Feelings Don't Mean Anything.
Many claim that the story line was horrible and giving Samus a background and emotions ruined the entire franchise for them, I highly disagree. This made the game cling to you more, it's as if you were Samus yourself. Personally I think it's good to know what the woman inside that cold deadly exterior is like, so this game was pleasing in more than one way.
I think it's a great game, a new interesting way of playing and with great graphics it was highly addicting. Too bad it didn't last that long, for hardcore gamers this was a bit easy and didn't take long at all. More game should've been made rather than cut scenes, no matter how amazing they were.
The prequel fits into the story excellently and is a great action packed game with killer new moves.
Unlike the Prime Series, when you finish this game you can go back and get the stuff you missed and, possibly a spoiler, face some new enemies. Endless hours of fun guaranteed.