Pros:
+ Absolutely revolutionary to the 2D Metroid formula
+ Best-feeling Metroid game and the funnest to control in general
+ Best combat and bosses in a 2D Metroid
+ Fitting conclusion to the original 2D Metroid saga, can’t wait for the next one
+ E.M.M.I. and general horror elements are really strong and feel polished
+ Sound design is insanely good
+ Fast travel system is probably the best out of any Metroid game other than AM2R
+ Progression is well paced
+ Story and lore is very fascinating for a 2D Metroid
+ Adam’s character is redeemed after the trainwreck that was Metroid: Other M, and Samus’ portrayal is the best in the entire series
+ Best Varia Suit design in the franchise, and the world and character designs in general are really great
+ Interesting never-before-seen upgrades
+ Least backtracky game in the franchise without feeling handholdy either
+ Almost infinitely entertaining side content like the different Boss Rush modes
+ THAT scene with Samus. You know which one.

Cons:
- Music is majorly hit-or-miss, with half the areas’ and bosses’ themes being unmemorable
- Some missed potential in restricting the E.M.M.I. to specific areas
- No ”best”/”good” endings for Samus, only some art for other games depending on your time and items

Reviewed on Feb 23, 2023


2 Comments


''Some missed potential in restricting the E.M.M.I. to specific areas'' I thought the same when I first played the game, but after thinking about it I think it was the besto choice. Not only it's far better tha the SA-X, in the sense that the E.M.M.I are far more unpredictable, but also that beacause the E.M.M.I zones are so big and important for traversal, it makes it more tense having to travel through there and really rewarding once you defeat each one of them, and I really think that if they were able to move in the whole area, it would make the really unfun to encounter and compromise the entirity of the level design or barely seing them at all. Just tought to share this because otherwise, really great review analysis of the pros and cons! :)

1 year ago

u/DemonAndGames Agreed! It's a very minor gripe with the game, it doesn't really even hurt the experience but just makes you think about what the game could've been like with further integration of the E.M.M.I.'s. I don't know if this is a hot take but honestly they're still a million times scarier and more interesting than the SA-X simply because of how they're not scripted for the most part. Most E.M.M.I. Zones are still huge, and their starting location is completely random, while Fusion's SA-X attacks were predictable and won't scare you on subsequent playthroughs. Honestly they're almost not even comparable, they are used for completely different purposes (E.M.M.I.'s as an actual enemy and obstacle, the SA-X is closer to just a playable cutscene/encounter that you're surprised by on your first play. Both are great, though!).
Also, thanks for liking the review! :D