Metroid Dread deserves the high praises for being an outstanding 2D action game

Metroid Dread is the latest installment in the 2D Metroid series, serving fans after a long drought. Developed by MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD, the game boasts fluid gameplay and movement, an expansive map, and wonderful graphics and performance on the Nintendo Switch.

 

While many gameplay features (and sound assets) return from Samus Returns, Metroid Dread offers appreciable enhancements. The array of Samus's suit's abilities allows for impressive parkour in-game. Many of the items can only be retrieved if the player uses the speed boost and time their jumps correctly. However, the game can be completed even without collecting all items as it provides the player with plenty of resources.

 

Although there is plenty of fun to be had speeding through the world of Metroid Dread, traversing doesn't require hardcore skills. It is up to the player whether to be slow and careful while exploring the vast areas of Metroid Dread. The map itself is like a maze with multiple routes to a single exit. There are plenty of hints to follow for what can be considered the "main route". Yet, deviate, even a little, the player can find a different path to the ending, leading to earlier pickups of abilities or rearranging boss sequences. The concept of sequence breaking also applies to ways to defeat bosses.

 

The bosses - an area which is a huge improvement over Samus Returns - in the game are designed to seem intimidating at the first few rounds either through their fast movement or throwing all sorts of things to the screen. But, the patterns become visible after Samus's tenth death, and the player can cheese through the battles. What can't be taken for granted are the E.M.M.I.s. The E.M.M.I.s are robots gone rogue and would pursue Samus once they see her. They are designated to special places in the map, called E.M.M.I. zones, and can give Samus a hell of a time.

 

E.M.M.I.s are terrifying, and the whole setup is well done. The zones are muted in light and sounds, except for what sounds are coming from the E.M.M.I.s themselves. Once they catch up to Samus, the players are given a small window of time to counter the instadeath attack of the E.M.M.I. However, countering requires a ton of experience and skill; it is best to avoid E.M.M.I.s at all times.

 

Countering is also in Metroid Dread, along with a new dash melee counter. When performed successfully with a follow-up attack, Samus can get more monster drops and inflict great damage on a boss. Countering bosses triggers glorious scenes or new camera perspectives that showcase the coolness of Samus. The transitions between in-game and cutscenes are seamless even with plenty of things happening on screen.

 

Metroid Dread is an amazing game, with refined gameplay for delving into a rich, maze-like world crawling with tough bosses and terrifying, stalking E.M.M.I.s.