[Script Info]
Title: 
[Events]
Format: Layer, Start, End, Style, Name, MarginL, MarginR, MarginV, Effect, Text
Dialogue: 0,0:00:04.68,0:00:11.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Earlier this month, Nintendo and MercurySteam released Metroid: Samus Returns, on Nintendo 3DS.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:11.28,0:00:15.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game is a complete remake of the Game\NBoy game Metroid 2.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:15.50,0:00:21.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Coincidentally, Samus Returns comes almost\Nexactly one year after the release of AM2R,
Dialogue: 0,0:00:21.51,0:00:26.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,or Another Metroid 2 Remake. That one was\Nmade by fans, and was the target of a legal
Dialogue: 0,0:00:26.43,0:00:28.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,takedown request by Nintendo.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:28.95,0:00:33.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now it’s not surprising that Metroid 2 has\Nseen multiple remakes. This game is an important
Dialogue: 0,0:00:33.57,0:00:37.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,part of the Metroid story, after all, because\Nthe plot - which sees Samus on a mission to
Dialogue: 0,0:00:37.62,0:00:43.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,wipe out the entire Metroid species - reverberates\Ninto Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion, and even
Dialogue: 0,0:00:43.05,0:00:44.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid Other M.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:44.50,0:00:49.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it’s also a, let’s say, challenging\Ngame to play in 2017.
Dialogue: 0,0:00:49.70,0:00:54.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For one, it’s different to pretty much every\Nother Metroid game. Instead of zigzagging
Dialogue: 0,0:00:54.21,0:00:59.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,back and forth across an interconnected, maze-like\Nmap, the game opens up, more linearly, in
Dialogue: 0,0:00:59.14,0:01:04.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,great big chunks. In each area, you find and\Nkill a certain number of Metroids before the
Dialogue: 0,0:01:04.39,0:01:09.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lava retracts and you go to the next area\N- with no real reason to ever return.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:09.25,0:01:13.25,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,This is probably due to the handheld nature\Nof the game. There’s no real need to make
Dialogue: 0,0:01:13.25,0:01:17.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,your own map, as with Metroid 1, and you can\Nexplore a single area of the game in one sitting
Dialogue: 0,0:01:17.88,0:01:22.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then safely turn the Game Boy off, without\Nbeing hopelessly lost the next time you boot
Dialogue: 0,0:01:22.20,0:01:23.29,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,up the game.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:23.29,0:01:27.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But Metroid 2 generally feels subservient\Nto the technical limitations of the Game Boy.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:27.91,0:01:32.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The tiny screen reduces your visibility, the\Nblack and white palette is drab and confusing,
Dialogue: 0,0:01:32.58,0:01:36.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and the game’s got limited controls - though,\NSamus does have more moves than she did in
Dialogue: 0,0:01:36.53,0:01:37.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid 1.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:37.53,0:01:40.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So there’s plenty of stuff here for these\Nremakes to tackle. And it’s interesting
Dialogue: 0,0:01:40.75,0:01:46.28,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to see the different, and sometimes similar\Nways that Samus Returns and AM2R chose to
Dialogue: 0,0:01:46.28,0:01:50.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,address Metroid 2’s shortcomings.
Dialogue: 0,0:01:50.05,0:01:55.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Look at Samus’s movement. Both games dramatically\Nimprove her agility, they both give her the
Dialogue: 0,0:01:55.26,0:01:59.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,ledge grab move introduced in Metroid Fusion,\Nand they both have a dedicated button for
Dialogue: 0,0:01:59.61,0:02:05.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,rolling up into a morph ball. But Samus Returns\Ndrastically increases Samus’s combat abilities,
Dialogue: 0,0:02:05.15,0:02:10.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and adds a melee counter and drops the diagonal\Naiming from classic Metroid in favour of full
Dialogue: 0,0:02:10.05,0:02:12.57,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,360 degree aiming.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:12.57,0:02:17.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The bosses are also an aspect that both games\Nsought to change. In Metroid 2 you’ll fight
Dialogue: 0,0:02:17.04,0:02:22.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the same simple bosses over and over again,\Nwith the only change being the layout of the
Dialogue: 0,0:02:22.33,0:02:26.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,place where you fight them. AM2R makes the\Nbosses a bit more interesting to fight with
Dialogue: 0,0:02:26.77,0:02:32.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,new patterns, smaller weakpoints, and by giving\Nthe Metroids additional attacks in later fights.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:32.30,0:02:36.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Samus Returns does the same, actually, but\Nthe fights are even more elaborate and have
Dialogue: 0,0:02:36.58,0:02:39.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more traditional boss-like patterns to learn.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:39.47,0:02:44.77,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if the repetition gets to you, both games\Nalso have extra bosses - like a Torizo from
Dialogue: 0,0:02:44.77,0:02:49.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Super Metroid, a door guardian, and a bullet\Nhell weapons trainer in AM2R, and a very difficult
Dialogue: 0,0:02:49.18,0:02:51.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,mining robot in Samus Returns.
Dialogue: 0,0:02:51.90,0:02:56.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Other new additions include new power-ups.\NSamus had quite a formidable set of tools
Dialogue: 0,0:02:56.50,0:03:01.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in Metroid 2 but both games add the Charge\NShot, Super Bomb, Super Missile, and Gravity
Dialogue: 0,0:03:01.60,0:03:06.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Suit, and AM2R adds the speedboost, with all\Nthe shinesparking goodness that comes with
Dialogue: 0,0:03:06.13,0:03:09.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it, while Samus Returns instead goes for the\Ngrapple beam.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:09.26,0:03:14.31,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, and that game also has four entirely new\NAeion powers, which come with their own energy
Dialogue: 0,0:03:14.31,0:03:18.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,meter. These are powers that increase your\Nattack and defence, one that slows down time,
Dialogue: 0,0:03:18.45,0:03:22.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and another that reveals the map around your\Ncurrent location. Which makes secrets and
Dialogue: 0,0:03:22.91,0:03:25.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hidden rooms pretty easy to find.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:25.11,0:03:30.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In general, Samus Returns is just less interested\Nin letting you get lost. The Metroid indicator
Dialogue: 0,0:03:30.55,0:03:34.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,flashes red as you get closer to the bosses,\Nthe map screen is very detailed, and these
Dialogue: 0,0:03:34.74,0:03:38.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,teleporters let you zip around within individual\Nareas.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:38.48,0:03:43.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In terms of level design, both games capture\Nthe map of Metroid 2 in the broad strokes.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:43.67,0:03:48.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One area from Metroid 2 will look largely\Nthe same in both remakes. But they have
Dialogue: 0,0:03:48.60,0:03:50.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,different ways of filling in the details.
Dialogue: 0,0:03:50.86,0:03:55.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,AM2R’s philosophy is to generally keep what’s\Nalready there, right down to placement of
Dialogue: 0,0:03:55.54,0:03:59.88,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the item pick-ups and the layout of most of\Nthe rooms. But, the fans added new stuff on
Dialogue: 0,0:03:59.88,0:04:04.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,top - like an all new section where you control\Na robot, and a tense escape sequence from
Dialogue: 0,0:04:04.40,0:04:05.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a weapons labs.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:05.92,0:04:10.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Samus Returns doesn’t add much new, but\Nmakes huge changes to the current layouts
Dialogue: 0,0:04:10.36,0:04:13.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,- with so much added density of pathways and\Nobstacles, that many
Dialogue: 0,0:04:13.30,0:04:17.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,locations are practically unrecognisable.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:17.68,0:04:22.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both games choose to add more obstacles\Nand locks that can’t be opened until you
Dialogue: 0,0:04:22.27,0:04:27.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,find a new ability somewhere else in the current\Narea - making the games feel more like the
Dialogue: 0,0:04:27.23,0:04:31.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,other Metroid titles. Though, it’s much\Nmore pronounced in Samus Returns, which has
Dialogue: 0,0:04:31.56,0:04:35.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,all sorts of weird obstacles that force you\Nto get specific items and even beams.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:35.96,0:04:39.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,AM2R, on the other hand, is fine with you\Nmissing a fair few items, and is more open
Dialogue: 0,0:04:39.96,0:04:40.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to sequence breaking.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:40.96,0:04:45.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Oh, and while neither game messes with the\Noverarching structure of the game - you’re
Dialogue: 0,0:04:45.15,0:04:49.67,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,still killing a number of Metroids to open\Nup new areas after all. Unlike the original, both remakes
Dialogue: 0,0:04:49.67,0:04:53.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,provide a method and a reason to return to\Nprevious areas.
Dialogue: 0,0:04:53.56,0:04:58.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Samus Returns is dotted with teleport stations\Nthat can ping you around the entire planet,
Dialogue: 0,0:04:58.21,0:05:02.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,while AM2R reveals a distribution centre,\Nlater into the game, with pipes that send
Dialogue: 0,0:05:02.56,0:05:07.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,you back to previous places. Once there, you\Ncan use your new powers and abilities to get
Dialogue: 0,0:05:07.24,0:05:09.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,goodies you couldn’t access earlier.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:09.73,0:05:14.27,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,We can also look at the two games’s interpretation\Nof what Metroid 2 was originally going for.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:14.27,0:05:19.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,For a clear example, the unnamed and uncoloured\Nliquid that fills the chambers in Metroid
Dialogue: 0,0:05:19.17,0:05:26.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,2, was seen as lava by the creators of AM2R,\Nand as purple acid by those behind Samus Returns.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:26.09,0:05:30.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And we can look at the backgrounds, too. AM2R\Nlooked for interesting tiles in the original
Dialogue: 0,0:05:30.48,0:05:35.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,game, and went from there. In the second area,\Nthese pipes inspired the developers to turn
Dialogue: 0,0:05:35.23,0:05:39.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the zone into a water treatment plant. And\Nin an area with loads of beam pick ups, they
Dialogue: 0,0:05:39.90,0:05:44.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,dressed it up as a weapons testing facility.\NSamus Returns is a lot less interesting in
Dialogue: 0,0:05:44.34,0:05:49.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this regard. Everything’s just various types\Nand colours of crumbling ruins. AM2R is
Dialogue: 0,0:05:49.90,0:05:54.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more interested in telling a coherent background\Nstory about the Chozo - which is the ancient
Dialogue: 0,0:05:54.55,0:05:57.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,race that built everything on SR388.
Dialogue: 0,0:05:57.63,0:06:02.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And finally, another big change is to how\Nhealth, ammo, and saving works.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:02.30,0:06:06.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In Metroid 2, you recharge your health and\Nammo at different stations, and save points
Dialogue: 0,0:06:06.73,0:06:08.65,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are just save points.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:08.65,0:06:14.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In AM2R recharge stations are gone, because\Nsave stations now replenish ammo and health.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:14.33,0:06:17.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Plus, Metroids drop lots of goodies upon death.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:17.34,0:06:21.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And in Samus Returns, we’re back to recharge\Nstations and save points, but Metroids now
Dialogue: 0,0:06:21.44,0:06:28.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,drop pick-ups and there are also invisible\Ncheckpoints before and after every boss battle.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:28.38,0:06:33.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, it’s easy enough to talk about how\Nthese decisions have changed how Metroid 2
Dialogue: 0,0:06:33.16,0:06:38.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,works. Both remakes sought to make Metroid\N2 work more like the other Metroid games,
Dialogue: 0,0:06:38.01,0:06:41.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,they both made the boss fights more involving,\Nand they both filled in the blanks left by
Dialogue: 0,0:06:41.91,0:06:44.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the original game’s monochrome palette.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:44.33,0:06:49.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it’s just as important to talk about\Nhow they change how Metroid 2 feels.
Dialogue: 0,0:06:49.32,0:06:53.35,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Take that last thing about health, ammo, and\Nsaving. In Metroid 2, you can find yourself
Dialogue: 0,0:06:53.35,0:06:57.83,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,battered and bruised by a Metroid fight, and\Nthen staggering back to a save station with
Dialogue: 0,0:06:57.83,0:07:01.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a small amount of health. It feels tense,\Nand distressing.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:01.73,0:07:06.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,AM2R makes life a bit easier with the post-fight\Npick-ups, and it neatly streamlines things
Dialogue: 0,0:07:06.41,0:07:11.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,by rolling recharge stations and save points\Ninto one - but the same anxious sensation
Dialogue: 0,0:07:11.24,0:07:12.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is just about there.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:12.94,0:07:17.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But in providing checkpoints immediately after\Nevery Metroid fight, Samus Returns completely
Dialogue: 0,0:07:17.51,0:07:22.15,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,removes that feeling. That stressful journey\Nback up through the level and to a save point
Dialogue: 0,0:07:22.15,0:07:23.75,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is just gone.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:23.75,0:07:28.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So when judging these remakes, it’s important\Nto consider the actual experience of playing
Dialogue: 0,0:07:28.26,0:07:33.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid 2. Not just what the different mechanics and design decisions were in that game, but
Dialogue: 0,0:07:33.32,0:07:36.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,how they contributed to a specific feeling within the player.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:36.59,0:07:42.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And for me, playing Metroid 2 invoked feelings\Nof dread and unease. It was darker and scarier
Dialogue: 0,0:07:42.42,0:07:47.44,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than most other Metroid games. It gave me\Nthe feeling of invading someone else’s space.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:47.44,0:07:51.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Where the other Metroid games almost feel\Nlike a big puzzle for the player to solve,
Dialogue: 0,0:07:51.45,0:07:53.64,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid 2 felt invasive and alien.
Dialogue: 0,0:07:53.64,0:07:57.16,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And you can point to a lot of reasons for\Nthis. The lack of backtracking made you feel
Dialogue: 0,0:07:57.16,0:08:01.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,like you were always descending deeper and\Ndeeper into the Metroid’s lair. And unlike
Dialogue: 0,0:08:01.34,0:08:06.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Super Metroid, you won’t return to the safety\Nof your ship until the very end of the adventure.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:06.00,0:08:09.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then there’s the tiny screen space which\Nmeans you can only see a few metres in front
Dialogue: 0,0:08:09.66,0:08:14.22,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of you, like you’re pointing a torch into\Na pitch black room. And where the giant caverns
Dialogue: 0,0:08:14.22,0:08:18.18,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,are difficult to grasp through the microscopic\Nviewpoint of the Game Boy screen, making you
Dialogue: 0,0:08:18.18,0:08:23.13,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,feel small and insignificant, the narrow,\Nwinding paths make other parts of the game
Dialogue: 0,0:08:23.13,0:08:25.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,feel cramped and claustrophobic.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:25.60,0:08:29.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But ultimately Metroid 2 was something of\Na horror game. A frightening journey into
Dialogue: 0,0:08:29.62,0:08:34.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an uncharted planet. A tense dive into an\Nalien’s nest. And, if you ask me, neither
Dialogue: 0,0:08:34.84,0:08:39.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,remake really captures that because so many\Nof the factors that contributed to Metroid
Dialogue: 0,0:08:39.00,0:08:41.95,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,2’s feeling were seen as issues to fix.
Dialogue: 0,0:08:41.95,0:08:46.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So claustrophobic screens get zoomed out and\Nfeel less constricting. Colourful backgrounds
Dialogue: 0,0:08:46.38,0:08:50.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and whirring machines make the planet feel\Nmore welcoming and alive. Classic Metroid
Dialogue: 0,0:08:50.30,0:08:54.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,backtracking sends the player up and down\Nthe planet’s spine. And the more traditional
Dialogue: 0,0:08:54.30,0:08:59.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,level design can come across as artificial,\Ninstead of alien. Which is never more apparent
Dialogue: 0,0:08:59.24,0:09:04.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,than in Samus Returns where you make the acidic\Nliquid go down by plugging Metroid DNA into
Dialogue: 0,0:09:04.04,0:09:07.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a giant lock mechanism.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:07.30,0:09:11.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now, you might say that I’m reading too\Nmuch into Metroid 2, and that most of these
Dialogue: 0,0:09:11.43,0:09:15.81,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,things were just due to the unavoidable limitations\Nof the Game Boy. But I want to argue that
Dialogue: 0,0:09:15.81,0:09:18.01,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,most of this stuff was probably intentional.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:18.01,0:09:23.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I mean, the game was made by Nintendo R&D1\N- the same studio and much of the same team
Dialogue: 0,0:09:23.51,0:09:28.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,behind Metroid 1, Super Metroid, and Metroid\NFusion. So it wasn’t some weird spin-off.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:28.76,0:09:32.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And the game’s producer, the late Gunpei\NYokoi, was the inventor of the Game Boy and
Dialogue: 0,0:09:32.91,0:09:35.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,so was very aware of the console’s limits.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:35.80,0:09:40.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I think the team took those limits and made\Na game that would suit them - something more
Dialogue: 0,0:09:40.38,0:09:43.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,intimate, claustrophobic, and foreboding.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:43.06,0:09:47.93,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And I think you can tell that the designers\Nwere trying to freak you out. Look at the
Dialogue: 0,0:09:47.93,0:09:51.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid husks. They don’t just work as a\Ngood navigational tool to let you know that
Dialogue: 0,0:09:51.94,0:09:56.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a boss is near, but they also act like a warning.\NThey can leave you with a pit in your stomach,
Dialogue: 0,0:09:56.30,0:09:58.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,because you know that you’re about to face\Na Metroid.
Dialogue: 0,0:09:58.48,0:10:04.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then Nintendo used these husks to surprise\Nyou. After always finding husks before fighting
Dialogue: 0,0:10:04.32,0:10:08.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroids, the game suddenly surprises you\Nwith a Metroid midway through a corridor…
Dialogue: 0,0:10:08.32,0:10:10.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and then reveals the husk in the next room.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:10.97,0:10:15.99,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The game’s not afraid to break its own patterns,\Nafter all. The repetitive act of killing Metroids
Dialogue: 0,0:10:15.99,0:10:20.38,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to drop the lava level is shattered towards\Nthe end of the game, where the lava actually
Dialogue: 0,0:10:20.38,0:10:25.40,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,goes up, forcing Samus to go back and find\Na new type of Metroid.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:25.40,0:10:30.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,The music is very telling, also. Of course,\Nthere’s this hopeful, exciting tune that
Dialogue: 0,0:10:30.11,0:10:32.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,plays through the main column of caves that\Nlinks back to your ship.
Dialogue: 0,0:10:38.66,0:10:44.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it gives way to quiet, spooky, and discordant\Ntunes when you descend into the different
Dialogue: 0,0:10:44.05,0:10:48.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,lairs. Where most retro games are filled with\Ncatchy, hummable tunes, including a lot of
Dialogue: 0,0:10:48.86,0:10:54.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,great Game Boy games made by R&D1, Metroid\N2 sometimes just uses silence, some weird
Dialogue: 0,0:10:54.53,0:10:58.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,electronic sound effects, and Samus’s footsteps,\Nto throw you off.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:01.58,0:11:05.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I should point out that Samus Returns mostly\Ndoes a good job of this, with surprisingly
Dialogue: 0,0:11:05.94,0:11:08.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,faithful remixes of the original music.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:13.60,0:11:18.54,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,When it’s not just re-using music from other\NMetroid games, that is.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:18.58,0:11:23.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,AM2R is also a mixed bag when it comes to\Nmusic, and a lot of the tracks have been replaced
Dialogue: 0,0:11:23.56,0:11:27.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,with jazzy, upbeat, Prime-style music.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:32.30,0:11:38.30,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Metroid 2 also had some quiet, evocative storytelling,\Nused to construct a certain, foreboding mood.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:38.31,0:11:42.14,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Like, towards the end of the game, you start\Nto notice that the number of normal enemies
Dialogue: 0,0:11:42.14,0:11:46.73,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is going down. Where the early parts of the\Ncave, near the surface, are bristling with
Dialogue: 0,0:11:46.73,0:11:50.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,alien life, the lower bowels of the planet\Nare practically empty. And when you get to
Dialogue: 0,0:11:50.97,0:11:55.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the area just before the Queen Metroid, there\Nare no normal enemies at all. Just a quiet,
Dialogue: 0,0:11:55.84,0:11:58.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,eery climb up to the final area.
Dialogue: 0,0:11:58.26,0:12:03.07,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,You’ve either gone deeper than any non-Metroid\Nlife form has gone in a very long time, or
Dialogue: 0,0:12:03.07,0:12:07.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the Metroids have systematically wiped out\Nevery other animal, powerfully asserting their
Dialogue: 0,0:12:07.47,0:12:09.71,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,spot at the top of the food chain.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:09.71,0:12:14.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And then you get to this room. Where all the\Nother Chozo statues in the game have been
Dialogue: 0,0:12:14.23,0:12:18.94,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,kept preserved, and sealed away from pesky\NMetroids behind impenetrable blast doors, this
Dialogue: 0,0:12:18.94,0:12:24.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,one - deep inside the Metroid lair has been\Nsmashed to pieces. It’s head is down here,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:24.23,0:12:29.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,it’s body is up there, and its item - the\Nice beam, the only weapon capable of stopping
Dialogue: 0,0:12:29.09,0:12:33.21,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the normal Metroid, has been pushed aside.\NYikes.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:33.21,0:12:37.96,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,AM2R captures this part quite well. There’s\Nsadly no ice beam because you get it much
Dialogue: 0,0:12:37.96,0:12:42.26,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,earlier, but the statue is still there. And\Nthe lower areas are devoid of enemies.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:42.26,0:12:46.74,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But it’s Samus Returns that really didn’t\Nget it. I don’t think the final Chozo statue
Dialogue: 0,0:12:46.74,0:12:51.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is even in the game, I couldn’t find it,\Nand the enemies never let up. Right there,
Dialogue: 0,0:12:51.86,0:12:55.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,in the path leading to the Metroids lair,\Nyou’ll be fighting dozens of standard enemies
Dialogue: 0,0:12:55.82,0:12:59.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,In a noisy, messy gauntlet.
Dialogue: 0,0:12:59.76,0:13:03.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Back to the Game Boy game. After this area\Nand a final boss fight - did you know, by
Dialogue: 0,0:13:03.55,0:13:07.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the way, that Nintendo suddenly removed the\Nability to pause during Metroid 2’s final
Dialogue: 0,0:13:07.46,0:13:11.70,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,boss fight? Friggin’ Dark Souls up in here.\NUh, after that fight, Metroid 2 has one of
Dialogue: 0,0:13:11.70,0:13:16.86,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the most surprising and low key endings of\Njust about any game from this era.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:16.86,0:13:20.84,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,After finishing off the boss, Samus comes\Nacross this baby Metroid who assumes Samus
Dialogue: 0,0:13:20.84,0:13:25.62,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,is its mother. Instead of killing this final\Ncreature and finishing the mission, Samus
Dialogue: 0,0:13:25.62,0:13:29.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,decides to spare its life and the two leave\Nthe planet together.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:29.53,0:13:34.24,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,One of the most isolating games you can play\Nsuddenly gives you a companion. And as you
Dialogue: 0,0:13:34.24,0:13:39.33,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,leave, the Metroid gobbling up walls that\Nblock your path, this strange, calming, and
Dialogue: 0,0:13:39.34,0:13:41.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,evocative music starts to plays.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:47.04,0:13:51.52,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Over those last few minutes in the game - there\Nare no enemies or puzzles to deal with - you’re
Dialogue: 0,0:13:51.53,0:13:55.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,given time to reflect on everything that has\Nhappened. Maybe consider Samus’s final act
Dialogue: 0,0:13:55.82,0:13:59.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of mercy and compassion, which will be revisited\Nin Super Metroid.
Dialogue: 0,0:13:59.78,0:14:04.36,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Or maybe you’ll reconsider the ethical ramifications\Nof your, frankly, genocidal mission to kill
Dialogue: 0,0:14:04.36,0:14:09.51,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,a non-space-fairing species that was only\Nused as a biological weapon by the space pirates.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:09.51,0:14:13.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,A genocidal mission which would be brought\Nback up in Metroid Fusion, where it’s revealed
Dialogue: 0,0:14:13.53,0:14:18.37,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that by wiping out almost all of the Metroids,\NSamus wrecked the ecosystem and let an even
Dialogue: 0,0:14:18.37,0:14:21.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,more dangerous species come to bear.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:21.04,0:14:25.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And maybe this gives a new meaning to the\Ndiscomforting feeling of the rest of the game?
Dialogue: 0,0:14:25.12,0:14:30.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,It’s a dark and disturbing game for a dark\Nand disturbing chapter in Samus’s life.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:30.60,0:14:36.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,As S.R. Holiwell wrote in the terrific Metroid\N2 defence piece A Maze of Murderscapes, “Games
Dialogue: 0,0:14:36.34,0:14:40.85,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,about killing should probably make you uncomfortable.\NThey shouldn’t be carefully crafted to be
Dialogue: 0,0:14:40.85,0:14:47.98,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,pleasant. Metroid II is openly about killing. It\Nmakes me uncomfortable with wordless specificity”.
Dialogue: 0,0:14:47.98,0:14:52.41,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Samus Returns on the other hand is very comfortable\Nabout killing. The game puts a tremendous
Dialogue: 0,0:14:52.41,0:14:58.12,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,focus on combat with that 360 aiming, multi-phase\Nboss fights, ridiculous Aeion powers, and
Dialogue: 0,0:14:58.12,0:15:02.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these goofy cutscenes where Samus does ninja\Nmoves on Metroid bosses. Why Nintendo is so
Dialogue: 0,0:15:02.97,0:15:07.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,obsessed with turning Samus into Bayonetta\Nis beyond me, but there we go.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:07.42,0:15:12.23,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And, so, that final escape sequence with the\Nbaby Metroid contains yet more combat, not to mention
Dialogue: 0,0:15:12.23,0:15:16.76,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,an unnecessary additional boss fight. So much\Nextra combat, actually, that you can hardly
Dialogue: 0,0:15:16.76,0:15:21.87,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,hear that the Game Boy game’s final music,\Nwhich was given a subtle update in AM2R’s
Dialogue: 0,0:15:21.87,0:15:27.04,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,completely faithful recreation of the ending...\Nhas now been given a strange high tempo electronic
Dialogue: 0,0:15:27.04,0:15:28.42,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,remix in Samus Returns.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:32.50,0:15:36.43,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,And if there was any doubt that Samus Returns\Njust didn’t get Metroid 2’s themes, well,
Dialogue: 0,0:15:36.43,0:15:40.61,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,this is a game about travelling to an alien’s\Nhome planet to viciously wipe out the entire
Dialogue: 0,0:15:40.61,0:15:45.32,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,race, with a primary mechanic, the melee counter,\Nwhich is about acting in self defence and
Dialogue: 0,0:15:45.32,0:15:47.00,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,only killing when first provoked.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:47.00,0:15:48.66,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,I’m half joking with that one.
Dialogue: 0,0:15:48.66,0:15:53.09,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But this ending stuff absolutely boggles my\Nmind. Samus Returns doesn’t just accidentally
Dialogue: 0,0:15:53.09,0:15:57.60,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,fail to capture the feeling of Metroid 2 by\Nupdating things, but it specifically undermines
Dialogue: 0,0:15:57.60,0:16:02.46,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the original game in boorish, bone headed\Nways.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:02.46,0:16:07.90,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Now. Don’t get me wrong. I’m not trying\Nto hold up Metroid 2 as some perfect game.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:07.90,0:16:11.91,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,There’s much more to it than most critics\Nseem to realise, but it does have shortcomings
Dialogue: 0,0:16:11.91,0:16:14.05,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,that any remake should seek to update.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:14.05,0:16:18.58,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So I’m disappointed that these remakes\Nhad the opportunity to use modern game design
Dialogue: 0,0:16:18.58,0:16:22.78,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,to deliver the same experience as Metroid\N2, but in a different form - not the same
Dialogue: 0,0:16:22.78,0:16:24.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,form but with a different experience.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:24.97,0:16:28.50,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Because what does it matter if these games\Nhave largely the same level design if not
Dialogue: 0,0:16:28.50,0:16:33.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the same disorienting feeling of exploring\Nthose levels? The same Metroids, if not the
Dialogue: 0,0:16:33.19,0:16:37.55,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,same dread of facing another one in a dark\Ncorridor? And so on.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:37.55,0:16:43.48,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Both remakes attempt to retcon Metroid 2 into\Nmore familiar Metroid design, so AM2R brings
Dialogue: 0,0:16:43.48,0:16:47.82,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,the game up to the same standards as Zero\NMission and Super Metroid, while Samus Returns
Dialogue: 0,0:16:47.82,0:16:51.11,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,feels like a mix of classic Metroid games\Nand Other M.
Dialogue: 0,0:16:51.11,0:16:55.68,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But maybe those other types of design didn’t\Nfit Metroid 2? Maybe the game’s themes and
Dialogue: 0,0:16:55.68,0:17:00.45,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,intended experience required a different set\Nof mechanics? The closest analogy I can think
Dialogue: 0,0:17:00.45,0:17:05.47,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of is remaking the oppressive Far Cry 2 to\Nbe more like the action movie playgrounds
Dialogue: 0,0:17:05.47,0:17:08.06,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,of Far Cry 3 and 4.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:08.06,0:17:12.56,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,So, yeah. This doesn’t make these remakes\Ninto bad games and I really enjoy both of
Dialogue: 0,0:17:12.56,0:17:17.97,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,these titles on their own terms. AM2R is a\Nterrific accomplishment for a fan project
Dialogue: 0,0:17:17.97,0:17:21.80,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,and lots of fun to play, and Samus Returns\Nhas plenty to enjoy also.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:21.80,0:17:25.92,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But, you know what happens to remakes. One\Nof these games will be become the defacto
Dialogue: 0,0:17:25.92,0:17:31.39,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,way of playing Metroid 2, and the original\N- already maligned and misunderstood - will
Dialogue: 0,0:17:31.39,0:17:35.20,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,become even less popular.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:35.20,0:17:39.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,Well, that was a bit of a bummer to end on.\NBut, hey, there we go. Thanks for watching and
Dialogue: 0,0:17:39.34,0:17:44.34,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,thank you for your patience in September - I’ve\Nbeen unable to make stuff for half the month
Dialogue: 0,0:17:44.34,0:17:48.63,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,due to a nasty cold, which hopefully explains\Nmy slightly weird voice in this one.
Dialogue: 0,0:17:48.63,0:17:55.17,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,But I’m back now! And a special thank you\Nto all my Patrons who keep the lights on at
Dialogue: 0,0:17:55.17,0:18:01.19,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,GMTK. Subscribe if you want more game design\Nstuff every few weeks, and to get notifications
Dialogue: 0,0:18:01.19,0:18:04.53,Default,,0000,0000,0000,,whenever I stream new games here on YouTube..