Metroid Dread – US Version

Worth the wait
I’m a long time Metroid fan and I loved this game. I think the Metroid 2 remake was slightly better in terms of backtracking for items, lots of one way routes and tedious zone transfers, but in terms of keeping track of where those out of reach items were located: Dread does a wonderful job of reminding and hinting without being too explicit.Exploration is well handled for the main path as well, you will never see one of the stupid flashing “go here” dots like you did in Fusion. It’s always fairly clear when a particular path is for later exploration, but you’re always expected to figure it out for yourself, and the improvements with the map make it easier to remember where you need to backtrack when you get a new item. The upgrades to the map are wonderful. It now labels any special blocks you encounter (like missile blocks) and includes faint labels for items and obstacles you’ve found or destroyed so you can easily check what you’ve done or missed. You can also add some custom markers and highlight all of a specific icon in an area.The EMMI sections are suitably tense, they can be a bit frustrating at points but the checkpoint system reduces the frustration a good deal. In general the save system is the classic save rooms like previous games, but when you’re killed by an EMMI it puts you back to right before you entered their zone, and you get a checkpoint right before any boss or mini boss if you die to them.The story is excellent, it gets a bit exposition dump-y in a certain cutscene at one point midway through (although you should definitely make sure you have the sound on when that one happens, especially if you’re a longtime fan ;P )My only complaint is the loading can be a bit slow when moving between zones, but only in the sense of “there is loading” compared to previous games’ “I never realized this was loading”.Bottom line: this game is amazing and fulfills all the expectations 15 years of development have created, the game is gorgeous, the areas are varied and distinctive, and the gameplay is unreasonably satisfying. Fans of the Metroid series won’t want to miss this one, and the game explains anything important for those new to the series as well.

WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOW
I was expecting good things from Metroid Dread. I didn’t really know what to expect from this game though, since Nintendo haven’t exactly treated Metroid with respect and integrity in recent years. (Looking at you Federation Force…)However, I am delighted to say that this game absolutely exceeds ALL expectations. I’ve not beaten the game yet, but I’m willing to say this may be the single most perfect Metroid game Nintendo has ever given us. This game, unlike so many others in the last few years, gets a 10/10 from me, and this is high praise, as I am a very harsh critic.The reason I’m able to give M:D such a high score is because it doesn’t hold back in the slightest. If it’s going to punch you, it’s going to give you everything it has. Bosses are beautifully crafted and not one single boss has been too easy or lame. Every single one has challenged me, killed me, and forced me to think outside the box to beat them. Each death adds to your skill in ways most other games don’t even touch on, even Samus Returns.This game is built on the Samus Returns gameplay style. While I really enjoyed SR, M:D takes this engine to a new level. There are numerous quality of life improvements and tons of well thought out mechanics, much more so than SR. If Samus Returns were a food, it would be a hamburger, filling and delicious. If Metroid Dread were a meal, it would be a 3 course at Gordon Ramsay’s restaurant. I mean this in every way. A hamburger you eat and you’re done. M:D just keep coming and coming and coming and its amazing and terrifiying and beautifully crafted.The sound design is so incredibly amazing. Rarely do I find myself in quiet rooms outside the safe area. The ambiance is superb. The soundtrack makes your heart race. When you’re in danger, YOU ARE IN DANGER, and the audio beats right along with your poor overencumbered heart. The music and sound design makes this game feel like, “It’s GOING,” or, “It’s HAPPENING!” Moments where you catch your breath are sweet sighs of relief, readying yourself to enter that doorway and get back in the fight or flight again. The only criticism I have on sound is that they reused the heat and lava warning sound from SR. That blaring alarm sounds so low quality next to all the other sounds. They also reused the parry sound, but that fits right in.Art. Art is good. This game’s got hella art. See the art. Very pretty, much gaze. The graphics, while not the best, still looks incredible. The stylization Nintendo is known for for making lower resolutions look outstanding is here. There are aliasing lines, but I can ignore those.Enemies are much more varied than in SR. Each one has its own timing for parry, and some don’t even have parry as an option. There seem to be enemy types that all areas abide by, but instead of how they did it in SR where new enemies were just recolors, every area has their own enemy models. Going to a new area and seeing new gnarly toothed floating things of rage is really cool and every zone has enemies that fit it’s environment.So far the story is phenomenal, and I rarely give stories high praise. I won’t say much here because these are spoilers you won’t want spoiled. Needless to say, Metroid type s*** is HAPPENING! This game has a lot of cannon. Metroid Fusion is important, being the last mainline 2D Metroid game in the series. Exploring the game later on after a certain event takes place (you’ll know what I mean when you get there) is unbelievably cool and nostalgic. Beating my first… uh… certain…. boss… filled me with IMMENSE pride, like I showed it whos boss again and told it to sit tf back down. This story is very well crafted and I hate that I shant say anything more about it. 10/10. This game also has voice acting! And it’s good!Controls are tight. If you get hit, you are unable to move for a split second. The puzzles in this game are all well thought out and thought provoking. There were a couple spots where I thought I was softlocked but I was just being a big ol stupidhead. Being a veteran of Metroid games, I feel I have been able to find my way through the maze of the map fairly easily, but then again, I think the map design and room placement is also just really good.If you like Metroid, have played a 2D Metroid in the past, and have played Samus Returns or Metroid Fusion, this game is for you.Just a disclaimer for the weak of heart. This game is named Metroid Dread for a reason. This game will fill you with dread as you watch helplessly as you die. There are zones where you are powerless against the specific type of foe. I joked with one of my friends that this game could have also been called Metroid: Scary or Metroid: AAAH!I find it helps to tell the enemies “please sir do not hurt me for I am just a wee baby.”Enjoy this masterpiece!

Metroid Dread é umas das melhores aquisições até agora que tenho para o Nintendo Switch! Com a jogabilidade clássica com as mecânicas atuais e muito fluidas, rodando à 60 fps! Metroid Dread tá maravilhoso, divertido e muito recompensador a cada segredos desvendados, mantendo essa marca em honra aos jogos anteriores! Com maior certeza do mundo digo que Metroid Dread é uns dos melhores games do Nintendo Switch e vale cada centavo gasto!

I started playing this and this became the only game I play. Good graphics, excellent gameplay and boss fights. I really enjoy this game.