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 Metroid: AAAH!
I find it helps to tell the enemies "please sir do not hurt me for I am just a wee baby."
Enjoy this masterpiece!
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