I don't know what's supposed to be wrong with the characteriation of Samus. Sure it's not shakespeare but the story is very nice - certainly for a game. It even has a nice twist.
Just because it isn't the typical - hate authority/make my own rules/me against the world - of storygames, doesn't mean there is something wrong with it. The storytelling simply embraces a asian form of warrior. You know the 'poetry writing samurai' thing. No surprise when you look at the development team.
And the controls are awesome. Simple and fast. You really feel like you're in control - far more so then with a first person view.
Overall, It's sad that nintendo failed to expand the Metroid audience. But the biggest factor in that is probably the runoff of more core-like players. Metroid other M was more mainstream then ever. As a sad result Samus will be probably be forzen with her own icebeam for a while.
In the wilderness we go alone with our new knowledge and strength.
