Review for Metroid: Samus Returns. Nintendo 3DS game, the video game was released on 15/09/2017
Some games are perfectly suited to a genre, embodying its intrinsic characteristics in all respects. Others, however, not finding a precise location, invent the genre. So, thanks to Castlevania e Metroid, between 1986 and 1987 the genre was born Metroidvania: a two-dimensional side scrolling action / platform / shooter / RPG that, thanks to its skills, will captivate millions of fans. Today from the skilled hands of Nintendo e MercurySteam It is born Metroid: Samus Returns, the answer to a question that fans of the series have been raising for a decade: "When will we see a Metroid that lives up to its fame?". Ladies and gentlemen, here it is!
Over time there have been alternate chapters, some truly remarkable, that deviate from the original genre, but all featured bounty hunter Samus Aran struggling with the most terrible species in the known universe: the metroids. Symbiotic beings in the shape of a jellyfish capable of extracting the vital energy and genetic characteristics of the living beings that prey. In this way the metroid is able to mutually change its characteristics and its physical form, giving rise to new and more deadly creatures.
The planet SR-388, home of the metroids, was the starting point of the adventures of the series: Space pirates, alien entities, spaceships and unknown planets are just some of the scenarios in which history has unraveled, until it sees its epilogue in the premature extinction of the so dangerous alien race. Or so we believed. After careful analysis, in fact, we learn of a small amount of aliens still alive on SR-388, and the fact that they are few does not mean that the danger is less. Once again, Samus is tasked with putting an end to the alien race.
Here we are, then, to descend on the alien planet after leaving our quiet spaceship to venture out in search of the enemy, armed only with our trusty bio-suit. It is only a euphemism of course, given that it itself is able to adapt, improve itself and implement defense and offense mechanisms. The first of all is the monosphere that allows us to "roll up" to reach places otherwise inaccessible.
It is between unspeakable dangers and environments that define hostile is little, that the plot of Metroid: Samus Returns unravels, reserving surprises able to leave the player always amazed.
Despite being in practice a remake of the second chapter of the saga, Metroid: Samus Returns is in effect a chapter in itself. The graphics are built from scratch, as is the whole RPG component, and even the storyline isn't exactly that of the original. The gameplay, on the other hand, is finally what has characterized the metroidvania genre, in all respects: the sector map with percentage of completion, the seemingly inaccessible areas, the development of the character in terms of accessories and, of course, a multitude of secrets around every corner.
Those used to the series know very well what it is talking about. The playing area contains elements that are sometimes inaccessible, sometimes extremely harmful and often definitively deadly; only the acquisition of extra elements for our suit during the adventure will allow us to definitively explore the entire game world. This forces the player to retrace their steps in search of hidden secrets, new power ups and increasingly difficult enemies to take down.
Thanks to the upgrades of the primary and secondary weapon, of the monosphere and, above all, of the suit, we will acquire skills such as astrosalt, the arachnoid monosphere, the ability to resist lava and water and much more. During our pilgrimages we will find statues of a lost civilization: each will have a corresponding skill or enhancement. In this way the experience "grows" with the player as the story progresses and allows you to keep the attention alive in a game scheme that may otherwise seem monotonous in the long run.
The enemies all have peculiar characteristics even if they will keep the hatred towards us in common. Just enter their field of action to unleash a lightning attack: to help Samus, the guys from MercurySteam have implemented a smash attack that allows you to parry, stun and counter-attack in the style of Castlevania: Mirror of Fate for Nintendo 3DS. A fake 3D view will be activated if our smash is carried out with the right timing: at that point it is necessary to destroy the enemy, who will have left the side uncovered, with a devastating attack. Another improvement allows you to activate, by pressing a backbone, a 360 degree precision sight that changes color in case of enemies off the screen, allowing our huntress to exterminate even those who are out of sight.
The RPG component, which in this type of game is always careless and marginal, does not shine even in Metroid: Samus Returns. The implementations to the suit, except on two or three occasions, will limit themselves to unlocking latent features, but for example they will bring little to the aesthetics of our heroine. Little by little the potential of Samus finds expression in a lethal and versatile warrior who can fly, walk on lava, roll into a ball, roll on the ceiling and destroy any enemy as long as you keep your nerve.
Freezing rays, plasma capable of overcoming obstacles, electric whips, missiles and devastating bombs are the kit of our heroine, but also here we find some improvements: Aeon skills. Four skills, which will prove to be particularly useful, can be equipped and used by the protagonist, as long as you take into account the special bar that will recharge as the enemies fall under our blows. The first is a long-range scan that can reveal a portion of the map hidden around us (including secret passages); the second will allow us to cover the suit with a deflecting layer able to repel the blows of the opponents; the third will greatly enhance our shot and the fourth will slow down time. It goes without saying that knowing how to use the Aeon skill at the right time can make the difference between life and death.
The game menu is complete and exhaustive and allows you to take advantage of the touch screen to switch from one category to another. Unfortunately, the touch is practically only for this, if we exclude the need to change the firearm occasionally. In any case, by tapping on one of the slots that will fill with the skills acquired, you can have a brief summary of the characteristics of the function itself. One more word is required on the concept of death in Metroid: Samus Returns. The checkpoints are activated by the rescue stations scattered around the planet and automatic after the acquisition of a skill or before a fight while the respawn is immediate and infinite, as it was logical to expect from a self-respecting metroidvania. But fear not, despite the well-calibrated level of difficulty, you will be able to recover energy from killing enemies, thus postponing the hour of your departure.
Technically, Metroid: Samus Returns is controversial. The 3D component is really very well exploited and not at all invasive, at least on New Nintendo 3DS, but, to be honest, if you play in 2D you might find the backdrops untreated and rather static. Even the graphic detail, which while perfectly suited to a retro / pixelated style, could have been more refined and defined and to new gamers it could be thin and lacking in detail. No bugs whatsoever or slowdowns of any kind have been found during our test.
The soundtrack, on the other hand, is as always at the top: it accompanies, frames and often hypnotizes the player, not letting you feel the lack of dialogue or a structured plot. Some fun interlude to break up the gameplay sessions - which in the long run could be monotonous - is always welcome, and serves to give substance to an unwritten but easy to understand plot.
We expected more from the enemy aspect, but this is not a flaw in our opinion, but a point in favor of the general atmosphere: in fact, since its conception, Metroid is a game that makes atmospheres part of the plot itself. Alone, lost on an alien world, in search of a ferocious enemy what you encounter is a hostile fauna, not exactly varied, but well integrated into the game environment, exactly as one would expect from the exploration of a desolate and now dying planet. Even justifying therefore, the little variety of common enemies, we cannot forgive the lack of variety in the bosses and minibosses, especially in the first half of the adventure.
In fact, we found the game slightly unbalanced in terms of exploration and content: for one half of the game our heroine has to get by with a few power-ups that will instead be given nonchalantly in the rest of the adventure. Fortunately, the longevity of over 40 hours will allow Metroid: Samus Return to amaze in the second half of the story, awakening the eventually faded interest in extremis.
To crown Nintendo's repatriation work we find two new Amiibo with which to restore the energies of Samus. In addition, a splendid collector's edition, complete with a retro-style brooch and steelbook, awaits lovers of the saga. The equipment of the special edition of Metroid: Samus Returns is completed by a monosphere keychain and the remastered soundtrack of the chapter. A real treat for collectors, as well as the new version of the New Nintendo 3ds dedicated to Metroid.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a great title that has been clamoring for fans for a long time. From the point of view of its category, now almost extinct, it is a pearl that gives hours of fun and that, despite the dated genre, will also win the hearts of new players. The sensations come directly from an era in which video games thrilled, and hit the player with impetus and passion. Few games can do so much with so little, so in this context they are also forgiven for the flaws encountered. And there will certainly be twists and turns, deriving from the human aspect that only the games of another era can awaken with this ease: find the enemy to kill and then rediscover his tenderness and be faced with the doubt whether or not to end existence of an entire race is pure poetry. In two words: unmissable and exciting.
► Metroid: Samus Returns is a Metroidvania type game developed by MercurySteam and published by Nintendo for Nintendo 3DS, the video game was released on 15/09/2017
