@3MonthBeef yeah, the writer definitely had some good points about AM2R's shortcomings (there are a few areas that seem unfinished, and presentation of certain events/moments could use some polish to give them more impact) but their suggestion that AM2R's atmosphere is worse or the regions less distinct than the Gameboy original is just completely backwards.
Moreover, the author criticizes AM2R for "adding random powerups and gameplay" but I found this to be by far its best improvement, and for the most part all of the added upgrades were thoughtfully implemented with plenty of places around the map to use them (moreso even than some upgrades in the official games). I hadn't played a Metroidvania in a while, but I was only temporarily stumped about where to go next once or twice after obtaining a new power, which is kind of a hallmark of the genre anyway.
I get the impression that, even though they author claims otherwise, they DO harbor some misplaced nostalgia for the original Metroid 2. They may have played it only recently, but it appears they imposed a lot of their own meaning and story (based on their love of the rest of the series) onto a game that is ultimately pretty shallow. Yes, it's impressive how much "plotmosphere" the original was able to convey within its technical limitations, but it's unreasonable to champion those small feats while ignoring the considerable accomplishments and high points of AM2R.
Make no mistake- AM2R is a very different game from Metroid 2. But unless you're in the strange minority who considers the original Metroid 2 your favorite game in the series, those differences are for the best.
@3MonthBeef This started out promising, but when I got to this:
"The things that they removed from the original – the atmosphere and narrative – were by far its best qualities. "
If this writer sincerely believes "atmosphere and narrative" were strong suits of the original Metroid 2 (and that AM2R is inferior in this department), their perspective is so severely skewed that I don't think I can take anything else they say seriously. Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees.
Comments 2
Re: Feature: A Close Look at AM2R - The Metroid Game That Fans Deserve
@3MonthBeef yeah, the writer definitely had some good points about AM2R's shortcomings (there are a few areas that seem unfinished, and presentation of certain events/moments could use some polish to give them more impact) but their suggestion that AM2R's atmosphere is worse or the regions less distinct than the Gameboy original is just completely backwards.
Moreover, the author criticizes AM2R for "adding random powerups and gameplay" but I found this to be by far its best improvement, and for the most part all of the added upgrades were thoughtfully implemented with plenty of places around the map to use them (moreso even than some upgrades in the official games). I hadn't played a Metroidvania in a while, but I was only temporarily stumped about where to go next once or twice after obtaining a new power, which is kind of a hallmark of the genre anyway.
I get the impression that, even though they author claims otherwise, they DO harbor some misplaced nostalgia for the original Metroid 2. They may have played it only recently, but it appears they imposed a lot of their own meaning and story (based on their love of the rest of the series) onto a game that is ultimately pretty shallow. Yes, it's impressive how much "plotmosphere" the original was able to convey within its technical limitations, but it's unreasonable to champion those small feats while ignoring the considerable accomplishments and high points of AM2R.
Make no mistake- AM2R is a very different game from Metroid 2. But unless you're in the strange minority who considers the original Metroid 2 your favorite game in the series, those differences are for the best.
Re: Feature: A Close Look at AM2R - The Metroid Game That Fans Deserve
@3MonthBeef This started out promising, but when I got to this:
"The things that they removed from the original – the atmosphere and narrative – were by far its best qualities. "
If this writer sincerely believes "atmosphere and narrative" were strong suits of the original Metroid 2 (and that AM2R is inferior in this department), their perspective is so severely skewed that I don't think I can take anything else they say seriously. Talk about not seeing the forest for the trees.