Video: We've Actually Played Metroid Dread, Does It Meet Our Expectations?

Lucky you! Sorry I don't watch any of these video but pleased to see you enjoyed it so much.

Same here. I won't watch that. Have no interest in any spoilers before I get my hands on it. But good to know

Ahhhhh lucky!

Can’t wait for Dread on the 8th. Roll on!

@Zag_Man
I didn't think Samus Returns was average. Really enjoyed it. I don't mean you, but I get the feeling some people don't want this to succeed.

I am crying and jealous at the same time because NintendoLife gets to play a bit of Metroid Dread but I don’t

@YusseiWarrior3000 I wish the article would list some bullet points from the video. They could even time stamp it for if we want to see specific things. I dunno, something with a little more substance than just the “watch the video” kinda thing.

@Nintendo4Sonic not gonna watch either, I just want to hear their first impressions on the game by reading the article

@YusseiWarrior3000 they really are. Remember that Nintendo uses a unique art style to compensate for their lower end hardware. So this art style looks great and more science fiction

@YusseiWarrior3000
I don't understand the "graphics are terrible" comments either. What exactly should it look like? We're already living in an age where developers can make the games look as good as they want, depending on the art style, and this game is not an exception.

@Diogmites how does it look terrible? The graphics in the game look pretty damn good for a 2.5D Metroid game. All these years, we have gotten Metroidvania like style Metroid games like Super Metroid and Metroid Fusion. And then we also got 2D Metroidvania games as well. The graphics look fine.

Remember Nintendo uses an art style to make good graphics come out of their lower end hardware. Like cel shaded for games like wind waker or breath of the wild. Here they are trying to go a bit more realistic. Not too realistic but a little bit

Metroid Dread look amazing, i can't wait to finaly play this amazing game in my extended battery Switch.

I'm so ridiculously excited for this game! Samus looks so fun to control and the gameplay seems tight af, on a side note that Oled screen is purdy

That’s great to read!! If you can say, how do you compare it to Samus Returns’ feel and sound and production?

EDIT: I watched the video so I got my answer
Also, phrase of the day is “Watch out for the Chozo Strangers” 😂

I'm glad that the first impression is good, but then again, previews tend to be much more optimistic than actual reviews.

Thank you for this, I only watched the first 2 minutes cause I am in a partial dread black out. Just needed to know that it was great, very excited for this game.

The game looks like it's going to be incredible so I don't want to complain but I do get the graphics complaints. It's very sterile, like sheen and textureless and without modern lighting effects. It's like the NSMB approach, just render everything in 3D exactly as you'd expect it to be, like the characters crawled out of a theme park, instead of something with its own stylish artistic signature. But again, I think I'll get over it pretty quick considering how fluid the gameplay looks.

Sounds like it plays how it looks, which is great.

The best thing about this game for me is that im not hyped in the slightest for it. If it was Prime4 then that would be a different matter. I will envitably get it and no doubt love it. I just hate being chased by anything. Be it a killer robot, Mr X or that Tyrant. He caused me many a mid game pants change. Ive tried to "man up" but it just doesnt work. No cure for being a big girls blouse 😂🙉🙈

I was just thinking about if I should get Dread, and now this article pops up. Amazing.

I’m sold on the game already so I won’t be watching, but I’m glad you all enjoyed your first time with Metroid Dread. I’m going into the game not expecting it to be better than Metroid Prime Hunters and Metroid Prime: Federation Force, my favorite and 2nd favorite Metroid games. I am expecting Dread to be better than Samus Returns which is 6th best on my list, so I am looking forward to what I’ll likely consider a Top 5 Metroid experience.

@Zag_Man @Cia I really enjoyed Samus Returns and finished it (excellent 3D).

Dread doesn’t have to be the best Metroidvania on Switch, but it does need to be better than Samus Returns (since it will be full Switch game price). And it most likely will be, given the better HW, larger screen, and as it is a new title (not a remake).

@Diogmites I mean Nintendo EPD is developing along with Mercury and Sakamoto is the lead designer on the game so Nintendo is definitely involved.

Very nice. Looking forward to it.

Thai article basically told us to watch the video.

I will, but c'mon.

Me watching this video: "Look at those black levels..."

Can't wait to get my OLED Switch just so I can wave bye-bye to bad blacks (which are just grey on the current console).

Watching Alex videos > playing video games. Just sayin’. I am even more excited for Dread now. Stay safe. Much love from the USA.

Glad it wasnt rushed and they made another quality game.

Alex sounds kinda like a kid on a playground talking about how awesome a game is, and I love it.

I especially liked when he said "Whamma Jamma" 😄

@RupeeClock While their articles are hit and miss, i love your videos; alex is really good when the camera and mic are pointed his way. dear god, i cannot wait to play this game

Super pumped for this one! And thank you Alex for making this article as spoiler free as possible, and making the video for those who want more of an in depth take on your experience! Much appreciated!

@Diogmites lol looks terrible lol funniest comment of the day.lol considering you are beyond wrong

The biggest question for me is still the map. Metroidvanias almost always annoy me because I hate getting lost IRL. With all the QoL improvements I hope they find a way to signpost for newer players without alienating the core fans (like BOTW did)

the quality of Dread I have no worries about I know it will be high quality it's the sales of the game that's the huge question mark

When does the review embargo lift for Metroid Dread? We're two weeks away from launch so it has to be sometime soon.

Part of me was hoping we'd see reviews start dropping this week. If Nintendo allowed early reviews to post, it'd likely mean they're very confident in the quality of the game

Weirdly enough I am actually more worried about Prime 4 delivering than Dread, I had little doubt this game would be good.

Heck yes! I am so excited to play this one later this year!

@Cia From the footage I’ve seen, the graphics look dull and grey and washed out, with the exception of that neon yellow area. They made the backgrounds intentionally dull to contrast the stupid neon blue suit they gave Samus. It’s a pretty dumb concession for making the game readable on a portable device.

@Diogmites Agreed on all counts, get ready to fend off frothing fanboys like gnats....

Man this is a much more negative board than expected lol I have always thought Samus Returns and by extension this game are ugly as sin, but it looks like solid fun to play. I'm excited.

@PinkLemonade you’d rather watch a video of Alex talking about the game than play the game for yourself..? Really don’t get that one tbh.

I. Can't. Wait.

And no, I don't need to say anything else.

@BloodNinja

People having positive impressions of the game doesn't make them instant fanboys or fangirls. The game simply looks good. Time will tell if it's just a polished-up successor to the last Metroid game that came it, a true return to form, or maybe a bit of both.

People being excited doesn't make them fanboys, and you having your own vision of what the game should be like doesn't make it bad.

You are also free to play a different game, or go to another site, if you really don't like reading positive comments and impressions about games on a website....That's kinda what they are there for, and it makes me wonder just how miserable folks like you must be where you're out typing from in the real world.

I'm sold since "Metroid 5" appears at the screen in the presentation

Excitement rising! Thanks Alex going to check the video as soon as possible 😄

This site did give Metroid Other M a 9/10. And apparently Samus Returns was something that was worthy of a 10/10 as well.

As far as I'm concerned that does cast a bit of a shadow on the credibility of this site, if not for their taste in games then at least their taste in Metroid games.

@PessitheMystic Sure would!

@YusseiWarrior3000 the Switch isn’t as powerful. Especially now the Series X and S and PS5 are in the game now. The only way Switch has good graphics is because of art style. That is the reason why.

Not only that but the Series S is even something Nintendo might have to worry about.

@Joe-b well they have been working on this for so many years

Footage on the oled looks crisp and shiny!

Huge 2D Metroid fan. I liked Samus Returns, though it had some problems (largely the fact it had to stick to the Metroid 2 structure, and yes the counter became dull after some time). So I am cautiously optimistic. The art style doesn't seem as stylistic as I would have liked but I would need to see more to truly judge.

Seriously don't get the negativity though. Being optimistic about a game isn't fanboyism?

Where can i apply for the job game tester? 😂😂😂

Hey @AlexOlney, I didn't watch the video yet, so maybe you already answered this question, but is it a good game for those new to Metroid? I liked what I've seen so far, but never played any Metroid game before.

@Zochmenos he is trying to hard to impress people, but only comes across as laughable at best

Ah, this is coming out quite soon. I may have to forgo my usual rule of only playing horror games in October.

Can't wait for this even more now !!

This is going to be a freaking great game. I've been reading today people who are getting there hands on it and everybody has been raving about this game. So I'm super excited to play it.

@OldManHermit It has "dread" in the name so it should count for Halloween.

I'm hyped by proxy. I've only dabbled in Metroid but my brother is a hard-core fan. He's remaining completely unspoiled; he didn't even watch the original announcement. When I told him the title his eyes lit up like a child at Christmas. ("They're bringing back 'Dread'?!")

I have a feeling that my brother is going to like this. I also have a feeling that he's going to deliberately let EMMIs catch him so he can master the counter. Dude likes a challenge.

TL:DR version

WE PLAYED METROID DREAD

nur nur n-nur nuuuh.

Tells us how jealous you are in the comments below.

@JugOfVoodoo Your logic is sound. Also Metroid has always taken influence from the sci-fi horror classic Alien, so I think it kinda sorta counts.

Very jealous!

This game looks fantastic, playing through Fusion to get prepared for this game!

@Diogmites Beautifully stated. It pains me to see humanity turn into such conformist sheep, but hey, like you said we bear the burden freedom affords, through free thinking instead of corporate worship.

@__dave A reasonable, positive impression is fine, and doesn’t define a fanboy. I’m talking about literal fanboys; unreasonable corporate slobs that just slurp up the next Nintendo game because it’s Nintendo.

@Diogmites You went deep on this one, lol

@RenanKJ Nintendo tends to make games that are easy for anyone to jump into, so if you have the twitch skills necessary for 2.5D platformers/run &gun I’m sure you’ll be fine. The stories in Metroid games are rarely any good, and just serve as a very basic backdrop for what’s going on in-game, so if you wanted to make Dread your first Metroid you can probably just go for it. Are you good at platformers?

@Diogmites Lmao I've never seen so much purple prose in a video game comment section in my life. Go write a young adult novel or something

@Diogmites Definitely, and even just glancing at the replies is proof that it’s happening again, right before our eyes. I think you nailed it when you spoke of the difference between the visionary and the producer. Plus, I agree about not trusting the studio, because Samus Returns was extremely lackluster. AM2R is leagues above that game, in comparison. Unfortunately, this game seems like it will sell well based on hype alone...that’s enough of a red flag for me to at least wait and research the thing first, see a lot of reviews and let’s plays/speed runs.

I feel bad for the sheep, though. They got tricked into thinking that this is the first Metroid game in something like 15 years. Meanwhile, the marketing team is conveniently pulling the wool over everyone’s eyes about Samus Returns, which came out just a few years ago. Weird mentality, I must say.

As long as I don’t have to stop and wait until I can use the counter move against every basic scrub enemy for the first half of the game I should be happy.

@BulkSlash yeah I really hope that mechanic feels better, because it is back. It's literally my only reservation about this game. Optimistic tho

@Diogmites Right, that's evidence of the echo chamber effect sites like this CAN have on people's minds. Plus, I tried to stomach about 10 minutes of the video in this article, but it just felt like someone trying to sell me something, rather than someone legitimately excited about a new game so I had to close it. Like always, I'll wait and see, but I'm still torn since I've personally boycotted Nintendo games since January because I'm tired of giving money to a highly litigious company. I even chose not to purchase that Castlevania Advance collection that recently came out, which is tough because I'm a huge Castlevania nerd, but I would rather lay in bed at night knowing I stuck to my principles.

@YusseiWarrior3000 Not an article, is a presentation to a video. Click it.

@Diogmites Hahah, indeed! And yes, the drift issue, forgot about that! LOL

@BloodNinja sure, your principles...
Anyway, by discussing so much here, you are contributing promoting a Nintendo focused site, and indirectly at Nintendo...
What are you doing here?

@Diogmites Samus Returns is an amazing game, you may not like it but to say it's a bad game is silly

@Zequio I'm not promoting anything. My comments have no impact on the site traffic, stop typing nonsense. Unless you think that people gravitate to the comments section to read my posts, specifically, which would be totally absurd.

@Vapeguy I lost interest in Samus Returns after 90 minutes and never went back. It's a bad game.

Pre ordered a while back. Metroid, Starfox and F zero are the original reason i loved Nintendo growing up (Cybernator, Mechwarrior, Secret of Mana and Super Castlevania IV too).
Might squeeze a quick run of Samus Returns in before Dread drops.

Instead of commenting on the accompanying video that I won't be looking at I will say this game is going to sell more than 3M copies and @RGT85 will have to play that balan ugly game, looking forward to that video

@BloodNinja Yeah, love platformers to be honest. Thanks, glad to know it's a good entry for newcomers!

@anoyonmus then Pikmin 4 should be Amazing!

@RenanKJ Sure thing man, just don't want people to think I've never said anything good about this game, as dull as it looks to me!

@BloodNinja Yeah I was also disappointed by Samus Returns. The 3d environments felt kinda bland, the gameplay a bit tedious. I made it a decent ways into the game, but got stuck on a rather tough boss and never looked back. I feel I probably would've stuck with it though, if not for the tiny 3ds screen.

That being said, I do have high hopes for Dread. Based on the trailer it looks leaps and bounds superior to Returns, both visually and from a gameplay standpoint. The developer's record is a bit spotty, but I know they're capable of doing great stuff. That first Lords of Shadow game remains one of my favs from that console generation.

@OldManHermit @fafonio It's okay to remain hopeful, that's perfectly reasonable. I'm keeping my eye on this thing, as well, since I love Metroid. But I also know that these companies prey on our love for certain franchises, and I am being disciplined in the way that I approach this game, instead of buying it blind and potentially wasting money like I did when Samus Returns came out. I bought that game blind, thinking oh, it's Nintendo, they never mess stuff like this up. Whoops LOL.

@fafonio Yeah, we couldn't possibly be thinking for ourselves, instead of falling for the lie that this game is the only Metroid game to come out in 15 years.

It sounds as good as it looks in the gameplay footage we've seen.I'm currently replaying Super Metroid on NSO in anticipation for Dread, can't wait!

@BloodNinja They've said it's the first new game in fifteen years. No one is discounting Samus Returns but it's a remake, not an actual new game.

Wait a minute, frothing at the nose?

@fafonio I never once stated I'm superior, and the fact that you are so triggered by what I and others are saying is telling of your rampant fanboy-ism. It's not a good idea to be confrontational and then put words into people's mouths. Dread looks dull and boring. It's all black and white backgrounds with neon characters, because the game wouldn't be readable on a tiny screen, otherwise. It lifts mechanics from other games like Ninja Gaiden (NES) Mega Man 3, and Metal Gear Solid. It's clear that the hype is getting to everyone's heads, and the fact that you are blindly making enemies out of strangers over a video game is telling of your attitude towards the general public.

@Indielink When I bought Samus Returns (unfortunately) it had a "new" sticker on it. Don't give in to marketing hype. There is a reason that their marketing team is guiding people into outright ignoring Samus Returns, by calling attention to Metroid Fusion, instead.

@BloodNinja That's fair. We've all been burned before buying a game based on its name alone. I'm looking at you Star Fox Zero.

@BloodNinja that’s exactly why you are being clowns. You don’t even know my posture about the game and you’re calling me a fanboy. Lol. Ok man.

Keep posting. Everyone is a fanboy just because you don’t like this game. Sure, sure sure.

@OldManHermit Ah, Star Fox Zero, I heard so many people got burned by it. A few that enjoyed it, but I've heard mainly negative stuff about it. Here's to hoping that all who decide to buy Dread aren't burned by it, also.

@fafonio If you're going to outright ignore what I write to you, then just don't reply to me and save your headspace. There's an ignore button, too. Quit trolling me, and fix your attitude.

@BloodNinja ironic that you’re telling me to fix my attitude lol. You are the one who is getting all the replies aimed at you LMAO and then you’re calling everyone a fanboy just because they like the game.

Get off your high horse.

You need an insight URGENTLY.

@fafonio You're the only person who is being unreasonable in their replies. All my other replies have been from reasonable people, with reasonable views, and we haven't been arguing like you are doing right now. Please stop replying, check your attitude, take a chill pill, ignore me, whatever you need to do to get off my back LOL

I appreciate the attention you are showering me with, but I don't need an Adoring Fan right now, let alone an Adoring fafonio LMFAO

@BloodNinja They're calling attention to Fusion because it was the last original 2D game. And obviously Dread is pulling a lot from that game.

Pretty sure your copy of Samus Returns had a "new" sticker on it because it was an unopened copy.

@BloodNinja of course people returning to comment here counts in page views, which is how this site survives.
Im returning to respond ypur comment, as some others did. More visitors = more revenue. Its an easy concept.

@Zequio Only, the site admins have told me specifically that's not how their site works. I asked the question a few weeks ago and it was answered that their revenue is generated in other ways. When I inquired further, they replied that their competitors would love to know. So no, you're just flat out wrong, now go bother someone else

@Indielink You're missing the point. It was a new game. Never before released. And they are calling more attention to Fusion because it did better than Returns, which is hilarious to me because the same studio that dropped the ball with Returns is making Dread. I will not give in to the marketing lie.

@BloodNinja but I love to bother you!
And you are still wrong (and lied about)

@Zochmenos perhaps, my thing is it looks great so far and I am willing to give it a go. I don’t think I am worried about this game that much.

@YusseiWarrior3000 you where the one confused looking for an explanation... Why so mad 😂

@Zochmenos Mercury steam ain’t to bad but than again I enjoyed the first lords of shadow but yeah I think this will be a good game.

@YusseiWarrior3000 Very weak reason to be mad really... May be you should seek help with all that anger and confusion.
♥️

Too much beardy chat, not enough gameplay footage!

Finally getting a real mainline Metroid game after 27 years. Looking forward to it!

So anyway.........this game looks good. Will definitely pick this up. My first introduction to Metroid was Prime on the GameCube. Loved it. Tried playing the older 2D games after and hated them (so you can't call me a fanboy 😉). Other M I liked also because it was different and had a slight Japanese anime taste to it. Samus Returns I also like but never finished. Maybe I should replay that to get in the mood.

@YusseiWarrior3000 your phrasing of this sentence is not right. Now that the PS5 and Xbox Series X/S came out, they are effectively 9th gen consoles. Saying Switch is more powerful than previous gen consoles means you are saying Switch is more powerful than Xbox One and PS4 which is not even true. The Switch is 2 hardware gens behind.

You knew they were going 'love it'. They are part of the marketing team. That's what game journalists are.

Man I love how hyped Alex is for Metroid Dread! It all sounds and looks so good. I can't wait, am superhyped now! 😄🇮🇱

@BloodNinja It wasn't a new game. It's literally a remake of a nearly thirty year old game.

Sometimes folks are reading the article because they're somewhere we can't watch a video.

Shame there's no article here and just someone bragging they got to play a game early with a YouTube url. :/

Wowee, some people sure do go out of their way to post utter nonsense on a Nintendo specific site. Someone should pass them the Anusol, because it seems like they have a bad case of ring sting.

I mean, you'd think that this game wasn't the first new (as in, not a remake) 2D Metroid in 15 years, and it hasn't been met with highly positive impressions across the board...... Nah, let's just focus on how everyone here is clearly a bootlicker, and would buy a golden turd if Nintendo slapped a seal of approval on it.

Seriously, get a life 😁

Really excited for this just beat super Metroid today

@YusseiWarrior3000 lol I didnt try to insult you! Especially not because a video game article (or video).
And about my profile picture... I like Mario, and I like being naked.... 😂

It's not like this site would say an official Nintendo release was horrible even if it was anyway.

Impressions seem very strong across the board. Unless the rest of this game is significantly worse than its first 90 min, it seems like Dread could be the best 2D Metroid since Super.

@Indielink fwiw I would def consider Samus returns a new game, even if its a loose remake. That said I do not think Nintendo is lying by calling dread the first new Metroid game in 15 years since it's a whole new scenario from the ground up. "The First new sequential Metroid game in the original series in 15 years!" Doesn't really roll off the tongue.

Just give the review without spoilers

Looking forward to dusting off my Switch and Pro controller to play this. I haven't played anything for a significant amount of time since Age of Calamity. I need to finish Tales of Arise in the next two weeks so I can play Dread start to finish with no interruptions.

@Indielink it’s literally a new game.

Some of you still seem to think this game is made by Mercury Steam alone. It's been made by them with Nintendo EPD, their best developers. If it was made by MS alone, I would be worried. The Lords of Shadow series ruined Castlevania momentarily for me.

@Indielink I hope that Nintendo hasn't been saying that Metroid Dread is the first new Metroid game in 15 years, because there has been 3 before Dread and I personally would count Samus Returns as a 4th.

his impression sounds like emperor palpatine during a hologram during a older star wars movie.

I'll give it a miss, even though I will have the Oled.

It really does look like a 2d game designed for a handheld console. It would have looked good on an updated DS, just as it will look good on the Oled.

But it does not look fifty quids worth of good.

That's all me baby!

@BulkSlash @Crockin Yeah, hopefully the dash counter helps mitigate the pacing issues of the counter in Returns

Nice, can't wait to play the newest Metroid game since the GBA. It's been way too long, I wasn't even sure they'd make a 5. So I haven't seen a whole lot of footage, but I'll buy it day one, just as I will for the next 2d and 3d Mario. The screenshots and videos don't really matter to me, Nintendo, the developer, knows how to make great video games in these series and I trust that they'll be just as good as past numbered entries, as always. I won't get my expectations sky high, but it's sure to be an enjoyable experience and nice to revisit this long dormant series.