Metroid Dread trailer: An amazing blend of the classic and modern Metroid games
I can't believe I'm holding the Metroid Fusion 2 sequel in my hands at last. Furthermore, the title card even appears with two phrases, Metroid Dread, that I have heard for more than 10 years but have long since forgotten. To say that this seems like a lengthy narrative coming to a close would be an understatement. With the support of many amazing games, Metroid Dread manages to encapsulate the enduring heritage of the Metroid series. Is it really able to match the high caliber of previous titles? And can this tale really honor the thirty-five years of history it must conclude? Okay, so... I have some positive updates.
The luxury feel of Metroid Dread is instantly noticeable upon launch. The introductory movie, which conveniently summarizes a lot of Metroid mythology, and the stunning visuals make this entry seem like a large budget space epic, so throw aside any objections about a 2D game being worth £50.
In the suspenseful opening scene, Samus is ambushed by a terrifying-looking Chozo and has to battle her way back to the surface of ZDR after being trapped there. In addition to the mystery surrounding the once amiable Chozo warriors, Samus now has to deal with the menacing threat posed by the E.M.M.I. robots. These elegant robots are very skilled at pursuing Samus because they have been designed to do so.
With its deep blacks and dazzling neon blue technology that pierces the darkness with every swish of an arm cannon, Metroid Dread seems like a fantastic showcase for the OLED Switch from the very first seconds of gameplay exploring Artaria, the first place you uncover. The vivid colors and deep blacks of the cave systems provide character to distant caverns, evoking the 3D experience of a New 3DS, as the backdrops sank into the distance and water dripped over ledges in the front. The computer then pulses in response to Adam's ghostly robotic voice as they are communicating with Samus' AI companion in save rooms, and the vibrant blue of the screen is almost mesmerizing.
The first thing you'll notice when you begin going is how quick Samus feels. In Metroid Dread, our favorite bounty hunter seems noticeably more athletic from the start, which is probably a good thing since you'll soon be hounded by the equally skilled E.M.M.I. robots. I had to go home and play Samus Returns to make sure I wasn't dreaming things. Samus may still freely aim her cannon with the analog stick and lock it in position with a shoulder button, much as in Samus Returns. Additionally, the physical counter is back to help you rapidly take down adversaries.
While most adversaries had a clear weakness for the counter concept, I also found that they were all vulnerable to conventional blast damage. In contrast to Samus Returns, where gameplay sometimes seemed stuttering because you often had to wait for an opportunity, here you may attack normally, and a successful counter merely adds gloriously to your damage total. It makes the battle seem much more fluid and has increased my appreciation for the counter right away.
The mood created by the superb sound design and the intricate images is another obvious advantage. Playing on the OLED screen and including upgraded acoustics, this is an engrossing universe right away. A tangible sensation of... well, dread is created by the noises of far-off opponents squelching across platforms, water rushing under Samus' boots, and the piercing echoing beeps of the E.M.M.I.
In relation to the E.M.M.I., we were able to come across three throughout the first few hours of gaming. One, however, served as a tutorial as it allowed Samus to experiment with the Omega Cannon, the only weapon capable of eliminating the eerie opponents, albeit having a limited supply of energy due to a broken E.M.M.I. imprisoned in place. We finally encountered the material needed for an Omega Cannon much later on, when it was revealed to us, as a prize for defeating a mini-boss. It seems that in order to ultimately seize control of the various regions and eliminate the roving E.M.M.I. robots, you will need to acquire this energy.
Beyond their eerie beeps and expressionless faces, the E.M.M.I. bring the dread to Metroid Dread with their relentless pursuit of our heroine and their arsenal of powers. You will be dying to take them out as well. Samus has very little area to hide since they can readily scramble over almost any surface. Early on, your only chance is to escape since facing one head-on practically guarantees death. The beginning sections are wonderfully made to allow for this; as you get familiar with the region, you'll see several nooks and shafts where Samus may powerslide out of danger and land safely below. The early stage design and overwhelming sense of helplessness at the hands of these deadly robots do a great job of quickly establishing Samus' physical capabilities, as well as the direction of both the game design and the tone of the title in general. Even though you learn new ways to dispatch the aggressive automatons a little later in the game.
In other words,But don't believe that this is simply Resident Evil 2 with a space-based skin—this is still fundamentally Metroid. You should still often consult your map, which is now conveniently always shown in the upper right corner of the screen. You are also urged to search every square inch of the globe for new weapons to add to your collection and to increase the amount of missiles you can carry with you. A wide range of foes and natural dangers make Planet ZDR seem quite crowded already. It was really satisfying to solve water-based puzzles to construct new channels, modify the flow of thermal fuel, and follow the pipes to other locations, in addition to uncovering mysteries by blasting your standard square-shaped blocks to unearth hidden passageways. It seems like a lot of work has gone into making Planet ZDR more than just a labyrinth to be navigated.
We were able to access the next section of Cataris, which is much hotter than the first one, and obtain the Phantom Cloak and Spider Magnet in the two hours that we had for the preview. Samus can adhere to any surface that is blue thanks to the Spider Magnet, which also quickly modifies your interactions with the environment. Rather than giving Samus access to more powerful weapons right away, it seems like a wise decision to make her more agile from the start of the game. Even while you do first get the Charge Beam, you cannot utilize it to defeat the E.M.M.I. The Phantom Cloak then enables Samus to remain still and blend in with the background, evading the E.M.M.I. These abilities make it seem clear that defeating every adversary we encounter and rising to the rank of galactic badass are not the game's current objectives. The greatest enhancement to Samus' moveset would be the ability to escape and hide more effectively since this environment is dangerous and the E.M.M.I. are very lethal.
In the little time we have had, it is evident that Samus has never felt more controllable, and the Metroid concept has been refined like a pearl over time, giving us a brilliant example of the Metroidvania subgenre and the potential of this series. Story beats hint at answering certain long-standing mysteries, and Samus herself believes that her various experiences have strengthened her as a fighter. Samus' latest adventure feels exactly like the Metroid games we played as kids, thanks to the OLED Switch's support of the stunning visuals in both the action and the environment. Planet ZDR appears to be one of the most intricately populated and beautifully realized worlds in the entire franchise.
If the first segment is any indication, this could be both the fantastic big-budget 2D Metroid game fans have been clamoring over for decades and an essential Metroidvania title for any fans of the genre. We'll have to wait to play the game to see if it continues to impress in its world design and clever evolutions of Samus' power. I really want to see what intriguing new adversaries and places Samus will come across on her most recent adventure, and I hope the game keeps us scared of every new place until the very end. The E.M.M.I. robots, however, provide a completely necessary sense of discomfort to every step on this desolate planet and may hold the key to turning Metroid Dread into a masterpiece.
On October 8, Metroid Dread and the Nintendo Switch OLED model will both be released. To find out precisely where to order the Switch OLED, consult our guide. After making your purchase, don't forget to check out the top free Nintendo Switch games to save some cash.