Best in the series? I don't think we'll be saying that. I think we'll be saying it tried some interesting mechanical things and some not so interesting storytelling things, and I think people who never bothered with Prime and were too young for Super Metroid are the only ones that will call it the best in the series. I wouldn't call it the worst. Hunters is worse. Metroid 2 is worse. I'd put it on par with Metroid Pinball.

Story wise, I think you can do more with less. And every time Samus recapped events I saw five minutes ago was tough to watch. Any subtlety they could have established with a glance or a quick event was quickly spelled out. The narrative is definitely the weakest part of this game, but the gameplay is good enough and conveys action in a very entertaining fashion as I would have expected from Team Ninja. One of my favorite animations is when Samus puts a creature in a headlock and shoves her arm cannon down its throat before pulling the trigger. Not to mention enemies have plenty of creative ways to finish you off provided you slip up somewhere.
 
Also, authorizing the use of power suit abilities crosses the line when you reach the lava environment. After running through tons of superheated areas, taking tons of damage while dealing with fire-based enemies, you're only allowed to use the Varia Suit to resist heat damage when Adam randomly feels like it. The amount of frustration generated by not being able to access areas when you already have the tools is crazy. They establish that Samus' suit is one dangerous weapon and the concern for other people's safety is paramount... but not being able to use temperature or gravity shielding? That's damn near impossible to justify.

"  Also, authorizing the use of power suit abilities crosses the line when you reach the lava environment. " 
 

I totally agree. I was a little apprehensive going in because Im such a huge fan of the classic styled games and the franchise as a whole. And after playing through it I started to think that maybe people where comparing it to the Prime series, which is a little unfair. This is a classic Metroid adventure through and through, and im my opinion second only to Super Metroid in the entire series. The thumbs up, thumbs down thing was lame as hell though hahaha

Me too! but I really really liked the story.

 we're going to look back at Other M as possibly the best Metroid game in the series    

I haven't had a chance to play it yet, but I am of the mind that any new Metroid is a good thing.

I haven't played this game, or any Metroid game besides the original but my only complaint as an outsider is that Other M is a terrible fucking name. It just sounds awkward. Maybe it makes sense in the story?

Ridley was an epic badass in this game. Best depiction of him by far. Plus I really loved how they should his different stages of maturity, that was interesting to add to the character.

"I haven't played this game, or any Metroid game besides the original but my only complaint as an outsider is that Other M is a terrible fucking name. It just sounds awkward. Maybe it makes sense in the story? "

Not the best in the series for me, But I still found Other M to be damn good game that was completely worth my time and money. It will probably be somewhere on my Top 10 for this year.

Please keep in mind when you  read this that I actually quite LIKE the Prime series.  I own all the games, and the Trilogy on top of that.  With that said...
 
I like the way that Other M holds the previous Metroid games (the 2D ones, at least) in a state of sheer reverence.  This game tries to make the adventures of Samus as an emotional story that has not only affected the Galaxy's safety, but herself and those around her as well.  It takes what has happened before it, and instead of trying to out do it, it tries to tie it together and build upon it.  It takes it back to it's roots and bridges them together.
 
The Prime series started off like that, but lost it's way.  Instead of Metroids being a feared weapon, with an established evolutionary path, there are now Metroids on seemingly every planet and research facility in the galaxy ever.   It undermines the story of Metroid 2 (and subsequently every game there after), as how could Samus ever be sure there are no Metroids on one of a billion Pirate facilities out there?   Also, every game has new version of Metroids.  Metroid Hatchers? Really? And every game has the Space Pirates looking completely different.  And every game has Samus with a new ship for no apparent reason. And a billion new suits.   It doesn't hold the series to any level of sacredness, and the story got convoluted and unexplainable.  It didn't try to build on top of what came before it (at least in the end), it tried to out do it and in the end came up short.
 
 
Like I said, I love the Prime games, but they are a side story that may eventually get taken out of official canon.  Other M is a better 3rd party attempt at redefining the series, IMO.

"  With that said...  I like the way that Other M holds the previous Metroid games (the 2D ones, at least) in a state of sheer reverence. "