Metroid: Samus Returns

Metroid: Samus Returns
Developer(s)
Publisher(s) Nintendo
Director(s) Takehiko Hosokawa
Producer(s) Yoshio Sakamoto
Composer(s)
Series Metroid
Platform(s) Nintendo 3DS
Release 15 September 2017
Genre(s) Action-adventure
Mode(s) Single-player

Metroid: Samus Returns is an upcoming action-adventure video game developed collaboratively by MercurySteam and Nintendo, with the latter also publishing it, for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console. A part of the science fiction Metroid series, Samus Returns is a reimagining of the 1991 Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus. Long-time Metroid director Yoshio Sakamoto is leading the game's production. The game is scheduled to be released in September 2017.

Gameplay

Metroid: Samus Returns is a side-scrolling action-adventure game played on a two-dimensional plane with three-dimensional graphics.[1][2] Players take control of series protagonist Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who explores labyrinthine environments, kills hostile aliens, and collects power-ups to gain access to new areas.[2][3] Samus Returns is a reimagining of the 1991 Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus; as such, it features a story and structure similar to the original game but with new controls, visuals and gameplay.[2][3][4] This instalment introduces some features that are new to the 2D Metroid games.[4] Samus can perform a melee counterattack to deal critical damage on foes. In Metroid II, her firing direction was limited to specific angles, whereas now she is capable of firing freely at any angle.[3] Samus also has a selection of new powers, called Aeion abilities, that rely on an energy gauge for their usage. One example of an Aeion ability is Scan Pulse, which lets Samus scan the surrounding environment for hidden pathways and items.[5]

The game will feature Amiibo support,[3] with compatible figurines being based on the Metroid series. When scanned, players can unlock reserve tanks and a Metroid Marker which can be used for finding nearby Metroids. After the player finishes the game at least once, certain Amiibo-exclusive content are unlocked, including Fusion Mode and art galleries. Fusion Mode features Samus's Fusion Suit and offers an increased difficulty.[6] A standard Hard Mode is also unlocked upon completing the game, but it does not require an Amiibo figurine.[7]

Plot

Seeing the threat posed by the parasitic Metroids, the Galactic Federation sends bounty hunter Samus Aran to their home planet of SR388 to exterminate the species.[8]

Development

Yoshio Sakamoto of Nintendo EPD is overseeing the development

Metroid: Samus Returns is being developed collaboratively by the Spanish video game development studio MercurySteam and the Japanese company Nintendo.[2][9] Yoshio Sakamoto, executive officer of Nintendo's Entertainment Planning & Development division, is overseeing the game's production, while Takehiko Hosokawa of the same studio is the game's director.[4][10] As thirteen years had passed since the last 2D Metroid game—Zero Mission (2004)—was released, Sakamoto had a desire to create a new game in this style.[2] He was also aware of the growing demand from fans for a new 2D Metroid game. Sakamoto had heard that MercurySteam were interested in taking on the challenge of remaking a Metroid game, so he visited their studio to organise a collaboration.[9] Although Sakamoto did not work on Metroid II, he believed it to be an important game within the series and so he was enthusiastic about remaking the title. Development on Samus Returns began in 2015.[2]

Sakamoto noted that the potential for 2D games in the Metroid franchise had opened up for Nintendo following the announcement of the game.[5][4] He expressed that he was keen to evolve some of the traditions in 2D Metroid games.[4] As a remake, he wanted to preserve some of the originality and wanted to avoid changing things without good reason. Their approach was to add to aspects which improved upon the game's core concept.[2] These ideas led to some control enhancements, such as the addition of free aiming for more precise firing.[4] The idea of a melee counterattack came from MercurySteam, who had implemented a similar parry mechanic in their previous game Mirror of Fate (2013).[9] Sakamoto felt that the inclusion of the melee counterattack offered players an alternative combat style, in contrast to previous games where the player had to rely on dodging charge attacks from enemies and then defeating them from afar.[4]

The decision to transition from the 2D pixel art of previous Metroid titles to 3D polygonal graphics was made so that the development team could incorporate a lot of varied animation and use different angles to enhance the cutscenes.[9] The audio team is led by two composers, Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano, who both worked on the music for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System game Super Metroid (1994), among other titles in the series.[5][10]

Release

The project was revealed on 13 June 2017 during Nintendo's Treehouse livestream at the Electronic Entertainment Expo 2017.[3] It is scheduled to launch for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console on 15 September 2017.[1] A special edition version of the game will include a reversible cover and a soundtrack CD called Samus Archives, featuring 25 tracks from numerous Metroid games including Samus Returns.[5] A European Legacy Edition version will also include a soundtrack CD, alongside a 40-page art book, a Morph Ball keyring, an S-marked pin badge, a download code for Metroid II, and a steelbook designed in the likeness of a Game Boy cartridge.[11] Two Amiibo figurines will be released alongside the game;[3] one figurine is of Samus kneeling in the pose shown on the cover art of Metroid II, while the other is of a Metroid creature that has escaped containment.[12] A special "Samus Edition" of the New Nintendo 3DS XL console will also be available on the game's release.[13]

References

  1. 1 2 Pereira, Chris (13 June 2017). "E3 2017: Metroid 2 Remake Samus Returns Coming To 3DS, Release Date And Special Edition Confirmed". GameSpot. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  2. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Webster, Andrew (14 June 2017). "Samus Returns is a confident throwback to Metroid’s roots". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 Frank, Allegra (13 June 2017). "Metroid: Samus Returns comes to Nintendo 3DS this year (update)". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  4. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Metroid: Samus Returns - Developer Diary (Nintendo 3DS) (YouTube video). Nintendo UK. 14 June 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  5. 1 2 3 4 Schreier, Jason (13 June 2017). "Nintendo Has A Second Metroid Too, Metroid: Samus Returns For 3DS [Update: Gameplay Details]". Kotaku. Univision Communications. Archived from the original on 13 June 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  6. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (31 July 2017). "Metroid: Samus Returns’ hard mode seemingly locked behind amiibo". Polygon. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 1 August 2017. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  7. ↑ Kim, Matt (8 August 2017). "Nintendo Addresses the Metroid: Samus Returns Amiibo Controversy". USgamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 11 August 2017. Retrieved 11 August 2017.
  8. ↑ Weinberger, Matt (13 June 2017). "After 26 years, Nintendo is bringing back a forgotten classic 'Metroid' game for a gorgeous remake". Business Insider. Axel Springer SE. Archived from the original on 8 August 2017. Retrieved 14 June 2017.
  9. 1 2 3 4 Sakamoto, Yoshio; Márquez, Jose Luis (15 June 2017). "E3 2017: Metroid's Producer Talks MercurySteam's Contributions To Samus Returns". GameSpot (Interview). Interview with Kevin Knezevic. CBS Interactive. Archived from the original on 16 June 2017. Retrieved 16 June 2017.
  10. 1 2 Metroid: Samus Returns - Game Reveal - Nintendo E3 2017 (YouTube video). Nintendo. 15 June 2017. Retrieved 20 June 2017.
  11. ↑ Arif, Shabana (26 June 2017). "Metroid: Samus Returns Collector’s Edition for Europe is bloody marvellous". VG247. Videogaming247 Ltd. Archived from the original on 27 June 2017. Retrieved 1 July 2017.
  12. ↑ Phillips, Tom (13 June 2017). "Metroid: Samus Returns announced for 3DS". Eurogamer. Gamer Network. Archived from the original on 8 July 2017. Retrieved 13 June 2017.
  13. ↑ Webster, Andrew (8 August 2017). "Nintendo is releasing a sleek Metroid-themed 3DS in time for Samus’ return". The Verge. Vox Media. Archived from the original on 9 August 2017. Retrieved 10 August 2017.
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