User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2790 Ratings

User score distribution:
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
  1. Oct 15, 2021
    6
    Great graphics and animations and the world is really deep and beautiful, the game just isn't very fun. LONG TIME Metroid fan and have played every game since Super Metroid but this one is different. The difficulty is pretty high all around but spikes to PUNISHING and often leads to frustrating repetitive deaths. Honestly kind of disowned. let's
  2. Oct 17, 2021
    10
    Metroid dread has almost been a religious experience for me. The wait for a continuation of this series has been long but man this game was so good! By al means nothing is perfect, are there other directions i would have wanted the developers to take? Sure, the map isnt as clean as in previous games so you have to take a bit longer watching it. The emmis could have been handled a litleMetroid dread has almost been a religious experience for me. The wait for a continuation of this series has been long but man this game was so good! By al means nothing is perfect, are there other directions i would have wanted the developers to take? Sure, the map isnt as clean as in previous games so you have to take a bit longer watching it. The emmis could have been handled a litle diffrent but If it would be all I wanted I wouldnt have been suprised either or kept in suspence, Amazing boss fights, one day I hope im good enought to preform the amazing secret one pounch takedown as well. The game is a welcomed return to form without this anoying handholding we are so used to today. Its so satisfying to solve these thing yourself. An absolute epic and a true metroid game. My hope is we wont have to wait as long for the next installment. Now we wait for Metroid Prime 4 and Metroid 6! Expand
  3. Oct 17, 2021
    9
    As a metroid veteran, I think this game is excellent. It's still faithful to the serie but adds nice improvements and quality of life features. Samus is super agile and the action-part of the game is great. The difficulty adds tension and encourages the player to stay aware, it's challenging and rewarding. The story is great too and the EMMIs are a good thing. Plus, the formula has someAs a metroid veteran, I think this game is excellent. It's still faithful to the serie but adds nice improvements and quality of life features. Samus is super agile and the action-part of the game is great. The difficulty adds tension and encourages the player to stay aware, it's challenging and rewarding. The story is great too and the EMMIs are a good thing. Plus, the formula has some twists, but I won't spoil here. See you next mission! Expand
  4. Oct 17, 2021
    9
    Game super fun when running around figuring out puzzles and what not. Reason why it’s not 10 is THE BOSSES HOLY CRAP!! It get good until bosses, then the game has a big spike in difficulty, especially the final boss. Also I think the damage is a little high on some enemy’s. Overall 9.2, would highly recommend.
  5. Oct 17, 2021
    9
    Metroid Dread might be my favorite Metroid game.
    It provides the best feeling controls for Samus in the entire series, a surprisingly varied arsenal of classic items and new useful abilities, gorgeous looking environnments and distinct enemy designs, an extremely detailed map that can be overwhelming at first but ends up being very useful, a sense of mistery and surprise that pays respect
    Metroid Dread might be my favorite Metroid game.
    It provides the best feeling controls for Samus in the entire series, a surprisingly varied arsenal of classic items and new useful abilities, gorgeous looking environnments and distinct enemy designs, an extremely detailed map that can be overwhelming at first but ends up being very useful, a sense of mistery and surprise that pays respect to the legacy of this series and just a level of care in the game design that you don't see in every game.
    Expand
  6. Oct 17, 2021
    10
    Best Metroid game, I ever played. Is a lot better than many of 3D games. :)
  7. Oct 17, 2021
    9
    Metroid dread is one of my favorite games of the year. It has extremely tight controls and addicting gameplay. The EMMI robot chases make for strategic movement around the large maps, but i got slightly annoyed of them by the time I reached Dairon. There are also some cool new gadgets that Samus has in her arsenal to make the game feel fresh. My main complaint about this game is it is aMetroid dread is one of my favorite games of the year. It has extremely tight controls and addicting gameplay. The EMMI robot chases make for strategic movement around the large maps, but i got slightly annoyed of them by the time I reached Dairon. There are also some cool new gadgets that Samus has in her arsenal to make the game feel fresh. My main complaint about this game is it is a little bit short, at 6 hours to complete for me personally, but I am aware that the 2D Metroid games were never very long to begin with. Hard mode can extend your experience if you are interested in dying hundreds of times. The game is already fairly difficult to begin with, and hard mode takes it a little over the top for the average player. Overall, this game makes for a fun experience, and I can recommend it with confidence. Expand
  8. Oct 17, 2021
    10
    Me encantó, su jugabilidad es increíble a tal punto que te logra enganchar, sin mencionar que le da un cierre increíble a la franquicia, completamente recomendado
  9. Oct 17, 2021
    10
    I’ve never reviewed a game on metacritic before but was so impressed with this game I thought I’d say something. It’s everything I’ve wanted in a Metroid game after waiting nearly 20 years for a sequel. It takes everything from Samus Returns and improves in it. The environments, the music, the movement, the abilities and the suspense of the unexpected. It’s a great game and I can’tI’ve never reviewed a game on metacritic before but was so impressed with this game I thought I’d say something. It’s everything I’ve wanted in a Metroid game after waiting nearly 20 years for a sequel. It takes everything from Samus Returns and improves in it. The environments, the music, the movement, the abilities and the suspense of the unexpected. It’s a great game and I can’t recommend it enough to anyone

    Hope this helps. Thanks,
    Expand
  10. Oct 17, 2021
    10
    As someone who was raised in a family who are such huge nerds of the franchise, I can tell you that Metroid Dread doesn't dissapoint at all. If it's one thing I can say about the game, is that the graphics are excellent, and I was absolutely blown away by how good the game looks. The gameplay was never stale from the hunting secrets, to the E.M.M.I zones, to the bosses , this game didn'tAs someone who was raised in a family who are such huge nerds of the franchise, I can tell you that Metroid Dread doesn't dissapoint at all. If it's one thing I can say about the game, is that the graphics are excellent, and I was absolutely blown away by how good the game looks. The gameplay was never stale from the hunting secrets, to the E.M.M.I zones, to the bosses , this game didn't fail to make me think outside of the box and think of different solutions to solve things. At some points it was frustrating, but that was more of my own incompetence. The game was challenging and fun, I could not recommend more to purchase this game. This isn't a waste of money, it's a masterpiece. Expand
  11. Oct 19, 2021
    9
    Metroid Dread is a superb metriodvania if your bored waiting for games like hollow knight silk song or just want a short sweet Stella 5 hour experience then this game is for you. The bosses are tough but fair and the world is a blast to explore the Emmi zones had me shaking my hands as I tried to run from the spider like robots. some hindrances keep this game from a ten out of ten butMetroid Dread is a superb metriodvania if your bored waiting for games like hollow knight silk song or just want a short sweet Stella 5 hour experience then this game is for you. The bosses are tough but fair and the world is a blast to explore the Emmi zones had me shaking my hands as I tried to run from the spider like robots. some hindrances keep this game from a ten out of ten but this is still a must play for any Metroid fan and a easy contender for game of the year. Expand
  12. Oct 19, 2021
    10
    Best game of 2021. An absolute must buy for both Metroid fans and Switch owners. Best recommended playing it while wearing headphones.
  13. Oct 19, 2021
    10
    This game is an instant classic. Everything from the gameplay to the graphics, the level design to the story, are all pulled off with such polish and style that it's hard to fully absorb the experience on a single playthrough. This stands as the new best entry in the series
  14. Oct 20, 2021
    9
    Phenomenal 2D adventure game. Beautiful maps, never a dull moment exploring the world with satisfying duels and puzzles to solve. The Boss fights though challenging are very rewarding and the element of horror captured with the EMMI brings out the 'Dread' element. The intrinsic movements and power ups have been so well thought out by the developers of the game, its just all roundPhenomenal 2D adventure game. Beautiful maps, never a dull moment exploring the world with satisfying duels and puzzles to solve. The Boss fights though challenging are very rewarding and the element of horror captured with the EMMI brings out the 'Dread' element. The intrinsic movements and power ups have been so well thought out by the developers of the game, its just all round beautiful.

    Potential Game of the Year contender!
    Expand
  15. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    An incredibly fresh and new installment in a consistently good franchise. Movement, combat, and general difficulty are fine-tuned and earn the $60 price tag. The first good "AAA" title in a good while.
  16. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    This is a true to form for the queen of gaming. The wait was well worth it, hats off to Nintendo for creating this masterpiece
  17. 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
  18. Oct 22, 2021
    1
    Metroid dread is a true disappointment, I hope this is not the direction they're taking Metroid Prime 4 as this was genuinely the very first Metroid game I've hated. Not disliked, but genuinely hated.

    It's so difficult on its normal difficulty setting to the point where the game just isn't fun anymore. Boss battles and EMMI zones suck any and all enjoyment out of the game. Exploration
    Metroid dread is a true disappointment, I hope this is not the direction they're taking Metroid Prime 4 as this was genuinely the very first Metroid game I've hated. Not disliked, but genuinely hated.

    It's so difficult on its normal difficulty setting to the point where the game just isn't fun anymore. Boss battles and EMMI zones suck any and all enjoyment out of the game. Exploration is okay until you run into an EMMI zone. The map is difficult to read. This game is simply not accessible to people who just want to put on the game, wind down and have some fun after a stressful day.

    I regret buying the digital version as I can't even sell it now. Essentially wasted €60. Not recommended.
    Expand
  19. Oct 13, 2021
    5
    Highly Over rated as a Metroid game. This is the most on the rails Metroid I have played. Sure the action is highly polished and dynamic, but the cutscene invasion during boss battles are unwanted and only serve as "here is how you beat me" giveaways. Sequence Breaking is a staple of Metroid and this game intentionally prevents that from happening as nauseum. It is anti-Metroid in myHighly Over rated as a Metroid game. This is the most on the rails Metroid I have played. Sure the action is highly polished and dynamic, but the cutscene invasion during boss battles are unwanted and only serve as "here is how you beat me" giveaways. Sequence Breaking is a staple of Metroid and this game intentionally prevents that from happening as nauseum. It is anti-Metroid in my opinion and should be called something else. Nintendo is clearly coasting on Metroid fanbucks. It's a shame. Super Metroid is still the best in the series but this is a different kind of game. Wish I had not bought it. It is subpar in every game mechanic aspect with only the visuals and atmosphere being high quality. Expand
  20. Oct 20, 2021
    5
    Having played every other game in the Metroid series, Metroid Dread was a must buy for me. Unfortunately having now completed the game, I was left somewhat disappointed for a number of key reasons.

    1. Difficulty The game is noticeably harder than any other Metroid game I have played. I thought Prime 2 on hard mode was hard, but I honestly found Metroid Dread on normal mode harder. I
    Having played every other game in the Metroid series, Metroid Dread was a must buy for me. Unfortunately having now completed the game, I was left somewhat disappointed for a number of key reasons.

    1. Difficulty

    The game is noticeably harder than any other Metroid game I have played. I thought Prime 2 on hard mode was hard, but I honestly found Metroid Dread on normal mode harder. I think the reason for this difficulty is that fact that most bosses and enemies now seen to do considerably more damage per hit (usually over 100) which is not the case in previous titles. This is compensated for by the fact that bosses now have a checkpoint outside, but I still find it frustrating to die over and over again to beat one boss, even if this was the intention. Also, I really hate the melee countering, I'm not going to explain why, it just needs to go.

    2. Atmosphere

    Metroid Dread does not have the same feeling of desolation that is characteristic of a Metroid game. The planet feels very mechanical and lacks many natural environments, and the natural areas in the game felt very generic and too similar visually to areas from Super Metroid or Zero Mission, most areas were also filled with enemies, which is fine in most cases, but I felt that certain areas could have done without to help build a stronger atmosphere, especially considering the game is called "Dread".

    3. Music

    This is more a subjective point but I just do not like the music, it is rare for me to complete a game and not remember a single piece of music from it. Most of the music was lacking a consistent tune which makes it just sound like an incoherent jumble of sounds; the same is true for bosses as well unfortunately.

    4. Portrayal of Samus

    I didn't feel that Samus was portrayed in a consistent way with previous games, she felt a lot colder and angrier in this game. In games like Metroid Fusion and to an extent Super Metroid with its intro, Samus occasionally gave short monologues stating her view on the current situation, this is something I think the story would have benefited from, as all we see of Samus in Dread is her killing things which, during some boss battles, make her actually appear somewhat sadistic.

    All in all, while this review might seem rather negative, the game isn't all bad and did have some good moments, I also like the addition of new power ups to keep it fresh, however I just do not feel that the price justifies the game.
    Expand
  21. Oct 11, 2021
    10
    El mejor juego que he jugado en 2D jamás en la vida, junto a Ori, los mejores de los ultimos tiempos.
  22. Oct 12, 2021
    10
    For me easly better than ori or hollowknight. I love that artstyle. Its perfect for each who loves metroidvania's.
  23. Oct 11, 2021
    10
    What a great game, I don't usually give games a 10 but this is easily right behind super Metroid in my eyes and is better than fusion by a lot, my only grudge with the game is that its kind of linear but there is already a ton of sequence breaking you can do which makes up for it
  24. Oct 10, 2021
    10
    Desde el primer momento que mueves a Samus sabrás que jugarlo será genial. Es un juego difícil , pero con cada boss superado, secreto descubierto, camino encontrado y retó superado te recompensa el esfuerzo. Y si hay un modos de dificultad. Difícil y Muy difícil, lol. Este juego me recordó todos los juegos anteriores, pero con mecánicas pulidas al extremo. Totalmente recomendable!!
  25. Oct 20, 2021
    3
    DREADFUL. Who the hell decided it was a good idea to make invincible enemies who one-shot you a core game mechanic??? The EMIs absolutely ruin this game. If there were no EMIs, it still wouldn’t be a very good game. This is supposed to be a metroidvania, so why am I constantly being forced to follow a linear path that blocks me off from exploring the map after getting new powers (you know,DREADFUL. Who the hell decided it was a good idea to make invincible enemies who one-shot you a core game mechanic??? The EMIs absolutely ruin this game. If there were no EMIs, it still wouldn’t be a very good game. This is supposed to be a metroidvania, so why am I constantly being forced to follow a linear path that blocks me off from exploring the map after getting new powers (you know, that core game mechanic that makes a metroidvania a metroidvania!?)


    This is a complete joke of a metroidvania. The franchise should’ve stayed dead if they thought this was acceptable.
    Expand
  26. Oct 16, 2021
    3
    Fun game until you get to an e.m.m.i, boss, or have to counter. Metroid peaked with super Metroid and has gone down the **** with samus returns and Metroid dread. Wet fart of an way to end the series.
  27. Oct 31, 2021
    9
    This game is nothing less than a masterpiece.

    Let's start with E.M.M.I interactions, The interactions with E.M.M.I's are phenomenal. The developers did a great making the combat tense. You barely get a split second to escape if you get caught by an E.M.M.I which makes the E.M.M.I interactions even more interesting. The bosses in this game are solid. Take for example the combat with
    This game is nothing less than a masterpiece.

    Let's start with E.M.M.I interactions, The interactions with E.M.M.I's are phenomenal. The developers did a great making the combat tense. You barely get a split second to escape if you get caught by an E.M.M.I which makes the E.M.M.I interactions even more interesting.

    The bosses in this game are solid. Take for example the combat with Kraid, the combat is so smooth and joyful yet I barely noticed any frame drops during the combat. Each new boss takes a few attempts to understand the boss but once you get the hang of it, the intense fights are commendable. The boss fights aren't too long, they aren't repetitive (not the soldier bosses), the combat is smooth & intense, the bosses are also not too hard and not too easy. They did a great job striking such a good balance.

    The game slowly opens up making Samus more powerful after each upgrade, unlocking new abilities that Samus didn't have before making the character more powerful and joyful to play. As the game opens up, the Samus's combat abilities increase which allows more ways to tackle a boss/explore.

    The final few minutes of the game is so well implemented. I'm skipping this section to avoid spoiling the good content.

    Overall, Metroid Dread is a very well implemented game. With intense combat, right balance for bosses difficulty, super smooth gameplay and fast combat, great bosses, intense E.M.M.I gameplay, great level designs make this game a masterpiece.
    Expand
  28. Oct 27, 2021
    6
    Reminiscent, but modernized. The game is quite hard, but that adds to its value. The maps are huge. Probably the most "adult" game I've played on Switch. Sadly, like most switch games, framerate and performance are an issue for this 2021 game; this game could run better on a PS3.

    * After beating the game, I'm going to lower the score from a 8 to a 6. I beat it in less than 10 hours and
    Reminiscent, but modernized. The game is quite hard, but that adds to its value. The maps are huge. Probably the most "adult" game I've played on Switch. Sadly, like most switch games, framerate and performance are an issue for this 2021 game; this game could run better on a PS3.

    * After beating the game, I'm going to lower the score from a 8 to a 6. I beat it in less than 10 hours and there is no replay value. The game was surprisingly linear and no great appeal to complete finding items as the game was already beaten. Hard mode is of no interest to me. I'd wait for a price drop, this is not a "must play" game.
    Expand
  29. Oct 12, 2021
    10
    Finally after 19 year from the last 2d metroid fusion we have a sequel.
    Mercury steam make a great work, they take experience with remake samus return on 3ds and this is the evolution of that game.Initially i was disappointed to see metroid in 2.5d instead of 2d sprite but when i play i think they make a good choise, the visual is very good and the stability and fluidity are fantastic,
    Finally after 19 year from the last 2d metroid fusion we have a sequel.
    Mercury steam make a great work, they take experience with remake samus return on 3ds and this is the evolution of that game.Initially i was disappointed to see metroid in 2.5d instead of 2d sprite but when i play i think they make a good choise, the visual is very good and the stability and fluidity are fantastic, they put also the directional of the fire on all direction also when move, you feel the control of samus in all her powerfull ability.The map and exploration are very good is more like super metroid than samus return and fusion, Adam here not indicate youe verything like he make in fusion and the eexploration are more free than samus return.
    The Emmi are a good sequence and news, they expande the idea of Sa-X from fusion but make a zone for them instead a sequence.
    The only issue in game some ripetivity of some powerful enemy like chozo warrior or the emmy, For the Emmy i think that was better to make them more different each other than they make.
    For the other i think is one of the best metroid i play is perfect?No but for me the only two metroidvania that are perfect are super metroid and castlevania symphony of the night.
    Expand
  30. Oct 12, 2021
    10
    Juegazo, Un Metroid muy superior a todos los anteriores, con buenos niveles de dificultad y gráficos como nunca
Metascore
88

Generally favorable reviews - based on 124 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Negative: 0 out of 124
  1. LEVEL (Czech Republic)
    Feb 18, 2022
    100
    Quotation forthcoming.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.