ROR: Metroid II Revisited | AM2R (PC) Is Even Better in 2023!

IF YOU CAN, CONSIDER WATCHING ON A BIG SCREEN IN 4K OR 1080p, 60 FRAMES PER SECOND.
After months of deeply personal problems I don't wish to publicly disclose, Exo returns to continue this three part retrospective on Metroid II!
Last time, Exo discussed the Game Boy original.
Today, we return for a deep dive on AM2R: Return of Samus, one of the best fan games of all time. How well does AM2R hold up to a fresh playthrough, several years later? As a remake, how well does AM2R recreate and improve upon the Game Boy original? Finally, to what extent have the post-release updates from the AM2R Community Developers improved the overall experience? You'll have to watch the video to find out!
Look forward to the final part, where Exo finally discusses Metroid: Samus Returns for the 3DS. I'm aiming for a release next month.
CHAPTERS:
00:00:00 - Opening
00:00:09 - Intro
00:00:31 - AM2R Background
00:04:55 - How to Play AM2R in 2023
00:05:47 - The Story
00:08:34 - Exo Talks About Pixels Again
00:10:25 - Sprites and Environments
00:12:43 - V1.5.5 Graphics
00:14:04 - V1.1 Soundtrack
00:18:01 - V1.2 Soundtrack
00:19:20 - Sound Design
00:20:30 - Core Gameplay
00:24:52 - Metroid Minibosses
00:30:05 - Other Bosses
00:31:44 - V1.5.5 Bosses
00:33:03 - Difficulties
00:36:26 - Level Design
00:40:34 - New Areas
00:42:32 - The 100% Experience
00:45:26 - Other V1.5.5 Updates
00:46:47 - New Game + / Random Game +
00:50:14 - AM2R on Android
00:51:43 - ROR Verdict
00:55:31 - AM2R Going Forward
00:55:53 - Outro
00:56:12 - Credits
Zelda Ocarina Nightmare Randomizer Streams:
• Zelda Ocarina Nightmar...
AM2R Boxart by PhazonZim.
Intro and Credits music composed and arranged by Noah Taublieb.
Remake or Rebreak Scores:
1- Rebreak: Demonstrably worse than the original due to incompetent design, technical failures, etc. A virtually worthless remake/port overall.
2- Reprise: A relatively competent recreation that is still playable enough, but worse than the original in a few substantial ways. Alternatively, a Reprise may fail to address the original's salient issues or neglect to add anything substantial. Formerly called the "Re-Meh" score.
3- Remaster: An improvement overall, but not necessarily worth playing if you already own the original. Typically adds some new content or fixes salient issues with the original. Rereleases with this score often don't reach their fullest potential or otherwise lack something meaningful you can only get in the original.
4- Remake: A strong rerelease that fixes salient issues, updates the visuals/music as applicable, and maybe adds new content. However, there may be a few blemishes left untouched or other neglected opportunities to improve.
5- Replace: A rerelease that changes, fixes, and adds so much that it stands heads and shoulders above the original version. A Replace not only faithfully recreates the original, but fixes most (if not all) of the original's issues and adds a sizable amount of worthwhile new content as applicable.

[@DoctorM64]

On your first AM2R video, right at the end you wished me good luck on my career as a game designer. A couple months later Moon Studios reached out with a job offer, so I'm eternally grateful! I'm not able to work on the game anymore, but it's great to see how much time, passion and talent the AM2R community have spent keeping the game alive. There's even a multiplayer mod that's actually quite good! Thanks for the honest and thorough look at the game after all this time, it's always an honor to be featured in this channel.

[@ExoParadigmGamer]

No problem! I'm glad things worked out with Moon Studios, and I look forward to playing your future projects!

[@c0baltl1ghtn1ng]

Hold up. Ori and The Blind Forest / Will o' the Wisps Moon Studios? That's one heck of a jump.

[@carvman217]

@@c0baltl1ghtn1ng yeah, he was a level designer on will of the wisps! Hell of a jump indeed

[@guillermoreyes9054]

Once again, thank you for such an awesome game Milton. AM2R is what I always play after Zero Mission, it is the real Metroid 2 experience at least for me.

[@jessehcreative]

Your game is why I’m not upgrading my Mac. I don’t really know if it’s compatible with the new M1s yet....

[@MisterMistopher]

I really appreciate how considerate Exo is to different viewer bases. I especially noticed how in different chapters, even if he already mentioned something in a previous chapter, he briefly summarizes what he says before, which is helpful to people who only want to rewatch a single chapter

[@Lojemiru]

Easily the most thoroughly researched AM2R review I've ever gotten to watch! I don't really know what NG+ is for either. Maybe I'll figure it out someday...

[@ExoParadigmGamer]

Thanks again for all your help! Good luck to you and the rest of the community with future updates. I look forward to playing them!

[@Goldfire345]

I can actually tell you what new game plus does What ng+ it does is it starts the game off without any of the lava present allowing you to go wherever you can manage to get yourself.

[@glitzy5214]

@@Goldfire345 they were joking 💀

[@Goldfire345]

@@glitzy5214 oh my bad not always easy to tell with just text

[@glitzy5214]

@@Goldfire345 don't worry, no big deal

[@CraigKostelecky]

I am grateful and proud that I played a part in the initial 1.2 release (I coded the initial NG+, some GUI tweaks, and helped with the logic for the first randomizer). I am amazed at the job that Lojemiru has continued to do with the rest of the team. This game has come quite a long way in the last few years.

[@Choom2077]

Thank you so much for working on this! Truly a great accomplishment.

[@Gatordile2]

It was with your help on the NG+ that made me decide to really push forward with the project.

[@CraigKostelecky]

@@Gatordile2 It was awesome collaborating with you on this. I knew nothing about Game Maker so the coding part was 100% new to me. You were able to make it all happen.

[@Gatordile2]

@@CraigKostelecky I'm really not that strong of a coder to be honest. I'm really only good at the basics.But it was enough to get things rolling. I still can't figure out the how the AI actually works for the bosses sadly. I'm glad Alex and Loje took the project over. I was getting close to my limits and they really improved things more than I could have. It was a fun ride for those couple years. I have fond memories being part of this game. Thanks for the help. If you haven't already, check out my comment for the NG+ in the code. It's in the scr_newgame script.

[@pressstart610]

When the world needed him most, he returned

[@SantaFeSuperChief1]

This will be the top comment on every EPG video.

[@svenwald9199]

Bro this is Crazy, i just watched his other Video where he compares metroid 2 gameboy vs am2r like 1hour ago and now After 7 months he uploads a new Video about this Game lol. See you After another 7 months good sir

[@devastatheseeker9967]

Much like the titular "AM2R"

[@mfdez920]

For a little while... :(

[@AGZhark]

People these days still make these comments?

[@gamelovar8891]

You never fail to impress me with the amount of love and dedication you give to your videos. You're like an anti-clickbaiter.

[@Dominicn123]

a true masterbaiter

[@CraigKostelecky]

49:55 We worked hard to eliminate all foreseeable soft-locks in the randomizer (the map can literally change if you are missing certain upgrades), but it is on the player to manage their power bomb ammo if they do not have regular bombs yet. Sometimes the worst seeds are ones where you only find one PB early on. It really does limit you until you have 2-3 of them and even then you want to make sure you recharge your ammo as much as possible.

[@luis-sophus-8227]

It doesn't sound like enough. I just thought the best idea would be making the bomb tiles non-resetable, in other words, while you only have power bombs, the blocks permanently get destroyed That's how I see it

[@Ayunnuya]

I swear I go months wondering if Exo is still around and hoping he’s doing alright. Then he uploads and I get a big dumb smile on my face. Thanks for the upload and hard work, Exo

[@mechashadow]

If you follow Unversed Cast, it's a better way to know if he is still kicking around since it's more of a chill channel.

[@Saxdude26]

I relate to this sentiment completely.

[@ActionFilmsFan1995]

YES! So happy you’re back, and I hope the personal issues you’ve been dealing with improve. Keep up the great work bro!

[@fredv7349]

Can't imagine how good this game would be with a budget. One of the best fan made games I ever played. Kudos to all those who made it so great.

[@Saxdude26]

So I'm commenting a day late, but as the video to start off the final day of my holiday leave, this was utterly phenomenal. I know you spoke on Twitter frequently of how you were fairing working on this video, and watching in its entirety, I learned 200% more about AM2R than I ever knew previously. It speaks VOLUMES for how much this project accomplishes, both approaching v1.1 and thereafter. The wait was worth it, and your passion and attention to detail encompasses exactly why I love this series. Fantastic episode.

[@wangchung2157]

In my opinion one of the best remakes ever official or not AM2R is in my top 3 Metroid games

[@EverRusting]

It has to be my least favorite among 2D/2.5D ones, it started out great but the later half of the game was unbearable and the final boss was hilariously bad.

[@robertkenny1201]

Well in my opinion AM2R is overrated.

[@gabeznl3591]

AM2R and Black Mesa are the best remakes

[@ahumanbeingfromtheearth1502]

​@@robertkenny1201 okay?

[@luis-sophus-8227]

@@robertkenny1201 It is not.

[@ninjagoon817]

Seven months in the making, can't wait for part 3

[@DropkickNation]

Poyo!

[@noahbearden9849]

dude, no matter how long it takes, i'm always so ready to watch and rewatch whatever you write next!

[@IfYouInsist]

Your channel is good and I appreciate your catalogue of work as a new fan.

[@jdaywork2693]

Brilliant video! Really neat to hear how much love is going into this project.

[@shadowhaze23]

Was just watching some of your older videos! So glad to see you post another video and a happy new year to ya! Hope you nothing but the best and well done on another amazing video.

[@ThatTravGuy]

Great video as always, man. I remember finding your content through the original AM2R video, so this was very poetic to watch. Or... I discovered you from the Mega Man & Bass video. I can't remember.

[@NinF37]

Awesome video! Looking forward to part 3 as well :)

[@punksaske93]

omg! He back! and just yesterday I was doing a marathon of all the videos. Glad to have you here :)

[@VTRcomics]

Your definitely one of my most appreciated channels for covering these things in such detail that it leaves virtually no questions left behind. I personally liked the threat of the Metroids on Hard but I've only ever experienced 1.1 and now that I know how much more there is, I need to get a hand on the new versions. I really do love thoroughness and fairness with the disclaimers of what meshes with you and what doesn't.

[@robertabugelis3962]

Great review! I was just looking for a gameplay video for nostalgia, and saw this. I had no idea they were still actively updating an already fantastic game. Thanks!

[@CommieApe]

Hope all is well homie especially school love your content and appreciate all the hard work.

[@YopAlonso]

We're back to AM2R and with the production value of 2023! It's nice having you back, Exo.

[@nickzilla20]

Great video. Glad to see you back. I look forward seeing you talk about Samus returns.

[@bradendubois3661]

Thank you very much for your work, exo. Glad to see you again!

[@guillermoreyes9054]

Love your Metroid videos man. I waited a while for this one but the wait is always worth it. Thanks for all your effort.

[@animatedaquarius]

So great to see you back! Crazy to see how much has changed with AM2R (haven't played it since it came out). Looking forward to Part 3!

[@Landmaster2911]

Good to see you back! Missed you Exo! Looking forward to more long video series’ like this one in the (hopefully near) future!

[@AndrewBrannen]

Been waiting for this magnificent follow-up for a good 7 months! So happy to see it in my subscription box!

[@MagicMaster667]

Keep making these great reviews man, I always love seeing and rewatching them. Your high (and ever-improving) content quality is something me as a long-time fan always look forwards to! :D

[@XiaoPichu]

So good to see you again EPG... I hope you are well these days and Happy New Year \o/

[@generalcjg]

Great video, been waiting for this for months, so happy it did release, and welcome back Exo, it's been awhile. Now I am definitely excited to hear ExoParadigmGamer's thoughts on Metroid: Samus Returns. That will be a fun video to watch.

[@gblargg]

This video is a firehose of information. I have to give 100% attention or I miss lots of details. Excellent, fast-paced editing!

[@isaacman4157]

This was a great review as always. I'm looking forward to the Samus Returns review.

[@Mackenzie_EV]

always a good day when EPG uploads. happy to see another video from you dude!!!

[@spicyfergy5604]

Always love seeing new videos from you man! You put an amazing and unprecedented amount of effort into your work and I am impressed and inspired by your dedication.

[@ShadyPlatinum777]

Theses videos are always amazing. Keep up the great work

[@ddthegreat]

Glad to see you back! Hope you are doing better now!

[@a-law]

AM2R came on my retroid pocket 2, truly a work of art. Great to see you back!!

[@crestofhonor2349]

Welcome back. I was just thinking about your channel and how you haven't uploaded in a while. Glad to see you back

[@greggbarson4448]

The most thorough review I’ve seen of this excellent game. You’ve outdone yourself, mate

[@csmadisun]

Great video, and as insightful as ever. Small thing to note: you might want to check the video description, one of the paragraphs is broken - "In addition to exploring how this game approaches remaking the Game Boy classic, we'll also be discu"

[@mathgodpiextras]

You attention to detail is impeccable. Keep it up!

[@SkylightCiel]

I replayed every 2D Metroid game for the release of Dread and I really wanted to play Samus Returns but it just isn't accessible. It only came out for the 3DS, which I don't have, and it's still decently expensive to track it down. AM2R was just there, and fundamentally it has a lot of accessibility built into it. I'm really glad I did cause AM2R is definitely one of my top Metroid experiences at this point.

[@Chiakiandmikanarebest]

Well this a surprise but a welcome one, glad to see you back exo

[@time2e636]

To quote Count Dooku: “I’ve been looking forward to this…”

[@omnisel]

Man, the thoroughness of these reviews always takes me off guard every time I watch, it's insane.

[@odm1982]

Watching your videos made me play this game.. this is my first Metroid game. I can’t believe how much I have missed out on Metroid that I stopped playing AM2R and play them chronologically. Btw: long time viewer and your old videos have aged very well, I occasionally watch an old one and still holds up. Keep up the excellent work

[@mikemcdonald2755]

Its so amazing! Also its incredible what fan do to games later on! I love it!

[@NostalJaC]

a very incredibly well done and interesting review! good job.

[@bobburt]

Such a good review. Can't wait for part 3.

[@TheGrandtheftautops3]

Nice to see you uploading again 👍

[@siddharthbhatia8815]

I love you for making this video. AM2R means so much to me.

[@Martinmd12-zt7vu]

Good to see you back and well.

[@CoriCluchey]

Good to see you back!

[@HoodedChaosProductions]

We really love your insight on this game. One of us is unable to play it due to being a Mac user, but maybe the rest of us in this group will check it out. You did an amazing job.

[@thomasdunkel8680]

He's alive! I missed you man . Hello from France

[@domino6490]

Oh my goodness I remember this channel! I was in middle school when I watched these man

[@ShadwSonic]

Nice hearing you go over my favorite Metroid again, but more important: I wasn't aware of anything past 1.5 before now! Thanks to that auto-updater, I now will always have the most up to date version (hopefully), and with it all those little improvements that might make me enjoy it even more! Speaking in comparison to 1.5 of course.

[@Saxdude26]

I knew there was a new loader, but I was so behind on the updates, I only knew about 1.2 😅

[@ilikereason]

I wasn't even aware this project had anything past 1.1, in other words since Nintendo issued the take down notice so many years ago that killed the project. I had no idea it was even revived by the community.

[@Saxdude26]

@@ilikereason Agreed. This video was a multilayered gift, thanks to that information.

[@MadGameBoy]

Hey man, I just got a wii u and deciding which version of each mario game on there has been hell, your old videos really helped me decide, thank you for what you do

[@command3rlucas294]

It's been too long, man! Glad to see you're alive and kicking.

[@Bobson_Dugnutt_Esq]

Just seeing an ExoParadigm video has vastly improved my Monday

[@cursedkevin]

Holy shit you’re alive

[@hyperflowey2564]

39:45 As J's Reviews would say, "Who on Earth thought that was a good idea!?" xD Great re-review, looking forward to the Samus Returns episode. Samus Returns is one of those games that I beat once, maybe twice, but every time I try to replay it and finish it quickly at 100%, there's always something pulling me back from fully achieving it. Maybe parts of that will become evident/relatable in the SR episode. Keep up the good work!

[@airstrike5062]

man, this review is so detailed and well thought out.. instant like and sub from me

[@hotcocoabomb_]

I'm so happy that this was waiting for me right after I got out of school

[@mdudegamer]

Grrrrrreetings back to KZbin, Exo!

[@signas501]

I used to speedrun the original build 6 years ago and I honestly had no clue the game was STILL being developed and patched by YellowAfterlifes reverse engineering. You can imagine my surprise booting into the game again after redownloading it for nostalgia just to be confused as hell by new enemies, trooper logs and bug patches... Here's hoping they finally allow enemies to drop power bombs.

[@ilikereason]

Cool. Thanks for making this video. I had no idea that the community brought this project back to life. I thought it was dead after the DMCA take down notice that happened so many years ago. I still have 1.0 and 1.1 saved from so many years ago. I had no idea there were more updates until I watched this video. So thanks for making this video. I will have to download the latest updates. It's really cool that the community brought the game back from the dead and are still planning on future updates.

[@Christo_glenn]

I missed you bro... great to see you uploading content that you've poured your heart into. Fantastic stuff!

[@kevo-o-o]

Hey Exo not gonna ask details for the personal stuff just hoping and wishing you well, keep being awesome my dude

[@Calvansbagoftricks]

Used to subscribe to you on my old channel! Greetings again! Been subbed since before your voice broke but don't have access to it anymore. Great stuff as always Exo.

[@gabrielcousins2605]

Oh look! A new EPG video! Gonna watch!

[@SQGReviewShow]

Welcome back, Michael! Gotta say, I heard great things about the updates, but I didn't think the features were vastly different. I haven't played AM2R since 1.1, but it really does look like the community overhauled it. Fantastic review as always. Really looking forward to Samus Returns ROR.

[@kylekedzuch6249]

Glrrrrrrreetings! Welcome back, man.

[@ryagas5369]

This video made me glad I kept a zip of the 1.1 AM2R. :) Timely reminder!

[@Rztro1544]

I played this game back when 1.1 originally launched and I must say that I'm so happy to live in a time in which such a project exists.

[@nephilim5586]

happy new year exoparadigm

[@nicholaspetrini]

JUST when I was looking for a new EPG Metroid video I get BLESSED with an AM2R review

[@zaneheaston8254]

OMG you’re alive But in seriousness, where have you been dude, it’s felt like forever since you last posted a video

[@tonysonic456]

Exo has finally returned! Now to wait 7 more months for part 3. I jest. Whatever you're going through, I wish you the best my guy.

[@Bobby8451]

AM2R is my ABSOLUTE favorite Metroid game EVER! Everything is perfect. The big world, music, and graphics are just out of this world good.

[@luis-sophus-8227]

You will regret that once 2.0 releases

[@Bobby8451]

@@luis-sophus-8227 When will that be?

[@RockyVegaTV]

I finally got to AM2R last year and it was an absolute masterpiece. 12/10.

[@unknownzarby1854]

How did u download it ?

[@mattbunky]

Something something world needed, returned. Time for my monthly RoR watch

[@y2commenter246]

Welcome back!

[@MixMasterLar]

Will gleefully dive into this when I have time, but have a comment for ya algorithm!

[@jedisalsohere]

You always upload these the day before I have exams.

[@crtacidetsk04]

I knew rewatching most of his videos would bring him back

[@ElHinchaDelDRAGON]

excelente video, hermano

[@BugsyFoga]

Don’t mean to sound like a broken record, but it’s always great to see a new vid fro You dude 😁👌

[@ultraninja_19]

Aye the legend himself finally returned

[@GlitchHuntingGamer]

New Year. New EPG. Off to a great start!!!

[@ThatSoundDesignGuy]

Welcome back

[@ericmalikyte885]

Still love this game. The boss fight at the end definitely captures the horror of that encounter better than the official remake.

[@clawofthefallen]

Quite in depth video, I only really felt the missed opportunity to point out that the Personal Logs you find are references to Predator and Alien. The Federation Rescue Team are all named after the squad members of the first Predator and the Scientists they were sent to rescue share names with the Nostromo Crew. Not only that, their personalities match their counterparts. When I first noticed that it put a huge smile across my face and I couldn't wait to find the next Log.

[@jackwitty9776]

Jeez the new Chozo Tank makes mine look like a joke ahaha I am extremely proud of the new art team

[@shirtyscarab554]

Couldn’t have had such a cool boss without your awesome design as a base, thanks for all the work you’ve done for AM2R Jack!

[@sem_aki]

That was very entertaining I'll probably give that game a go before the video of the 3ds one comes out

[@Treydemark]

been waiting for this for 7 months oml

[@Lantian99]

Thank you for this. I never knew they created an updated to 1.1. I love the new widescreen feature. It's like an entirely new game.