This is probably my favorite Metroid game. It looks absolutely gorgeous for a switch game, Samus' control is snappy yet fluid, the exploration is extremely fun, the upgrades a very cool, and the bosses are amazing. It feels so good to play. It's like a finely tuned machine, everything is just perfectly in place: the graphics, 60fps, upgrades, world, bosses, etc. It's all excellent.
However, it is a relatively linear Metroid, but I wouldn't go as far as saying that it is linear. I think I prefer Dread's style over other Metroids. It's fast, and it's challenge comes from the combat instead of its exploration/puzzles (which there are still some doozys like the shinespark puzzles). Samus isn't a bulky tank like normal, she's much more agile and it allows the combat to be more flowy (like the final boss or Experiment No. Z-57--best boss btw). Enemies hit hard, but you can dodge a variety of ways and counter harder. Also, this is not only the only game in the series I've speedran, but it's also the only game I've speedran at all (mostly for the cool art rewards, but it was still great fun).
So, it just gets everything right for me, and it's an absolute joy to play. I highly recommend it.
However, it is a relatively linear Metroid, but I wouldn't go as far as saying that it is linear. I think I prefer Dread's style over other Metroids. It's fast, and it's challenge comes from the combat instead of its exploration/puzzles (which there are still some doozys like the shinespark puzzles). Samus isn't a bulky tank like normal, she's much more agile and it allows the combat to be more flowy (like the final boss or Experiment No. Z-57--best boss btw). Enemies hit hard, but you can dodge a variety of ways and counter harder. Also, this is not only the only game in the series I've speedran, but it's also the only game I've speedran at all (mostly for the cool art rewards, but it was still great fun).
So, it just gets everything right for me, and it's an absolute joy to play. I highly recommend it.