Metroid Dread - US Version

After Metroid Fusion, there was a _long_ stretch of time without a real 2D Metroid installment. There was Other M, but... yeah... Now, finally, came Dread, and it was a huge refresher. First off all, it didn't minimalize Samus' role as the galaxy's most feared bounty hunter, which already starts off better than a certain game did. The movement in Dread has been overhauled and really had some nice thought put in to it. Between being able to slide, and the new phase mechanic, traversing the maps can be really fluid. Then you add in the shinespark, and there are countless puzzle opportunities. Some of them are _extremely_ challenging, but can eventually be gotten with enough attempts, learning the game, and (in some cases) a little luck. When you first begin, it appears that the game is going to be pretty linear - go get item X so you can fight boss Y to unlock ability Z, repeat. However, by the time you have finished the first or second major bosses of the game, things start to open up more. I wound up sequence breaking to get morph ball bombs early, then again later to get the gravity suit before I should have; which in turn made a subsequent boss battle significantly harder than I think it would have been had I gone in order... but that allowed me to also get screw attack out of order, and then back track to find the locations for a few key abilities I had skipped along the way (and had a much easier time with their respective bosses as a result). So there are definitely secrets, quite a few power-ups, and nice abilities. Collecting everything was a bit too simple in my perspective, especially in comparison to Fusion, but overall, the game did a good job of having items available throughout making it fun to go exploring when you weren't certain where to go next. There are also a few places that the game really doesn't expect you to get to out of order that can lead to some extremely difficult tricks being needed to escape them, or reverting to last save (at least in one case for me). As always, when you are exploring a new area, it is useful to shoot ever surface looking for hidden breakable blocks, and the in-game map allows you to put down markers to help you remember areas to come back to later. As far as story goes, I believe that they wound up cutting about 1 boss from the game, and likely at least 1 ability; just due to a certain boss not actually having a related ability unlocked after defeating them, and a background thing that was hunting critters that I do not recall ever encountering. This possibly would have led to a less-stark contrast as you approach the end of the game. Things... just sort of start happening without any background story behind them that would lead you to expect that was a part of the story, or a possibility to happen. As a result, they had to be filled in retroactively, which felt a bit unauthentic - a little more struggle along the path, particularly in the form of a cutscene or two would have made the ending transition a bit less jarring. The bosses are majority new, with only 1 returning boss from what I could tell. There are a few mini-bosses which get a bit repetitive as they all fight basically the same and aren't overly interesting battles, but that does help show you as your skills and in-game power increase that you are in fact making progress. Overall, a very fun and welcome Metroid game to help bide time with until Prime 4 is released.

Metroid Dread is the first 100% new 2D Metroid game since Metroid Fusion from 2002, which was almost 20 years ago! The game is developed by Mercury Steam, the same team behind Samus Returns on the Nintendo 3DS. The Galactic Federation gets word of the dangerous, seemingly extinct X Parasites still alive on planet ZDR, so they send a team of 7 resiliant robots called EMMI to investigate. The EMMI never return, which prompts the Federation to hire Samus, the only one immune to the X Parasites thanks to her Metroid DNA, to go and investigate. I'm happy to say that the classic Metroid formula is back in full force without making it TOO easy to lose track of where you should be going. Samus starts off kind of weak, but she's an absolute powerhouse with no shortage of movement options by the end of the game. In particular, the melee counter no longer forces you to stop moving in order to use it so the pacing issues it gave Samus Returns are effectively gone, or at least very toned down. The EMMI sections are incredibly tense without becoming too stressful or overstaying their welcome. There's even opportunities to sequence break, if you have the skills. Metroid Dread is not an easy game. It's quite challenging, which I love and I wish more Nintendo-made games had the teeth this one does. It can get kind of frustrating at times, but it never feels unfair and there are plenty of checkpoints so you don't have to keep replaying already-completed areas too often. While the game does do a good job of leaving hints of where it wants you to go next, sometimes it isn't quite so obvious so getting lost and desperately shooting at every tile can still happen every now and again. Metroid Dread is also a pretty short game at around 10 to 12 hours for a first time playthrough; but Metroid games are usually pretty short anyway and there's a lot of replay value to be found if you enjoy speedrunning. In conclusion, I think you should buy Metroid Dread right now so we can get more Metroid games!!

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.

I'm really digging this game. Metroid Dread is a solid entry that will definitely be replayed a ton in the future due to its solid gameplay foundation (this is easily the best she has ever felt in 2D) and fun boss fights (though I do miss having Ridley in a Metroid title [I know he's like super dead at this point in the timeline]). The fact that this game features sequence breaking if you can pull off extremely tight maneuvers (e.g. pull off a Shinespark at the last moment, jump at the end of a slide, etc.) means that it's very replayable. The length of the game will take around 8-12 hours on your first blind playthrough, but you can beat it under 2 hours if you have everything planned out. The 8-12 hour mark is larger than the usual 2D Metroid (~4.5 hours) while the speed run time is par for the course. Don't expect a very long playthrough of this game if you only plan on playing it once. That being said, the quality of content that you get per hour is well worth your investment as it doesn't waste your time with trivial stuff like the standard "slow walk down a long hallway" approach that a ton of AAA games do to mask load times (instead, you have loading screens masked with the usual Metroid way of handling it where Samus rides an elevator or trolley while the game loads). As for technical specs, it's the following (though Digital Foundry goes into more detail in their review): Docked: 900p60 locked for gameplay (besides some minor instances when entering an E.M.M.I. area where it drops down to 45 FPS [it returns to 60 pretty quickly]), 900p30 for cutscenes. Handheld: 720p60 locked for gameplay (besides that aforementioned E.M.M.I. issue), 720p30 for cutscenes. Also, Samus's characterization in this game is pretty similar to how she was characterized in Samus Returns (also made by Mercury Steam). The dev team definitely knows how to treat Samus properly as her animations are very appropriate for her and of high quality. It's basically a case of "Show, Don't Tell" as Samus has like 2-3 lines in the entire game, and one of the lines is her yelling with rage. Her actions show her personality without needing to monologue (kinda similar to how she was in Samus Returns and the Prime Trilogy). The only "major" downside is that I'm still getting used to the music. I prefer the music found in the Prime series and the other 2D Metroid titles to this OST. Dread's OST isn't bad per say, but I'm still acquiring its taste. It's kinda similar to Fusion's OST (makes sense as this game is a sequel to Fusion), but I prefer Fusion's OST to Dread's. Overall, I'd give this game 4.5/5 stars, but I'll give it 5 stars here as Amazon doesn't have half stars. Hopefully Mercury Steam gets acquired by Nintendo so they can make more amazing titles in the series with a higher budget (if that's Mercury Steam's plan, that is)! This is easily the studio's best game yet! Hopefully they get the opportunity to make more Metroid games in the future (they originally wanted to remake Fusion before getting assigned the Samus Returns project).

Metroid Dread is everything I hoped for and more. As a long-time fan of the series, I was excited to see Samus return in this latest chapter, and the game absolutely delivers. The atmosphere is intense, the world-building is fantastic, and the gameplay is a perfect balance of exploration and action. The visuals are stunning—everything from the eerie environments to the smooth animation of Samus in action. The 2D side-scrolling format feels fresh and modern, with tight controls that make navigating through the game’s complex areas both satisfying and challenging. The boss fights are epic, and the sense of tension when facing off against the terrifying E.M.M.I. robots is unlike anything else I’ve experienced. I love the feeling of discovery in Metroid Dread. There are so many secrets to uncover, and every new power-up feels rewarding. The difficulty is just right—challenging but fair, and it keeps you coming back for more. If you’re a fan of Metroid or action-platformers in general, Metroid Dread is a must-play. It’s an exhilarating, memorable experience from start to finish!

2D side scrolling Metriod game where you explore and backtrack when you get new upgrades/abilities. For those who don’t like Metriodvania type games where there’s hints at inaccessible areas you must revisit later once you get upgrades/abilities; this game will not change your mind about them. Although the first few tutorial hours are fairly linear. But those who are curious or are fans of the genre; it’s more approachable due to fast paced fluid controls. --Story/plot: Takes place after Metriod Fusion. Samus is exploring the depths of planet ZDR. Gets attacked, loses all powerups, and you must find your way up to your ship and escape the planet. --Presentation Best visuals for the 2D Metriod series. Backgrounds are detailed and dynamic; sometimes hinting on what’s to come. Very cinematic during boss intros and defeats Sound is good. Best with headset or surround sound system when docked. Not the best soundtrack in the series, but very good nevertheless Gameplay: Movement is very fluid (slide slides/wave dashes), and way less tank-y than previous Metroid games. After playing this game; makes it really hard to go back to previous game in the franchise Able to free aim and melee attack/counter like in ‘Samus Return’ (on 3DS), but controls are much less cramped. Counter attacks are not the main draw like in Samus Returns Sliding makes things much faster paced, and you can run and slide through small gaps. Morthball is still used to traverse narrow passageways Number of upgrades and ability unlocks are constant and consistent (unless you get yourself lost). Sometimes an upgrade will get you through just one or two area and never use again. Good feedback/gameplay loop for those who like instant gratification Missile, and energy upgrades require you to get a certain amount to upgrade like heart pieces in Zelda games There are stealth segments where indestructible EMMI robots try to hunt you down like Mr. X or Nemesis in the Resident Evil series. They are territorial and will only stick to their zone/area. You get insta kill once caught, but you can melee counter and are able to escape. Timing is different each time, so you can’t cheat it by a number countdown or muscle memory. In certain areas you can get Omega Stream one shot powerup that breaks through EMMI’s face shield revealing its weak point Boss battles have you test your reflexes by dodging projectiles and attacks constantly. They do have a patterns to them, and finding their weak point can be a puzzle onto itself. Defeating bosses and EMMIs gives you new abilities or upgrades You may get lost often on your first playthrough. Must refer/pull up the map screen constantly to find out where to go next (unless you like to explore on your own) There are 8 different areas/zones to explore. There are some environmental themes such as underwater area, lava area, rocky caverns, a lab area, etc. There is 1 EMMI per zone except for 1, so 7 total. First play through can last 10-12 hours (depending on your exploration, time you get game over by EMMIs). Around an hour of it is cutscenes, most of which is almost static scenes of Adam (AI) giving out exposition. Like previous Metroid games faster speed runs (knowing exactly where to go, with fast reflexes) for better completion times are encouraged. Hard difficulty unlocks after you complete the game for the first time. No secret ending that I know of. You do get still image gallery as unlocks. My best speed run so far is 4 hours. There’s also completionist percent rating for getting all collectables Overall, best 2D Metroid game due to it’s faster pace and more action oriented gameplay. A must get for Metriod fans and fans of the genre

Metroid Dread is a direct sequel to the GBA title, Metroid Fusion. Canonically, that makes this the fifth Metroid title, chronologically. However, you don’t need to have played Metroid Fusion to enjoy this, as there is a short but adequate recap at the beginning of Dread. For those of you not familiar with Metroidvanias as a genre, this is genre of games that involves acquiring a equipment upgrades to backtrack and unlock previously blocked areas to either progress or gain optional upgrades (like more health or ammunition). Exploration and backtracking are a big part of the genre, so it’s normal and expected for you to get lost and poke around until you solve the “puzzle”. Modern Metroidvanias (a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania) include Jedi: Fallen Order, Arkham Asylum, Hollow Knight, Ori and the Blind Forest, Dead Cells, Bloodstained, and even 2018’s God of War. Dread adds to the formula by introducing EMMI. These are robots that stalk you through the environment and cannot be defeated by normal means. You unlock tools for avoiding and dealing with them, and they add both tension and a new type of “puzzle” to solve, as you figure out how to traverse an area while avoiding them. That’s what’s new, without spoiling things. The game still implements the melee-counter introduced in the 3DS remake of Metroid 2. This combined with Samus’s fluid movement, lovingly crafted animations, and a 60fps frame rate, makes this Metroid a joy to play. Samus feels swift and dangerous as she slides and summersaults through the environment. Unlike past titles, this game also encourages you to use your most powerful weapon, missiles, by making ammunition less scarce. This could have made the game too easy, but the game is balanced for it and still provides a stiff challenge, arguably being harder than past Metroids, but nowhere as challenging as Hollow Knight or Dead Cells. This is an easy recommendation for both Metroid veterans, fans of the genre, or those who are just curious about one of Nintendo’s most critically acclaimed and influential franchises.

Excelente producto.

Genial juego

Great game, works perfectly on switch

Metroid prime remastered geldi

Felt like playing super Metroid but with updated graphics

If you have a switch…. Trying this game out is a no brainer. Omg it’s that awesome. Buy it, play it, probably the game of the year for me.