Coming to terms with the fact that I just don't like 2D Metroid all that much :(

I liked the vibes and exploration in Super enough to 100% it, but Zero Mission was decent-to-mediocre, and though at times I could see why this game is so revered it just did not click with me. The story was great but by the time I got to the little morsels of exposition the game deems fit to dose out every two hours or so I was so frustrated with actually playing the game that it barely made an impact. Movement and combat felt stiff at all the worst times, ESPECIALLY during boss fights. Super had this problem too, but the ratio of exploration to fighting was such that it was only ever a short roadblock during an otherwise chill and vibey experience. Fusion just fucking throws bosses at you nonstop and the difficulty ramps up so quickly. Screen space wasn't as much of an issue as it was in Zero Mission, though there were a few times (especially in the bigger boss arenas) where I was just getting sniped from off-screen constantly with no time to perceive the threat, much less to dodge. Also found the soundtrack incredibly grating which just added to my frustration most of the time--and this is coming from someone who LOVES the GBA soundchip skung!!!--though I'm sure that was more a result of already being frustrated.

I still wanna give Dread a shot because I keep hearing great things about it and it looks significantly less stiff than the older ones but for now I think I just have to accept that these games aren't for me. :(