 |
| Metroid Samus Returns |
Much to the delight of those that follow the beloved
Nintendo science-fiction property, Metroid: Samus Returns is
being praised as a wonderful return to form for the franchise. Our review of Samus
Returns pointed to the newest entry’s laser focus on enhancing
longstanding qualities of the exploration-heavy platforming series, and the man
playing a large role in the quality of the final product was none other than
franchise co-creator Yoshio Sakamoto.
I was recently given the opportunity to interview
the aforementioned Metroid co-creator/Samus
Returns producer, learning more about his latest title and the future
of the series in the process. Those eager to see the interview can check it out
below:
GR: Were there other studios considered to
develop Metroid: Samus Returns before deciding on MercurySteam? Were there
other studios considered to develop Metroid: Samus Returns before deciding on
MercurySteam?
“When I was first thinking about creating a
remake of Metroid II for the 3DS, I heard there was a Spanish developer called
MercurySteam that wanted to try remaking [the Gameboy Advance title] Metroid
Fusion. Hearing their name reminded me they were the ones who had recently made
a Castlevania game, and that sparked my interest. When I sat down and played
their 3DS title Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate, I could tell
they were a developer with real skills and a good design sensibility, and
decided to go to Spain to talk things over with them. During that visit to
MercurySteam, I saw firsthand the sincerity they bring to the task of game
development. Their respect for and understanding of Metroid was also clear, and
so we decided to start creating a prototype. I suppose that’s part of the
reason we never really considered working with another developer.”
GR: Why did you
decide to keep Metroid: Samus Returns as a side-scrolling game rather than
reboot it as a first-person shooter?
“
I’ve never been a
producer for the Metroid Prime games, and by this point it’s sort of understood
that I’ll leave the first-person shooter entries in the series to other
producers. But even aside from that, I’d always thought a remake of Metroid II
like Samus Returns would best be done as a 2D side-scroller, and I’ve never
really doubted that.”
GR: Are there any
plans to continue making side-scrolling Metroid games in the future or is this
just a one-off deal?
“Personally, I’m
constantly exploring the possibilities and the future of the Metroid series,
and part of that means not imposing any limits on ourselves when it comes to
game design or hardware platforms.”
GR: Why did the team
opt to bring the game to 3DS rather than the Nintendo Switch?
“
One of the themes we chose to stick with this time was utilizing both
3D visuals and a dual screen setup. In fact, I’d been interested in creating a
Metroid title that allowed you display the map constantly on a second screen
and interact with the elements of the UI by touching them since the time of the
original DS. The 3DS made the 3D visuals possible of course, and the more
powerful hardware allows for a higher fidelity experience—both are reasons we
felt this was the right choice.”
GR: Why did you
decide to revisit Metroid II and not the original Metroid that debuted on NES
or even Super Metroid on SNES? Is it because the story of Metroid II holds more
relevance to future installments like Metroid Prime 4?
“
Metroid II was released more than 20 years ago, and it chronicles the
first meeting between Samus and the Baby Metroid. That event is crucial to the
story of the series, and I’ve thought for some time that the best way to retell
that tale for a new audience of gamers would be via a remake.”
GR: Would you
personally like to remaster/re-imagine other Metroid titles in a similar way?
“It really depends
on the reasons you have for undertaking such a challenge, whether there’s a
need for it, and your own motivation, but at the moment I have no plans for
another remake. I think we need to spend time considering whether fans are only
wanting remakes going forward, and what that might mean.”
 |
| Metroid Prime |
GR: The producer
behind the animated Castlevania series, Adi Shankar, stated that he’d love to
take on a mature Metroid animated series next. Would you have any interest in
seeing this happen with Metroid or is a mature take a little too violent for
the property?
“
It’s an honor to hear of that sort of interest, but when it comes to
expanding the Metroid franchise beyond the medium of games, I feel the position
I’m in now doesn’t make me the best person to tell that tale.”
GR: A lot of fans
would love to see a live-action Metroid movie. Do you think this is a
possibility and if so then who would you like to see direct it?
“As I mentioned
above, I don’t feel I’m in the best position to tell the tale of Metroid when
it comes to expanding the franchise beyond the province of games.”
Metroid: Samus
Returns is available now, exclusively on Nintendo 2DS and Nintendo 3DS
handhelds.
Source: https://gamerant.com/metroid-samus-returns-producer-yoshi-sakamoto-interview/
0 comments:
Post a Comment