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. Dragovich
    Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Very difficult, amazing level design, easy to get 100%, you will need more of this.
  2. Bananaslugs
    Oct 23, 2021
    10
    This game is a MASTERPIECE! an for those who saying it’s hard, are the ones who haven’t actually played a Metroid game.
  3. hivetyrant36
    Oct 23, 2021
    10
    I was expecting good things from Metroid Dread. I didn't really know what to expect from this game though, since Nintendo haven't exactly treated Metroid with respect and integrity in recent years. (Looking at you Federation Force...)
    However, I am delighted to say that this game absolutely exceeds ALL expectations. I've not beaten the game yet, but I'm willing to say this may be the    I was expecting good things from Metroid Dread. I didn't really know what to expect from this game though, since Nintendo haven't exactly treated Metroid with respect and integrity in recent years. (Looking at you Federation Force...)
    However, I am delighted to say that this game absolutely exceeds ALL expectations. I've not beaten the game yet, but I'm willing to say this may be the single most perfect Metroid game Nintendo has ever given us. This game, unlike so many others in the last few years, gets a 10/10 from me, and this is high praise, as I am a very harsh critic.

    The reason I'm able to give M:D such a high score is because it doesn't hold back in the slightest. If it's going to punch you, it's going to give you everything it has. Bosses are beautifully crafted and not one single boss has been too easy or lame. Every single one has challenged me, killed me, and forced me to think outside the box to beat them. Each death adds to your skill in ways most other games don't even touch on, even Samus Returns.

    This game is built on the Samus Returns gameplay style. While I really enjoyed SR, M:D takes this engine to a new level. There are numerous quality of life improvements and tons of well thought out mechanics, much more so than SR. If Samus Returns were a food, it would be a hamburger, filling and delicious. If Metroid Dread were a meal, it would be a 3 course at Gordon Ramsay's restaurant. I mean this in every way. A hamburger you eat and you're done. M:D just keep coming and coming and coming and its amazing and terrifiying and beautifully crafted.

    The sound design is so incredibly amazing. Rarely do I find myself in quiet rooms outside the safe area. The ambiance is superb. The soundtrack makes your heart race. When you're in danger, YOU ARE IN DANGER, and the audio beats right along with your poor overencumbered heart. The music and sound design makes this game feel like, "It's GOING," or, "It's HAPPENING!" Moments where you catch your breath are sweet sighs of relief, readying yourself to enter that doorway and get back in the fight or flight again. The only criticism I have on sound is that they reused the heat and lava warning sound from SR. That blaring alarm sounds so low quality next to all the other sounds. They also reused the parry sound, but that fits right in.

    Art. Art is good. This game's got hella art. See the art. Very pretty, much gaze. The graphics, while not the best, still looks incredible. The stylization Nintendo is known for for making lower resolutions look outstanding is here. There are aliasing lines, but I can ignore those.

    Enemies are much more varied than in SR. Each one has its own timing for parry, and some don't even have parry as an option. There seem to be enemy types that all areas abide by, but instead of how they did it in SR where new enemies were just recolors, every area has their own enemy models. Going to a new area and seeing new gnarly toothed floating things of rage is really cool and every zone has enemies that fit it's environment.

    So far the story is phenomenal, and I rarely give stories high praise. I won't say much here because these are spoilers you won't want spoiled. Needless to say, Metroid type s*** is HAPPENING! This game has a lot of cannon. Metroid Fusion is important, being the last mainline 2D Metroid game in the series. Exploring the game later on after a certain event takes place (you'll know what I mean when you get there) is unbelievably cool and nostalgic. Beating my first... uh... certain.... boss... filled me with IMMENSE pride, like I showed it whos boss again and told it to sit tf back down. This story is very well crafted and I hate that I shant say anything more about it. 10/10. This game also has voice acting! And it's good!
    Controls are tight. If you get hit, you are unable to move for a split second. The puzzles in this game are all well thought out and thought provoking. There were a couple spots where I thought I was softlocked but I was just being a big ol stupidhead. Being a veteran of Metroid games, I feel I have been able to find my way through the maze of the map fairly easily, but then again, I think the map design and room placement is also just really good.

    If you like Metroid, have played a 2D Metroid in the past, and have played Samus Returns or Metroid Fusion, this game is for you.

    Just a disclaimer for the weak of heart. This game is named Metroid Dread for a reason. This game will fill you with dread as you watch helplessly as you die. There are zones where you are powerless against the specific type of foe. I joked with one of my friends that this game could have also been called Metroid: Scary or Me
    Edit:
    I have beaten the game and hard mode. If I had one critique it's how your aim locks in the horizontal position even when holding down aim. Makes killing a certain ceiling emmi a bit difficult but not because it's actually hard.
    This game is top ten, easy. Well done, developers.    … Expand
  4. Synapticsage
    Oct 23, 2021
    10
    Absolutely fantastic. Recapitulates the feel of the 2d series. I love that’s it’s actually challenging in several areas. Well-deserved and well-executed sequel to the wonderful metroid fusion. Other reviews here say the controls are clunky and I suspect they either don’t know good controls or have a bad switch controller. I’ve had a great experience with them though. They seem tight, funAbsolutely fantastic. Recapitulates the feel of the 2d series. I love that’s it’s actually challenging in several areas. Well-deserved and well-executed sequel to the wonderful metroid fusion. Other reviews here say the controls are clunky and I suspect they either don’t know good controls or have a bad switch controller. I’ve had a great experience with them though. They seem tight, fun and responsive. Rarely trigger the wrong movement.… Expand
  5. Tharso
    Oct 23, 2021
    10
    Such a great experience, I really hope it wins the "Game of the year" from The Game Awards, because it deserves
  6. hof85
    Nov 1, 2021
    6
    Being a fan of Metroid franchise I was looking forward to this new episode!
    The formula has not been changed but the introduction of the EMMI which is rather fustrating than creating any tension.
    The graphics, level design and gameplay are great however what is this ridiculous level of difficulty? After 5 to 6 hours of play through and around 100 game over; I am giving-up and    Being a fan of Metroid franchise I was looking forward to this new episode!
    The formula has not been changed but the introduction of the EMMI which is rather fustrating than creating any tension.
    The graphics, level design and gameplay are great however what is this ridiculous level of difficulty?
    After 5 to 6 hours of play through and around 100 game over; I am giving-up and disappointed by this new episode that I will only recommand to people that don't mind dying every 5 minutes and 10-15 times in a row against almost each boss.    … Expand
  7. kusanagui
    Nov 5, 2021
    5
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Adoro esta saga, pero me ha decepcionado, puede que no tenga los mejores gráficos, no me importaría si la jugabilidad fuese buena, pero no es así, tiene unos picos de dificultad sin sentido llegando a ser frustrantes.
    El juego encima es corto, a mí solo me ha durado 15 horas y ya está en la estantería cogiendo polvo, se nota que al principio hay mucho que explorar y después cada vez menos.
    Lo que tampoco me ha gusta es la reutilización de los bosses intermedios en los EMIS y guerreros chozo, visto el primero, vistos todos.
    Y por último no poder reasignar los botones.
    En fin, no es mal juego, yo lo he disfrutado y odiado a partes iguales, si eres fan de la saga debes jugarlo.    … Expand
  8. stibba
    Feb 5, 2022
    7
    This game is good, but not to the extent the hype has made it up to be. The world is really pretty but the emmi areas which make up a sizeable chunk of the map look really boring., The gameplay is fun enough. The biggest flaw is the movement, the analog stick just isnt good enough for the fiddly movement. This becomes a bigger problem the longer you play as more mechanics are added such asThis game is good, but not to the extent the hype has made it up to be. The world is really pretty but the emmi areas which make up a sizeable chunk of the map look really boring., The gameplay is fun enough. The biggest flaw is the movement, the analog stick just isnt good enough for the fiddly movement. This becomes a bigger problem the longer you play as more mechanics are added such as the shinesparking that the game relies way too much on in its shinesparking puzzles, they just arent fun as the solution is ususally obvious, just incredibly frustrating to do. Dreads controls need to be more tight for its difficulty to not feel cheap. Samus still moves with the same segmented crouch, then morph movement she had on snes and the stick sucks for it, the aiming is really good though so im glad they made that work well. The music is the worst from any metroid game, incredibly disappointing. EDIT: Now after reflecting for a while i think i was a bit hard on the game as i had decided to 100% before i started. The games controls become very frustrating first when you do several endgame shinesparking puzzles in a row. Im going to keep the score at a 7/10 because nintendo keeps the price at 60€ though… Expand
  9. smolny1
    Jan 22, 2022
    5
    Great metroid game with nice action, good music and interesting story. Watching trailers I was 100% I will skip it. Then I bought it based on early reviews and I love it.
  10. secretgorilla
    Jan 19, 2022
    2
    I really didn't enjoy my time with Metroid Dread.

    As others have said, the game is brutally hard. The enemies move extraordinarily quickly. And, when they connect, it's a huge amount of damage. Could the game be fixed simply with a difficulty slider? Heck, could an option to cut the damage dealt in half go a long way toward making it fun? Clearly, the developers must have realized    I really didn't enjoy my time with Metroid Dread.

    As others have said, the game is brutally hard. The enemies move extraordinarily quickly. And, when they connect, it's a huge amount of damage. Could the game be fixed simply with a difficulty slider? Heck, could an option to cut the damage dealt in half go a long way toward making it fun? Clearly, the developers must have realized this.

    So, why isn't there a difficulty slider? I believe that if you could crank the thing down to easy mode that there wouldn't be anything left. They needed the difficulty to be hard, because: the story is thin and there's minimal world building. The puzzles aren't challenging. If you could play as a tourist, the game would just be too short, and you'd say it wasn't worth $60. (It's not worth $60.)

    I had about four hours in, fighting some boss. After 20 or 30 tries, I realized that I wasn't making any progress. That the small wins I had were due more to random luck than developing any particular skill with the game. Maybe people are playing this thing with a mouse and keyboard adapter instead of the pro controller?

    And, ugh... the lack of music. The lack of atmosphere! I really can't understand all the positive reviews.

    This is the 2nd Metroid game I haven't finished in 25 years. You know what the "Other" one was.    … Expand
  11. Endymion_Var
    Feb 23, 2022
    5
    Otro mata marcianos más, y en 2021 con gráficos de Scroll; No veo innovación; sera divertido y nada más
  12. Yelp
    Mar 9, 2022
    7
    Having never played a Metroid game before i was exited to play this game as it did look good. After beating and exploring the game i can say there is many things wrong with this game. My major complaint is the exploration. There is not really anything to find while exploring, if you differ of the linear path the game sets on you until you collect basically every ability, which is so closeHaving never played a Metroid game before i was exited to play this game as it did look good. After beating and exploring the game i can say there is many things wrong with this game. My major complaint is the exploration. There is not really anything to find while exploring, if you differ of the linear path the game sets on you until you collect basically every ability, which is so close to the end, you will find extra health which is cool and rockets which are cool but that is it that is all you find. Some quick opinions: The boss fights were cool, the graphics are good, combat is fast and fun, game was only 10 hours and i did some exploring, those robot creatures are kind of annoying but really fun to avoid. That was my review… Expand
  13. 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
  14. Cannibalxxx
    Apr 18, 2022
    5
    Like all Metroid games it’s tough. However this game seems unnecessarily so. The EMMI sections add some tension to the game but make exploration tedious and overall take away from the playability. The multilevel bosses also seem overly contrived and are designed to just be hard without adding anything to the game. All in all these factors take away from the enjoyment of the game. I got noLike all Metroid games it’s tough. However this game seems unnecessarily so. The EMMI sections add some tension to the game but make exploration tedious and overall take away from the playability. The multilevel bosses also seem overly contrived and are designed to just be hard without adding anything to the game. All in all these factors take away from the enjoyment of the game. I got no satisfaction out of beating the game just a sense of relief I no longer need to finish it.… Expand
  15. Hyperion7361
    Jun 13, 2022
    6
    This was my first Metroid game, and I found it quite entertaining. The skill involved in defeating the many enemies and bosses makes the game challenging and appropriate for more experienced gamers, especially when compared to simpler Switch platformers like Mario. I haven't yet completed the full story, since the game does have a considerable length. A downside, however, is that it canThis was my first Metroid game, and I found it quite entertaining. The skill involved in defeating the many enemies and bosses makes the game challenging and appropriate for more experienced gamers, especially when compared to simpler Switch platformers like Mario. I haven't yet completed the full story, since the game does have a considerable length. A downside, however, is that it can get boring after a while (like most games for me).… Expand
  16. Naoidei
    Jun 18, 2022
    7
    Sometimes it was interesting to play, until you can’t understand where to go next for couple hours. And some boss fights are too challenging. You have to die so often as if you play dark souls.
  17. wiiboii
    Sep 7, 2022
    9
    If you want Metroid as you know it on the GBA here's that, but bigger. They really put Alot of legwork into the routing of the playthrough that both experienced fans and newcomers can appreciate. Overall great flow, and you'll hardly get lost, not because the game is easy, far from it. But because it's thoughtfully crafted. The bosses will give you something to chew on, but as soon asIf you want Metroid as you know it on the GBA here's that, but bigger. They really put Alot of legwork into the routing of the playthrough that both experienced fans and newcomers can appreciate. Overall great flow, and you'll hardly get lost, not because the game is easy, far from it. But because it's thoughtfully crafted. The bosses will give you something to chew on, but as soon as they're mastered, you can easily take down a boss with pattern recognition. There is no usurping Metroid or Castlevania when it comes to the genre and this only cements it.… Expand
  18. stevemis
    Dec 4, 2022
    5
    Metroid Dread was one of the reasons I bought the console. This game is beautiful, it has great mechanis that make you enjoy the controls and has also a nice atmosphere. But sadly, this game has only that!
    The game has an awful development and no story at all. It forces you to jump between places just to look for power ups in order to move forward. You don't care about what is going on.    Metroid Dread was one of the reasons I bought the console. This game is beautiful, it has great mechanis that make you enjoy the controls and has also a nice atmosphere. But sadly, this game has only that!
    The game has an awful development and no story at all. It forces you to jump between places just to look for power ups in order to move forward. You don't care about what is going on. They created a 3h main story, made it complicated with "difficult" fights ( EMMIs and more ), created a chaos in the maps with the power ups, made it hard to move from one place to the other on the same territory..... I played 10-11 hours and I felt I threw 8 of them. It was not a fun experience and I found myself feeling obliged to finish this just because I bought it. When I realized that I quitted it. Its beauty can't save the bad implementation.    … Expand
  19. Brusky
    Oct 11, 2021
    9
    Metroid Dread is a fantastic sequel to Metroid Fusion and a worthy conclusion to this part of Samus' story. The gameplay is very smooth and you are challenged to familiarize yourself with multiple joystick strokes so you can seamlessly string together successive moves. While Dread is not an impossibly difficult game, be warned that you will die many times! This is a game that requires youMetroid Dread is a fantastic sequel to Metroid Fusion and a worthy conclusion to this part of Samus' story. The gameplay is very smooth and you are challenged to familiarize yourself with multiple joystick strokes so you can seamlessly string together successive moves. While Dread is not an impossibly difficult game, be warned that you will die many times! This is a game that requires you to "lean forward in your chair" to get past some bosses. And that is refreshing considering many modern Nintendo games shy away from challenging the playerbase.

    My biggest gripe has to be the music as the OST seemed to be tacked on as an afterthought. Nothing came close to standing out like "Kraid's Lair" or "Brinstar Depths". The story was also told as an exposition dump towards the end of the game instead of slowly feeding it to you over time and I thought that could have been better handled. Without these features addressed, I cannot give Metroid: Dread a 10.

    All in all, a huge round of applause for MercurySteam. I hope to see more of their work in the future and more games starring Samus Aran!    … Expand
  20. Anthonyanda
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    An incredible experience from visuals to story.
    Don't listen to those complaining about price. This game as a triple A price because it has a triple A polish and is worth the price tag.
  21. Riv09
    Oct 9, 2021
    10
    Great movility and the Best sensation of pure and genuin scary of all the saga, the parry makes the inmersion so real and help with the momentum and tempo alongside the Game.
  22. Johnreeve
    Oct 9, 2021
    10
    Its just bonza! Wow they really made a special game here. Nostalgia is a powerful thing but truly this is on par or better than Super Metroid. The great quality of life improvements and balance of difficulty is just all the right ingredients. Watch out Metroidvania games, the Queen is back!
  23. Viltrop
    Oct 11, 2021
    8
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Le jeu est excellent, enfin le retour de samus en 2D. Les seuls défauts sont: que au niveau des E.M.M.I, ils sont vraiment répétitifs, quasiment identiques dans la formule. Aussi, la raison du pourquoi le jeu a une durée d'environ 10-15 est la difficulté. En effet, on peut passer plusieurs quarts d'heures sur un seul passage technique avec une capacité spécifique afin de rejoindre un endroit aubligatoire au développement du scénario. Sinon, un pur plaisir et une pépite du JV !!!… Expand
  24. Aarononeal5
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    Controls are amazing. Game is so smooth and everything was so exciting. Absolutely stoked on it
  25. ReviewsN
    Oct 11, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. A masterpiece! The best game in 2021.
    This is a great game launched, thank Nintendo.    … Expand
  26. shi11tenshi
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    The best game since super everything that longtime fans have been waiting for. Master class in game design take notes this is how you make a comeback.

    There are sequence brakes. Their story if you pay attention and for those complaining that the game is too difficult get good
  27. manuelgcg
    Oct 10, 2021
    8
    Pro: several amazing bosses, counter mechanics is brilliant and the pace is perfect.

    Cons: some disappointing bosses and the game could be lengthier.
  28. linkking
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    Un retorno por todo lo alto de metroid en el tipo de juego (search acction) que creo por si mismo alla en las epocas de nes, un juego con una gran capacidas de inmersión, buen nivel de dificultad y gran rejugabiludad, con un final intenso dejandonos con ganas de mas, 100% recomendado.
  29. bootlekang
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    Best metroid game since SUPER.Best metroid game since SUPER.Best metroid game since SUPER.
  30. Varkster
    Oct 13, 2021
    10
    Fantastic return to the beloved Metroid formula. A massive step up from Samus Returns, introducing a lot of new story elements, great music, atmosphere and fast-paced action which didn't starve me for challenge. Really happy about this one and suggest any Metroid or 2D action game fans to pick this up.
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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
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