I struggled with Samus Returns and the Prime games weren’t my vibe, so I have to go back a long way for great Metroid. After seeing good reviews and a lot of positive word-of-mouth for Metroid Dread, it was near the top of my list of games to play when I’d finally pick up a Switch.

I was finally able to get my hands on my own copy of the game recently, and it started out promising, tapping into some of my Super Metroid memories. Unfortunately, I never really did get on with the game’s stealth sections–if you want to call it that–with the EMMIs. Frustrating doesn’t even begin to describe it. I hit game over more in this game than in every other Metroid game I’ve played, combined.

The game does eventually open up and it quickly grabbed me when it did. There is some incredible boss design here and (mostly) good map design. Locking map connection shortcuts behind power bombs wasn’t a good move considering when you get them, but that faded to a minor annoyance by the end. After Samus Returns, it’s easy to forget that you’re supposed to get a bit lost.

What may be the highlight for me was, surprisingly, an interesting story. It’s mostly told through atmosphere and subtle storytelling, like Hollow Knight, but there are some well-crafted cinematics sprinkled in. Samus is as expressive here as I’ve ever seen her. A really satisfying ending caps it off.

I’m excited to see what’s next for the series. It’s just a shame Dread has the EMMI sections because it just about guarantees I’ll never replay it.

  • @j4k3
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    9 months ago

    I liked the remastered Prime and Dread. I got pissed at a couple of bosses but eventually beat the game twice. I think it is really dumb that N has no sense of history. Every single Medroid game should be available on the Switch. I might actually play them. I’ve played both Zelda’s and the two Metroids and liked them, but I’ve gotten a few other games, and they are just junk. The lack of demos and the sheer volume of over priced crap mixed with budget garbage makes it a thing I just don’t care to play. It feels like a scam by design. I will never again in my life play a freemium game, and I’m not interested in browsing junk to try and find a double A title that might be half decent. IMO they should only make games like Metroid and BotW/TotK and make every title worth playing.

    • @[email protected]
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      19 months ago

      IMO they should only make games like Metroid and BotW/TotK and make every title worth playing.

      Those games takes years to develop, and quality is subjective - not everyone has the same taste. Kind of a hilarious request I’d say

      • @Linuto
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        9 months ago

        I agree with you. I also sympathize with the above comment’s sentiment. The issue is that a lot of games released on PC / other consoles take much longer to release on the Switch, if they come over at all. (ie Red Dead Redemption 2 may just now be coming to the Switch)

        So a PlayStation owner for example will have a much larger library of quality games to choose from.

        This is why I have found myself personally touching my Switch a couple times a year versus every day like I used to.