You're right, I thought this discussion was spin on sexism in general.
So you're just not liking the mix of two distinct styles that don't fit well together and create an overall negative experience. Fair enough.
Quesiton on this part: "So that brings us to the biggest question, which is, if every game treats Samus this way and manages to undermine the idea behind the character at the end"
"Every game"? Aside from Metroid Prime, every single game rewards you with sexy samus at the end, in effort to objectify her? I sincerely disagree. In fact, the fact that they changed from bikini to full body skin suit was a step away from that sexualization. And seeing samus in her zero suit during the games, when it MAKES SENSE to show it, is perfectly fine. She can be a dainty, sexy girl underneath that suit and that can be part of her personality and I'm fine with it.
I understand the distaste in showing her more progressively naked in the original title(s?) but I fail to see that in any modern-day Metroid game. It could just be a lack of recollection on my part, though, so do remind me where I'm wrong.
I'm fine with Samus being feminine, and I'm fine with her being sexy, and I'm fine with her at the same time being a badass bounty hunter who is completely ruthless. I'm fine with all of that as long as it makes sense to the story and her character development. Just because she has a blue zero suit on, doesn't mean she's not Samus.
Thinking of her only as a badass bounty hunter is very one-sided, and all of us humans are far more complex than that. She can have a sexy side, and I'll appreciate it as long as it's done in a productive manner. I won't really appreciate it if it's done in a degrading manner, but I also won't cry that it's destroying society. That's a different topic that you're not debating over, though.
Maybe we agree, maybe we don't. I'll give you the point that if she's purely objectified to please the sex drive in males, I find that to not be productive at all in the sense of character development. I don't, however, have an issue with zero suit samus when it's done for more than just sexual objectification.
Also, what do you (not actually directed at you) expect her to wear under that tight body armor? a jacket and sweatpants? *rambles*
