AM2R: Return of Samus

Summary

AM2R, short for Another Metroid 2 Remake, is an action-adventure video game created by Milton Guasti under the alias DoctorM64, and launched in August 2016 for Microsoft Windows, marking the 30th anniversary of the Metroid franchise. It serves as an unofficial, upgraded reimagining of Nintendo's Game Boy title Metroid II: Return of Samus (1991), drawing inspiration from the visual style and atmosphere of the Game Boy Advance title Metroid: Zero Mission (2004). Shortly after its release, Nintendo issued DMCA notices to sites hosting AM2R; as a result, download links were taken down from the game's official site, though Guasti stated he intended to keep working on the project privately. In September 2016, Guasti halted development of AM2R after receiving a DMCA takedown notice from Nintendo. The game centers on Samus Aran, who is on a mission to eliminate the parasitic Metroids on their native world SR388. It introduces a range of new elements, such as remastered visuals and soundtrack, a map interface, additional zones, and new minibosses. The controls were adjusted to feel less "floaty," aligning with the mechanics of later entries in the series. Gaming critics praised the title, often describing it as impressive and highlighting the enhanced visuals over the original Metroid II, though one critic noted that the conditions for defeating Metroids were too precise given their frequent appearances. The game was nominated for The Game Awards 2016, but was quietly removed from the nominations page without explanation.

Storyline

The story remains largely the same as in Metroid II, but now includes a Super Metroid-style opening narration by Samus Aran (voiceover above), explaining the purpose of her mission on SR388. As the game progresses, Samus's scanners automatically collect Logbook entries in a style similar to the Metroid Prime series, offering more background on locations and bosses. She can explore optional zones, including the crash sites of the G.F.S. Thoth and an Anhur-class patrol vessel carrying the two doomed Galactic Federation teams sent to rescue the earlier Galactic Federation Special Squadron. These teams' final resting places were never shown in Metroid II, even though they were mentioned in the manual. Samus also encounters surviving Federation Marines fighting a Zeta Metroid that evolves into an Omega Metroid and easily defeats them. There is no way to save the marines. The strange quakes connected to the Metroids' deaths are hinted to be caused by the Queen Metroid herself, as her cries can be heard during the final few tremors in the game. The Logbook explains that the cave system lies between two tectonic plates on SR388. The game concludes with Samus eliminating the remaining Metroids, the Queen, and finding a young Metroid she later refers to as the baby. After the credits roll, Samus delivers the iconic line from Super Metroid: "The last Metroid is in captivity. The galaxy is at peace." In the best possible ending, Samus is shown in her Gunship contacting the Space Science Academy about the baby, setting the stage for Super Metroid.

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