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
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this game

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. thethreecats
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    Metroid Dread is the definitive Metroid game, made by people who understand the formula and how to speak to the fanbase as well as a return to form for Yoshio Sakamoto's legacy with the franchise. On top of this extremely polished experience we also get to live in a time when a truly difficult Metroid game is a reality. Samus' increased mobility and her new defensive movements allowed forMetroid Dread is the definitive Metroid game, made by people who understand the formula and how to speak to the fanbase as well as a return to form for Yoshio Sakamoto's legacy with the franchise. On top of this extremely polished experience we also get to live in a time when a truly difficult Metroid game is a reality. Samus' increased mobility and her new defensive movements allowed for more intense fights later on in the game. There's even one boss with a legitimate physical combo. A lot of people have complained about the difficulty but honestly the game is built to where the difficulty can be altered by your own pick-ups. My game was extremely difficult as I had skipped a lot of items, the final boss destroyed me multiple times, but it was never impossible. If you don't like very hard games the beginning may kick you down but as you go along make certain to go for as many pick-ups as you possibly can.

    Some general tips:
    The flash shift can't go through enemies but you can jump and use it over them.
    The E.M.M.I will almost always walk onto the last location it heard you. If you use the phantom cloak, be sure to walk into an alcove close by after activating it to make sure it doesn't bump into you.
    You have access to your entire arsenal after a counter.
    Running away from an E.M.M.I is always a viable strategy. If you get too stressed, pause the game and scan the map screen for a way out.
    The game tends to funnel you into the intended sequence of events, for your first playthrough its easiest to take the path of least resistance.
    The game is replayable. Find a cool movement tech at the end of the game? Start a new file later! Who knows you might use it to get something early.

    This game deserves immense praise, sales numbers that blow Nintendo away and a lasting legacy. A 10/10 is the only thing I could ever give it.    … Expand
  2. Retroplayer1987
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    Excelente diseño de niveles, me recuerda a Supermetroid en como el juego te va guiando por esos laberintos orgánicos y muy bien construidos. Se agregan nuevas habilidades, algunas ya venían del juego de 3ds por supuesto y las ya clásicas de cada metroid(Morphball, super salto, etc)
    Los jefes son puzzles en si mismos como ya es común en esta serie y su dificultad es realmente buena, vas a    Excelente diseño de niveles, me recuerda a Supermetroid en como el juego te va guiando por esos laberintos orgánicos y muy bien construidos. Se agregan nuevas habilidades, algunas ya venían del juego de 3ds por supuesto y las ya clásicas de cada metroid(Morphball, super salto, etc)
    Los jefes son puzzles en si mismos como ya es común en esta serie y su dificultad es realmente buena, vas a morir quizá unas 3 veces por jefe antes de poder derrotarlos.
    La incorporaciòn mas importante son los EMMI, robots que merodean lugares especificos del juego y de los cuales inicialmente tendràs que arrancar, si estos te logran pillar, tendrás que encontrar el timing justo para paralizarlos unos segundos o sino moriràs instantaneamente.
    Respecto a la Historia, se revelan imporantes cosas sobre los Chozo y se vislumbra un gran futuro respecto a la saga bajo estos puntos, otro tema importante esque hay bastantes referencias a Fusion.
    Un juego que debes tener si o si si eres fan de los Metroidvania, desafiante y rejugable, una masterclass de como se debe hacer un video juego hoy en día y no como otros de la competencia que se dedican a realizar ''review bombing'' y popularizar juegos tipo películas que no tienen nada de jugabilidad y se burlan del usuario.
    ESTO ES UN VERDADERO JUEGO SEÑORES.    … Expand
  3. unlicensedpanda
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    Metroid Dread is the best game I played in 2021. Control are great, albeit a bit clunky at first but you'll used to it. The story is acceptable, while the music is atmospheric. Gameplay is where this game shine—I can imagine myself revisiting this game from time to time. Buy Metroid Dread! Don't sleep on this one!
  4. DavLai3
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    Best Metroid game of all time. Tight controls, epic story, beautiful world, epic abilities. Game. Of. The. Year. Congratulations Nintendo and MS!
  5. dharma
    Oct 17, 2021
    10
    Metroid Dread is probably one of the best Switch game released, and one of the best Metroid game after Prime and Super Metroid. Mercury Steam finally has perfected their own formula, started back with Samus Returns, and created a challenging game that will make you glued to your Switch. What more can I say? Just buy it.
  6. Coastal2009
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    First time playing a metroid game and I just beat it. This game is amazing. It’s a little difficult and you will die a few times trying to figure out the boss patterns but it’s not unreasonable.
  7. UmAlguem
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    One of the best sequels ever, metroid dread deserves the goty 2021 and good sales
  8. rolo143
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    I never was the biggest fan of the Metroid series, I only played Fusion and I liked it. I never actually finished Super Metroid, and had a long time without playing any Metroid game, but I'm really enjoying Dread a lot. I love Metroidvania games, and this is a must have, honestly it would seem like I'm exaggerating, but the gameplay, music and aesthetic makes this game a Goty contender, noI never was the biggest fan of the Metroid series, I only played Fusion and I liked it. I never actually finished Super Metroid, and had a long time without playing any Metroid game, but I'm really enjoying Dread a lot. I love Metroidvania games, and this is a must have, honestly it would seem like I'm exaggerating, but the gameplay, music and aesthetic makes this game a Goty contender, no doubt. The game is amazing, even if you never played a Metroid game before, this is the perfect game to start.… Expand
  9. Online_NPC
    Oct 15, 2021
    9
    Metroid Dread isn't the perfect game... but it's close. The graphics are detailed and beautiful at a steady 60 FPS. The gameplay is everything a Metroid game promises to be, exploration, challenging boss fights, amazing weapons, abilities, and upgrades.

    Graphics: 10
    Gameplay: 10
    Audio: 8.5
    Story: 8
  10. Squinter
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    Good metroid, fresh, good for the saga, good bosses, good manage of the level, good manage of the habilitties, good story
  11. Aarontheman9196
    Oct 14, 2021
    10
    I have a hard time believing that most of the people that left negative reviews actually played this game. Some of them are blatant lies. To debunk a couple, this is not a short game, and the controls are some of the most innovative the series has ever seen. I domt know why someone would either lie, or review a game they didn't even play,, but whatever. Besides that, I also see alot ofI have a hard time believing that most of the people that left negative reviews actually played this game. Some of them are blatant lies. To debunk a couple, this is not a short game, and the controls are some of the most innovative the series has ever seen. I domt know why someone would either lie, or review a game they didn't even play,, but whatever. Besides that, I also see alot of people complaining about the difficulty, and misunderstanding that they only made it hard because of the name dread. Metroid is an old series, and the challenge was part of what made it memorable. Being forced to explore, and finding hidden upgrades, was all part of it. Challenging, massive bosses was part of the atmosphere. Samus is all alone, and her enemies are way stronger,, but her skill carries her through to victory. Even then, Dread is not impossibility hard. I partially amputated my left hand the day before Christmas eve. After 3 surgeries, a nerve graft, and a tendon transfer, 4 of my fingers are still numb, so I can't tell when I'm pressing buttons, my thumb is partially paralyzed, and when it does move, it's only in one direction, and it moves in unison with my pointer finger. Yet even I am able to master this game. The game is challenging, and requires you to use the skills you gain in order to beat the game, but that makes it more immersive and enjoyable, you feel overpowered because of your skill, not overpowered in the sense that you have infinite or automatically restoring health as most modern games do. This game, reminds me of my childhood, of having to master new skills in order to progress in a game, like you would in real life. It's been a long time since I felt a sense of accomplishment after finally mastering a pattern, and beating a boss easily when previously I would die almost instantly. This is how video games used to be, they took practice, skill, and motivation. It says alot for the state of our society, that people can't stand any form of challenge at all, even in a game. Do these people realize that this is nothing compared to how hard old games were? Do they also realize that 3rd graders used to master games like this all the time? I don't understand, boss fights are supposed to be challenging, you aren't supposed to be able to just sloppily blast your way through them without paying attention. Why even have a boss fight if the only difference between it and regular enemies, is a cinematic scene? If all you want to do is watch a massive enemy die, and not actually do it yourself, then just watch people on twitch! Don't ruin video games for the rest of us by demanding they all be 90% cinematic scenes with no challenging gameplay. People used to be embarrassed to complain about the difficulty of a game. I think lots of people could use a bit of shame in their lives. This game deserves to be rated in the high 9's, yet because of all of these pansies who actually want interactive movies, and not video games, this absolute masterpiece is rated lower than it should be. This is one of the best video games of all time, and spoiled brats who can't bother with putting in a miniscule amount of effort, are hurting its legacy. The developers took to heart all the criticism of the past games, and brought the series back to its roots. People complained because they had made metroid easier, and made it more linear and had taken much of the freedom away. People were begging for a game like super metroid for almost 30 years. They finally made the game everyone was begging for, and now a bunch of "longtime metroid fans" (yeah right) complain about everything all the actual fans begged for for 30 years. Mark my words, this game will be played for decades to come, while the stupid, interactive movie games these naysayers love so much, will be totally forgotten. If you have a competitive nature, or just want to know what video games used to feel like, but with modern polish, HD graphics, and a smooth 60 fps, give this game a try. You won't be disappointed. And if you don't like freedom, getting better, or accomplishing anything, and would rather watch a movie while you hold a controller and push a button every now and then, just do everyone a favor, get Netflix or twitch, and stop complaining that video games are too much like video games, and not enough like movies. What a bunch of whiney brats. Peace y'all.… Expand
  12. Tigrey
    Oct 17, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. So far Metroid Dread is my favorite game this year and probably in my top 10 (maybe even top 5) favorite games at the moment. The movement is impeccable, the art style is gorgeous and the sense of progression really great. This is my first Metroid game and I have to say, I am enjoying it so much. The game is a bit difficult for a newcomer to the series but I getting the hang of it. Right now I am hooked and I can't wait to play more. I love the E.M.M.I. rooms and encounters. It works really well in this game. I have just beat the Chozo Warrior robot (the third boss) so I will update my review depending on what my thoughts are at the end of the game.

    Overall 10/10 (so far)    … Expand
  13. Mywnn
    Oct 19, 2021
    10
    This game is my favorite of the year, and by far. Metroid is back to the top!
  14. kirrwed
    Oct 27, 2021
    6
    This game was probably an 8 or 9 for at least half of it, but it slowly dwindled.

    PROS: The game does produce a decent atmosphere of an abandoned planet, and indoor corridors, often claustrophobic. Some of the controls are very fluid (see the CONS for the bad controls). Jumping, dashing, sliding are all intuitive and responsive, and the animations correspond well to where you are    This game was probably an 8 or 9 for at least half of it, but it slowly dwindled.

    PROS: The game does produce a decent atmosphere of an abandoned planet, and indoor corridors, often claustrophobic. Some of the controls are very fluid (see the CONS for the bad controls). Jumping, dashing, sliding are all intuitive and responsive, and the animations correspond well to where you are trying to move. The upgrades were also fun and did give a sense of getting stronger and better. The metroidvania style of getting abilities to go back and reach new areas were there (although some traveling was too long as described below). The map, although a little daunting for it’s size, did reveal with gradients into emptiness areas where you knew the map extended - which helped give you a sense of where to go. I was only unsure where to go maybe once, despite hearing this was a problem for other players. The map development and upgrades all worked together to provide a key element to any video game - progression. The map also marks key items which is very helpful, especially when backtracking is required. The early EMMI encounters are good, atmospheric, and feel like a good stealth opportunity that invoked tension.

    CONS: Some of the controls are poor. At the top of this list is the shinespark mechanic, which is just atrocious. First, the game does not tell you multiple ways this feature can be used - such as extending the spark by wall bouncing or hitting a slope at the right angle. Another way is doing it in middair. You can look up online how to do these, but the mechanic is still vague to decipher. For instance, you can extend a spark by hitting a spark that is sloped - but not a slope against a wall, as she will end the spark as soon as she hits the wall. The whole thing is unclear, the controls are convoluted and unintuitive, and really soured that feature and any attempt at 100% completion. Even the games instructed method of using shinespark involves depressing L3 in tandem with moving that same stick in a direction. It’s a terribly unnecessary combo requirement that can lead to unwanted results. Related to that, the slide motion and morph ball motion are almost the same (L2 and diagonal down vs L2 and down). I know I and many others have experienced going into ball or slide when we wanted the other. Again, it's an unnecessary setup.

    QTEs - how these remain common in games is vexing. Multiple bosses - and even some of the regular creatures like the worm door guard things early on - need QTEs to beat. The feature remains an unimmersive fault in games and is very prevalent in Metroid Dread.

    Multiple boss fights slip into a cinematic sequence. Most of the time, you have no control over how this unfolds. But at least one fight requires you to continue shooting as part of an on-the-rails cinematic sequence. Of course, the game doesn’t tell you when. Furthermore, there is a fight where one of your weapons doesn’t work during an interactive cinematic - but your other weapons do. So if you tried the non-working weapon first, you could think it was a non-interactive cinematic. Which would result in confusion as to what to do or extend the fight to be finished way longer than necessary.

    The later EMMI encounters pretty much lose stealth as a viable option. You’re better off just bolting to the next area on the map and not care if you’re spotted. They lost their mystique here. And the game trains you early to avail yourself of stealth to succeed at these.

    Getting around also becomes a chore as the map expands. Teleporters and transports can take minutes to get to if you haven’t memorized routes. Eventually, the teleporters all unlock interchangeably, but late in the game. Most of the time, it’s just tedious to get around. Also, the game tells you that a blinking section of the map indicates hidden item. But, early on, there was a spot where you couldn't advance unless you started randomly shooting everywhere (but the map wasn't blinking to indicate anything hidden) to reveal a hidden passage. There is never any instruction about hidden pathways, which you would expect since they told you this with "items." So either passages should be included among hidden “items” or given a similar in-game instruction as “items.” Either way, the game communicated hidden passage rules poorly.

    For even a decent B-level gamer, the boss fights will require much trial and error to learn a “pattern.” And eventually, they can become easy as a result. Although some are just bullet sponges. Some gamers may find this an appropriate part of a challenge. But others will find it redundant, and boring—like learning a deck of memory cards over and over. Thus the “difficulty” is less about the flow of the fight itself, but merely learning a pattern.

    ____
    All in all, the game was largely enjoyable, but largely hurt by unclarity and some bad mechanics    … Expand
  15. flag0n
    Nov 2, 2021
    5
    I made a Metacritic account just so I can review this game. The first Metroid game I played was Metroid II: Return of Samus for the Gameboy in 1991. I was 4 years old and loved the fact I could play in a hostile, foreboding Sci-Fi world where aliens or the environment could kill you within seconds. My favorite games in the Metroid franchise are the Prime trilogy, with the first one takingI made a Metacritic account just so I can review this game. The first Metroid game I played was Metroid II: Return of Samus for the Gameboy in 1991. I was 4 years old and loved the fact I could play in a hostile, foreboding Sci-Fi world where aliens or the environment could kill you within seconds. My favorite games in the Metroid franchise are the Prime trilogy, with the first one taking the cake. Super Metroid is great too, but I played that much later when it was packaged on the SNES Classic. It's a great game.

    This is one of the worst Metroid games I have ever played. I won't repeat what has already been said about why this game is so marginal and non-Metroid, but I do disagree that the difficulty is a prohibiting factor. Metroid has always been hard, not impossibly hard per se, but the difficulty -- especially at the beginning of the games -- are what draws a lot of people in and creates a sense of investment and reward by the time you finish. Prime 2's beginning (especially the first time you go to the Dark World and fight the first Ing boss) is a great example.

    Metroid Dread fails in nearly every category that makes the franchise unique in a world full of Metroidvania-style games. It's chock full of gimmicky QTE-type reactions and sections that feel uninspired and annoying rather than mysterious and foreboding. There is next to no exploration, and obtaining power-ups seems too twitchy rather than reliant on problem-solving or exploratory skills.

    Metroid has always been a game about being lost, isolated even, in a hostile world. It's always had this feeling that at any moment, you could fall prey to an alien monster or some environmental trap. It's up to you, the player, to overcome all odds and prove to the galaxy that Samus Aran is the baddest bounty hunter, bar none. Metroid Dread, despite its name, does none of these things. I never once felt an ounce of fear, anxiety, or dread. Mostly, I felt boredom during the main game and frustration bordering on anger during the idiotic EMMI sections.

    There are a few redeeming qualities. Controls are tight and fluid. It's got that Nintendo polish and production value going for it. The endgame is fun when you become an unstoppable force with all of your tricks, but it happens so suddenly that the first half of the game (when you are weak) feels like it was made longer just to keep the difficulty artificially inflated. The Chozo storyline is intriguing but unrealized. Finally, a game where we learn about and interact with these guys while playing rather than through lore and flashbacks. If only we had more.

    Nintendo is laughing all the way to the bank with this one. What a joke. Don't be a sucker like me and pay $60 for this crap. Here's an idea: save yourself $45 and buy Hollow Knight on the Switch, or get it on sale on Steam for $7. It's the best Metroidvania game made since Symphony of the Night (1997). I'm serious. Hopefully Retro can redeem what's left of this once-great franchise with Prime 4. It's my last hope as a Metroid fan.

    Gameplay: 7
    Graphics: 7
    Fun Factor: 3
    Sound/Music: 3
    Replayability: 5

    Average. For a Metroid game, what a disappointment. It's as bad as Other M.    … Expand
  16. max1c
    Oct 27, 2021
    7
    This game is very good until you start taking into account complete shi tier controls and cheating AI. Emmi mechanics are also pretty mediocre design wise. The double jump mechanic is literally the worst implementation of any platformer in history ever. Everything else in the game is pretty high quality.
  17. ahmadhz1999
    Nov 2, 2021
    7
    For me, the game is too simple to be a masterpiece. It was definitely a fun experience but the maps and the boss fights were super simplified.

    First of all, the maps for each area are very small, so you will never feel alone or scared. Second of all, the location of hidden items is so obvious that you can find most of them without any problem, and this takes the feel of discovery out of    For me, the game is too simple to be a masterpiece. It was definitely a fun experience but the maps and the boss fights were super simplified.

    First of all, the maps for each area are very small, so you will never feel alone or scared. Second of all, the location of hidden items is so obvious that you can find most of them without any problem, and this takes the feel of discovery out of the game. Lastly, the platforming sections are just too easy. In the entire playthrough, there were only one or two parts that had challenging platforming and in other sections, you only had to jump once or twice and pass the location easily.

    Boss fights had the same problem. The only boss fights that were actually interesting and satisfying to beat were the first and last bosses. Other bosses had only three or four attack patterns and you could learn all of them after a few tries (usually less than 5 tries). Also, the game gives you so many health packs and missiles that sometimes you don't even need to learn all the attack patterns.

    Some people might say that if I play it on hard these problems will go away, but that is not true because these are design problems, and increasing the damage of enemies will not solve anything.

    I would say the best part of this game is the gameplay. It feels very smooth, and you can run around the map super fast. This becomes even more fun when you get new cool abilities. Also, unlike most people, I liked the EMMI encounters because they felt intense in some parts and made the game more engaging.

    Overall I recommend this game, but I think 60 dollars is too much for such a simple and short game, so wait for the sale if you want to save money.    … Expand
  18. TonyVi
    Oct 24, 2021
    10
    Excellent and mostly point to be the GOTY. The world design and the replay is amazing, you can play the game over and over again without be tired and try to be your best score. Also the controls are so smooth and responsive.
  19. Reed618
    Oct 17, 2021
    10
    I'm surprised to say it but wow... this is the best metroid game... they actually did it.

    The boss fights are phenomenal, the areas are large, varied and filled with secrets to discover, the emmi sections are tense and a little different depending on which emmi you're facing. The ending is also straight up badass. Game of the year 2021... couldn't recommend it enough.
  20. SplitMind
    Nov 7, 2021
    6
    Metroid Dread comes nearly 20 years after Fusion as a sequel, and unfortunately it feels like it has aged badly in those 20 years.

    The graphics are actually where it shows some promise. The detail on backgrounds, models and textures allow Dread to excel where Fusion was limited by technology at the time. The downside is that there I quite a bit of repetition and predictability. You face    Metroid Dread comes nearly 20 years after Fusion as a sequel, and unfortunately it feels like it has aged badly in those 20 years.

    The graphics are actually where it shows some promise. The detail on backgrounds, models and textures allow Dread to excel where Fusion was limited by technology at the time. The downside is that there I quite a bit of repetition and predictability. You face the same graphical themes as yesteryear, traversing through lava, ice, oceanic and other familiar environments that do not really scream imagination. One specific issue to note is that I found the design of the map to be absolutely dreadful: a real clusterbomb of colours and shapes amounting to a ghastly eyesore.

    The gameplay is where the game becomes a tedious act in frustration and repetition. I will make a special point around the EMMIs. I found them to be absolutely stupid and irritating. They are invincible and kill you with an unfair quick-time event. This does not add dread or suspense to the game. It’s just really irritating when you have to run and die repeatedly because of one little slip-up. In Fusion the SA-X was handled much more sparingly and was more effective as a result.

    Then we have the other dreadful element – the level design. Metroid has always been about exploration, but never before have I been so bored and irritated by having to traverse long distances on the map and getting lost because the game gives you almost zero direction most of the time.

    I do give kudos for the addition of the parry mechanic, even if it is likely stolen from Dark Souls. It really truncates tedious battling with minor enemies.

    Getting upgrades feels great as you can do new things, but it’s also the same formular Metroid has been regurgitating for decades now. This is intertwined with the story; Mario, Zelda and Samus all seem to be living through Groundhog Day as every single game has the same premise – Samus goes to strange location curiously lacking in a back-up plan, inevitably gets attacked and loses all her powers. I suppose we don’t really play these games for the story, but a bit of creativity wouldn’t hurt either.

    Overall, Metroid Dread is a great game if this was the early 2000s. In 2021 the only thing it really has going for it is the Metroid branding. There are amply MetroidVanias out there now and I struggle to recommend Dread as one of them when I recall enjoying myself so much more with Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which is a cheaper indie effort that really puts Metroid to shame with its AAA budget and price-tag.    … Expand
  21. GabiTheRabbit
    Nov 8, 2021
    7
    It's a fun game, but that's pretty much it. It wouldn't get quarter of the praise it receives, if it wasn't named metroid and if it wasn't from nintendo. But hey, if sentiment can sell patriotism, it surely can sell games. Gamers will rant about whatever good or bad ubisoft would do, but nintendo can make what basically is an indie game, advert it as if it was AAA title, and sell it forIt's a fun game, but that's pretty much it. It wouldn't get quarter of the praise it receives, if it wasn't named metroid and if it wasn't from nintendo. But hey, if sentiment can sell patriotism, it surely can sell games. Gamers will rant about whatever good or bad ubisoft would do, but nintendo can make what basically is an indie game, advert it as if it was AAA title, and sell it for the price of AAA, and gamers will thank nintendo for screwing them over.

    I had fun playing it, I enjoy the general mechanics of it. I got stuck a few times, and solutions were very unintuitive. It's very frustrating at the times. EMMIs are just annoying - it's not a good stealth design. Some decisions regarding controls are just awful. you can transition from walk / run into ball - you need to stop to do that, which is ridiculous in such dynamic game. Often controls felt unresponsive - often I couldn't duck or enable rockets in time, because game was not reacting on my input. Nintendo also forgot, that there is another joystick on switch, and you run and aim with just 1 stick, like a simpleton. To double jump its not enough to press jump twice - you also need directional, which is very unintiitive too. I don't think many people actually finished the game, because last boss is crazy difficult for some reason.    … Expand
  22. AngrySir
    Mar 21, 2022
    6
    I really wanted to like this game more, Samus in this game is more badass than ever, if you played to the end you know what I mean, and I think the direction that the story took as the end of Samus' journey was great, but the negative aspects of the experience had a huge impact during this journey, so I couldn't simply ignore them.
    - Too many EMMI encounters, making them stop being    I really wanted to like this game more, Samus in this game is more badass than ever, if you played to the end you know what I mean, and I think the direction that the story took as the end of Samus' journey was great, but the negative aspects of the experience had a huge impact during this journey, so I couldn't simply ignore them.
    - Too many EMMI encounters, making them stop being interesting and become just annoying.
    - Too many repeated miniboss fights.
    - The level design is the biggest villain, disturbs the flow of progression and pacing of the game, most of the time the game gives you little to no information about what direction you should take, what is not a problem, but the exaggerated disorientation on a map that is not only part of the problem, but also the catalyst for it, leads to the game's biggest flaw, unnecessary and tiring backtracking. The game's scenarios don't stand out visually, with few exceptions, everywhere is too similar visually and structurally-wise, maze-like layouts, terribly fragmented and interconnected, full of blocked passages and hidden paths, very confusing.
    At some point in the game, I got tired of getting lost, wondering where to find a certain upgrade, or where exactly was that room I had passed through that needed this upgrade I just got, making me consider dropping the game. Anyway, at the end of the game, after 8 hours, the stress I went through was too much that it almost overcame the fun and made me feel like I had played Metroid Dread for 30 hours.    … Expand
  23. twirlingfern2
    Jun 11, 2022
    6
    The robot chase sequences are not fun to me. You run away and get killed over and over. The exploration was much more linear since it blocks the path, but that was fine for me since I don't like to get lost much - but some players may like more exploration. Resolution is max 900p even while docked. There are tons and tons of QTE during boss fights. Not only this, but you can only triggerThe robot chase sequences are not fun to me. You run away and get killed over and over. The exploration was much more linear since it blocks the path, but that was fine for me since I don't like to get lost much - but some players may like more exploration. Resolution is max 900p even while docked. There are tons and tons of QTE during boss fights. Not only this, but you can only trigger the next boss phase or kill the boss if you successfully do the QTE- if you fail then you need to repeat the cycle again. The final boss did fair damage, but every other boss did huge damage to Samus. They will kill you in 3-4 hits, even if you go exploring and grab the energy tanks. Overall I would not recommend. There are much better metrodvanias than this game such as Ori 1, Ori 2, and Hollow Knight.… Expand
  24. abcdefgg11
    Oct 24, 2021
    10
    Excellent game, had high expectations and it turned out even better than I expected. Mercury Steam already showed how much they respect and love this saga with Samus Returns, but this time really outdid themselves.
  25. fantasmacanino
    Feb 14, 2022
    4
    Metroid Dread is certainly the worst Metroid game I've played. It lacks any of the characteristics that made Super Metroid one of my favourite games when I was a kid. I haven't played the game in close to a month but I still remember how unfulfilling the EMMI encounters were, the over-use of cutscenes to tell the story, the unispired music, the way actions were mapped on the switchMetroid Dread is certainly the worst Metroid game I've played. It lacks any of the characteristics that made Super Metroid one of my favourite games when I was a kid. I haven't played the game in close to a month but I still remember how unfulfilling the EMMI encounters were, the over-use of cutscenes to tell the story, the unispired music, the way actions were mapped on the switch controller, etc. Why do we need quick-time events in a Metroid game? I don't rate this game lower because of the importance that Super Metroid has had for gaming, but in a universe in which Hollow Knight exists (and costs one fourth of the price of this game), what does Dread bring to the table? Not much, other than its name.… Expand
  26. ghost8809
    Jan 12, 2022
    4
    I just got the credits to roll and I couldn’t think of a better time to review this game. I’ll start this off by saying I’ve been gaming since 92, and was really looking forward to this Metroid platformer. I wanted to love it , but I can’t. This game is a royal piss off. This game is basically a game of memorization. Every fight your under powered even with the upgrades you collect, andI just got the credits to roll and I couldn’t think of a better time to review this game. I’ll start this off by saying I’ve been gaming since 92, and was really looking forward to this Metroid platformer. I wanted to love it , but I can’t. This game is a royal piss off. This game is basically a game of memorization. Every fight your under powered even with the upgrades you collect, and you will to get your butt wiped until you memorize the patterns. The reward for beating the section isn’t worth the frustration of learning the patterns. That leads me my next point. This game isn’t worth 80$ Canadian. Maybe 20$ tops. It’s lacking lots of content. The game is short, and the levels suck. Your gonna run around lost trying to find the next area to go all the time. The game dosnt tell you how to play or where to go. I love hard games but this game isn’t rewarding enough to endure the Bs it puts you threw every step of it.. The only reason why I finished it is If I buy it for full price , I’m gonna play and beat it. Outside of that the name of game is correct. This game is a dread. And I can’t recommend it unless you are a huge Metroid fan and Sucker for punishment.… Expand
  27. Bobparty
    Oct 22, 2021
    10
    Amazing story, gameplay, aesthetic, everything. Game of the year 2021 for sure.
  28. Barabaratrad
    Oct 22, 2021
    9
    It’s a really great game, an evolution of Super and Fusion ideas. Awesome picture quality, combat and movement fluidity, style, lore and beloved exploration gameplay.
  29. Bigboyedu
    Oct 22, 2021
    9
    An excellent addition to the Metroid franchise and one of the best games on the switch to date
  30. Syndromekad345
    Oct 23, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Truly a return to a Queen of Metroidvania, Samus Aran is at her best in this game and bring a good conclusion to the story arc.… Expand
Page:

Awards & Rankings

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

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
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
See all critic reviews »