Another Metroid 2 Remake

Another Metroid 2 Remake (often shortened to AM2R) is a fan-produced 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, shortly afterward, 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
The game's plot is largely unchanged from Metroid II. It now features a Super Metroid-style introduction narrated by Samus Aran, 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 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 drawn by "PhazonZim".

Gameplay
As stated, the gameplay has been updated in the style of Super Metroid and Zero Mission, and now allows for Sequence Breaking. A Map system, stacking of beams, the Power Grip and the previously mentioned logbook have been added. Unlike in the Metroid Prime series, Logbook scans are obtained automatically upon entering new areas, Metroids and bosses. Items that were not present in Metroid II but have later become series staples appear in AM2R, such as the Gravity Suit, Charge Beam, Super Missiles and Power Bombs. 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 near SR388 in Metroid Fusion. Curiously, Blob Throwers and Septoggs are completely absent from AM2R. The number of Metroids has been slightly increased.

Areas

 * Surface
 * The Golden Temple
 * Hydro Station
 * Industrial Complex
 * Mining Facility
 * The Tower
 * Power Plant
 * Distribution Center
 * GFS Thoth
 * The Nest
 * Genetics Laboratory

Links 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 her orange Ending Outfit from Zero Mission in the Game Over and the best ending.
 * 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. Several tracks from Echoes are 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 visors, 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.
 * 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.
 * 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. 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' theme from Fusion (later remixed into Berserker Lord in Corruption).

Development
Development of the game began in 2008. 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.

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 Luminoth theme in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, and The Tower's theme 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 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 DMCA, an update was released on August 18, 2016, which fixes translation issues, 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.

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 until after its release, when it 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 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 encouraged fans not to criticize them as it was within their legal rights to protect their intellectual property. He did state that he plans to continue improving on the game privately. He encouraged fans to buy the original Metroid II on the 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.