The following comes from a Game Informer interview with series producer Yoshio Sakamoto...
On working on the original Metroid
“My boss told me that the Metroid team was having a very hard time, and as someone who had experience on building video game projects could I go and somehow help this game progress to release? In short, I was forcefully asked to participate. By his tone, I really smelled danger. And as I joined the project and looked around, I realized that the release date was right around the corner but the project had nothing there. Even with our limited resources and time, I figured out how we could leverage the existing components of the game to create variation and an exciting experience.”
On a desire to return to 2D Metroid and revisiting Metroid II with new features
“I have been wanting to make a 2D Metroid game for four or five years. Compared to the rest of the Metroid franchise, Metroid II has a unique game design and its characteristics really stand out. I didn’t make the original, but I have huge respect for the original game. It tells the story of an important event in the Metroid series, which is Samus meeting the big Metroid, so I wanted players to have the opportunity to experience this very important event in the franchise.
The original Game Boy version had a very simple and straightforward progression. So, of course, I wanted to add many things to spice up and excite the experience on SR388. The player can make many new discoveries and new findings. The flow is basically the same, but we have some extra areas and we powered up the map system.
The melee counter system was a proposal from MercurySteam. Looking at the prototype, even from a glance, it felt fresh and new, and I really felt a possibility that this Metroid was going to be something new. I think it brings a new spice to the Metroid gameplay and I think it’s a really great invention."
On continuing the Metroid franchise, and pushing forward with 2D
“Metroid was one of my first experiences on a pretty big video game project, but I wasn’t sure if players would enjoy the game. I thought that it was a special game, and even then, I believed that it could be a special franchise, something that I would like to continue. Through the development of Metroid 1, I really grasped the possibilities and potential of a video game
The player who has played the original version and then this new version – I think they will be able to sense and feel the passion I put into this version. Through the development of Metroid: Samus Returns, I was able to really grasp the possibility and fun of a 2D Metroid. Like when I finished the first game, if there is another opportunity to make another Metroid, that is something that I would love to do. Of course, that really depends on how much people really want to buy a 2D Metroid.”
from GoNintendo
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