Metroid: Samus Returns Reviews
The best way to play the Metroid game you never knew existed.
While not allowing for the subterranean trek through SR388 to fully flourish in its own individual right, Metroid: Samus Returns is nonetheless a highly enjoyable remake of one of the series' more overlooked and forgotten entrants.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a triumphant return to form for the franchise, and its greatest victory is that it makes it feel as though Samus never left to begin with.
Metroid: Samus Returns isn't just a simple reimagining that improves on the original game's limitations and notable issues. It's a phenomenal blueprint of the 2D Metroid formula that captures the series' best elements while adding in gameplay refinements and mechanics that feel just right. Some repetition lingers, but that's hardly enough to hold the game back from returning Metroid to the top tier of platforming.
It's not perfect, but Metroid: Samus Returns is a resounding return to form for the series and a must-play for all 3DS owners.
Samus Returns is my favourite 2D Metroid game since Super Metroid, and feels the best to play of any of them, but it's hard to evaluate on that front.
Metroid: Samus Returns is an outstanding reinvention of Metroid 2 and a great game in its own right. After all these years and missteps, Samus is back.
Simply put, Metroid: Samus Returns is an excellent game. It honors the past and adds a lot of great new gameplay elements. The Metroid series strives in 2D, and Samus Returns is another clear demonstration of exactly that.
If you played Metroid on the NES, Super Metroid in the early '90s, or any of the other two-dimensional Metroid games made for Nintendo's handhelds over the years, Samus Returns will be an instant jolt of history, an immediately recognizable old friend that might have picked up a few new tics and traits but is still largely the comforting presence you've known for decades.
MercurySteam takes no time at all proving it is the perfect fit for a series overdue a resurgence. Another studio may have recreated Metroid as it was, but the Castlevania veterans modernise the Nintendo franchise with new abilities, freer movement, quality animations and lush alien design brimming with mystery and the unknown.If this remake was a test to see if there's life yet in the franchise, it passes with flying colours, only let down by a lack of the memorable boss encounters the series is known for. Maybe in a sequel the MercurySteam team could address this. They've certainly earned the right to try.
Metroid : Samus Returns is a powerful remake of the old Game Boy classic. By taking so much freedom from the original, Mercury Steam delivers a solid version, which still suffers from the structure of it. Much more narrowed than other games in the series, Metroid : Samus Returns only becomes a real blast through its last sections, but still offers a good run for every fan of the genre.
Review in French | Read full review
Metroid: Samus Returns is more than a brilliant remake of a relatively obscure cult-classic: it's a very significant moment for the whole saga, one that actually marks the rebirth of a beloved heroine after a troubled time.
Review in Italian | Read full review
While Metroid: Samus Returns is technically a remake of a 90's GameBoy game, it's truly a rallying cry for Metroid fans to gather and enjoy how fantastic Samus' journeys can be. Despite a few hiccups, the fresh combat mechanics, addicting exploration, and wonderful cinematic tone make this one of the best Metroid games ever made.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a triumphant return to the 2D Metroid games, now taking the form of the series' renovated second game, which successfully adds new elements to the experience that feel just right and provides a marvelous audiovisual environment with a healthy lifespan. All this contributes to form an instant success and a very welcome addition to the Metroid saga.
Review in Portuguese | Read full review
Metroid: Samus Returns is a commendable re-imagining that has clearly been crafted with plenty of love and care by MercurySteam.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a great return to form after the Federation Forces debacle and should make fans of the series happy with the final product. Aside from a few presentation hiccups and difficulty curve, the improved visuals and added content make for a solid entry in the Metroid universe. We have been waiting for Samus to return for a little while now, but the wait has been worth it.
Don't be fooled by the connection to Metroid II: this game has been revamped, redesigned and rejuvenated to such an extreme degree that to all intents and purposes it's a brand new adventure. This is far and away one of the best Metroid games ever made, and one of the best examples of the entire Metroidvania genre as a result. Melee counters and free aiming have made combat feel fresh and exciting again, while the environments are incredible – especially when viewed in auto-stereoscopic 3D. It's a given that this is a must-buy for Metroid fans, but it's also essential for those who've never played a 2D Metroid and want to see what the fuss is all about. This is what the fuss is all about, and the wait was so, so worth it.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a fantastic remake from one of the most unnoticed games from the series. It combines a really well known formula and complements it with some new gameplay mechanics, functional controls, gorgeous visuals, and many more surprises that make it feel as a familiar yet fresh experience. It is a must have game from any fan of the brave Samus Aran.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
“Metroid: Samus Returns” is essentially a love letter sealed with a bright red and orange kiss mark for old-school fans of the series. Featuring excellent visuals that take full advantage of the 3DS’ three-dimensional effect, lots of Metroidvania-style exploration and arguably the best combat to grace a 2D Metroid game, calling this a remake honestly doesn’t do it enough justice. It’s a nice return to 2D form for Nintendo’s popular bounty hunter.