the game privately. In September 2016, Guasti ended the development of AM2R after he received a DMCA takedown request from Nintendo. The game follows Samus Aran, who aims to eradicate the parasitic Metroids from their home planet SR388. It includes several new features, including redone graphics and music, a map system, and new areas and minibosses. The controls were changed to be less "floaty", in line with the gameplay of later titles in the series. Video game journalists appreciated the game, frequently calling it impressive and commenting on the improved visuals compared to those of the original Metroid II, although one thought the conditions required to win battles against Metroids were too specific considering how often they occur. The game was nominated for The Game Awards 2016, but was later removed from the nominations page without notice.
What it’s like
Crisp pixel art in the warm, sun-dappled style of Zero Mission: cave walls glow amber and teal, alien ruins wear a dusty palette, and the camera tracks Samus through sideways rooms with the easy momentum of a classic side-scroller. The soundtrack is a rebuilt chiptune score, bright and propulsive in the open caverns, then hushed and eerie where the Metroids stir, with the occasional sudden shriek to keep the nerves tight. Movement feels snappier than the original's floaty jumps, so exploring the sprawling, interconnected tunnels has a satisfying flow. Vibe: focused, atmospheric exploration with a steady undercurrent of tension. The combat is frequent but mostly brief, with lots of jumping, shooting and creature encounters; violence is cartoonish and bloodless, and the Metroid fights carry more dread than gore. It suits a long evening alone, a comfortable weekend session, or anyone who wants a challenging, methodical adventure with a clear sense of place. Best for fans of metroidvania map-crawling who enjoy slowly unlocking a world.
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