Of all the the video games that exist, Metroid Dread is certainly one of them. I will admit, this was the first Metroid/Metroid styled game that I've ever played, and I purchased this knowing that the genre would be completely unfamiliar to me, and after playing Dread I think that was a mistake.
There are things in Dread that are just so damn cool; the darker lore/story, music, and visuals make Metroid a unique IP within the usually jubilent and friendly Nintendo gamesphere. Immediately upon starting the game you feel like you're stuck in a space horror film like Alien, which is a feeling that I haven't experienced in a game in quite a long time.
The first few hours are fun, bosses aren't too hard and the progression from one area to the next feels natural, however just a few hours into the game, that evaporates. Bosses become painstakingly difficult, movement through the map becomes a chore, and there's next to zero indicator of where you should go. I know that last point is a hallmark of these style of games, but I feel like it could at least either give a hint or be a quick "oh I have this I should go here" moment, however that doesn't exist.
As the game went on I dreaded (pun intended) any new boss fight or area, because I knew there would be a nauseating fight to come, I knew there were be more mechanics that I'd have to die to for a considerable amount of time before I learned the exact frame I needed to jump or roll because doing it one to early or late would result in three health bars being taken away and a re-try in order. The two-hit combo of deceiving health bars making you feel like you had more health than you really did and easily missable Quick Time Events (QTE's) really irked me.
All in all Metroid is an amazing IP with some awesome lore and narrative within and Samus is a great character, however the draconian boss fights and awkward map tracking leaves a sour taste.
There are things in Dread that are just so damn cool; the darker lore/story, music, and visuals make Metroid a unique IP within the usually jubilent and friendly Nintendo gamesphere. Immediately upon starting the game you feel like you're stuck in a space horror film like Alien, which is a feeling that I haven't experienced in a game in quite a long time.
The first few hours are fun, bosses aren't too hard and the progression from one area to the next feels natural, however just a few hours into the game, that evaporates. Bosses become painstakingly difficult, movement through the map becomes a chore, and there's next to zero indicator of where you should go. I know that last point is a hallmark of these style of games, but I feel like it could at least either give a hint or be a quick "oh I have this I should go here" moment, however that doesn't exist.
As the game went on I dreaded (pun intended) any new boss fight or area, because I knew there would be a nauseating fight to come, I knew there were be more mechanics that I'd have to die to for a considerable amount of time before I learned the exact frame I needed to jump or roll because doing it one to early or late would result in three health bars being taken away and a re-try in order. The two-hit combo of deceiving health bars making you feel like you had more health than you really did and easily missable Quick Time Events (QTE's) really irked me.
All in all Metroid is an amazing IP with some awesome lore and narrative within and Samus is a great character, however the draconian boss fights and awkward map tracking leaves a sour taste.
1 Comment
huh
jardhead
2 years ago