The launch of a new Metroid it is not an event to be taken lightly. After all, we are talking about one of the most iconic video game franchises in history, one that has left its mark and continues to inspire multiple titles to date. Metroid Dread is even more relevant because, when few expected it, took up the roots that made it succeed several decades ago.
Let’s face it, in the current age, and with eyes focused on Metroid Prime 4, it was difficult to think that Samus would have the opportunity to return to the 2D platforms. Nintendo, however, took us by surprise by announcing it during last E3. Curiously, Metroid Dread it is not a totally unknown project. The first time we heard from him was in the distant 2005, when its development was supposedly “underway” as a sequel to the much-loved Metroid Fusion for Game Boy Advance.
Why didn’t it see the light back then? According Yoshio sakamoto, one of the masterminds behind Metroid, the technology of the time did not allow to carry out the ideas they had in mind. 15 years later, however, the hardware of the Nintendo Switch made it easy for the Spanish studio MercurySteam make reality Metroid 5. In the first instance, what has surprised me the most is that they have understood Metroid as if they were veterans with a long history in the series.
Ok yeah they did Samus returns for Nintendo 3DS, but it is still a remake of Metroid II: Return of Samus. With Metroid DreadOn the contrary, they had a responsibility to do everything from scratch, and they have more than delivered. It is not only that the game is extremely fun, but also that its experience approaches, and in some cases exceeds, the 2D titles that precede it. Between mechanics inherited from the past and very well implemented novelties, they have managed to deliver a fantastic job in almost every way.
As far as history is concerned, although it is not its main strength, nor has it been of any Metroid two-dimensional, it was nice to see that Nintendo didn’t forget about the events that took place in Fusion 19 years ago. Thus, it is a title that fulfills the role of sequel, but that there is also the opportunity to travel their own narrative path in the planet ZDR, where the events unfold.
In fact, Dread clearly intends tie up the loose ends of your predecessor and to close, to a certain extent, the saga that began in 1986. Throughout your adventure you will not only learn more relevant information about Samus Aran, but also about characters and places that, perhaps, will have some importance in the future.
Certainly, the video game industry has changed too much in two decades. Despite the fact that today we are going through an era where some video games find their greatest bastion in the plot, a situation that was not very common 19 years ago, with Metroid Dread it was decided to prioritize – again – the gameplay above all else. Is this a negative point that affects the story? Not in any way. The plot will keep your interest even though it is simple, especially if you had a chance to enjoy the old titles.
Now is the time to delve into the gameplay, which is the section that has always amazed us about this iconic franchise. The first thing you should know is that MercurySteam kept the playable bases of the predecessor games. By the above, I mean that Samus’s classic movements and attacks are still there, but complemented by new features that take advantage of level design, which I will talk about later.
The above is important because, if you are a fan of Metroid, you will not have any complications to remember the controls and master the movements of the protagonist quickly. On the contrary, if you are a newcomer, I can guarantee that the initial learning process will allow you to master the basics without any effort. In addition, Samus begins his adventure losing his skills, so you will have the obligation to recover them and add completely new ones as the hours go by. So we all start under the same conditions.
Generally speaking, the gameplay of Metroid Dread transmits more than positive feelings. Samus is agile and deadly in equal measure, but the enemies are not far behind either. Their behavior, accompanied by a spectacular level design, they force you to think about your next move quickly. A bad decision could mean considerable damage to you. For their part, bosses can become a real challenge. Not only because of its power of damage, but also because of how challenging it is to fight back.
To live up to its name, Metroid Dread he could not be left without an element capable of generating tension for the player. We talk about the EMMI, robots of considerable size that, being in an attack position, will do everything possible to annihilate Samus. Yes, it is one of the great novelties of the game and its incorporation is a success. Why? EMMIs aren’t “creatures” you want to deal with, at least not until you figure out how to defeat them.
At first, in fact, what the game proposes is to avoid them by means of the stealth or, in the worst case, run away from them. The problem is that the second alternative does not always work out. The EMMI encounters are a way to vary the playable experience between moments of frenetic action and others that, in theory, should be quieter. But if the stealth is not done correctly and the robot detects you, the tension shoots up.
That tension, perhaps, could turn into a feeling of frustration when exploring. We are talking about a component that, a priori, should not have any complications. However, if you are already a veteran of Metroid, you will know very well that the exploration can get complicated if patience is not your thing. As in previous installments, in Metroid Dread there are no guides to lead you by the hand in the right direction.
It is up to you to find the path or skill that allows you to keep moving forward, and that can be frustrating for some — especially first-timers. Despite the controversy it can cause, this should not be seen as a negative point. After all, the stage was designed as one more rival to beat. It’s a puzzle continuum that you must solve and that is an essential part of the personality of Metroid.
If you spend enough time to explore and find all the secrets hidden in the setting, your adventure can be extended. beyond 15 hours. You can be sure that accessing a new area after being stuck is just as satisfying as defeating a tricky enemy or mastering a new skill. A great virtue of Metroid Dread is that level design takes advantage of the skill you recently learned. It is as if everything evolved in parallel to offer the best possible experience.
To finish, I can’t put aside the setting, which is exceptional. MercurySteam’s attention to detail is reflected from the simplest visual element on stage, to a cinematic. The art direction is fantastic, and technically it takes advantage of the Nintendo Switch hardware very well. The models boast a very good quality and the animations are not far behind. Also noteworthy are the sound effects and the soundtrack, which contribute to achieving a spectacular atmosphere.
Yes, it was worth waiting almost 20 years for Metroid Dread. It is a tribute to Metroid, but also a show of affection to the fan who for so long has been wanting a new adventure for Samus on 2D platforms. It is undoubtedly one of the most outstanding titles of the year and a new gem from the Nintendo Switch catalog. It was shown that the franchise is still more alive than ever and, on the other hand, that MercurySteam has plenty of capacity to take the reins of a project of such magnitude.