Decided to put more time into the game tonight. Had a blast, the game does a phenomenal job of (more than any Metroid game in recent memory) steadily providing you powerful upgrades, without you feeling like you're a walking god.

No matter what powers you obtain, you're still Samus Aran walking around a desolate, infested alien planet which she is desperately trying to escape.

8:45pm: Played some more this evening, acquired the storm missiles after beating that flying scarab-like boss. Really liked how cryptic it was to get to it.