Another Metroid 2 Remake

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Another Metroid 2 Remake
Title Screen
Developer(s)	Milton Guasti
Distributor(s)	Online (links removed)
Engine	GameMaker: Studio
Release date(s)	August 6, 2016
Genre(s)	Action-adventure Metroidvania
Mode(s)	Single-player
Platform(s)	Microsoft Windows

Another Metroid 2 Remake (also known as AM2R or AM2R: Return of Samus) is a fan remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus, developed by Argentinian independent programmer Milton "DoctorM64" Guasti. The game updates the 1991 version with color, a visual style similar to Super Metroid and gameplay similar to Metroid: Zero Mission. After years of development, the game was released for free to Windows-based computers on August 6, 2016, coinciding with the Metroid series' thirtieth anniversary. However, one day later, Nintendo sent DMCA notices to websites hosting the game, including the official blog and the Metroid Database, forcing their removal. The game is still available through torrents.

Plot

“	Metroids. Numerous incidents in the past have brought to light the highly destructive power of these life forms, spreading fear across all known planetary systems. Hoping to secure peace in the galaxy, the Galactic Federation orders the extermination of the Metroid species. I was the best candidate for the job. Once again I find myself standing alone against the Metroid menace. What horrors await me within the depths of their homeworld?	„
—Samus Aran

The game's plot is largely unchanged from Metroid II. It now features a Super Metroid-style introduction narrated by Samus Aran (narration above), about the nature of her mission on SR388. Over the course of the game, Samus's scanners download Logbook entries similar to the Metroid Prime series that reveal additional lore. She can uncover optional areas that include the landing sites of the G.F.S. Thoth and an Anhur-class patrol ship carrying the two ill-fated Galactic Federation teams sent to rescue the previous research team. Metroid II did not feature the final resting places of the three Federation teams. Samus encounters surviving Federation Marines battling a Zeta Metroid that metamorphoses into an Omega Metroid before effortlessly killing them. The mysterious earthquakes linked to the deaths of Metroids are insinuated to be caused by the Queen Metroid herself, as her cries can be heard during the last few in the game. The Logbook reveals that the cave system is located between two tectonic plates on SR388. The game ends with Samus killing off the remaining Metroids, the Queen, and discovering an infant Metroid she later calls the baby.

After the credits, the famous introductory phrase from Super Metroid is heard: "The last Metroid is in captivity. The galaxy is at peace." before "To be continued..." appears onscreen. In the best ending, Samus is seen in her Gunship calling the Space Science Academy about the baby, leading into Super Metroid.

Endings

The endings were conceptualized, drawn and detailed by Azima Khan, an artist who has created several 3D models pertaining to Metroid including the Samus Aran model seen in Rainfall Films' short film Metroid: The Sky Calls. More endings were planned for a future update before development was forced to end.

The "worst" ending, which depicts a fully-suited Samus and the baby returning to her Gunship. Appears with over 4 hours of play time.

The "middle" ending, where a helmetless Samus observes the baby in her Gunship. Appears with between 2 and 4 hours of play time.

The "best" ending, where Samus sits in the cockpit of her Gunship, clad in her Zero Mission Ending Outfit and calling Ceres Space Colony about the baby. Appears with under 2 hours of play time.

Gameplay

As stated, the gameplay has been updated in the style of Super Metroid and Zero Mission, and now allows for some Sequence Breaking in the way of hidden paths to skip otherwise required items. A Map system, stacking of beams (thereby removing duplicates from Metroid II), the Power Grip and the previously mentioned logbook have been added, as well as the new abilities to automatically morph into tunnels, autoclimb small ledges, dedicated keys to morph and aim lock, and the ability to breakfall an attack that knocks Samus off her feet in similar manner to Super Smash Bros.' teching. Moreover, the remake allows abilities to be toggled on and off at will - a feature formerly exclusive to Super Metroid.

Unlike in the Metroid Prime series, Logbook scans are obtained automatically upon entering new areas, and defeating Metroids and bosses. Items that were not present in Metroid II but later became series staples now appear in AM2R, such as the Gravity Suit, Charge Beam, Speed Booster, Super Missiles and Power Bombs. The "tractor beam" effect from the Prime series is present in AM2R, which allows Samus to use her Charge Beam to draw in nearby pickups.

The game also features two new areas and several new non-Metroid bosses, including Serris and Genesis, creatures that were present on the Biologic Space Laboratories research station orbiting SR388 in Metroid Fusion. Curiously, Blob Throwers and Septoggs are completely absent from AM2R, and were planned for a future update before the game's cancellation. The number of Metroids has been slightly increased.

Several changes have been made to the Power Beam. In addition to stacking, the Spazer Beam and Plasma Beams are now stackable, a feat not possible in Super Metroid without glitching. However, as a result of stacking, the beam's rate of fire decreases as the more beams are stacked together, for balancing purposes. Also, the Ice Beam has notably undergone a complete revamp, mirroring Metroid: Other M: instead of freezing enemies in place to be used as a suspended platform like in other 2d games, almost all frozen enemies would fall to the ground and shatter or if frozen on the ground they would simply shatter after a few seconds. This change was made as there was no situation where the platforming feature could be used, and was quickly rendered irrelevant with the Spider Ball and Space Jump being acquired shortly after. As the most powerful weapon in the game, the Ice Beam was moved from the first area in Metroid II to just before the penultimate area as the final suit upgrade.

Log Book entries

Intel

• Mission Briefing
• Planet SR388
• Earthquakes
• Research Team
• Rescue Team

Metroids

• Metroid Species
• Life Cycle
• Alpha Metroid
• Gamma Metroid
• Zeta Metroid
• Omega Metroid
• Queen Metroid

The Chozo

• The Lost Race
• The Golden Temple
• Breeding Grounds
• Hydro Station
• Industrial Complex
• Mining Facility
• The Tower
• Power Plant
• Distribution Center
• The Nest
• Genetics Laboratory

Hostiles

• Native Species
• Ancient Guardian
• Arachnus
• Torizo
• The Tester
• Tank Prototype
• Serris
• Genesis

Items

Note: Bold denotes new items that have been added to the game.

Suit

• Power Suit

"Samus's standard Armored Suit."

• Varia Suit

Acquisition: "Reduces Damage taken by 50%"

Samus Screen: "Protects extra protection against enemies and dangerous environments."

• Gravity Suit

Acquisition: "Liquid friction eliminated - Improved Defense"

Samus Screen: "Protects from all environmental hazards, no friction while in fluids."

Beam

• Charge Beam

Acquisition: "Hold [shoot button] to charge your beam"

Samus Screen: "Hold [shoot button] to concentrate Beam Energy, release to Fire."

• Ice Beam

Acquisition: "Instantly freeze enemies. Extra damage"

Samus Screen: "Instantly freeze enemies. Extra damage."

• Wave Beam

Acquisition: "Beams can now go through solid objects."

Samus Screen: "Beams go through solid objects."

• Spazer Beam

Acquisition: "Beams now have a wider range"

Samus Screen: "Enhanced Beam width."

• Plasma Beam

Acquisition: "Beams can pierce enemies"

Samus Screen: "Beams pierce through enemies."

Misc

• Morph Ball

"Allows Samus to Morph into a ball and traverse narrow passages."

• Spider Ball

Acquisition: "Press [button 1] or [button 2] in Morph Ball mode to climb walls"

Samus Screen: "Samus can stick to walls and ceilings in Morph Ball Mode."

• Spring Ball

Acquisition: "Press [jump button] in Morph Ball mode"

Samus Screen: "Gives Samus the ability to jump while in Morph Ball Mode."

• Bombs

Acquisition: "Press [shoot button] in Morph Ball mode to deploy"

Samus Screen: "Bombs can be deployed in Morph Ball Mode."

• Power Grip

"Samus can grab ledges and pull herself up."

• Screw Attack

Acquisition: "Jump into enemies to inflict massive damage"

Samus Screen: "Unleashes a lethal amount of energy when Spin Jumping."

Boots

• Hi-Jump Boots

Acquisition: "Maximum Jump height increased"

Samus Screen: "Increases maximum jump height."

• Space Jump

Acquisition: "Jump continuously in the air"

Samus Screen: "Allows the execution of multiple Spin Jumps in mid-air."

• Speed Booster

Acquisition: "Run continuously to begin Speed Boosting"

Samus Screen: "Run continuously to break obstacles and damage enemies."

Missile Tank

"Missile capacity increased by 5" (2 on Hard Mode).

Energy Tank

"Suit Energy increased by 100 units"

Super Missile

"Press [Missile button] to select, 5x damage"

Power Bomb

"Press [Missile button] in Morph Ball mode to enable"

Bosses

As in the original Metroid II, it is possible to escape from certain Metroids and return to fight them later, however, their health will have regenerated upon return. The first encounters with each type of Metroid now feature a short cutscene showing them evolving from their previous form.

Note: Bold denotes new bosses that have been added to the game.

• Alpha Metroid - As with the original game, it only takes 5 Missiles to kill an Alpha Metroid. In addition to trying to ram Samus, Alphas can also charge at her at high speeds. Some Alpha Metroids have small talons, or legs, suggesting they are starting to evolve into Gamma Metroids. One chamber in the Distribution Center contains five Alpha Metroids at once. Two more are encountered in the Research Lab sub area, and may have been responsible for the deaths of the Federation research team. Their log entry states that the larva Metroid's transformation into the Alpha stage resulted in the loss of all but one nuclei, leaving its membrane vulnerable to Missiles for all future stages in the Metroid life cycle.
• Ancient Guardian - The Ancient Guardian is fought on the way out of the Golden Temple, in a short corridor. It blocks off the corridor on both sides with spike-lined walls and attacks Samus from above. It unleashes several attacks: a quick blue laser burst, a set of six purple fire balls that spread out in the air and then disappear, six green fireballs that impact the ground (only leaving a safe spot under the Guardian) and drops a yellow fireball underneath it that spreads across the ground on both ends. When attacking, the Ancient Guardian is invulnerable to damage, but is otherwise easily destroyed with Missiles. The Guardian cannot use both features at once due to its archaic design, which constricts it to operating at low power. The Ancient Guardian was programmed to detect foreign beings carrying stolen Chozo upgrades, and it remains a considerable threat despite damage to it and its spiked barriers caused by the planetary earthquakes. As the Ancient Guardian takes more damage, the spike-lined walls close in, giving Samus less room to fight. The log entry insinuates that it targets Samus due to the Morph Ball and other potential items she has "stolen" from the Golden Temple. The Ancient Guardian shares its battle music with The Tester. According to DoctorM64, the Ancient Guardian was an "improvised" boss from Chozo Statue sprites in Zero Mission.
• Gamma Metroid - It takes 10 normal Missiles to kill a Gamma Metroid. In AM2R, they can charge at high speeds which, if it connects, allows them to grab Samus and channel their electrical power into her, before dropping her to the ground. Samus will fall back and be unable to move for a few seconds when they do this, although this can be nullified with the breakfall technique. According to the Log Book entry, Gamma Metroids transfer negative electrical charges from its nervous system to its horns, which allows for the electricity to be discharged in an arc of lightning. The exoskeleton has expanded to provide additional protection to compensate for its nuclei membrane, which remains vulnerable. Their legs have grown beyond the ability to perform locomotion, and the Gamma Metroid instead uses them to capture prey and drain them of their energy.
• Arachnus - The Arachnus battle combines elements from the fights against the creature in Metroid II and Metroid Fusion, and has been expanded beyond simply firing at the creature. While on the ground, it will launch fiery attacks at Samus or its slashing attacks from Fusion; unlike Fusion, it fires red fireballs with wide gaps in between their flaming spots or green fireballs that bounce around the room, and its slashing attacks can be fired diagonally upward. It can also curl into its ball form in the air and launch itself at Samus, in a similar manner to Sonic the Hedgehog's Homing Attack. After some time, it will roar and begin to ram into Samus in its ball form. Samus must lay Bombs in a fashion that the Arachnus will be launched towards a set of twelve mounted electrified spikes on the walls. After it hits one set, that set disappears and the Arachnus takes damage. If Samus takes too long to launch Arachnus, it will briefly uncurl to launch fireballs that move horizontally at standing face height and bounce along the walls, which can be avoided by staying in Morph Ball. After it is damaged by the last set of spikes, Arachnus will die and leave the Spring Ball as a reward. Its power and agility are stated to be a result of the item it carried.
• Torizo - A more advanced version of the live Chozo Statue from Super Metroid is fought as a boss in the Industrial Complex. It spawns from the Chozo Statue after Samus acquires the Space Jump from it. A logbook entry states that this Torizo is partially organic, with a concentration of organic matter on its chest constituting a weak point. This is further implied to be the case for other Torizos, such as the one fought in Super Metroid. The Torizo is initially fought much like in Super Metroid, with its upper body being the main target and its attacks consisting of energy waves and fireball projectile volleys, however its energy waves curve in a similar manner to the Wave Beam instead of moving straight. The Torizo walks much faster the more damage it takes, up to the point where it moves as fast as Samus does when she runs. However, after taking enough damage, the Torizo will appear seemingly destroyed, before it opens up wings and takes flight, and the ceiling rises. There are platforms in the air, and spikes will begin to appear on the ground. Samus must use the Space Jump to destroy the Torizo in its second form. While only its upper body was vulnerable to attacks in the first phase, its entire body can be attacked in the second phase. In this second phase, it will no longer fire energy waves, but instead spit a continuous stream of fireballs, fire egg-like objects from it stomach that hatch into small creatures that briefly chase Samus before disappearing, and attempting to ram into Samus at high speeds four times in succession. Its projectiles can be destroyed for Energy Capsules and Missile Ammo. The Torizo's sprites were designed in 2012. According to DoctorM64, the Torizo originally had wings, but they were difficult to animate, so he ended up giving it a jetpack. He also experimented with a skeletal look for the mechanism.
• Zeta Metroid - Zeta Metroids will die after being hit with 20 normal Missiles, although Super Missiles will help to speed up battles with them. In AM2R their behavior is similar to their own in Metroid II and the Omega Metroid from Metroid Fusion, being a land-based bipedal creature instead of hovering in midair. The Zeta Metroid will stomp around its chamber and spit a stream of corrosive acidic saliva at Samus, in addition to slashing at her with its claws and charging at her at high speeds. According to the Zeta's log entry, the Alpha and Gamma Metroid stages are the pupal phase of the species' life cycle, and its evolution into a Zeta Metroid marks the beginning of its adulthood. Its immense weight causes it to lose the ability to levitate.
• The Tester - A spherical mechanism present in a very tall shaft in The Tower. The Log Book states that it performs 360° live-fire tests of prototype weapons. It is a sphere guarded by four side plates, which are resistant to beam weaponry and are used in a drilling-like attack. It also spins in its position while firing streams of missiles as well as the Ice, Wave, Spazer, and Plasma beams. To defeat the Tester, the side plates must be destroyed with missiles, along with its interior shield with beam weaponry, and finally the core of the machine itself, however, the interior shield has an autorepair system and will regenerate over time on Hard difficulty. The Log Book reveals that this was applied after earlier models' cannons were unable to stand up to exceedingly violent tests. Much like Samus's Power Suit, the Tester's design allows for the assimilation and removal of equipment. Partly helping Samus stay close to the machine in the air are numerous Proboscum mechanisms on the walls. The Tester shares its battle music with the Ancient Guardian. DoctorM64 later said that the Tester was an "excuse for Samus to use all her weapons", meaning all of the Beams she had acquired by that point.
• Tank Prototype - The Tank Prototype is battled during the escape from the Power Plant. The prototype attacks with missiles and beam projectiles; the former can be destroyed for pickups. Sensors on its head allow it to aim accurately at Samus, although its armor has weakened over time. It will also slowly move toward Samus, destroying the generators on the ground along the way. Its head, arms and base can be destroyed, which will stop it from accurately targeting, firing beam projectiles, and moving respectively. The prototype's chest is its weak spot, and is guarded by a destructible chest plate. The Log Book states that this mechanism was originally remote controlled, and planned to be mass produced by the Chozo. However, the A.I. is inactive due to a lack of commands, and it has gone rogue.
• Genesis - The Genesis enemy encountered in Metroid Fusion is fought as a miniboss inside the G.F.S. Thoth. It escaped from the specimen tanks within the ship. Genesis is blind and relies on its hunting senses. Unlike the ones from Fusion, it is agile and stronger, and attacks Samus in the open. Its entire body is weak to damage, forcing it to conceal itself in the shadows in an attempt to avoid harm. It spits corrosive acidic blood via autohaemorrhaging as its main attack, will slash Samus if she gets too close and it climbs on the ceiling and floor. The Logbook entry for this creature states that it naturally hunts in groups and has little need to evolve. Its name was granted from its DNA, which when analyzed, indicated that it belongs to the oldest living lineage on SR388. According to DoctorM64, programming of Genesis was finished only a week before the game's release.
• Serris - A boss from Metroid Fusion that is fought in an underwater room in the Distribution Center. Serris is the fastest animal on SR388. The skin on its underside, a respiratory organ, can be frozen over with the Ice Beam and attacked with Missiles or Super Missiles to nullify its hardened skin and render it vulnerable to attack. It will swim through the water and destroy platforms made of Missile Blocks as navigates. As Serris takes more damage, it begins to swim faster, however it does not use the Speed Booster like in Fusion. After its death, it segments will detach and it will float in the water for a few seconds before exploding. The Log Book reveals that a Serris will move to another location by digging passages to channel water from its previous home to its new one; this is speculated to be the cause of the Distribution Center's flooding. DoctorM64 later said that he felt Serris was too easy, and would increase the difficulty of its fight if he was allowed to update the game.
• Omega Metroid - As the Apex predator of SR388, the Omega Metroid is the most powerful of all Metroids, before the Queen. In version 1.0 they 40 Missiles to kill, while version 1.1 reduced the amount to 35 Missiles. In AM2R, like the Zeta Metroid, the Omega Metroid's behavior is combined from Metroid II and Metroid Fusion. It breathes a long stream of fire (an "organic flamethrower") from its mouth, which is actually saliva that is ignited by the creature's mouth glands. slashes with its claws and jumps around, with the force of its landing knocking Samus off her feet if she is on the ground when it lands. When it lands from a jump, a small, second weak spot will briefly open up on its lower back, which can be targeted for triple damage. The Log entry states that the Omega Metroid's large size is caused when the Zeta Metroid's muscles rapidly expand to massive proportions during its evolution into the next form.
• Queen Metroid - The Queen Metroid's cell structure is suggested in the Log Book to be very old, perhaps almost as old as the Genetics Laboratory in which she is found. Her genetic coding is distinct from other Metroids and it is suggested that the creature went through a unique life cycle to attain its form. It is the only Metroid in the natural life cycle capable of producing offspring, and the mother of every Metroid on SR388. The Queen's mobility has been hindered by her time spent in the hive, but this has caused her to develop a long neck and massive head that can strike enemies at a distance, and an impenetrable torso. The Queen is fought in very much the same manner as before, but the battle is expanded. She will launch a number of projectiles from her mouth, which can be destroyed and yield Energy Capsules and ammo. Her head will then seek Samus's position before lunging at her. Her weak spot, her head, is vulnerable to Missiles and normal Bombs, but only while she is attempting to lunge at Samus. When Super Missiles are used, the Queen's red "eyes" will flash; when Power Bombs are used, her "eyes" will close until after the explosion, but it does no damage. When she has taken enough damage, the Queen will charge a fire ball in her mouth and then launch it at the wall behind Samus, destroying it and extending her chamber. This will repeat at least four times. The Queen will be fought in two corridors and one room where she has more ability to move her head. In the corridors, she will sink or raise her head before launching. In the final room, the Queen will put Samus in her mouth before throwing her away, and can be finished off in several ways. The first way is by shooting 15 Missiles or 3 Super Missiles at her head before she can eat Samus, which will cause her to release Samus from her mouth and shake violently before exploding, leaving no trace of herself behind. The most practical and popular way to kill the Queen requires Samus to allow herself to be eaten, entering her stomach with Morph Ball and laying a Power Bomb to instantly finish off the Queen as in Metroid: Other M; her head and backside will be left behind, with green blood, or amniotic flood dripping from the ceiling. The Power Bomb can also be laid inside her mouth, which will cause her body to go limp, before exploding and leaving no trace of her behind. Finally, normal Bombs can be laid inside the Queen's mouth or stomach until she dies, although again, none of her body will be left behind if she is killed this way. Samus can also unmorph and exit through the Queen's backside if she uses normal Bombs. It should be noted that the escape route tunnel that was present in the Queen's chamber in Metroid II has been removed in AM2R, and Samus's energy is no longer fully restored after the Queen is killed.

Alpha Metroid

The three stages of the Alpha Metroid's life cycle.

Ancient Guardian

Gamma Metroid

Torizo

Zeta Metroid

The Tester

Tank Prototype

Genesis

Serris

Omega Metroid

Queen Metroid

Areas

• Surface - the surface area of SR388, where Samus lands her Gunship, and later returns with the baby. In the original game, this area was called Phase 1. As with the original game, Space Jumping too close to the atmosphere results in Samus taking damage. The first Metroid, an Alpha Metroid, is encountered here.
• The Golden Temple - the AM2R version of Phase 2, which has been updated with an architectural and visual style similar to Chozodia in Zero Mission. 4 Alpha Metroids are fought here. The Bombs, Charge Beam and Spider Ball can be acquired in the Golden Temple. This area can be revisited via the transportation shafts in the Distribution Center. The Log entry states that it stands at the base of a hollow mountain. It was built as a sanctuary, possibly a religious one, and has not fallen into disrepair like many other Chozo ruins. All of the robotic entities found here operate autonomously, with no control signals to be found. They are placed at strategic points within the temple.
• Breeding Grounds - Similar subareas of the Golden Temple, Hydro Station and Industrial Complex, engineered for the cultivation and breeding of Metroids. These areas are rife with harmful vegetation, which are explained in the Log Book as synthetic tendrils that absorb nutrients from dead matter. Predating and scavenging animals often take advantage of the terrain here, feeding on carrion.
• Hydro Station - the AM2R version of Phase 3. As the name implies, it has been transformed into a water filtering and pumping facility. The Chozo used this area to filter clean water through complex pipelines into further cave systems, possibly including the Distribution Center. Despite it being abandoned, most of the technology is still functional. 6 Alpha Metroids and the first Gamma Metroid are fought here, as well as the Arachnus. Items that can be collected here are the Wave Beam, Spring Ball (guarded by Arachnus), Varia Suit, High Jump Boots, 8 Missile Tanks and 2 Energy Tanks. There are launchers here that connect to The Tower and to the Distribution Center.
• Industrial Complex - the AM2R version of Phase 4. It is a factory that assembles Chozo drones, which run autonomously to supply SR388's facilities with replacement parts. The facility has remained remarkably intact and operational considering its age, although robotic workers have begun to malfunction and show signs of aggression. 8 Gamma Metroids and 2 Alpha Metroids are fought here. The Space Jump is acquired here, but Samus must destroy a Torizo before she can leave the room with it. One segment in this area has Samus take control of an Autoad, to pick up stray Super Missiles and drop them onto Super Missile Blocks in order to create a passageway. The Super Missiles, Spazer Beam and Speed Booster are also acquired here.
• Research Site - the AM2R equivalent of Phase 5. This is where the Federation research team made their base and were killed by Metroids. Two Alpha Metroids ambush Samus here, which may have been responsible for their deaths. After the Power Bombs are acquired, a shaft above the Research Site leads to the G.F.S. Thoth site. The Log entry reveals that the access tunnel leading to their research vessel has collapsed, and their equipment is no longer functional.
• Mining Facility - the AM2R equivalent of Phase 6. 1 Gamma Metroid and 1 Alpha Metroid are fought here. It is a long and winding set of old mining tunnels. Two mining drills can be found here. One of them is non-functional, while the other is used by Samus to get further into the base. Cordite, a substance from Metroid Prime is found here, but in a raw, green crystallized form, and is presumably what the Chozo was mining on SR388. It can still be destroyed with Super Missiles. The Log Book states that Cordite is among the most durable and naturally forming crystals in the galaxy, and a more malleable resource than diamonds. The Chozo found uses for Cordite in constructing both machinery and art. The Mining Facility supplies Cordite and other materials to the Industrial Complex.
• The Tower - the AM2R version of Phase 7, which has been greatly expanded. 3 Zeta Metroids and 3 Gamma Metroids are fought in here. The Tower is a weapons R&D factory, and is guarded by aggressive combat drones using advanced shield plating. These robots are programmed to fire at any living target and seek to quickly eradicate any organic matter that may enter the Tower, namely Samus. Upon first arrival, the facility will have no power and some of its rooms will be inaccessible. Samus will find a Morph Ball slot further into the Tower that will turn the power back on. A miniboss, The Tester, is also battled in a very tall shaft, guarding the way to the Plasma Beam. After the Metroids have been killed and the lava subsides, the Power Plant becomes accessible. At the very top of the Tower is a massive statue of two warrior Chozo holding a planet, possibly SR388, in their hands.
• Power Plant - A new subarea not present in Metroid II, where geothermal power is generated to power all facilities within the complex cave system of SR388. Water from the Hydro Station is transported into the system via insulated pipes, while sophisticated turbines use the environment's heat to ensure efficient power with minimal usage of water. At its heart is a chamber with power cells, one of which is structurally unsound. After Samus uses a Power Bomb, acquired in the same chamber to escape, this cell explodes, the Plant begins to melt down and she is forced to escape. This countdown is scripted, meaning that the "power cell temperature" bar that appears during the countdown will only fill as Samus enters new rooms. The Tank Prototype is battled during the escape. As she reaches the entrance of the Power Plant, Samus is stuck behind slowly-unlocking gates, and the Plant explodes, knocking her down and reducing her energy to 5 units. Part of the ruined Power Plant can still be explored after its destruction, and will yield 1 Missile Tank and 1 Energy Tank. No Metroids are present here.
• Distribution Center - an entirely new area added to the game. The Center's main purpose is to serve as a backtracking hub which connects to prior areas using fast-traveling pipes. In addition, a Morph Ball slot distributes drones across the entire planet carrying energy cells used to power nodes to unlock doors to progress through the Distribution Center or hidden power-ups in previous areas. These energy cells contain excess energy, and when shot with beam weaponry, will explode, creating an electrical field that renders Samus unable to shoot unless she has the Gravity Suit; Bombs and Missiles will not cause them to explode, and can be used to move them around. The Screw Attack and Ice Beam are now exclusively located inside this Center, and the Gravity Suit is found in a subarea above it, with numerous rooms containing an electrical field similar to that created by the destabilized energy cells. 8 Metroids are battled here: 1 Zeta Metroid, 5 Alpha Metroids at once, and 2 Gamma Metroids at once. Serris is also fought here as a non-Metroid boss, intercepting Samus after she acquires the Ice Beam. The Distribution Center's flooding is suggested to have been caused by a Serris.
• G.F.S. Thoth - a new area not present in Metroid II. The G.F.S. Thoth and Anhur-class patrol ship carrying the two ill-fated Galactic Federation teams mentioned in the Metroid II manual are found here, and Genesis is fought as a miniboss. No evidence of either team could be found in Metroid II. The room where Samus is infected by an X Parasite prior to Metroid Fusion can be visited here. A Hornoad is present inside, the same creature that the X which infects Samus spawns from. No Metroids are present here. The Log Book entry reveals that the Thoth originally escorted Olympus-class battleships, before it was converted into a research vessel. The crew has explored many planets and studied ancient civilizations and species across the cosmos. To this end, it carries portable drilling machinery for its excavations. This area connects directly to the Research Site. There are three levels in the ship. Upon entering the ship, the entry is expanded with information from the display of the ship's motion sensor monitor system. The first level contains the storage area and ship lobby, the second level contains the communications room and west wing, and the third level contains only the east wing and a Save Station. All rooms except the east wing have no signals, while movement is detected in the east wing. This is revealed to be Genesis.
• S&R Hideout - a new subarea in the first half of AM2R's equivalent of Phase 8, where the search and rescue team made their base. Samus will hear gunfire on her first visit, and discover the team still alive, battling an evolving Omega Metroid, before they are killed by it. An Alpha Metroid is fought prior to this encounter. Besides the Metroids, the only thing found here is a Super Missile Tank.
• The Nest - the penultimate area of the game as the second half of Phase 8, where the (supposedly) final Metroids are fought before the Queen. Three Omega Metroids are battled here, each in rather small corridors. According to the Log Book, the Nest is composed of "thick, globe-like masses composed mostly of crystallized carbohydrates", and only the most adaptable bioforms can thrive in its ecosystem.
• Genetics Laboratory - the final area of the game and the location of the Queen Metroid and the egg from which the baby hatches, serving as the AM2R equivalent of Phase 9. 8 normal Metroids are fought here as in Metroid II. It now features stasis tubes and organic matter coating the background. The Ice Beam is no longer found here due to the inclusion of Beam stacking, although the broken Chozo Statue where it was found in Metroid II is still present in AM2R. The logs and several visual decorations in the Genetics Laboratory serve to hint at the Chozo being responsible for the creation of the Metroid species. During the Queen battle, she will destroy the walls behind Samus and chase her, extending her chamber in the original game into a corridor. In addition, the small shaft where Samus can escape from during the Queen battle has been removed in AM2R. With the final update to the game, a transportation pipe is added that connects the Laboratory to the Hydro Station.

References to prior Metroid titles

The game has many Easter eggs and references to prior games in the Metroid series, including the Metroid Prime series.

• Metroid/Metroid: Zero Mission - The intro sequence in AM2R shows an image of what is likely Tourian with several Metroid larvae. This same intro's text, as well as logs, describe the Space Pirates' interest and attempts in using Metroids as bioweapons, in direct reference to both the original game and its remake. Samus wears attire similar to, but different in appearance from, her orange Ending Outfit from Zero Mission in the Game Over and the best ending. The G.F.S. Thoth has a unique Save Station that closely resembles those used in Metroid: Zero Mission.
• Metroid Prime - A log mentions the Space Pirates' use of abnormal stimuli (Phazon) on Metroids. The Chozo history records in the Torizo log refers to the Chozo Lore entry "Statuary". Cordite minerals can be found in the game, though in their raw, green crystalline form. The intro sequence's text states the existence of several Metroid-related incidents prior to AM2R, covering the entirety of the Prime trilogy.
• Metroid Prime 2: Echoes - The Anhur-class patrol ship belonging to the search and rescue team is the same class as the G.F.S. Tyr that landed on Aether, and also had its entire crew massacred. When Samus steps out of the chamber that grants her the Gravity Suit, her suit's lights are a bright blue while the rest of her body is briefly shrouded in darkness; this is a visual reference to Dark Samus. Several tracks from Echoes are also remixed for the game, including the Chykka battle theme and Great Temple theme.

  

• Metroid Prime 3: Corruption - The G.F.S. Thoth is a Griffin-class frigate that once escorted Olympus-class battleships, ship classes that are present in Corruption. Within the Thoth, there is a room with a Mounted Blast Shield door in the background with the 5 combination locks on it.
• Metroid Prime: Federation Force: The four soldiers fighting the first Omega Metroid have colored armorsuits, which are a subtle nod to the titular characters of Federation Force.
• Super Metroid: The best ending in AM2R shows Samus contacting the Ceres Space Colony. After the credits the introductory phrase "The Last Metroid is in captivity. The Galaxy is at peace." appears followed by "to be continued." The Moon Walk technique, which was present in Super Metroid, is also present in AM2R. The baby's screeching sound effects are reused from Super Metroid.
• Metroid: Other M: The banner of the Federation and some Federation personnel's armor suits are based on the designs from Other M. Also present is Anthony Higgs's Plasma Gun, carried by a large, bulky soldier fighting the first Omega Metroid. The Ice Beam's functionality mirrors that of its Metroid: Other M incarnation, where enemies frozen in midair fall to the ground and shatter.
• Metroid Fusion: The research crew's suits are based on Biologic's research team, that Samus later escorts in Fusion's intro sequence. In that same sequence, the chamber where Samus is infected by an X Parasite can be visited in AM2R near the G.F.S. Thoth site; a Hornoad is present there, which is the creature from which the X that infects Samus spawns. In the nearby G.F.S. Thoth, there is a room with three tanks, containing the brain of the B.O.X. Security Robot, an Evir, and a section of Nightmare's arm. A shattered fourth tank previously held a Genesis specimen, which is fought as a miniboss. The Arachnus battle, which did not have its own music in Metroid II, now has a remix of the Arachnus-X's theme from Fusion (later remixed into Berserker Lord in Corruption). The Save Station aboard the G.F.S Thoth slightly resembles the Navigation Rooms from Metroid Fusion as well as the save stations from Zero Mission. The Ice Beam in AM2R is also the final suit upgrade in the game, though this may be for balancing reasons due to the game's beam stacking system rather than a reference to Fusion.

Development

Artwork created for the game, a recreation of the original game's boxart.

Blog posts pertaining to development of the game began in 2008, the very first of which stating the game's engine had been in the works for a few years before that. The game was created using Game Maker 7 at one point, before being moved to Game Maker: Studio Master Collection. It was developed almost entirely by Milton Guasti, a devoted fan from Argentina.

The game's title, "Another Metroid 2 Remake", refers to the fact that at the start of its development, it was one of many fan-made remakes of Metroid II in development. While others were cancelled or never made it past the conceptualization stage, AM2R was completed and released.

One of the criticisms of the original Metroid II was that some of the areas had little to no music, or that it was not riveting. AM2R corrects this by using remixes of tracks from official Metroid games. For example, the Hydro Station's theme is a remix of Brinstar Overgrown With Vegetation Area, the Industrial Complex's theme is a remix of the Great Temple theme in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and The Tower's theme, as well as the Power Plant subsection, is a remix of the Lower Norfair/Magmoor Caverns theme in Super Metroid and Metroid Prime. Some of the tracks from the original Metroid II are retained and remixed, such as the SR388 tunnels theme, which now has two versions that change halfway through the game, similar to the Tallon Overworld theme in Metroid Prime. Some of the music appears to be original as well, such as the Distribution Center, G.F.S. Thoth and Genesis themes. Of note is that the Queen Metroid's theme now includes sound bytes present in many tracks throughout the Prime series.

Despite the original DMCA takedown, an update was released on August 18, 2016, which fixes translation issues and a glitch where the Gravity Suit did not render correctly, and adds a transportation pipe to the Genetics Laboratory, the final area of the game. On September 2, 2016, DoctorM64 announced that Nintendo had sent another DMCA request to his email, and that there would be no further updates to AM2R.

The game is dedicated to Satoru Iwata, the late CEO of Nintendo who died in 2015. The game's credits can be found here.

Planned content

More content was planned in future updates to the game, before development was forced to end.

• There were plans to add a New Game Plus mode after completion of the game, which would remove the lava and boulder blockages from the main tunnels of SR388, which would grant access to every area of the game (except the Genetics Laboratory). The Genetics Laboratory would become accessible when all Alpha, Gamma, Zeta and Omega Metroids were killed, similar to the Golden Statues in Super Metroid requiring the defeat of 4 bosses before it would open the path to Tourian. The NG+ mode would create more freedom for players, enabling the collection of all items before exterminating the Metroids, or hunting them in reverse order.
• Beam Combos (either a new set or based on that of Super Metroid or Prime) would have been added that would be exclusive to NG+, and would be carefully hidden to encourage re-exploration of SR388. The Combos would have used either Missile Ammo or Power Bomb Ammo for balance purposes, but they would all have been capable of damaging Metroids.
• As stated, more endings were planned for the game to honor the 30th anniversary of Metroid, featuring memorable moments from previous games in the series. These endings would have included Samus fighting the Metroid Prime (Metroid Prime), the baby saving Samus from Mother Brain (Super Metroid), Samus confronting Gorea while the other Bounty Hunters lie defeated (Metroid Prime Hunters) and Samus reuniting with the Etecoons and Dachoras in the Biologic Space Laboratories research station (Metroid Fusion). The plan was to include at least one ending representing a game in the series.
• Additional log entries written by the dead Galactic Federation personnel were considered. Prior to AM2R's release, Latinlingo (the author of the logs in AM2R) wrote several logs explaining mysteries surrounding the biology of larval Metroids, such as their loss of 2 nuclei as they evolve, why they cannot evolve normally on other planets, whether Beta-Ray manipulation works on later stages of the life cycle, and why the larvae Metroids are favored as bioweapons. These logs would have been collected in the G.F.S. Thoth in a future update. A reference to Metroid Prime Hunters was also to be added.
• There were discussions regarding the inclusion of a secret post-credits ending cutscene that would reveal the crystals eaten by the baby at the end of the game to be crystallized X Parasites. After the initial ending was viewed, a scene would have begun in the egg chamber, where an X broke out of its crystal and infected a Hornoad, foreshadowing the X's resurgence in Metroid Fusion. The X would have possibly been crystallized with a chemical secreted by adult Metroids that hardens the X before being brought to the egg chamber as baby food.
• A cutscene showing a battle between an Omega Metroid and a Federation Force Mech was considered near the end of development. This would have been a direct homage to the climax of Aliens, where Ellen Ripley battles the Alien Queen with a Power Loader. DoctorM64 was interested in the idea, and considered that the Mech would have to be non-chibi. He also had the idea for a Mech that Samus could pilot in-game, which would have taken a month or more of work to properly implement. Ultimately, the idea was shelved for a future update.
• Septoggs and Blob Throwers would likely have been planned in the future, as well as a cutscene of an Omega Metroid eating a Serris specimen, asserting their dominance in the SR388 food chain.
• Version 1.2 was planned to include new and remastered music tracks, which were released on September 21, 2016 as part of a soundtrack. The new tracks include a remix of the Queen Metroid's battle theme that would begin playing as she released her first fire attack. While the two corridors would play the rhythmic base, the final phase of the battle would play the full melody. A piano version of the tunnels theme, composed by Torbjørn Brandrud, was also included in the soundtrack.

Reception

Another Metroid 2 Remake received largely positive reviews from many gaming websites and fans of the series. In 2008, when the game was still under development, Arstechnica called it "one to watch out for". After its release, Destructoid referred to it as a "labor of love" and praised its "punchy" gameplay.

Response from Nintendo

Nintendo had seemingly ignored the game's existence during its ten-year development. Immediately after its release, however, the company's legal team approached the official blog and other sites that hosted download links, including the Metroid Database, with DMCA requests forcing them to remove the links. It did not issue a cease-and-desist letter, which would have forced the game's removal from the internet and the end of its development altogether. While the game is still available through torrents, Nintendo's action against it has angered many Metroid fans, whose satisfaction with Nintendo's treatment of the Metroid franchise has deteriorated following the controversial releases of Metroid: Other M and Metroid Prime: Federation Force. In a statement released after the takedown, Guasti harbored no ill will towards Nintendo and discouraged fan criticism of Nintendo since it was within their legal rights to protect their intellectual property. He did state that he planned to continue improving on the game privately (which eventually did, by releasing a new version on August 18, 2016 through the AM2R official boards). He also encouraged fans to buy the original Metroid II on the Nintendo eShop.

Ben Sprout, an environment artist who worked on Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, praised AM2R in a blog post before its release and promised to try it out.[1]

Gallery

A message that appears upon loading the game, recommending that a controller be used for playing the game. Depicts a Wii U Pro Controller.

Metroids in the game's introduction sequence.

The Galactic Federation in the game's introduction sequence.

Samus in the game's introduction sequence.

The Landing Site on the Surface of SR388.

Hydro Station Logbook image.

The module that activates the Tower.

The Federation team that is killed by an evolving Omega Metroid.

The room where Samus is later infected by the X Parasite in Metroid Fusion can be visited in AM2R.

The Anhur-class patrol ship carrying one of the Federation teams, in the background.

The first general Metroid, encountered in the Genetics Laboratory.

The Queen's corpse, if a Power Bomb was unleashed in her stomach.

Samus finds the baby's egg.

Samus and the baby enter Samus's Gunship.

Game Over screen.

External links

• Official website
• Official forums