Metroid Fusion

Fantastic atmosphere, but bogged down by really linear gameplay and much dialogue.

Making Metroid more linear and story-driven doesn't really work for me, especially since the story is pretty bad. And I really don't like it when exploration games lock doors behind you just to force you forward in the story. The small maps also feel a bit stifling - I prefer one big map in Metroidvanias. The multiple timed escape sequences and repeated plot points from SM also felt a bit cargo cult-ish to me. And why did they cut the grappling hook? However, the basic gameplay is still good.

More linear nature didn't bother me, was invested in the story. Found it harder than previous Metroids, which frustrated me a bit, but it made sense from a lore perspective and it escalated power well. Metroid is usually horror-tinged but because of the situation, weakened Samus and the music it actually scared me sometimes. She felt out of her element. It's lesser than Super Metroid sure (but what isn't?), but it's of comparable quality ultimately.

This game is unlike the rest of the 2D Metroids. For better or for worse, this game is very linear and heavily story driven. There are lots of new bosses and we get a nice new change of scenery instead of being on Zebes again. The X-Parasites are very terrifying and from an 8-Bit 2D platform there aren't that many games that can invoke this much fear and dread without being a horror game.

A decent entry, if a clearly portable one. It certainly has the polish you'd hope for, though the way things are set up can make you feel like you're being briskly railroaded along from one discreet little section to the next (you do need to take the time to scour along the sides of every path if you hope to have enough health capacity for the late game, though).

A more story-driven take on Metroid. While the game cops a lot of flak for being more linear than most other Metroid games, it still delivers on the core gameplay, atmosphere and exploration, and the SA-X was legitimately terrifying.

Kind of a strange Metroid game; though TECHNICALLY one open world the segmented sections of the ship make it feel much more divided into "levels" than any 2D Metroid game before or since. The real highlights in terms of gameplay and mood and horror are the SA-X appearances, which I actually wish there was way more of. Really got my heartrate racing.

I don't get the take that this game is "too linear" beyond the early game considering you never follow a strict route later on and there's tons of optional areas you can find, especially in 100% runs. The combat is better than most Metroid games despite how rigid movement can feel which is due in part to how much more relentless the enemies are and how its claustrophobic areas disallow you to mindlessly tank hits like you could in, say, Zero Mission. Also the atmosphere is stellar!

changes a lot of the Metroid formula in a way that doesn't really work. some of those changes are understandable; as a portable game, breaking it down into what are essentially 10-15 minutes chunks made sense. hell, as a kid I played it during recess. but it hampers replay value, which is one of the best aspects of the Metroid series. the aesthetics are great, though, and the SA-X might be the best antagonist in the series. I'd love a true sequel.