This game is the most free Samus has ever felt to control. At this point in the story, she's a hardened soldier who is about to eviscerate the last of a species. Call me a soy Nintendotuber, but this game feels like being a badass action hero. The planet itself builds tension super well, and being able to use the spider ball again opens up exploration. The ending that references Fusion was a really nice touch. As far as the definitive Metroid 2 experience, this ties with AM2R.