Reimagined Gameplay
Fresh Mechanics
Polished Presentation
A step beyond the normal remake, Samus Returns takes the Game Boy original and turns into a magnificent new 2D adventure that does everything a modern update should do and then some.
OpenCritic Rating
Top Critic Average
Critics Recommend
Reimagined Gameplay
Fresh Mechanics
Polished Presentation
A step beyond the normal remake, Samus Returns takes the Game Boy original and turns into a magnificent new 2D adventure that does everything a modern update should do and then some.
Metroid returns with an enjoyable if underwhelming remake of a famously divisive game.
While it's been marketed as a remake of Metroid II: The Return of Samus for Game Boy, Metroid: Samus Returns is more of a much-needed reboot of the 2D Metroid games we know and love. It's a safe, modern take on Super Metroid, one of the greatest games of all time. Aside from some repetitive boss fights and hand-cramping controls, it's nearly everything I could ask for as a fan of old-school Metroids.
A superb remake of Metroid II and the best 2D entry since Super Metroid, that doesn't compromise at all in terms of challenge, complexity, or atmosphere.
A steady drip of upgrades and collectibles ensures that exploring the alien-infested planet of SR388 won't grow tiring anytime soon
To call Metroid: Samus Returns a remake feels unfair. Remakes are old games with new coats of paint: an upgrade in resolution here, reworked artwork there. Samus Returns is far more than that. It's a top-to-bottom reimagining, bringing the bones of a game that's over 25 years old into the modern era with fantastic results.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a return to form and an exciting evolution of the series' beloved formula.
I was delighted by Metroid: Samus Returns. It hits pretty much every note you hope to see in a Metroid game, and MercurySteam's console background is evident in their flair for the dramatic— whether in their introductory cutscenes or their boss battles. Their dramatic reinvention reinvigorates the source material and strengthens the story's bridge to Super Metroid. In short: They nailed it.