OPINION: “Metroid Dread” breathes new life into a long-forgotten franchise

Metroid is a series that’s always been close to my heart. One of the first video game franchises to feature a female protagonist whose primary function was to explore bizarre alien worlds, rather than to look pretty and wear as little clothing as possible, has always resonated with me.  

In the Metroid games, you take control of Samus Aran, a bounty hunter doing contract work for the Federation, an intergalactic government with questionable motives.  

To date, there have only been five entries in the main 2D Metroid series. The last installment prior to this year, “Metroid Fusion,” was released in 2002, 19 years ago. Fans of the series haven’t been completely left in the dark since then though, 2002, 2004, and 2007 saw the releases of the “Metroid Prime” games. These were 3D first-person adventure games that absolutely nailed the exploration and atmosphere of the original Metroid games. 

Still though, fans of the classic 2D installments have been left waiting ever since “Metroid Dread” was announced back in 2005. First, five years went by with no news on the project. Then 10, then 15. Then suddenly, at E3 2021, Nintendo announced something huge. The long-awaited “Metroid Dread” would be released before the end of the year. Metroid fans rejoiced, our first main-series game in 19 long years was finally coming to pass. Fast forward to October 8^th, and the game was released on the Nintendo Switch. Did it live up to expectations? Was it worth the wait? 

Yes. Absolutely. 

My first impression of “Metroid Dread” was how good it felt to control Samus on the switch. The control scheme is very similar to previous 2D Metroid games, but whereas those games used a directional pad for four-directional movement, this game uses an analog stick for omnidirectional movement, and the difference is staggering.  

Samus’s movement is fluid and fast, every action feels instantaneous and snappy in a way that the technology 19 years ago couldn’t have managed. Free aiming has been introduced, and it’s a godsend. It’s difficult for me to go back and play previous entries, formerly some of my favorite games of all time, because the controls in “Dread” are so good that they’ve spoiled me. 

A staple of Metroid games is that Samus must regain all her power-ups and abilities after losing them in the opening cutscene, usually resulting in the player feeling disempowered for the first hour. That feeling is still somewhat present in this game, but Samus’s movement speed and agility make you feel less like a weak and helpless castaway, and more like an experienced intergalactic warrior roughing it in a new world, armed with only a basic blaster and your wits to keep you safe. 

As I played, I realized I was getting a feeling I hadn’t had since I first played the retro classic “Super Metroid” back in 2012. I was lost in this world, I didn’t know what my objective was or how to get there, and I absolutely loved it. Metroid games have a way of creating a truly alien atmosphere, capable of making you feel like a rat in an endless maze. Too many games nowadays hold your hand the entire time and leave you little to no agency. I was glad to see Metroid still respected its players’ intelligence and hadn’t compromised on its classic design. 

As the hours went by and I continued playing, I found more and more of Samus’s lost abilities. The speed boost allows her to run at lightning pace long through stretches and perform intricate tricks for extra goodies. The space jump allows her to jump infinitely. New beams, suits and missile upgrades make you feel like you’re growing stronger by the minute, but the game has a seemingly endless supply of challenges to throw at you. 

After one playthrough of “Metroid Dread,” I unlocked hard mode. This piqued my curiosity, the game was already thoroughly challenging, how could it possibly get any harder? I started a new game, and what followed was probably the single hardest Nintendo game I’ve ever played. I died countless times, having to hone my dodging and health conservation skills like a fine art. 

 The difficulty was intense, but it never felt unfair. No attack was unavoidable and no challenge was limited by anything other than my skill with the controller. By the time I conquered hard mode, I felt like I had actually accomplished something. 

I’m not much of a gamer. There are about three franchises I keep my eye on, (Metroid, Zelda, Donkey Kong) but I think anyone who’s even dipped their toes into the medium before can get something special out of “Metroid Dread.” Long-time Metroid fans will get a game that brings out their childhood sense of wonder and frustration alike. Casual or first-time players will get a game that doesn’t pull its punches, but which also plays fair. If you’re looking for something new and exciting to play this Holiday season, consider picking up a copy of “Metroid Dread.” It might just sell you on the whole series.