Another Metroid 2 Remake (Fan Game)

Introduction
If there is any genre that is very popular at the moment it is the Metroidvania genre, in that light, I would like to review a Metroid game but not just any Metroid game! We are going to look at a fan game called Another Metroid 2 Remake, is this game worth playing? A good thing to note is that this version is free to download and play! A complete free Metroid adventure but how well does this gameplay? In this game, you will need to take care of the Metroid’s that are roaming on SRX388 just like in the original Metroid 2 but the graphics reminded me more of Metroid Fusion.

I had to double-check if this was not really a game by Nintendo that is how good the graphics are! The best part is that you can now play a Metroid game on your PC, there are different difficulties and there is even a fusion mode! Getting 100% on this game is going to be hard and mostly for people that are insanely good at shine sparking. I can only perform some basic moves with shine sparking, I failed to collect 100% but I love to try in the future!

What did I think before playing Another Metroid 2 Remake?
I found this game by accident when I saw a post on Facebook of someone playing this game, this needed to be investigated of course!
Metroid has always been one of my favorite genres, I still remember getting Metroid Fusion when I was 8 for Christmas!
The game totally freaked me out and gave me nightmares but I had so much fun while playing.
I watched some trailers and I needed to check a few times if this was really not made by Nintendo, the graphics are insanely good!
The gameplay reminded me of Metroid fusion, I finally found a new game that could scratch my true Metroid itch!
The game offers the same gameplay that you would expect from a normal Metroid game, although I got to admit that the power-ups are well made in this game.
I saw the spider ball upgrade in the trailer, I was immediately sold! Installing the game was a bit harder than I had expected but that did not bother me!

I rate Another Metroid 2 Remake with a 9.0 before playing.
What are you waiting for? If you love the Metroidvania genre you need to play this game! It is worth the trouble that you need to go through when downloading this game.

Story
You play as Samus Aran, a galactic bounty hunter with a great reputation. You are tasked to exterminate all the Metroid’s on SRX388, the Metroid’s are too dangerous and could destroy the galaxy.
Metroid’s are the most dangerous creatures in the galaxy. Or might there be something more sinister out there?

I rate the story for Another Metroid 2 Remake with an 8.5.
The story is the same as Metroid 2 and it remains a great story.

Gameplay
The gameplay in Another Metroid Remake 2 is upgrade based, as you unlock new upgrades you are able to explore new areas. You start with only 1 energy bar but you can find new energy bars by exploring the SRX388.
You will need to fight your way through many enemies that defend new areas or upgrades, these new upgrades can differ from carrying more missiles to being able to plant bombs while morphing.
Your goal is to defeat all the Metroid’s that are lurking around SRX388, when defeating enough Metroid’s, you will be able to delve deeper into SRX388. As you progress through the game the Metroid’s will keep evolving, this also means that the Metroid’s will keep getting stronger. Where do all these Metroid’s come from? Can you find the queen Metroid and take her down?

SPOILER!
There are multiple difficulties for Another Metroid 2 Remake, there is even a fusion mode that makes use of the X parasite, if you are curious as to what an X parasite is, this parasite can take over your nervous system and devour you from within. The X parasite then makes a copy of your DNA, you have just been erased and replaced! If you complete Another Metroid 2 Remake with 100% you can get a secret scene that features an X parasite. In the fusion mode, you will need to use X parasites to heal, this works the same way as in Metroid Fusion but I gathered they spawn less thus making the game more difficult.
SPOILER END

There were some aspects to the gameplay that catered to the more advanced players which prevented me from getting the secret ending! Most of the normal upgrades are easily collected. The energy bars are also easy to collect but some power missiles and powerbomb upgrades are hidden behind advanced shine sparking puzzles. I was really bad at shine sparking when I just started Metroid and I am still bad at it. I was able to solve a few of the shine sparking puzzles!
For the people that don’t know what shine sparking is, in Metroid, you can run very fast after getting a certain upgrade and run through some walls. When shine sparking you will need to perform a certain combo within a few milliseconds which will grant you the ability to fly or even roll with the shine spark buff. Shinesparking is very difficult and I liked the puzzles a lot but I wish these were a bit easier for getting the secret ending!

I rate the gameplay of Another Metroid 2 Remake with an 8.5
There are a few problems here and there but all in all, this is just another Metroid game! My only issue was with getting the 100% ending to be too much trouble for me. I will return later with a new resolve to try and complete these hard puzzles!

Sound and Graphics
The graphics are just like what you expect from a Metroid game, if you would tell me this was an official game, I would have believed you! I loved the new looks for some of the Metroid, especially the new look of the queen Metroid! The sound is very well crafted and adds a perfect touch to create the right atmosphere for the game. It is a mix between Metroid Fusion and Metroid 2. All in all, it seems very unique to me.

I rate the sound and graphics with an 8.5 for Another Metroid 2 Remake.
The graphics are a perfect recreation of the Metroid games, combine this with the soundtracks that are able to create a perfect tense atmosphere. At which moment will you suddenly be jumped by a Metroid?

What did I think of Another Metroid 2 Remake after playing?
This game has the ability to mimic Metroid almost perfectly, everyone that has a Metroidvania itch will be able to scratch that itch with Another Metroid 2 Remake.
My biggest problem was with the shine sparking as it required way more advanced techniques compared with the normal Metroid games.
The new upgrades are indeed something that I would love to see in other Metroid games, as there have not been any 2D Metroid games lately, this is where you need to be.
The Metroid fights feel very unique and they change over the course of the game, there are some neat new mechanics and monsters to fight as well.
You can still try to sequence break the game as with all other Metroid games. There is even a boss from Metroid Fusion, this really surprised me but it was a fun fight.
This game definitively exceeded my expectations and I am going to play through the game a lot more while hoping to achieve the secret ending!

I rate Another Metroid 2 Remake with a 9.2 after playing!
I wonder which Metroid 2 remake is better, the official Nintendo 3DS Metroid or this Another Metroid 2 Remake?

Personal Rating
I don’t have anything to add for my personal rating, I have already said everything that I wanted to.

My personal rating for Another Metroid 2 Remake is a 9.0

Pros and Cons

Pros
– A real (Depends on how you look at it though) Metroid game to scratch your Metroid itch.
– New enemies for you to fight with amazing graphics and animations.
– Wonderful soundtracks and sound effects that create the perfect atmosphere.
– Cool upgrades for you to find like the spider ball!
– The Metroid fights are unique and they keep evolving as you progress through the game.
– The developer of Another Metroid 2 Remake did not forget about the X parasite.
– Sequence breaking is possible if you put your mind to it!
– I want a baby Metroid as well!

Cons
– The secret ending might be too hard to achieve for casual players.
– The shine sparking puzzles might be too hard for casual players.

I would recommend this game to anyone that loves the Metroidvania genre and this game is even free to download! If you did not know it, you would think this is an official Metroid game!
The final rating for Another Metroid Remake 2 is …drumroll…

8.7

Let me know what you think about the game in the comment section!
I hope you liked reading the review, I hope to see you in the next review!