Although the “improvements” to Metroid have made the game play a whole lot quicker, I think they eliminate only the more banal aspects of the original game. I've “completed” Metroid in just under 4 1/2 hours, which isn't so bad at my age, to arrive at the promised “after story”.

So far it seems like the “voice” of the game has dramatically shifted, though the story seems to be trying to piece in unexplained bits. Clearly the original Metroid wasn't able to handle what later consoles could, so it was light on the details of the story. They've now filled in the supposed bits between the original game and Metroid II or Super Metroid or whichever comes next.

Since I know that everyone else who reads my blog has purchased the game, and has proceeded at least as far as I have, please speak up and give your opinion.