Met2 Caverns3

Met2 Caverns3^[1] is an ambient theme from Metroid II: Return of Samus and its remake Metroid: Samus Returns. It was originally composed by Ryoji Yoshitomi and later remixed by Daisuke Matsuoka.

Description

In Return of Samus, Met2 Caverns3 is heard in Phase 2, in the tunnels and caves surrounding the Chozo ruins. This atmospheric theme consists of brief patterns of notes played at a high register, punctuated by periods of silence. What little melody can be heard often comes in the form of ascending scales. It can be heard here: [1]

In Samus Returns, Met2 Caverns3 received a full remix that plays in the uppermost caverns of Area 3, where Met2 Caverns4 played in the original game. It is very faithful to the original track, but now the silence has been filled in with low ambience. The song was also extended, with a new dark and ominous section featuring a deep choir, tense strings, and a steady beat. It can be heard here: [2]

The original Met2 Caverns3 theme was also remixed as the Area 1 theme, where it plays in the same location as the original game. In this remix, the original chiptune is played quietly in the background over a slower version of the ascending scales performed by a flute-like instrument.

Trivia

• In Return of Samus, Met2 Caverns3 is also played in the tunnels and caves of Phase 3, although a different ambient theme is usually played in this area. This song will only play if Samus enters the large dome-like cavern through the water-flooded basement of the Chozo ruins, and it will continue to play throughout the area until Samus reenters the ruins or returns to the main tunnel.^[2] Given the esoteric means of playing this song in Phase 3, it is most likely a glitch.
• The particular instrument used for the high-pitched beeping in Samus Returns seems to be reused in similar fashion in Metroid Dread as beeping sounds associated with E.M.M.I.

References