Metroid Dread

 Switch
User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2790 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 2,386 out of 2790
  2. Mixed: 158 out of 2790
  3. Negative: 246 out of 2790
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  1. DinoBeam
    Aug 5, 2023
    2
    Got stuck in the demo, had to use a guide to progress because it is very poor at communicating, then I got to these annoying enemies you have to run away from. First of all that isn't fun, second of all you have to be fast so then you can't get your bearings and memorize the level, which is very important in these games. No I'm looking at other reviews and hearing of repeated bossGot stuck in the demo, had to use a guide to progress because it is very poor at communicating, then I got to these annoying enemies you have to run away from. First of all that isn't fun, second of all you have to be fast so then you can't get your bearings and memorize the level, which is very important in these games. No I'm looking at other reviews and hearing of repeated boss fights, that's just sad, what an overhyped mess.… Expand
  2. Hack
    Jul 29, 2023
    2
    One of the most frustrating, unfun games I have ever played. I got about halfway through and turned it off and put it onto eBay. It just has zero redeeming features, nothing about Metroid Dread made me want to continue playing but the constant one-shot deaths, obscure puzzles and backtracking certainly made me want to turn it off. Don't go in expecting rewarding difficulty like Dark Souls,One of the most frustrating, unfun games I have ever played. I got about halfway through and turned it off and put it onto eBay. It just has zero redeeming features, nothing about Metroid Dread made me want to continue playing but the constant one-shot deaths, obscure puzzles and backtracking certainly made me want to turn it off. Don't go in expecting rewarding difficulty like Dark Souls, it's just pure BS that will infuriate you. I feel like the game just assumes you've played every Metroid game which I haven't, and that made it a terrible experience as someone new to the franchise.… Expand
  3. RaggyB
    May 29, 2023
    0
    Incredible game, best since Super Metroid maybe even slightly better. Metroid Returns was just a warmup act, this is the main attraction. Best in show graphics, music, gameplay, and map of the Switch (excluding the current era of Zelda perhaps). Does a far stronger job of establishing character than all of the cutscenes Metroid Other M.
  4. radulle
    May 14, 2023
    0
    This is no better then other indie metroidvania games. Very mediocre game at best. You really have to wander why it's receiving such universal praise by critics.
  5. 113
    May 12, 2023
    4
    This game is revolutionizing, They have never made a game like this before. The only downfall of this game is that I dont like having a cute girl (which is my wife to be) being put in horrifying situations... 7/10
  6. Flickerack
    Mar 30, 2023
    3
    A refreshing take held back by traditionalist game design

    Over the last decades, the metroidvania genre has come a long way. Especially from the indie scene, we've got many great entries. Metroid Dread feels like a time capsule due to its traditional design choices for better and worse. It is always encouraged to expect investment of the player like old games did, but the game is    A refreshing take held back by traditionalist game design

    Over the last decades, the metroidvania genre has come a long way. Especially from the indie scene, we've got many great entries.

    Metroid Dread feels like a time capsule due to its traditional design choices for better and worse. It is always encouraged to expect investment of the player like old games did, but the game is also littered with mechanics that you would not expect from a game released in 2021.

    Here are some examples. The controls expect you to hold 3 buttons, just to fire a rocket, while one would have sufficed, boss difficulty is artificially raised by sponginess and quick time events are back, even necessary to beat nearly every boss. A lot of the bosses are repeated up to 6 times.

    These choices would be fine years ago, but due to fantastic examples like Hollow Knight or Ori and the Will of the Wisps, one knows that the metroidvania genre has come a long way and can do better. A comparison: In Metroid Dread and Hollow Knight, you are given a kind of super-jump in the game. It Hollow Knight you cling to a wall, hold a button and perform this jump. In Metroid Dread, you have to click your stick, run a bit, press down, then B, then the direction while holding B, and then you perform the jump.

    Why this artificial complexity? For a game, that advertises its tight controls, this feels unlike Nintendo, who usually simplify things, which take other games three sub-menus to explain.    … Expand
  7. fruitbat1015
    Mar 23, 2023
    0
    This is NOT Metroid. Plays nothing like past installments. Hate the melee counter, hate that you can't use the dpad to move. Bland atmosphere. Mercurysteam ruined the formula that makes Metroid a great game. Hate that company! They also ruined Castlevania.
    Samus Returns was trash, and I knew this game would be trash as well. Please Nintendo and others, for the love of all that's holy, DO    This is NOT Metroid. Plays nothing like past installments. Hate the melee counter, hate that you can't use the dpad to move. Bland atmosphere. Mercurysteam ruined the formula that makes Metroid a great game. Hate that company! They also ruined Castlevania.
    Samus Returns was trash, and I knew this game would be trash as well. Please Nintendo and others, for the love of all that's holy, DO NOT let mercurysteam make the next 2d game!    … Expand
  8. triadne
    Mar 15, 2023
    4
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I can't remember the last time I played a game with such a ridiculously complex and unintuitive controls. I'm spending the majority of the time trying to remember which button combination I need to press, rather than enjoying the game world. it's incredibly furstrating, a mess of cussing and frayed temper. not satisfying at all. the level design is bad. the entire map is a mess, with not much in the way of recognisable areas that would be familiar when you look at the map. you spend most of the time lost, with arbitrary roadblocks shoved in your way for no discernible reason. the suit design is nonsense, with 'lights' behaving like painted lines and meandering all over her body without rhyme or reason. puzzle design is inconsistent. for example, the game tells you specifically that your scan ability will show you blocks that you can break with your abilities, HOWEVER there is a wall that can be destroyed by power bombs that is not marked in any way. just one example. the narrative is disjointed and nonsensical. there is ample opportunity for various concepts and character history to be dripfed to us so we are reminded of context of the situation, instead it feels like the end is one massive context dump and shock reveal all in one. the game just expects you to accept all this stuff seemingly out of the blue.
    lastly, when did they decide to blow up a planet, and how exactly did they physically do that?

    also, whoever came up with the idea of QTE as a major required game mechanic, fire them. that trash gimmick does not belong in a metroid style game.    … Expand
  9. GamerDad2023
    Feb 28, 2023
    4
    Fans of great Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight or Ori will likely be disappointed by what amounts to 4 hours of quality content stretched into 8 hours of annoying gameplay. Great art and some cool concepts can't make up for the tons of quick-time events, sub-par controls (which start great), punishing bosses, terrible story, mediocre music, limited back-tracking (it funnels you), andFans of great Metroidvanias like Hollow Knight or Ori will likely be disappointed by what amounts to 4 hours of quality content stretched into 8 hours of annoying gameplay. Great art and some cool concepts can't make up for the tons of quick-time events, sub-par controls (which start great), punishing bosses, terrible story, mediocre music, limited back-tracking (it funnels you), and attacking every other block (not-so-fun exploration). 3 mini-bosses (one of which one-shots you) are each rehashed 6 times.… Expand
  10. Prizm
    Feb 16, 2023
    1
    This game sucks, Nintendo! What's with the stupid 90s pre-rendered graphics? How embarrassing. I loved Metroid II, Super Metroid, Metroid Zero Mission, and to a lesser extent, Metroid Fusion. There are a lot of old-style graphic styles that work today, but pre-rendered CGI sprites still look like garbage no matter how hard you try.

    This doesn't feel like a Metroid game at all. If this    This game sucks, Nintendo! What's with the stupid 90s pre-rendered graphics? How embarrassing. I loved Metroid II, Super Metroid, Metroid Zero Mission, and to a lesser extent, Metroid Fusion. There are a lot of old-style graphic styles that work today, but pre-rendered CGI sprites still look like garbage no matter how hard you try.

    This doesn't feel like a Metroid game at all. If this had a different name, you'd think it was a budget, mediocre, indie game. All I've experienced so far is ugly graphics that all look the same, linear gameplay where you keep getting blocked from going back where you came from, and stupid robot chases.
    Constantly running away from an invincible enemy is not fun. It's just annoying and ruins the best part about Metroid: exploration. What a flop.    … Expand
  11. fortyonfortyon
    Feb 16, 2023
    4
    Sadly, despite good controls and beautiful visuals, this game is not fun after a couple hours. It feels like a 20 dollar game. The whole EMMI thing is fun maybe the first two times but then just drags the game and its momentum down.
  12. Ironfalcon997
    Jan 28, 2023
    0
    I could say so much about this game, but I'll just say this: Metroid is back, and it's incredible. Play it.
  13. OmegaJ17
    Jan 21, 2023
    1
    Good thing I only bought a demo for this mess. I was really looking forward to this game, and I bought a demo to make sure I was ready. But boy was I wrong…

    The intro makes NO SENSE AT ALL. So, Samus basically gets word that the x-parasites (from fusion) are on a new planet she probably never heard of and found on complete accident. There are also some robots that they’re using to kill    Good thing I only bought a demo for this mess. I was really looking forward to this game, and I bought a demo to make sure I was ready. But boy was I wrong…

    The intro makes NO SENSE AT ALL. So, Samus basically gets word that the x-parasites (from fusion) are on a new planet she probably never heard of and found on complete accident. There are also some robots that they’re using to kill the x-parasites? Couldn’t the maker of the Robots just notify Samus that they’ve got the situation under control? The robots stop working ( because the game would’ve been over before it began if that wasn’t the case), so Samus ( with a hideous close up on her face to boot) beams down to the planet And encounters this Bird who drains all her power and turns her armor blue? WHAT!?

    The Combat in this is so boring and simple it’s not even funny. The way you kill every single enemy in this is to shoot them with your laser, that’s it. There’s this punch you can do to randomly instakill an enemy, which is actually a bit cool. Maybe there should’ve been some enemies that can only be damaged by that. But nope! Every enemy in this game can be considered palette swaps since they all die the same way.

    The only reason this is not a 0 is because the EMMI chases are actually quite fun. They’re big mazes that you have to get out of to defeat the EMMI, but you have to make sure the EMMI doesn’t catch you and trigger the game over screen. It’s a blast of adrenaline and challenge to an otherwise easy and boring game. If there was a game based entirely off this alone, I’d give it a solid 9 out of 10.

    But alas, the game itself is just tedious and I cannot imagine shelling out 60 bucks for this. Nintendo should fire mercury steam for ruining the Metroid IP. “Metroid Dread”? More like, “Metroid, I Dread what your next installment is if this is the direction you’re going”!    … Expand
  14. DolphinReviews
    Jan 14, 2023
    0
    Metroid does not know how to make video games. It takes forever to load and when it does the gameplay is straight out of the Gameboy colour. 60$ for a 2D game is a SCAM! The only 2D game that should be $60 is Monkey Kong.
  15. chasky
    Nov 13, 2022
    0
    El mejor metroid y mi juego favorito, el diseño de niveles es muy bueno, el apartado grafico tambien, sigue manteniendo la esencia de anteriores metroid pero innova lo necesario para que no se sienta repetitivo.
  16. Gais
    Oct 12, 2022
    0
    It's an excellent videogame. It's the best Samus' adventure in 2D of the whole saga
  17. quake2th
    Sep 10, 2022
    4
    This is the worst Metroid game, period. Or better, it's Metroid meets Dark Souls. The game is IMPOSSIBLE right from the beginning, before you can get the first powerup it becomes a boring endless hide and seek game, inside badly designed environments. You need a walkthrough to get the first powerup. Now I understand why the development for Metroid Prime 4 was restarted. If it's going to beThis is the worst Metroid game, period. Or better, it's Metroid meets Dark Souls. The game is IMPOSSIBLE right from the beginning, before you can get the first powerup it becomes a boring endless hide and seek game, inside badly designed environments. You need a walkthrough to get the first powerup. Now I understand why the development for Metroid Prime 4 was restarted. If it's going to be a piece of utter crap like this one, just let the franchise die in peace.

    Navigation is a mess, you constantly need to hit 2-3 buttons, you can never explore anything, you just need to RUN RUN RUN and HIDE HIDE HIDE. That's all you do in this game, the hide and seek gimmick becomes boring after exactly 1 minute.

    By the way, you need to follow a walkthrough to get the morph ball. This is even more confusing than the first Metroid on NES.

    Just do what I did: go back and play Metroid, Metroid Zero, Metroid Samus Returns, Metrid Other M, Metroid Fusion, the Prime trilogy. And forget this abomination was even released, the Metroid franchise is dead, let it rest.

    REVIEW UPDATE: after forcing myself to play through this pile of garbage, I can conclude that Metroid Dread is one of the (if not the) worst games on Nintendo Switch and maybe the worst games that has been released in the last ten years on any Nintendo console. This game is pure garbage.    … Expand
  18. drannok
    Sep 8, 2022
    2
    Making a game difficult doesnt make it good.

    This game a a fan service for "Hardocre gamerZ"

    there is no other way to play it than perfectly, no way to appreciate it casualy.
  19. edreesespieces
    Aug 15, 2022
    3
    There were good parts to this game, and there were bad parts. I'll start with the good because it's shorter.

    The controls are really well done here. Adaptive, intuitive, and responsive. I like it all - except the lack of ability to use the dpad. And remapping controls via Switch isn't a solution; you cant remap the dpad to the analog. The story is super well done. I really like the    There were good parts to this game, and there were bad parts. I'll start with the good because it's shorter.

    The controls are really well done here. Adaptive, intuitive, and responsive. I like it all - except the lack of ability to use the dpad. And remapping controls via Switch isn't a solution; you cant remap the dpad to the analog.

    The story is super well done. I really like the premise and everything that happens. Cutscenes are snappy, the villian is interesting, and the ending is satisfying and meaningful. Samus characterization is well done,

    Now for the bad - the exploration aspects to this game. This game, as a good Metroidvania should do, does NOT INCENTIVIZE EXPLORATION. There is extremely minimal gameplay reward for exploration. Even when you get all energy tanks and missiles, you barely are stronger or more capable then before. It's essentially a waste of time to explore the map. The only reason you'd enjoy exploration is for the exploration itself. But the game doesnt actually reward you or make you feel good about finding secrets and new paths to areas because it's pointless and doesn't improve character progression. This is the backbone of the Metroidvania genre and it fails here.

    The game instead, chooses to focus on action and boss fights. They damage the exploration and Metrdoivania aspects in order to serve to make it a better action game. It succeeds in this, but I just don't like action games. That's why I play Metroid. Rayman and Cuphead are much better and well made action games, that get right to the point. This game is more Rayman and Cuphead than it is Hollow Knight, a game that massively rewards exploration.

    Last big negative, the areas all look and feel the same. There a dark, black filled corridoors inside a mechanical environment. It just felt stale to me. This was made even worse by the lack of melodic music. They attempted to make the music more "atmospheric" in style, which is acceptable in theory, but they did a very poor job of it. The best tracks in the game are just remixes of older themes. So, without cool music, there's even less reward for exploration and wandering around.The EMMI fights also serve to degrade the exploration experience; the game becomes a run-stealth type of game, focusing on adrenaline and repetition. It takes away from the somber, lonely feel I enjoy playing Metroid games. Instead of getting lost in the world, I have a constant reminder i am playing a video game and need to replay the level 20 times to beat it, like I did with a game like Ninja Gaiden or TMNT back on NES. Just retry the level over and over again. The world design is very gameified in this way, instead of feeling like a natural, breathing world like most Metroid games.

    Anyway, basically the game is bad at atmosphere, exploration, music, and good in gameplay and being an action game. I rated it 4 because because a good action game is not what Metroid should be about.    … Expand
  20. robomartion
    Jul 18, 2022
    4
    If you like constantly being chased this is the game for you. Bring back Metroid Prime.
  21. tdebug
    Jul 8, 2022
    2
    I am fine with platformers, but this one just does not stand out as a good game. Too difficult even on the lowest level and somewhat repetitive. Sadly its just one of those japanese products where lack of good story and interesting gameplay is thought to be compensated by very high difficulty. Nah.
  22. HONGYP
    May 21, 2022
    0
    I have to rate 0 to tell the developer how much I hate on the difficulty cannot be changed after started the game. After I played around 8~10 hours, I found that the some of the bosses are very difficult to handled. I have tried over 40 times but still not successfully kill the boss. I hope that the difficulty can be changed so that I can finish the game. Life is busy. I bought this gameI have to rate 0 to tell the developer how much I hate on the difficulty cannot be changed after started the game. After I played around 8~10 hours, I found that the some of the bosses are very difficult to handled. I have tried over 40 times but still not successfully kill the boss. I hope that the difficulty can be changed so that I can finish the game. Life is busy. I bought this game to have some relax after works, but seems like the game is tougher than my works.… Expand
  23. pomf
    May 2, 2022
    3
    This game turned out bad because of speedrunners. Speedrunners are cancer. Stop kissing them/xir bums.
  24. HeroponXC
    Apr 28, 2022
    0
    terrible in every way, the combat is very simple, stand still, wait for enemy to attack, press counter button. graphics look like **** story is an afterthought, constantly getting lost with no way to know where to go next. what a waste of $60.
  25. theRykk
    Apr 10, 2022
    1
    This seems like it would be a great game except for the one thing I can't excuse, and that's instant, unavoidable deaths. These EMI robot things kill you, instantly, and you have VERY little chance of avoiding it once they pin you down. You will die in this game, a lot, without barely a chance of surviving. Every game I play I die, a lot, but that's after the enemy wears down your healthThis seems like it would be a great game except for the one thing I can't excuse, and that's instant, unavoidable deaths. These EMI robot things kill you, instantly, and you have VERY little chance of avoiding it once they pin you down. You will die in this game, a lot, without barely a chance of surviving. Every game I play I die, a lot, but that's after the enemy wears down your health bar, which is fine. With this game you don't have the chance. I've started it twice now and finally uninstalled it. Wish I could get my money back because I'll never play this one again. So disappointing because I've played every Metroid game and loved them. Moving on....… Expand
  26. Veritasium
    Apr 5, 2022
    0
    Before anything else let me tell you that this game is HARD. However, not once did I even consider putting it down. Once you get it, you've got it. The controls are seamless, the enemies are engaging, and the boss fights are among the best I have ever experienced. There are no cheap deaths, with the exception of the E.M.M.Is. However, once you master them, I challenge you to find a moreBefore anything else let me tell you that this game is HARD. However, not once did I even consider putting it down. Once you get it, you've got it. The controls are seamless, the enemies are engaging, and the boss fights are among the best I have ever experienced. There are no cheap deaths, with the exception of the E.M.M.Is. However, once you master them, I challenge you to find a more satisfying moment in gaming. If you love difficult games, this is a no-brainer for you. Try the free demo, then download it. Youtube a real review somewhere, I promise that this game is worth your time.… Expand
  27. MetzKetz
    Mar 28, 2022
    3
    The worst Metroid i ever played. I was so excited to finally be able to play Metroid again, and then they **** it up with this idiotic EMMI mechanic. Completely sucks the fun out of the game.
  28. Bazdmeg
    Mar 7, 2022
    3
    Átgondolatlannak érzem, már a játék elején nem tudom megszerezni a boss után a lava suitot, amivel tovább lehetne menni, amiért vissza kell menni valhova a játék elejére, ahova nem tudok ugyanis valami szar elállja az utat. Ezzel semmit nem lehet kezdeni. Most van még 3 út, amihez kell valami morph ball, amit egy teljesen másik pályán lehet csak megszerezni. Na most ezzel mit kezdjek.Átgondolatlannak érzem, már a játék elején nem tudom megszerezni a boss után a lava suitot, amivel tovább lehetne menni, amiért vissza kell menni valhova a játék elejére, ahova nem tudok ugyanis valami szar elállja az utat. Ezzel semmit nem lehet kezdeni. Most van még 3 út, amihez kell valami morph ball, amit egy teljesen másik pályán lehet csak megszerezni. Na most ezzel mit kezdjek. Konkrétan tényleg semerre sem lehet tovább menni, szívesen mutatnám a térképet, de annyit nem ér az egész, leszarom.… Expand
  29. BlimpyPebbles
    Mar 3, 2022
    4
    The game is fun for about 5 minutes. Then you realize that this is basically a mobile app game with terrible level design that has been ported to the Switch. This game 100% got good reviews because it has “Metroid” in the name. Why play this when you can play better Metroidvania games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Axiom Verge or Hollow Knight? I am at aThe game is fun for about 5 minutes. Then you realize that this is basically a mobile app game with terrible level design that has been ported to the Switch. This game 100% got good reviews because it has “Metroid” in the name. Why play this when you can play better Metroidvania games like Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Axiom Verge or Hollow Knight? I am at a loss. I have no idea why this game is so well-received. It sucks.… Expand
  30. FastShadow
    Mar 1, 2022
    0
    nintendo political scum!
    nintendo political scum!
    nintendo political scum!
    nintendo political scum!
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Awards & Rankings

9
#9 Best Switch Game of 2021
1
#1 Most Discussed Switch Game of 2021

Critic Reviews

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Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 124 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 116 out of 124
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 124
  3. Negative: 0 out of 124
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 18, 2022
    100
    Quotation forthcoming.
  2. IGN Adria
    Jan 20, 2022
    90
    After almost 20 years we finally have a sequel to the 2D series of Metroid games! Considering that, Dread does a great job of combining the new modern combat with the old elements of research and advancement, and it doesn't hurt that we have some of the best boss fights in the series. A true gem and a must have for all Switch gamers.
    Read full review
  3. JeuxActu
    Dec 13, 2021
    85
    Taking up the torch of a series interrupted nineteen years ago is never an easy task, but the MercurySteam studio is doing it with honors! The developers have chosen the path of security while perfectly respecting the spirit of the previous episodes, to the detriment of true modernity.
    Read full review
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