What are we talking about here? Is this another nostalgia-driven "Super Metroid Revisited"? I have no doubt from what I've seen that this is a competent and solid game, but is it basically the Zero Mission (Metroid 1 + Super Metroid) of Metroid II? That's the overall impression I've been getting. I mean, it's great to have a new Metroid like this in many ways, but from afar, it feels like it sits in such a middle ground that it's basically fun but forgettable. I just feel the franchise should be beyond this kind of thing by now, so I'm torn.
What's weird is that Metroid and now Metroid II have gotten their identities altered to fit better with the mold of Super Metroid...but conversely, it means that Super Metroid's mix of abilities, areas, music, etc. is becoming diluted. The individual entries are losing their individuality and sense of progression; previously, each game had its own take on things that widened the definition of a Metroid game. And while this happens, the series just stagnates.
Metroid Fusion was the last time they tried to move the series forward...with iffy results in my mind, but at least they went for it. In many ways the Prime sub-series struggles with the ghost of Super Metroid, too. It seems like the whole franchise hinges on Super Metroid and Metroid Prime 1, and I'd love to see it be able to make its next big statement. (I don't believe Metroid Prime 4 will be that game, either. It's going to come down to what happens with Metroid 5.)