Metroid Dread Reviews
Like meeting an old friend that you haven’t seen in a while, Metroid Dread marks a great return to the franchise’s classic form. From the series’ trademark tension and corridor-based exploration to its hectic 2D action, Metroid Dread checks a lot of the boxes for old-school fans while also introducing its tried and true formula to a new generation of gamers. Here’s hoping this reunion with classic Samus won’t be the last.
Which isn’t to say that you’re locked into a path getting to your destination. Indeed, the game’s minor tonal shortcomings are eclipsed by all the ways that it perfects the 2D trappings of Metroid’s mechanics and hands players so much freedom when it comes to exploring its environments. All the while, the game is deliberate and quite devilish about taking that freedom away and picking the right time to dare you to fight to regain it.
In design terms, what most impressed me about “Metroid Dread” was how the developers guide you through the game’s sprawling areas. Although there is ample incentive to backtrack after Samus acquires a new powerup, the game never wasted my time. At no point was I needlessly sent crisscrossing over environments to determine where to go next. Usually, when Samus acquires a new powerup, there is a place nearby where she can use it to open a previously-unexplored suite of rooms. The game does not lack internal momentum.
Metroid Dread takes risks for the series, but it succeeds in doing so. The ending was completely grand, and the interpretations of the final scenes will leave me thinking about the game for a long time to come.
Each EMMI zone is a carefully crafted parkour course where your movement skills are put to the test. Run, wall jump, and slide to maneuver through the obstacles, carefully avoiding the EMMI's line of sight. I worried that these sections would be too slow-paced for my liking, but that was almost never the case. I felt rewarded for staying in motion as much as possible, quickly reacting to my surroundings and using them to my advantage. The Phantom Cloak also exists as a stealthy option, but I found that I didn't have to rely on it excessively. However, when cornered, it came in handy, and it made for some intense moments. You can also counter the EMMI's one-hit KO during the kill animation, but it's an extremely narrow window. The timing is tough, but with enough practice, I was hitting it around half the time.
As the game industry has proven throughout the years, the Metroid formula is worth iterating and reiterating upon. Now that the formula is back home in the original series that created it, here’s hoping Nintendo remembers this too.
25 years after the beginning of the 2D saga, Samus is at his best and has tied us to the Switch for many hours.
Review in German | Read full review
Metroid Dread for the Nintendo Switch is a worthy holder of the title "Metroid 5," with a massive, gorgeous planet to explore and conquer.
With Metroid Dread, Mercury Steam brings the series back to its roots by delivering a strong, dense and cleverly designed 2D episode, Thanks to its though but balanced curve, Samus keeps getting stronger and more able to decipher many puzzles and fight interesting bosses, only to appear vulnerable when escaping the new EMMI robots. The adventure sure is classic, but all the elements are here pushed to their limits, for the better. What a ride.
Review in French | Read full review
Metroid Dread is a triumphant return for both Samus Aran and developer MercurySteam.
Metroid Dread is one of the best games I’ve played on the Nintendo Switch. While staying faithful to the Metroidvania blueprint set by Super Metroid back in 1994, it’s also benefited from many improvements that will appeal to a modern audience.
Metroid Dread is an experience that is at times deeply enjoyable yet at the same time imperfect.
Review in Italian | Read full review
Samus is back, better than ever.
Review in Spanish | Read full review
Metroid Dread is an instant classic. Its seamless blend of exploration, combat, puzzle-solving, and light touches of story creates one of the most engaging experiences on Nintendo Switch.
Metroid Dread sharpens everything that makes Metroid enjoyable, while more fully realizing its horror ambitions.
Metroid Dread was a game 15 years in the making, and it was well worth that wait. Full of great visuals, fun enemies, new powers, and a true sense of fear via the E.M.M.I. robots, you’re going to want to try this title for yourself, and then recommend it to others.
A continuation of Samus’ story from Metroid Fusion, Metroid Dread excels as a hybrid of both classic and modern Metroid gameplay. The exploration and combat are top-notch, with satisfying boss fights complete with stunning graphics and mid-action cutscenes. It’s only a few nitpicks that prevent Dread from being a masterpiece, but that still means that it’s a must-have for Metroid fans. The future holds a lot of promise for Samus Aran!
I won’t be surprised if Metroid Dread gets crowned Game of the Year. If that happens, I’ll be happy. Dread is a furiously frustrating, extremely challenging, and superbly satisfying game, and probably the best Metroid ever.
Review in Polish | Read full review
Playing as Samus has never felt better, with the bounty hunter’s quick and nimble movement perfectly paired with a blend of action, speedy traversal and stealth.