Everyone looks forward to any new Nintendo release. But, this time, it is a new addition to the Metroid franchise. This was fantastic news for all the Metroid enthusiasts who want to dive into the depths of planet ZDR. Metroid Dread was released just within four months after its initial announcement. More than that, Metroid Dread encourages newcomers to start playing the series. It can be a start for many newbies. Like any other Metroid game, this one is challenging as well. Moreover, many think this to be tougher than its predecessors. The enemies are difficult to take down so are the items, hard to locate.
Even if you are an experienced player, you may find it tough to play this game. This game might force you to master some brutal combat mechanics and face challenging enemies. Worry not. We are here to help. Even if you are someone playing the series for the first time, these tips might help you. You can start playing the game via Nintendo Switch Online Service. Whether you have played the series or haven’t touched it yet, these tips will come in handy. Thus, without further ado, let’s jump into it.
Basics of the Gameplay
This one here is a complete action or adventure game with open-ended exploration. You will be on your own exploring Planet ZDR. There is a lot to the map. You might even uncover some upgrades on your way. These updates will help you to achieve what was unachievable earlier.
The bosses might be challenging, but that does not necessarily mean difficulty in exploration. After all, what is an adventure game without prospecting? Moreover, if you are having trouble with the side-scrollers, you can start playing Metroid Dread. You will get the hang of the basics as you proceed. But, here are some tips that might come to your help –
- Use bombs or missiles as much as you have to. They easily replenish.
- Save the optional upgrades to use for later. Then, you can quickly get used to them.
- It might take multiple attempts and learning the pattern to beat the bosses.
- Just search for rooms on your map if you are confused about where to go next.
The Story of Metroid Series
If you have played the Metroid series, you will not find anything new about the story of this one. It is the same continuation of the previous game stories. Like the other Metroid games, this one too has two branches, main and prime. The main branch has the side-scrollers, and the excellent addition consists of first-person shooters. Of course, there will be times when both the branch intersects. But, you will find Metroid Dread mainly comprising of the main component.
Metroid: Zero Mission on GBA is when the series got interesting. This was the series that brought the series protagonist Samus Aran to us. Samus is a character that will hook you up. She is a hunter brought up by Chozo, a mysterious spacefaring race. You will find her hunting a group of space pirates on planet Zebes. This is a mission that Galactic Federation assigns her. This is where she will be introduced to Metroids, who are a race of fatal alien predators.
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Metroid II: Return of Samus shows us Samus’s journey to planet SR388. Here, she will be on a mission to hunt the rest of the Metroids, and guess what? She achieves that. She also saves a baby Metroid that trusts Samus to be its mother.
After this came Super Metroid, where you see Samus returning to Zebes to hunt space pirates again. Again, you will see the baby Metroid sacrificing itself to rescue Samus after Mother Brain threatened to take her life.
Things became even more twisted in the next Metroid Fusion. Samus gets infected by a fatal parasite named X. Galactic Federation injects her with Metroid DNA to save her. This is when you will find out that Chozo created Metroids to kill Parasite X. Now, it is upon Samus to complete that work. She succeeds in doing so and drives both X parasite and Metroids out of the galaxy.
After 19 years of the last game, Metroid Dread was finally released to end the story. However, right after you finish the game’s first level, you will be provided with a brief recap. Thus, you will have no issues catching on with the story.
Tips & Tricks to Help New Comers and Fans to Play Better
Let’s get on thing straight Metroid Dread is a bit hard to play, and there is no lie to it. But, that does not make it less exciting or interesting. You will have to get your techniques and strategies right to excel at this game. So, to help you ease your way out in Planet ZDR, go through these tricks right away.
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Choose Your Route
Metroid Dread is not much different from other games of the series. In this title to you will be guided quite invisibly by the developer. Places start to come up one after another. You will find the power-ups you require to conquer obstacles in these paths. This may be the best way to succeed in the game but can make you miss out on some upgrades.
You can, at times, try to return to an old place that was earlier unreachable to you. This might prove to be a valuable tactic to you if you choose to explore this way; the game will make sure to reward you. For example, you will be awarded energy tanks or missiles. These will come to your help and help you survive in the game.
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Throw Those Missiles At Walls
If progress is on your mind, you might have to break some walls down for it. Progress is even locked inside walls that are breakable if you fire some missiles at it. Many barriers can be easily broken with the help of certain power-ups. These power-ups will only be available if any missile hits the walls. You may be in the early stage where you don’t get the power-up. But, once you reveal it, the wall will be marked on the map, and you can always get back to it.
You may consider launching some missiles at the walls now and then. This will constantly bring you hidden routes and power-ups. Moreover, this is a fantastic way to uncover pathways that are rather unpassable and add them to your exploration.
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Keep An Eye On Color Coding of Doors
The Metroid series is responsible for the Metroidvania genre. Unlike the previous games of the series, Metroid Dread makes things more straightforward. They have come up with this fantastic colour-coding system. This makes things a bit easy for you. The colours help you to understand when and where to go. It consumes less of your time and is transparent.
In case if you see a locked door that has a blue glow, you will have to get a blue weapon. Now you are better guided towards your next goal. There are still puzzles to be solved and routes to be tracked. But, keeping an eye out for essential clues will save your day.
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Take Notes On New Moves Via Video Capture
Taking notes only helps! The move of Samus will start simple, but don’t get tricked by it. Things will start getting complicated. Thanks to the developer, you will be given a rundown before every new move. But, unfortunately, the game does not let you revisit them. You will be given a tutorial, but it is mainly limited to the basics.
Yet, there is more to it. In case you think you might have to visit how Samus’s Speed Booster work, there is a trick. You will need to press long enough on the capture button of the Switch. This will save the tutorial for you to revise later.
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Enroute Backwards When You Get Stuck
All other previous Metroid titles, including Metroid Dread, are not linear. This series, let alone this game is not about only going forwards. At times you will have to go backward as well. This will all fall under the area that you have explored before. This will, however, depend on the powers that you have gathered for Samus.
Some powers will require you to backtrack to even the starting point to get the best of it. Thus, if you ever get stuck after achieving a new ability, return to the previous areas. You will find a new path to be now open with new power, upgrade, and knowledge.
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Use the Map
The last game of the series also has the series complex and largest world. This is sure to make it a fan favourite. With the complexity, it is also the only time in the series that the map has so many features. From marking specific obstacles, place markers to storing information about obstacles, they have it all.
Players will be getting involved with the maps just at their first playthrough. That even might help them. Planning the correct route at a level is essential. It will affect Samus’ survival. Players should put more concern on maps in EMMI zones. Thus, it is necessary to get used to the features of the maps.
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Energy Tanks Are Useful
Enemies of this recent title are challenging to beat. This refrains Samus from being able to tank much damage, which will be lower than usual. This puts more importance on evasion. But this also teaches us that it is essential for you to pick up every tank you can. Trust us. It will help in the future.
There will be complex puzzles you might have to solve to receive a tank. These puzzles will be challenging than other challenges. You might even have to return to a specific area after you have unlocked a power-up. However, these will be worth investing your time and energy in. An excess 995 energy can make a difference between winning and losing to a strong boss.
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Somethings Are Better Left Un-countered
However, it is most essential to counter bosses. You will need to defeat these bosses promptly start with waiting for counter windows. But, that will not be an efficient decision for facing regular enemies. Waiting for any counter to happen will slow down Samus. It might even expose her to potential risk.
When Samus is best of her health, you would like to avoid countering every enemy. Players will find it more beneficial to just run through the enemy with a dash melee. Blowing them off using a regular power beam might help as well.
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Shoot At Everything
If you are starting with Metroid Dread, here is a tip: most things are destructible. You can try shooting at them. The times where you have to destruct to progress are insane. At times you will have to blow everything at your sight to go forward. You can fire as much as you can, and you would be surprised what you can get.
Some blocks are weak enough to fumble down just with a shot of the missile. You can activate these missiles by pressing on ‘R’ and then ‘Y’. The ‘L’ shoulder button will even help to aim in an arc. This tip can help you a lot to progress in the game.
- First Defend Before Attacking
The boss encounter in this title is even more challenging than in the previous titles. Hence, making it one of the most demanding titles of the franchise. Most of the fights have high mobility and high speed. This will lead to the drainage of Samus’ health more quickly than expected.
The trick here is to learn the attack patterns of the boss. With this, you will also know where they are open to attack. You may not be able to achieve this on the first go. Thus, you can emphasize learning the rhythm and evading attacks rather than damaging the bosses.
Conclusion
Anyone who is looking for the finest creation of Nintendo this year should play Metroid Dread. It is not just the best of the year but Nintendo’s whole career as well. If you are a fan of this series, you will be delighted by its excellence. Even for newcomers, it is the perfect game to start the series with. Newcomers can give Super Metroid a try after Metroid Dread and Samus Returns after that. The whole series is fantastic in one word, and the ending is way too good. Explore the world and go back as much as you can, for every time you return, you will be rewarded.
