Area 5 is getting big

While playing AM2R on the go sounds really cool in paper, I left the whole Android port for later.
It's very likely that this port will work with bluetooth controllers only at first. Touch controls are a science that requires a lot of research and experimentation. Right now I prefer to spend the few hours of free time I have on completing the game.

Progress was pretty steady this month. Area 5 is feeling a lot better, the new layout introduces the new mechanics and enemies gradually, and there are some tricky rooms to overcome, even with all the equipment you have at that point in the game.
For every revision the area gets, more rooms are being added. It's starting to be a pretty big place.
Also, there are going to be Metroid fights, making the area non-optional, as it was once planned. Some Metroid encounters are going to be very intense.

A sneak peek of how the main facility of Area 5 looks like now.

There's many small details to iron out before the testing phase can begin. There's still rooms that don't have their tile work complete, and the destructible blocks that have associated tiles are very time consuming to setup.
Also, there are changes that affect earlier areas, so testing will need to focus on the whole game, instead of just the new area.

Hopefully, if everything goes well, testing should start in a couple of weeks.
As always, suggestions and comments are welcome.

Comments

Keep the good work! I can't wait to play the full version.
ZapDash said…
Glad to hear you are moving forward with the game itself rather than the android port. I hope it goes smoothly for you.

This is stil my most anticipated "indie" game, and Metroid game for that matter.
Anonymous said…
Although I still hope for being able to play this one day on the Nvidia Shield Portable, I'm very happy to read about your progress. You've done an excellent job so far - everything in this game feels like being part of a classic Metroid Iteration coming from Nintendo itself. Except that yours is even better than everything the developers came up with so far... Thank you very much for all your efforts!
Anonymous said…
YEEEAAAAAHHHH!!!!
KAEL said…
YES!! Cant wait for it :D
Anonymous said…
i want the full version i look every day and I hope for an update!!!!
Ridley said…
Damn, that screenshot looks GREAT - I love those old graphics and it's like discovering a never released SNES/GBA Metroid game. :D ;) Can't wait to play the full version!
Anonymous said…
How many areas are going to be in the final version?
Anonymous said…
Area 5 in the original had a very specific thing going on in all senses with how in introduced Omegas... I'm not sure what to think about a purely mechanical facility being the "main" part of it.
Blue Madness said…
I don't mind if the area is not optional, this game has been way too amazing for it to be bad that there's more of it to play.
Unknown said…
Aww man, I'd love to be a tester~ That screenshot has me hyped. Go for it Doc! You're almost at the finish line!
Unknown said…
In my opinion, any update is a good update. Keeps people notified that things are being done in the times of silence. Even though we don't get any new content to play through with these, it's still a comforting thought knowing that the content is being finalized and finished. As always, I love your work and keep it up, my good man!
102 Eta Cristo said…
I'm very excited to see how AM2R is progressing. I love the new addition of an extra area to the game. I can't wait to see how far it goes. Also, the more unique game time in AM2R, the more interesting and fun it will be. Don't pass your limitations, and work only the extant that you are willing to work to. This is very exciting. Thanks Doc!
Anonymous said…
I would say as much as I would love an android port of some sort, definitely highest priority should be finishing the game first. It's looking so awesome, and no compliment could really do it justice.

Also, as I've stated before, I would really love to do save states :D.
Chapolin Colorado said…
That's it, Doc, focus on the real game! Other unncessary/useless stuff can wait. What can't wait is our thirst for a really awesome Metroid game!
Unknown said…
Dr.m64, I'd like to read this comment and to take it into account, I would very much like in the final version was as free to play Steam for Linux, Windows and Mac, thank you very much for reading and take into account. Sincerely a big fan of Metroid
Anonymous said…
Omg,thats awesome! Icant wait!!
Unknown said…
I'm happy that the progress go further and also that you really care about our opinions, like 2 off the ideas I really supportet maked it in the next version of the game. That is awesome and gives the game the chance to be polished by every detail so far. Keep the good work!
Testyourmine said…
Can't wait for the game to release.
Unknown said…
So, will this amazing piece of art support widescreen? My apologies if this has already been addressed, but it seems a shame to limit something so beautiful to an obsolete aspect ratio.
Anonymous said…
That looks unbelievably awesome. I can't wait!!!
Anonymous said…
i hate to be a downer, but have you made plans in case the big n sends you a cease and desist? you have put a lot of work into this and i would hate to see it shot down. on a more positive note, awesome work so far. this is probably the highest quality fan game i've ever seen.
testyourmine said…
Hopefully, c&d's aside, the game is finished next year. Anybody know what happened to first super metro I'd remake?
Unknown said…
The time has come for me to talk. I had an eye on this project for long enough.
I have been waiting for a good Metroid title and I am not one of the guys that go like,
"I really love Metroid. I played every Metroid game and read all the comics and mangas."
I don't play or read Metroid. Call me freak but I live Metroid. I waited for five long years for a new Metroid to be released and what do I get?
Nintendo presents this awful piece of crap called Metroid Prime: Federation Force.
Don't get me wrong here. Most people think I'm just another hater because nobody likes it. I hate it because I spent so much time waiting for a propper title to show up with Samus pointing her blaster at you from the 3DS-Screen making you think she'd blow your brains out. But what I get is "Disney's roly poly Space Dudes"
Metroid other M already disappointed me. It turned kickass lady bounty hunter into a whiny wimp who still freaks out when Ridly shows up. After the fourth encounter. I'd be more like, "Damn it's him again. Time for you to die...again! I guess!"
But it tried to give her a little more personality and even if poorly executed, I appreciate the idea.
But MP: Federation Force is too much.
I am still going to play it, because it claims to take place in the Metroid universe but it just isn't what I wanted.

I need a new Metroid and I need it bad.
AM2R will satisfy my needs. I played every demo and read all the comments and updates and this really is mindblowing. I knew that someone would come up with the idea of remaking Metroid 2 but I never expected something beautiful as this to be the outcome. The soundtrack, the design, the enemies. Everything this game offers is satisfying.
Dr.M64, you Sir are a genius.
I played the 1.41 again and it even made me forget about the shit Nintendo tries to pull off.
Do me a favour and finish that game so I can die in peace when "Metroid5:Black Ops" or
"Space Marinies in Candyland" gets released.
The7thGuest said…
After all this years this Day comes, im happy to see this ! GJ :)
giovanna said…

Esta nueva zona luce emocionante! Ojalá esté lista pronto... Muy buen trabajo Dr. felicidades!! :D
Lo único que yo criticaría es la música de Super Metroid (que también sale en Metroid Prime), añadida en la última zona. Algo más original y con altura de mira le iría excelente a esta última zona en A y B.
Un saludo.
Unknown said…
Okay, so I've been following this project for a few years now, and I've always wondered what Nintendo would actually do if they ever DID actually approach you, and what their intentions would be.

Thinking logically, Nintendo DEFINITELY know about this project. Nintendo DEFINITELY know how well it's being received and I am completely confident in saying that they are taking notes, man. Hell, it wouldn't surprise me if Nintendo are silently following this project as well like we are. Now don't get me wrong, all of that sounds a bit too good to be true, but just hear me out.

What I honestly believe Nintendo are doing, are deliberately waiting for you to finish the game. The main reason I can think of is so they can name a price to buy it off you, and brand it properly as a Nintendo licensed product, obviously with your name in it's appropriate accreditation's, but just so Nintendo can sell it off to fans and say "hey look at this, we've got a new thing!" and market it properly to sell. Honestly, if they did that, they WOULD fucking sell this game, with ease. It'd put Metroid back into the gaming world as a leading product of Nintendo. Who knows, they might even offer you a job.

OR, they probably haven't approached you yet because you haven't given them enough of a reason to by avoiding every possible copyright infringement possible, learning from the mistakes of the other Metroid remakes that copped the back-hand of Nintendo across the face. Haha.

Or, Nintendo have given up on Metroid and couldn't give a shit what happens with it (about .4% sure that is the case).

Basically I can only see bright things for you and this project, Doc. I'm not just saying that because I wet myself every time I see a new demo update, and then wet myself again when I'm playing it, but I honestly think, from putting 2 and 2 together and from experience and observing things around the Internet, that this project will see through to the end, polished and completely accounted for.

I wish you the best of luck, Doc; you're almost home.

- MJN

P.S:
Oh. My. God.

!!!!!!!!!!G.R.A.V.I.T.Y. S.U.I.T!!!!!!!!!! (Losing my mind. I can't fucking wait!)
souturus said…
Hey, looking forward in the project doc!
im very anxious to be playing the last parts of the game
im impressive with your work, and im pleased to test it before the formal release
with that screenshot i want to have the gravity suit!
keep the good work and inform us later when you have Area 5 done!
Unknown said…
Plz someone get back to me at stewartmike199@gmail.com as to how I can get this game or demo whatever it may be on my s6 edge plz!!!
Anonymous said…
Long time Metroid fan, and have been following the project for some time now. Thanks for all the monthly updates and being consistent on that - everything looks great so far, and from the demos I've played, controls almost as smooth, if not smoother than, Metroid Zero Mission. Keep up the good work, man.
Unknown said…
Looking forward to the Omegas!
Unknown said…
So excited! o3o
Can't wait to see the final game.
Anonymous said…
A Machine area?

Not what I was expecting, to be honest, but I can certainly see things moving that way after the end of the last area that was released.

One of the things I really liked about Metroid 2 was that it felt like you were getting further and further from civilization the deeper you went.. into a metroid hive deep in the darkest reaches of the planet - where nothing else could survive.

I'm all the more curious to see how to handle the Queen area now - whether it will be a desolate, dark, lonely cavern, or some proverbial hell that will require everything you learned up until that point..

Keep up the great work!
Anonymous said…
Nice to see at least one fan-made Matroid game in active development.
Keep up the good work Doc, show those fools at Nintendo how a REAL Metroid game is made.
Anonymous said…
Huh, I thought Area 5 was going to be the Omega Nest. Or is that being saved for Area 6?
jorge said…
sounds good news for me doc thanks for the great updates and be careful wiht nintendo
Anonymous said…
Preview looks good, just hope that the zetas get an AI nerf; the whole "blocking every other missile and blocking all of the super missiles" (from my time playing the demo) has caused more rage then is healthy for my psychology.

Really wish they (the zetas) could get hit by a beam weapon of some kind, then there wouldn't be the problem of restarting the fight because the missiles ran out again. Really hate it when that happens.
Unknown said…
To be honest i hope AM2R still sticks to the original game MOST of the time. It seems like a whole new game. I do like that though. I do hope there are stuff from the original you will keep.
Linaru said…
need some areas to back track too.. ones that need space jump or super missiles to open.
when your 'done' will you be adding the entirety of metroid 1 and super metroid to the game?
need more content *nods*
Anonymous said…
Looking good Doc, this game is really amazing, I've been dying to get back into this game and explore the new area when it's done. Keep up the awesome work, from the beginning to now I have enjoyed this game.
Unknown said…
Hi i can't wet to play it
Unknown said…
I really like your game
Anonymous said…
Hell yeah im glad to see your still at it! Ive been following your project since the beginning, and its awesome to see it hasnt died over so many years like most fan projects. I may buy a usb snes controller for this. Cant wait to play, hope you finish soon!
Unknown said…
I can't believe this is still in progress. I cannot so wait for the final released. I like the graphic design too and how the enemies look different. Its gonna be really fun to play!
Unknown said…
Hi,

I've just tested it on my debian kernel 3.2.0-4-amd64 and it work really fine and smooth. Just check the keyboard, don't have a keypad.

Really good work.

Regards,

Johann
Unknown said…
My antivirus seems to think the game could be potentially a virus because of the reputation of the type of launcher file or something. I was wandering if you had plans to make alternate downloads with a different file type of some sort. I'm no programmer or anything, so I can't really explain all this that well.
Unknown said…
I cant wait for full version please hurry.
Shadow17 said…
I'm really excited to play the full version. I really can't wait to fight the metroid Queen again, now with much better quality.
Go for it MAN!!
Unknown said…
I finally got to play the game and I have to say, Nintendo can't do ANYTHING near as fun and awesome as this, keep up the good work. ;)
Unknown said…
a new dark suit and a new ultimate enemy
Unknown said…
Man , you are making a f·$%& master piece with metroid 2 , when I saw this demo I was so happy that wanted to cry , IT´S AWESOME I was searching some pictures and I have accidentally found this , It has some aspects of metroid mission zero and metroid fusion with the story of Metroid 2 :The return of Samus , I can´t describe it but is great , NINTENDO IS MAKING A SHI! with Metroid right now and you bring this awesome remake to me , thanks man ,really ...THANKS!!!!!!
Anonymous said…
There's actually one major criticism I'd like to bring up about what you've done so far, and that's that there's not as much environmental variety as I'd like in the different areas. You rely a lot on very high tech themed areas and water areas, with Area 1 being the only one that doesn't fit into either of those two categories. I realize that you've progressed a lot on this game so I completely understand if you think it's too late to go back and change this, but it's something that kinda bugs me about the theme choices.
Unknown said…
Hey your job is amazing after you finish the game maybe you can released for android and other consoles like ps3 xbox360 psp psvita etc... tha will be amazing dont' you think
Unknown said…
I hope the project gets finish soon
Sergio Durán said…
Hello friend on the chozo ruins' entrance where are some spiky balls there is a good place to place a secret,maybe you could place there an expansion for your energy missiles super missiles and / or power boms or also a warp place wich transports you to a Chozodian laboratory where you can get some interesting power ups and even battle against a giant robotic enemy :)
Anonymous said…
sigue hermano mio
te sigo desde hace 4 años
saludos desde chile
MarioLP said…
If you say that some of the metroid encounters are gonna be intense, they are gonna be intense .
I trust you on that
Anonymous said…
The game is marvelous, tried it on PC, i'm not into modding so i dunno if it's difficult to make this game for GBA, but it would be great if you could make it possible, after all Nintendo has planed but failed so you could be the one that succeeded. Personally i think handheld version would suit this game way better: GBA, Android or ROM for GBA (that would be even greater but i think that you have to make it for GBA and then convert to ROM)...i dunno, as i said i'm not into modding.
Anyways i'm glad that someone decided to make this and we are all grateful even on this demo let alone finished game itself. I'm looking forward to see it's finished...
Unknown said…
I was really impressed with what I've played so far. I'm a graphic designer and would like to help out if at all possible. Even if I can just donate, let me know. I sent you an email at doctorm64@live.com, is that a good place to reach you?
Anonymous said…
Keep up the great work, this is looking incredible :)
Unknown said…
I'm sure it has been asked several times, but when a new version comes out, will I be able to load my save file and continue where I left off?
Nanya said…
Question!

When finished with the game, will you post a map where all the items are at?

Sure, I'll try and beat it without the map, but I like a map to see where the items are and how to get them too.
Anonymous said…
I am a huge fan of this project and I can't wait to play through the whole thing, but I had one slight issue with the last update.
In update 1.32, the controls for a joypad were all labeled as the respective button (at least with an xbox controller) and all buttons were usable, which made it very easy to set them to a very natural-feeling configuration.
However, in the 1.41 update, the buttons were labeled as "Button 1" or "Button 2" and the left and right bumpers are no longer usable, which was a bit disappointing.
I understand it's not finished and this will likely be addressed anyway, but I just wanted to make sure it was out there.
Unknown said…
Just played through the new est version of the demo and loved it, keep up the good work! I remember when I first played through the demo, it didn't yet cover the hydro station, you could only go as far as the temple. Nice to see things taking shape
Unknown said…
What if you had a Patreon for a little side project or a short video segment discussing games or game creation something of that nature.
NeonStriker said…
Awesome game, man. Keep up the good work!
Anonymous said…
My suggestion would be for the Samus walked more slowly, as the super metroid . I think the game would be a little longer (demo was very fast ) think it would be cool, the rest of this perfect for me !
Anonymous said…
This is an important message!!

We love you.

As always, take your time. This game has so much heart on it to rush.
Thanks for your dedication.
Unknown said…
So this is Area 5 out of? 9?
Anonymous said…
Someone said: "i dunno if it's difficult to make this game for GBA"

As someone who is dabbling into GBA development.... It'd be very hard.

AM2R is being developped using Game Maker, a tool that makes game development on the PC rather easy (compared to building everything up from scratch).

Development for the GBA requires building everything up from scratch (essentially programming in C++ and compiling over the specific chip the handheld uses) which precludes using Game Maker, and is very non-intuitive.

As for modding existing games, like Metroid Zero Mission, that'd probably drastically limit what could be done with the game, as most modding limits itself to changing the look of things, and mybe altering the specific layouts of rooms, but adding new functionalities is usually next-to or outright impossible while modding.
Anonymous said…
Very well, keep on!
Unknown said…
So, after having heard the Soundtrack for 4.1, I'm curious, will the Metroid Hive be an area, and will its tracks still be unsettling?
Also, on the topic of music, will the Larvae's theme still be in AM2R?
Keep up the great work, Dr, can't wait for the next update!
cedupont said…
Keep going!!! You're very courageaous to make a project so big and even better than nintendo could have done! Even though nintendo does not actually care about the metroid series... Keep up the goog work!
Anonymous said…
The original Metroid 2 and the GBA games are my favorites and so far your remake is everything I could ever hope for by taking inspiration from the best elements of those games and making something uniquely awesome out of it!

Thank you so much for doing this!
Gutierrez said…
cool! good job! I hope the boss Ridley estee here but let's wait for the full version keep it up!
creXALBO said…
I don't know if there's anything more i can say.

I agree that Nintendo has their eye on this project. I highly doubt that they haven't heard or seen of it in the past several years you've been working on it. I don't know what they've been intending to do, but i'm pretty sure if you were gonna get a C&D, then they'd have sent it by now. I'm pretty sure they've noticed the differences between fans' reactions to AM2R and to Federation Force, and are regretting not following in your footsteps. (As far as MP:FF, it looks like $h!T but i'll give it a chance when it's released.)

Please ignore all the people saying to change things, or add things, or remove things. Also ignore the people saying to speed up development. This game is your child, and it's quite a beautiful and popular one. I hope you make it exactly how it was intended, and that you don't cut any corners to speed up development time. Even if it takes another three years to finish development, we'll all still be here, waiting. Also, you do release stable demos every so often, so we all do get new content, which i really enjoy :)

I'm glad you're making the next installment in the Metroid series since Corruption, and that its quality rivals and maybe even exceeds that of Prime and Super. Keep up the good work!
Unknown said…
I have been keeping up with am2r for almost 2 years now. The first time i played was when you only had area 1 complete and even then i was surprised by the quality of the demo. The second time i played was with 1.3 and I was completely blown away, especially with the Torizo boss fight. This time I had a blast with 1.41 and the escape sequence may very well be my favorite one of all time.

I just want to say that the quality of your work has been absolutely astounding and I am honored to have been able to play these demos. Keep up the great work, and know that a vast majority of your fans here are patient and want you to take your time so this game can be the best it can be. Thank you very much for one of the best gaming experiences i have had yet.
Vehrn321 said…
I like how you focus on enhancing the entire game instead just the new area. All of us see that you're making a game that will be perfect when the full version comes out. I too liked it from the very first version of the game: I liked the graphics, the music, but the thing I liked the most is how every metroid has it's own path of movement, so it doesn't just fly towards you with sluggish speed, like in the original game. At 1.2 i liked how you had to bounce Arachnus onto the spikes in order to beat him. I also liked how metroids had special abilities, like the dash or the dodge ability. I was blown away by how awesome Torizo was in 1.3 and that mini-game in Area 3 where you control a Moto(at least i think that's how they are called)and, well, i thought it was nicely done. But then in 1.4, man, I was, well, let's just say that "blown away" is a very small part of it. The way how things freakin' explode after the power cell cracks is just unreal for me, new, you might also say, because I've never seen that in any other 2D Metroid game. Also, the fact that the "lower tower" explodes with you at the entrance of it, with you just barely escaping the devastating explosion is also very well done. I might do a LP of this game when the full version comes out. But for now, we'll waot patiently for the day when it comes. So, keep up the good work, Doc.
Ricardo Suarez said…
Una idea para el area 5 es poner a serris como uno de los sub-jefes del juego , Solamente poner el patron de ataque de fusion mas algunos detalles tuyos o simplemente no ponerlo si es demasiado dificil, bueno gracias por tu atencion y ya puedes ir creando el update mensual del blog? gracias otra vez
Anonymous said…
Absolutely adore this project. As a long time fan of Metroid I can easily say AM2R has the best gameplay mechanics of the series. Maybe the footstep sounds could be changed or toned down in the metallic areas.
Anonymous said…
I know it might be a bit too late to consider a mobile port, but I have a suggestion: Perhaps you could swipe up/down on the shoot button to shoot up/down diagonally (or tap to shoot forward), and leave the D-pad/jump/pause/missile select buttons in their respective positions?

Just thought I'd drop an idea. Good luck with the rest of the game!
Anonymous said…
A small gripe about the sounds... the beam sounds are too similar, and it becomes monotonous as you progress through the differing beam types. As for the super missiles, the fact that they sound the same as normal missiles are not game-breaking, but nevertheless slightly off-putting.
Unknown said…
Ah hell yeah can't wait for the full game
Alan F. said…
It is doing better, but I have a few complaints.

1: Beams fire rate slows down each time you get a new weapon powerup. One might think this ok because lets face it, you don't want to be overpowered. Funny then that Zero Mission's fire rate was the same speed throughout. Also, Plasma beams are so wavy that they sometimes miss enemies.

2: I said it once, I'l say it again. METROIDS NEED TO DROP SUPER MISSILES! It would be a natural instinct for players to use the super missile against metroids, especially Zetas (which, on a side note, their weak point is too small and too well defended to defeat the without taking a beating) once they obtain it. So why can't they drop super missiles too?

3: Maybe the fact that the last area after getting the power bomb is so small it doesn't matter much, but I still notice that no enemies drop power bombs. Backtracking is natural in Metroid games, but having to backtrack to a save station just so you can have power bombs just makes no sense. This is why enemies drop stuff.

4: Why is the lower tower a forced-failure situation. Making a "hurry up" section which your two options are death or lose all but 5 health doesn't seem right. Yeah, there is that one E-tank if you go back down, but I didn't know that at first and ended up dying a bunch of times trying to go back to a save station in the upper tower. After so many times, I went back down and found the e-tank and was like "Oh come on!!!"

But it is doing better. The above stick out like a sore thumb to me. Good luck.
Mianroca said…
Hey, I've been following you for some years now, but this is the first time I write. If you need any help with the Spainsh translation, dont hesitate to contact me. I'm from uruguay, so Spanish is my first language. I'd love to collaborate with the project. My mail is mianroca88@hotmail.com. keep on your great work!
Unknown said…
I have no expectation for you, only my gratitude.

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