Metroid: Samus Returns Producer Says Game Was Redeveloped As An Homage

Metroid: Samus Returns producer Yoshio Sakamoto wanted to redevelop Metroid II to reintroduce a critical element of the game’s storyline to new players. But during the Nintendo Treehouse live stream at this year’s E3, he shared his love for the Metroid series saying that – above all – he sees the redevelopment of the title as an homage to the original, rather than a direct remake.

As the Treehouse team played the demo for the game, Sakamoto reminded fans that this was his first visit as a developer to the SR388. For Sakamoto and his team, developing Samus Returns was exciting and allowed him the time and space to put his own stamp on the game. Yet he knew that he wanted to stay true to the original material, he wanted the players to say, “I’m back on the SR388”, so it was hugely important to retain the feel and look of Metroid II.

When asked about how he and his team were able to balance Samus’ new abilities, such as the Aeion ability, Sakamoto said that it was quite a challenge to retain the balance but his team worked hard to fine-tune them and the result is a game that really retains the feel of the original tension without becoming too overpowering. Metroid: Samus Returns will release for the Nintendo 3DS on September 15.

Source: Nintendo Treehouse