The amount of emotion this game can create out of the player from it just being on a Game Boy Advance is astonishing. Although it is more streamlined than other Metroid titles, I don't see that as a negative as long as you go in aware of that. The story gives reason for more streamlined sections and exploration never felt neutered from that decision.

This story may be the best one in the series, with many horror beats and creating an antagonist that is there to simply torment you throughout. The sequences with the SA-X are extremely hard to predict when they will come which adds tremendously to the tension. I understand how some can say the pacing at the start feels slow but it never bothered me, the tension and environment of the world always captivated me enough that it never dragged, and when it gets going, it never slows down.

I can't say many more amazing things besides this is my favorite game of all time. I could give more technical details, the sprite work is amazing, bosses and upgrades are a blast, music is phenomenal, it feels amazing to play on the GBA, which I do think is the best way to play it. But at the end of the day, I like it just because it gives me such a unique experience and resonates so deeply with me in a way I can't really describe. Hoping for a remake one day for the music alone.