I certainly enjoyed it. The last third or so of the game, after Mother Brain, was absolutely brilliant, especially when the big event happens and you turn the tables. I'm working through hard mode nnow, they weren't kidding. Fortunately the inifinite bomb jump was back, so the sequence breaking isn't a huge deal and oyu can get yourself way too powerful way too early. It's the only way to keep things fair.
i beat it on easy... i woudnt have even chose easy if i knew it was going to be that easy... now on normal and i cant believe i am at the end of the game and i havent gotten a single super bomb yet!!