Video Game Review - Metroid Dread

Rob reviews Metroid Dread on Nintendo Switch...

MercurySteam is no stranger when it comes to intergalactic bounty hunter - Samus Arran. Back in 2017, the development team gave us the sublime 3DS Metroid II remake - Metroid: Samus Returns, and after nailing that adventure, Nintendo have given the team another shot of that Metroid glory. This time around things take a more "original" approach as we catch up with Samus at the end of the journey that she started on back in 1986. There's a lot of that traditional gameplay here, with a few new (and risky) surprises. But does Metroid Dread retain the charm that originally made the series so well-loved? 

Before we begin diving into the nitty-gritty, Metroid Dread is a gorgeous looking game. Considering that the game was also released at the same time as the OLED Switch, then it probably comes as no surprise. While I can't personally vouch for how the game looks on the new OLED screen - it looks great on a "normal" Nintendo Switch, so naturally, the OLED is going to enhance this furthermore. 

Set after the events of Metroid Fusion, the Galactic Federation receives footage of the X parasite on the planet ZDR. Deciding to investigate the Federation sends seven of their state of the art E.M.M.I robots to the planet's surface. However, once on ZDR all contact with the robots is lost. Now the Federation has tasked Samus Arran to head to ZDR to not only confront the X parasite but to also find out what happened to the E.M.M.I. 

Once on ZDR, Samus encounters a Chozo warrior who not only blocks off her route to the surface, it also strips her combat suit of all of its abilities, and then traps her deep underground. Now essentially powerless Samus has to not only reclaim her lost suit abilities but also reach her spacecraft back on ZDR's surface...

Aside from its narrative, Metroid Dread plays heavily upon building up its environments. Each location is crammed full of detail from long-abandoned machinery to the local wildlife, and the fog covered E.M.M.I zones (more on them below!). It's this minute attention to detail that not only makes you invest in Samus' mission, but it also makes it believable too. 

Samus herself also has a great deal of detail to her. Each animation is performed with a slick-smooth style that makes the bounty hunter such a joy to spend time with. Samus also has a lot of abilities at her disposal which opens up more traversal and combat options. Whether you're swinging from the new magnet grapple or activating the incredible "flash shift", Samus oozes the aura that she's at the height of her game, and is seasoned within her profession. As you progress through the labyrinth-like map, you'll come across various upgrades and new abilities for Samus. While these upgrades all fit into building the narrative, they also form a basis for traversing the map. It never felt a chore - or even boring - to revisit past locations and seek out hidden paths and secrets. 

When it comes to combat, Metroid Dread builds on the familiar Metroid premise, as well as adding a fresh feeling to everything. As you begin to upgrade Samus, combat takes on a free-form style. You're able to attack enemies as you see fit and the game doesn't penalise you for staying back or going toe-to-toe. The parry ability from Samus Returns also makes its welcomed return. It's a fairly robust move too which allows for a brief respite from the attacking enemy, to then follow up with a pretty devastating riposte - and it also makes you feel like a badass! 

Another big change is the inclusion of a basic stealth mechanic. On the surface having stealth mechanics within a 2D game seems like an odd choice, yet within Metroid Dread, it works incredibly well. Stealth is at its greatest when you're within the games many E.M.M.I. zones. These special areas are where the tension takes things up a notch as you play a twisted version of cat and mouse against the Federation's finest. To say the E.M.M.I. scared me is a massive understatement. The game takes this sense of fear further by deliberately draining all colour from the screen, as well as playing a creepy sci-fi score. 

Upon entering one of these patrol zones, Samus is immediately on the defensive. Her normal weapons and abilities are no match for them, and as such you have to be as quiet as a mouse. Naturally, the E.M.M.I. doesn't make this easy and the mechs will actively hunt for Samus, and even come equipped with a (not so) handy sonar. 

It's in these zones where Metroid Dread ups the ante. You are up against an unstoppable foe, with only your wits and skills to survive. Everything slows down as a more survival horror style takes over. Stealth is the key to getting through these segments, yet with this feeding off of Samus' Aeon Drive, you can't afford to take your time. Thankfully the E.M.M.I. are eventually beatable and it's certainly fun when you get to turn the tables on the red-eyed menace. 

With all these new toys, any Metroid adventure wouldn't be complete without a few boss battles. Naturally, I won't go into detail due to spoilers, but there are plenty of memorable moments. Each boss plays out like a Dark Souls boss, in which you'll need to study attack patterns whilst keeping yourself alive. Each boss is well balanced, and there wasn't a single time when I felt that I was on the back foot. Yet, there's plenty of room for error as each boss can throw a lot of things at you. While it can seem a little frustrating, you'll never get annoyed. It's all about studying your opponent and learning where and when to strike. That's the beauty of Metroid Dread - every attack can be avoided, blocked, or even parried - it's just down to timing. 

Metroid Dread is the poster child for just how well the hybrid console can perform. In both docked and handheld modes, the game is a real treat to play. There are no real framerate issues, and the game maintains its pace - even during the more hectic moments. Graphics are of a high standard and the attention to detail is incredibly high. Samus has never looked so good, and every detail of her battle suit is presented in a rich format. The map layout is of a similar ilk, with plenty of rich, vibrant locations mixed in with the dark, horror-filled E.M.M.I zones. Considering that I experienced the game on a stock Switch is a real testament to MercurySteam and how refined they've made the Dread experience. 

Overall, Metroid Dread is a very polished experience that shows that with MercurySteam that the franchise is in good hands. The inclusion of stealth mechanics works incredibly well and along with the E.M.M.I offers some pretty tense scenes. If your looking for an enjoyable sci-fi action-fest with a rich branching narrative, then you'll certainly enjoy your time with Metroid Dread. This is one title that I'd recommend every Switch owner plays! 

Rating 10/10 

Metroid Dread is available now and can be purchased via the Nintendo Switch eShop by clicking here.

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Rob Lake - For more comic book and video game chat why not follow Geek Culture Reviews on Twitter and Facebook @GeekCuktureRev