2D side scrolling Metriod game where you explore and backtrack when you get new upgrades/abilities. For those who don’t like Metriodvania type games where there’s hints at inaccessible areas you must revisit later once you get upgrades/abilities; this game will not change your mind about them. Although the first few tutorial hours are fairly linear. But those who are curious or are fans of the genre; it’s more approachable due to fast paced fluid controls.--Story/plot:Takes place after Metriod Fusion. Samus is exploring the depths of planet ZDR. Gets attacked, loses all powerups, and you must find your way up to your ship and escape the planet.--PresentationBest visuals for the 2D Metriod series. Backgrounds are detailed and dynamic; sometimes hinting on what’s to come. Very cinematic during boss intros and defeatsSound is good. Best with headset or surround sound system when docked. Not the best soundtrack in the series, but very good neverthelessGameplay:Movement is very fluid (slide slides/wave dashes), and way less tank-y than previous Metroid games. After playing this game; makes it really hard to go back to previous game in the franchiseAble to free aim and melee attack/counter like in ‘Samus Return’ (on 3DS), but controls are much less cramped. Counter attacks are not the main draw like in Samus ReturnsSliding makes things much faster paced, and you can run and slide through small gaps. Morthball is still used to traverse narrow passagewaysNumber of upgrades and ability unlocks are constant and consistent (unless you get yourself lost).Sometimes an upgrade will get you through just one or two area and never use again. Good feedback/gameplay loop for those who like instant gratificationMissile, and energy upgrades require you to get a certain amount to upgrade like heart pieces in Zelda gamesThere are stealth segments where indestructible EMMI robots try to hunt you down like Mr. X or Nemesis in the Resident Evil series. They are territorial and will only stick to their zone/area. You get insta kill once caught, but you can melee counter and are able to escape. Timing is different each time, so you can’t cheat it by a number countdown or muscle memory. In certain areas you can get Omega Stream one shot powerup that breaks through EMMI’s face shield revealing its weak pointBoss battles have you test your reflexes by dodging projectiles and attacks constantly. They do have a patterns to them, and finding their weak point can be a puzzle onto itself. Defeating bosses and EMMIs gives you new abilities or upgradesYou may get lost often on your first playthrough. Must refer/pull up the map screen constantly to find out where to go next (unless you like to explore on your own)There are 8 different areas/zones to explore. There are some environmental themes such as underwater area, lava area, rocky caverns, a lab area, etc. There is 1 EMMI per zone except for 1, so 7 total.First play through can last 10-12 hours (depending on your exploration, time you get game over by EMMIs). Around an hour of it is cutscenes, most of which is almost static scenes of Adam (AI) giving out exposition.Like previous Metroid games faster speed runs (knowing exactly where to go, with fast reflexes) for better completion times are encouraged. Hard difficulty unlocks after you complete the game for the first time. No secret ending that I know of. You do get still image gallery as unlocks. My best speed run so far is 4 hours. There’s also completionist percent rating for getting all collectablesOverall, best 2D Metroid game due to it’s faster pace and more action oriented gameplay. A must get for Metriod fans and fans of the genre