86. Metroid Fusion (GBA) [9/10]
This game can't quite reach the highs of the previous three in the series, but there's a lot to love here. The choice to focus more on story and try to develop Samus into more of a character works to make this game stand out even after Super more or less solidified the formula. Playing as a faster but more vulnerable Samus is a nice change of pace and really puts the focus on the X, who are great villains and double as the power up system which is clever. Highlights include the stretch near the end of the game where you're constantly "breaking" the Area design of the space station and the SA-X, who not only feels like a true threat in a way no other Metroid antagonist does, but also gives what I would call the best boss fight in the series. Great stuff all around and highly recommended, but must be played with a desaturation mod or on an original GBA. Otherwise it looks horrible.
87. Metroid Dread (Switch) [7/10]
To my knowledge this is the only Metroid game that has a boss rush, it really feels like the game was built around these encounters. It feels its best when you're just running around and shooting. In order to make sure the running and boss fights run as smoothly as possible, the game really pulls the camera back and makes sure you're completely in control at all times. The downside of this is it somewhat lessons the apparent emphasis on horror when you're pulled back from the action and Samus is the most capable she's ever been.
This game can't quite reach the highs of the previous three in the series, but there's a lot to love here. The choice to focus more on story and try to develop Samus into more of a character works to make this game stand out even after Super more or less solidified the formula. Playing as a faster but more vulnerable Samus is a nice change of pace and really puts the focus on the X, who are great villains and double as the power up system which is clever. Highlights include the stretch near the end of the game where you're constantly "breaking" the Area design of the space station and the SA-X, who not only feels like a true threat in a way no other Metroid antagonist does, but also gives what I would call the best boss fight in the series. Great stuff all around and highly recommended, but must be played with a desaturation mod or on an original GBA. Otherwise it looks horrible.
87. Metroid Dread (Switch) [7/10]
To my knowledge this is the only Metroid game that has a boss rush, it really feels like the game was built around these encounters. It feels its best when you're just running around and shooting. In order to make sure the running and boss fights run as smoothly as possible, the game really pulls the camera back and makes sure you're completely in control at all times. The downside of this is it somewhat lessons the apparent emphasis on horror when you're pulled back from the action and Samus is the most capable she's ever been.