Metroid: Samus Returns Reviews
If this is the last great 3DS release then what a way to go out!
Overall, this glorious return of Samus Aran is a must own for Metroid Fans. While there is a mild issue with the controls, once players adjust it’ll feel natural. The difficulty may not be newcomer friendly, but the game offers enough tools to help the player make it through the journey.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a great remake of a game that quite frankly, needed an upgrade. MercurySteam has done a grand job at bringing a game that was made for a black and white 8-bit handheld, and completely recreate it from the ground up for a brand new generation to enjoy. If you are a fan of the 2D Metroid series then you know exactly what you’re getting. If you are new then it is a fantastic entry point to the series and it is more than worth a playthrough. It certainly isn’t the best Metroid game in my opinion, but it’s a fine one nonetheless. Samus has returned and it puts the series well and truly back on the map.
When it comes to technical wizardry and sheer visual spectacle, Metroid: Samus Returns unequivocally delivers.
The Metroid franchise is my favorite Nintendo franchise, bar none. I’ve played and loved almost every single entry, except for Federation Force and Other M. I had high hopes for Samus Returns, and MercurySteam managed to exceed almost every one. Samus has indeed returned, and I look forward to seeing what other adventures are in store for her.
A solidly-constructed and engaging action-adventure game with a terrific set of boss battles and a huge world filled with secret chambers, ferocious monsters, and a hint of things to come for gaming's most celebrated bounty hunter.
This game is a love letter to Samus Aran. One of the best 2.5D platformers I've ever played. Great visuals, great soundtrack and great new ideas to not only capture the mood of the GameBoy original but improve the whole experience.
Review in German | Read full review
Samus Returns is a welcome return of a long-missed friend, but euphoria about the comeback didn't last long once I actually started playing the game: Exploration is unrewarding and leads into dead ends more often than not and the repetitive Metroid boss fights almost feel like grinding. With its modernized combat and controls, some cool and fresh ideads like the counter and 360° aiming, Samus Returns is still a solid Metroidvania game - but it's not quite the return to form that I was hoping for.
Review in German | Read full review
Metroid: Samus Returns is a brilliant return to form after a couple of less than stellar entries in the series in past years. It stays true to what made Metroid great in the first place and by taking an existing title, bringing it up to modern standards and adding new mechanics, MercurySteam have truly delivered an amazing game that presents a great blend between fun exploration and challenging combat. Samus Returns is a game that any Metroid fan will appreciate and can easily be enjoyed by newcomers to the series as well.
"Bounty hunter returns to her day job."
Review in Finnish | Read full review
Metroid: Samus Returns is the best 3DS game this year, hands-down. It’s the best Metroid game in almost a decade and it’s definitely the best way to spend your commute of a morning or evening.
A polished and prettified remake of one of Metroid's less-acclaimed titles, Samus Returns spells the start of something beautiful for a series that's been left in the dark for too long.
It is a return to form for the series, and it’s great to see another official 2D Metroid title come out from Nintendo after more than a decade.
13 years have passed since the last Metroid 2D, Metroid fusion is considered a masterpiece and this Samus Returns seem to be also. We are faced with an exceptional game that collects everything that makes this saga great and brings you the newest of the last generation. But for me, the most important thing is that it is a hope. Samus is back. The most despised saga of Nintendo has returned to reclaim its position to stay. A very bright future is coming. Now is time to wait for the Nintendo Switch Metroid Prime 4, the other great game announced at E3 in 2017!
Even though it stumbled a little, overall I was quite pleased with Metroid: Samus Returns. I managed to beat it in just over 12 hours with 62% map completion, and only got seriously stuck a handful of times. Not only was this remake gorgeous, but it offers a fantastic return to form for the long running series. If you’re a fan of the series, or are just looking for an excuse to jump on board, you can’t go wrong for only $39.99. Best of all, if the ending is any indication, this might not be the last remake of a 2D Metroid we can look forward to! Here’s hoping Samus is around for many years to come, annihilating alien scum and looking great while doing it.
Admittedly, it isn’t perfect, suffering from the same repetitive boss battles and drab environments plaguing its inspirational counterpart, but for those who can look past its minor mishaps (and you should), you’ll find one of the best 2D Metroid games this side of the galaxy.
Metroid: Samus Returns gives fans what they've always asked for a Metroid game and everyone else gets a phenomenal 2D action-adventure game with one of the most iconic heroes in video game history.
Complaints aside, there's no denying that Metroid: Samus Returns is an addictive and rewarding remake of a classic game.