User Score
8.7

Generally favorable reviews- based on 2790 Ratings

User score distribution:
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  1. Oct 23, 2021
    10
    Genuinely built to perfection. Everything is 10/10. So much fun. A must buy!!!
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. Oct 23, 2021
    6
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. I am a PC gamer and prefer mouse and keyboard and controller aiming has always been meh, this is no exception. The double jump is not great its hit an miss, the cloak and shift is not optimal since the enemies can tell where you are or going to be some how. Its a game worth 30-40 dollars max, it is subpar compared to what you get in a hallow knight or other Metroidvania games. Expand
  5. Oct 23, 2021
    9
    Simplemente es un JUEGAZO, la espera valió la pena, la pelea con los jefes es un reto como en los viejos tiempos, mucha exploración, mi calificación final sería 9.5 y no le pongo 10 por dos razones, una es el OST, por desgracia no esta a la altura, solo tres temas se salvan el del menú, la introducción y cuando encuentras a un extraterrestre que no recuerdo su nombre que nos cuenta el porSimplemente es un JUEGAZO, la espera valió la pena, la pelea con los jefes es un reto como en los viejos tiempos, mucha exploración, mi calificación final sería 9.5 y no le pongo 10 por dos razones, una es el OST, por desgracia no esta a la altura, solo tres temas se salvan el del menú, la introducción y cuando encuentras a un extraterrestre que no recuerdo su nombre que nos cuenta el por que Samus está en ese lugar y nos pone en contexto la historia del juego y esos temas son de Super Metroid, al ser un Metroid se le exige un OST épico y no hay temas que uno recuerde como en Super Metroid o Metroid Prime como los temas de Brinstar, Norfair, Meridia o el de hielo del Prime y para mí, reitero para mí lo peor es que no sale Ridley :( un Metroid sin Ridley es como un Taco sin salsa, no se puede justificar que es porque en la historia ya está muerto pues sale Kraid, otro jefé que Samus elimino en Super Metroid, de verdad que se extrañó mucho a Ridley, pero fuera de eso simplemente es una OBRA MAESTRA, uno de los mejores EXCLUSIVOS 100% de Switch Expand
  6. 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.
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  7. 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.
  8. Oct 22, 2021
    10
    Really good. Getting better as it goes on. I played the OG in '85, then Super Metroid, then zero mission and fusion on GBA, tried prime on the Wii but eh, 2D is where it's at for me, and this is pretty close to perfection. At first I got stuck and got frustrated, now it seems I'm blowing through it a bit faster than I expected. Either way, hard to ask for much more. Was worried it wouldReally good. Getting better as it goes on. I played the OG in '85, then Super Metroid, then zero mission and fusion on GBA, tried prime on the Wii but eh, 2D is where it's at for me, and this is pretty close to perfection. At first I got stuck and got frustrated, now it seems I'm blowing through it a bit faster than I expected. Either way, hard to ask for much more. Was worried it would go on the pile with all the games I won't ever finish, but I don't think that's the case here. Recommended Expand
  9. Oct 22, 2021
    10
    Amazing story, gameplay, aesthetic, everything. Game of the year 2021 for sure.
  10. Oct 22, 2021
    10
    Esse jogo é 100% delirante e sufocante, melhor jogo do ano não tem como é impossível!!!!
  11. Oct 22, 2021
    9
    An excellent addition to the Metroid franchise and one of the best games on the switch to date
  12. 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
  13. Oct 22, 2021
    4
    The game is incredibly short for sixty dollars. It's not any better then most indie metroidvanias that you can pick up for a quarter of the price. Areas you explore are feel all kind of the same for. Metroid game laboratory area, laboratory area with fire, ice laboratory area and forest laboratory area.
  14. 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.
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  15. Oct 22, 2021
    9
    this game is really good
    the controls are fast but i kinda hate it to there are so many moves and since the game is kinda fast paced you somtimes press random buttons since your panicking because an emmi is chasing you or your fighting a boss
    but the emmi are great the bosses are really good - the robot soldiers they kinda got boring after the second time and they feel more to pad the
    this game is really good
    the controls are fast but i kinda hate it to there are so many moves and since the game is kinda fast paced you somtimes press random buttons since your panicking because an emmi is chasing you or your fighting a boss

    but the emmi are great
    the bosses are really good - the robot soldiers they kinda got boring after the second time and they feel more to pad the game out

    there are some cool twists and the story is great
    one of the best switch games of 2021
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  16. Oct 21, 2021
    9
    Metroid Dread is very well done, but it has a few faults. I like that the game is hard, but is very fair. It offers no difficulty options which is nice since that mean I can't wimp out of the challenge. The game rewards being good at it. But it's also not too hard to be good at it. That I like as it feels very satisfying. However, the game is kind of slow at the start and the game oftenMetroid Dread is very well done, but it has a few faults. I like that the game is hard, but is very fair. It offers no difficulty options which is nice since that mean I can't wimp out of the challenge. The game rewards being good at it. But it's also not too hard to be good at it. That I like as it feels very satisfying. However, the game is kind of slow at the start and the game often railroads you down a certain path. That would be fine and even helpful, but it sometimes limits your ability to explore. Also the EMMI's are a bit of a let down. Not to say there is no tension. But I am a complete wimp at horror games and yet I didn't find them scary shortly after encountering them. There are also hardly any punishment for being caught. But it is a little scary to hear there beeping in the distance at least. I wouldn't say this is a total pick up. It just that it's 60$ and may not be for everyone. So maybe consider this one with caution. But it is going to be a good time if you do. Expand
  17. 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.
  18. Oct 21, 2021
    3
    The metroid old fans want is dead.

    I have been playing this series since Fusion came out on the GBA. I have played Fusion countless times and consider it one of my favorite games. I love Zero Mission (besides the overuse of shinesparks in a 100% run), was not super pleased with Samus Returns, and am very disappointed with Dread. I am on the second area and find that faaaaaar too much of
    The metroid old fans want is dead.

    I have been playing this series since Fusion came out on the GBA. I have played Fusion countless times and consider it one of my favorite games. I love Zero Mission (besides the overuse of shinesparks in a 100% run), was not super pleased with Samus Returns, and am very disappointed with Dread. I am on the second area and find that faaaaaar too much of the gameplay revolves around a frustrating experience trying to figure out what I’m supposed to do while trying to not get one-touch killed by the EMMIs. If you like stealth sections where you can aggro an invincible and hard to detect enemy from off screen, this is the game for you. If you were glad that the SAX scenes in Fusion were brief and infrequent, like me, this is not your game. I just want a well designed two dimensional metroidvania with a satisfying power creep and crisp controls. I do not want to try to figure out where to go in between death loading screens. I am extremely disappointed with this game.
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  19. Oct 21, 2021
    6
    I'm only giving this a six because of the lack of autosave
    Seriously, this is 2021 and when I die in the middle of collecting upgrades, it is unacceptable to lose half an hour of gameplay just because I didn't go through one of those manual save stations.
    Yeah, that's right manual saves are back ladies and gentlemen. Before you take out the armored robots (EMMI) autosave works well
    I'm only giving this a six because of the lack of autosave
    Seriously, this is 2021 and when I die in the middle of collecting upgrades, it is unacceptable to lose half an hour of gameplay just because I didn't go through one of those manual save stations.

    Yeah, that's right manual saves are back ladies and gentlemen. Before you take out the armored robots (EMMI) autosave works well enough. These guys gurds large sections of the map make it hard to travers safely. So, usually you'll do some clean up after taking them out

    Other than losing over 30 minute of play time to this stupid design, the game is great
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  20. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Even tough this is my first Metroid game, I absolutely cannot wait to play the other games if they're all of the same phenomenal quality as Metroid Dread, with it's amazing level design, Challenging but fun bosses and it's ability to convey a story in such few words.
  21. Oct 21, 2021
    9
    Phenomenal gameplay - the smoothest gaming experience I've had since Hades. Everything just works so effortlessly. It looks stellar, the map is incredible, the weapons and power-ups are a joy to behold, the enemies and bosses are fun to fight. I only deduct a point for what I personally think is a very run of the mill type of story, and the music, which is average at best. ButPhenomenal gameplay - the smoothest gaming experience I've had since Hades. Everything just works so effortlessly. It looks stellar, the map is incredible, the weapons and power-ups are a joy to behold, the enemies and bosses are fun to fight. I only deduct a point for what I personally think is a very run of the mill type of story, and the music, which is average at best. But gameplay-wise, it doesn't get much better than this. Expand
  22. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Fan of Metroid since Prime 1 and this is what we expected.

    Only a few (negative) points to mention : 1- The game is HARD, but never unfair. It plays so well that even if you fail a boss, you just want to get back in and learn it's patterns and weaknesses. 2- Soundtrack is OK,not going to be as classic as Prime or Super. The rest of the game is pretty much perfect for a
    Fan of Metroid since Prime 1 and this is what we expected.

    Only a few (negative) points to mention :

    1- The game is HARD, but never unfair. It plays so well that even if you fail a boss, you just want to get back in and learn it's patterns and weaknesses.

    2- Soundtrack is OK,not going to be as classic as Prime or Super.

    The rest of the game is pretty much perfect for a Metroid-Vania style game, The graphics are amazing, the Controls are crisp and responsive and the story is suprisingly in depth. Thanks to Mercury Steam for putting Metroid back on track.
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  23. Oct 21, 2021
    8
    This is what everyone would expect from a traditional 2D Metroid experience: Samus is in a desolated non-linear world and need to explore it to find special habilites to keep progressing. Nothing particularly groundbreaking but it's very competent at what it proposes. Also, prepare for a challenge! Which is unusual for a Nintendo game. The bosses will give you quite a trouble, so IThis is what everyone would expect from a traditional 2D Metroid experience: Samus is in a desolated non-linear world and need to explore it to find special habilites to keep progressing. Nothing particularly groundbreaking but it's very competent at what it proposes. Also, prepare for a challenge! Which is unusual for a Nintendo game. The bosses will give you quite a trouble, so I suggest to keep looking for itens and especially energy tanks, but don't worry, it's not unfair to the point of screwing the experience.

    Maybe the only real novelty here are those robots called E.M.M.I. They inhabit certainly areas of the maps and will pursue you until you're out of their range. If they catch you is game over (there's a way to escape, but it's quite hard to master it). They won't stop until you find a particular weapon in each of those areas to kill them. At first I find those encounters I bit frustrating because of the instant death, but I came to enjoy it and I think it was a interesting addition.

    Among the few things that hurt the experience for me are the controls. I find some commands overly complicated and can get confusing to master it during some stressful moments, especially bosses battles and those speed booster puzzles (I hate them). Also the soundtrack is a bit disappointing, only the few Super Metroid remixes are worth a listen.
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  24. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Game run smooth and playing cool as hell. This is like my memories about old-schoool metroids at ENS and SNES. Map is very handy, some enemies triky but at my current ingame position nothing impossible. EMMI not so hard as i think at start (at least at my position) but it's ok for me. I dont like this type of enemies. But! Ability to kill these folks is amazing!

    10/10
  25. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Very difficult, amazing level design, easy to get 100%, you will need more of this.
  26. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    This is one of the best games of all time. I can't imagine how stressful it must've been for MercurySteam to develop the next installment in the highly acclaimed mainline Metroid series and revive the fabled cancelled Project Dread that fans have been fantasizing about for almost two decades. It's very clear to me that they over delivered. They created something that surpassed YoshioThis is one of the best games of all time. I can't imagine how stressful it must've been for MercurySteam to develop the next installment in the highly acclaimed mainline Metroid series and revive the fabled cancelled Project Dread that fans have been fantasizing about for almost two decades. It's very clear to me that they over delivered. They created something that surpassed Yoshio Sakamoto's original vision (according to himself), exceeds the wildest dreams of every fan and puts the rest of the game industry to shame. This is without a doubt one of the most polished games ever made. It even surpasses all previous mainline Metroid games which were already perfect masterpieces. The graphics are gorgeous and it's unbelievable that this is running on a Nintendo Switch. The game reinvents the genre that Metroid originally created and elevates it to an unbelievably high standard. I was also pleasantly surprised that this game is moving forward and doesn't overuse nostalgia like Disney's new Star Wars movies. By keeping nostalgic moments rare, they actually have a very big impact when they happen in the story. Especially when the Theme of Samus Aran kicks in.
    I recommend everybody to play Metroid Zero Mission, Metroid Samus Returns, Super Metroid, Metroid Fusion and Metroid Dread in this order. You're in for a ride! I also want to ask Nintendo to make the previous games available on the Nintendo Switch for new fans who don't own a Wii U or 3DS.
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  27. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Los Jefes son lo mejor por mucho, le sigue la música, es un poco guiado pero a la mínima que te pierdas ya te toco recorrer todo el mapa.
  28. Oct 21, 2021
    10
    Masterpiece doesn't even begin to describe how fantastic of a game this is. Sleek and smooth controls, stylish and engaging visuals with many areas having so much going on in the background, challenging bosses that are a thrill to learn, and sheer panic and dread from having to face off sgainst the robotic EMMIs you've probably already heard about.

    If you are a Metroid fan, or have got
    Masterpiece doesn't even begin to describe how fantastic of a game this is. Sleek and smooth controls, stylish and engaging visuals with many areas having so much going on in the background, challenging bosses that are a thrill to learn, and sheer panic and dread from having to face off sgainst the robotic EMMIs you've probably already heard about.

    If you are a Metroid fan, or have got into Metroidvanias over the past few years, do yourself a favour and buy this game ASAP.
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  29. Oct 20, 2021
    5
    I'm already 3/4 of the way through the game, and it genuinely confuses me how many people praise this game without even beginning to discuss the numerous flaws in its design and overall execution of what it's trying to achieve. First of all, asking "is this game good or bad?" is a difficult question to answer. While it is a Metroid game at heart, it feels as though it's trying to add newI'm already 3/4 of the way through the game, and it genuinely confuses me how many people praise this game without even beginning to discuss the numerous flaws in its design and overall execution of what it's trying to achieve. First of all, asking "is this game good or bad?" is a difficult question to answer. While it is a Metroid game at heart, it feels as though it's trying to add new twists onto the formula and it falls flat at its attempt to do so. The E.M.M.I. are a nuisance and add no difficulty to the game, rather a bothersome hurdle (both figuratively and literally) that continues to irritate me to no end when their spawn just happens to be right at the entrance where I'm coming through or directly in the way of where I need to go, leading to a long, drawn out chase sequence or just sitting and waiting until it decides to go elsewhere, completely pulling me out of the experience in the process. They don't add suspense, they don't add a challenge, and they certainly don't add anything of interest to the gameplay or the story. They're only there to be annoying and to force you into a boss battle you have to repeat time and time again. Yes, you do have to do the same boss battle 4 times at least in order to actually kill the E.M.M.I. and it does not change in any way at any point. Is it challenging? No. interesting? Absolutely not. All it is is the game's way of railroading you to go where it requires you to go at every twist and turn. Speaking of, you have almost little to no say in where you want to explore until half way through the game as the world is designed to force you down one specific path each time you hit a "checkpoint" in the story. Past installments would incentivize exploration for bonus missile ammo, energy tanks, or even possible skips in the progression. This game has none of that, which is odd, as it is of the Metroidvania genre, obviously. The whole point of these types of games is to explore and build up your arsenal past what is required at any given point through open world exploration with a chunk of sections being locked behind powers you unlock later on. When a Metroid game has one linear path at all given times and continuously tells you what you HAVE to do at that moment, going as far as even placing walls or barriers that weren't even in the room prior (yes, this is a thing that happens at several instances in the game), you have a problem. As for the combat, it feels satisfying at the start or right after you get a new upgrade as you're just tearing through everything in your way, but it eventually gets to a point where enemies are just bullet sponges that require you to parry their attacks to kill them, and this includes the major bosses as well. It almost feels like Cuphead with how same-y combat is and how long it takes to kill one enemy until they let you parry their attack for an insta-kill. There's just far too many flaws that were never present until they rushed out this title to hold fans over for the eventual release of Prime 4. Overall, this game seeks to create a fresh experience that can also bring new fans into the series, but ironically steers further away from what made Metroid so much fun. Expand
  30. Oct 11, 2021
    10
    This review contains spoilers, click expand to view. Metroid Dread was fantastic. A great experience that I know is gonna have a ton of replay value. Expand
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.