Metroid: Samus Returns Reviews

Metroid: Samus Returns is ranked in the 96th percentile of games scored on OpenCritic.
Sep 12, 2017

While difficult at the outset, like many handheld Metroid games before it, Samus Returns is an outstanding and completely engrossing game.

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Dave Aubrey
Top Critic
8 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2017

Metroid: Samus Returns is another wonderful 3DS game that gives owners yet another reason to pick up their 3DS consoles, even with the Switch's growing library. It looks great, plays great, and is as faithful to older Metroid games as you could ask for. All we can hope for now is that this is just the beginning of the 2D Metroid renaissance.

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Sep 12, 2017

While this isn't Samus' greatest adventure, it is still a very good one.

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8 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

Maybe the next 2D Metroid will take more chances, but Returns is far better than I expected it to be. The faux magic system, while shallow, adds some panache to the action, as do the combat animations that work within the confines of the engine.

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8.2 / 10.0
Oct 3, 2017

A lot of these more subtle elements were lost in Samus Returns, making the experience feel less weighted than that early Game Boy title. Aside from that though, Samus Returns is a must have on the 3DS, one that’s filled with challenge and truly epic moments.

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8.5 / 10.0
Oct 3, 2017

Metroid: Samus Returns is a solid remake that doesn't reinvent the wheel or eclipse the high points of the franchise but represents an enjoyable and well-made return to what makes Metroid work. It's low on story and high on exploration, and that's all it needs to be. The frustrating moments are few and far between, and the 3DS iteration eclipses the Game Boy original in pretty much every way. It's a Metroid title that shows why the old 2D classics were popular, and it succeeds wonderfully. With a ton of hints dropped throughout the game about a new Metroid game after Samus Returns, it should be interesting to see what Mercury Steam can do with an original game.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2017

Metroid: Samus Returns is a faithful adaptation or the original game that takes into consideration more than 20 years of improvements in the genre. The result is a familiar combat and exploration experience with a degree of accessibility, filled with challenging situations that highlight the polish and quality of the 3DS controls.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2017

Anyone looking for their Metroid fix should look no further than Samus Returns. It's a great example of why this franchise has been around for almost 30 years with amazing environments and awesome gameplay.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

A lot could have gone wrong with this remake of Metroid II, since Mercury Steam's last work didn't impress and the franchise was dormant for far too long. Luckily, Samus Returns is a very good metroidvania and an honorable episode of one of the dearest Nintendo franchises.

Review in Italian | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 18, 2017

Metroid: Samus Returns is a must-purchase for any long-time Metroid fan and a perfect example of the genre. It bodes well for Metroid's future and makes me excited for Samus's next big adventure.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2017

“Metroid: Samus Returns” is essentially a love letter sealed with a bright red and orange kiss mark for old-school fans of the series. Featuring excellent visuals that take full advantage of the 3DS’ three-dimensional effect, lots of Metroidvania-style exploration and arguably the best combat to grace a 2D Metroid game, calling this a remake honestly doesn’t do it enough justice. It’s a nice return to 2D form for Nintendo’s popular bounty hunter.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 11, 2017

Metroid: Samus Returns is a great return to form after the Federation Forces debacle and should make fans of the series happy with the final product. Aside from a few presentation hiccups and difficulty curve, the improved visuals and added content make for a solid entry in the Metroid universe. We have been waiting for Samus to return for a little while now, but the wait has been worth it.

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ZTGD
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Sep 13, 2017

Despite the flaws with its pacing, Metroid: Samus Returns feels like true classic reborn- with all the polish expected of a modern release and stands proudly among the other fantastic 2D entries to the series.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 15, 2017

Smart improvements and additions make this reimagining of a 25-year-old Game Boy adventure a real treat for modern fans

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

An excellent reimagining of an age old title, it's great to see Samus back after such a long hiatus, please don't go away for so long again.

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8.5 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

A succesfull reimagining of an old classic that not only does what the original game did, but evolves its formula to show a more modern gameplay.

Review in Spanish | Read full review

8.5 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

Even if the exploration has been lightly dumbed down, Samus Returns is a great and engrossing game.

Review in Italian | Read full review

IGN
Samuel-IGN
Top Critic
8.5 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

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.

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86%
Dec 6, 2017

A polished and prettified remake of one of Metroid's less-acclaimed titles, Samus Returns spells the start of something beautiful for a series that's been left in the dark for too long.

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8.7 / 10.0
Sep 12, 2017

Metroid: Samus Returns is more than a brilliant remake of a relatively obscure cult-classic: it's a very significant moment for the whole saga, one that actually marks the rebirth of a beloved heroine after a troubled time.

Review in Italian | Read full review