One example of an Aeion ability is the Scan Pulse, which lets Samus scan the surrounding environment for hidden pathways and items. Samus also has a selection of new powers, called Aeion abilities, that rely on an energy gauge for their usage. In Metroid II, her firing direction was limited to specific angles, whereas now she is capable of firing freely at any angle. Samus can perform a melee counterattack to deal critical damage on foes. The game introduces some features that are new to the side-scrolling Metroid games. Samus Returns is a remake 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. 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. Metroid: Samus Returns is a side-scrolling action-adventure displayed in a 2.5D perspective. The player controls Samus Aran from a side-scrolling perspective on the 3DS top screen, and sees the HUD and map on the bottom screen. Sakamoto was impressed with MercurySteam's understanding of the series, leading to their continued partnership for Metroid Dread (2021) on the Nintendo Switch. It received awards and accolades from multiple publications and awards shows, including Best Handheld Game at The Game Awards 2017. Some criticism was given to the controls and the counterattack mechanics.

Samus Returns received positive reviews upon release for its visuals and improvements over the original version, with many also deeming it a return to form for the series. Music was composed by Daisuke Matsuoka and directed by Kenji Yamamoto, who had co-composed the music for Super Metroid. New gameplay features and areas were added to 'spice up' the experience of the original game. MercurySteam originally pitched a remake of Metroid Fusion before Sakamoto suggested remaking Metroid II.

While the story and structure parallel the original game, Samus Returns features redone graphics, updated controls and user interface, and new gameplay mechanics not seen in previous 2D Metroid titles, such as a melee counterattack and the ability to aim freely at any angle.ĭevelopment began in 2015, overseen by longtime producer Yoshio Sakamoto. Players control series protagonist Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is contracted by the Galactic Federation to exterminate the parasitic Metroid species on their home planet of SR388. It is a remake of the 1991 Game Boy game Metroid II: Return of Samus. Metroid: Samus Returns is a 2017 action-adventure game developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD and published by Nintendo for the Nintendo 3DS handheld game console.

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