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Post by Xeogred on Oct 8, 2021 12:07:59 GMT -5
I am 2 hours into Metroid Dread.
12%
It's INCREDIBLE.
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Post by Ex on Oct 8, 2021 12:27:30 GMT -5
I am 2 hours into Metroid Dread. 12% It's INCREDIBLE.
How is Dread different than previous Metroid entries? Anything make this one unique?
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 8, 2021 17:51:02 GMT -5
I think the easiest way to put it is that it feels like Fusion meets Samus Returns and fixes some of the issues I had with those two.
- There are some stealth/chase sections again, but handled better than Fusion to me.
- ADAM is still a thing, as this is straight up Metroid 5 and continuing the overall 2D story. But it's completely hands off compared to Fusion. He'll tell you some stuff, but you have to figure out where to go and what to do. - Story vs Gameplay percentage wise, I'd say this feels like Prime in a really good way. It's definitely more about gameplay and just soaking in the atmosphere of this mysterious world. - It's action heavy again like Samus Returns, but the controls are so dang good and the parry window seems improved. The enemy variety seems a lot better too. I recall Samus Returns feeling like a chore to backtrack sometimes, but not here. - Difficulty is solid, it's no pushover.
- Not even sure how to describe the map design, but I think if we really break it down all previous 2D Metroid's have their own flavor. These maps are DENSE, yet still seem a bit more linear than Super in ways. However, one cool change is that there are now multiple ways of traversing to different areas. The classic elevator, then shuttles, teleporters, etc. This is good because like I said, hot dang these maps are dense. - The initial ability grabs are a different order that I thought was interesting. I won't spoil it.
- Lot of new movement/traversal abilities that are another thing giving it a different flow.
- Sequence breaking might be impossible in ways, I got something at one point that looked like Power Bombs, but while I collected it a prompt came up saying "Unknown ability/energy acquired" and I can't use it yet. Interesting...
I'm glad we're in an era of 2.5D games finally looking good. Just like Bloodstained, this definitely does some super cool stuff with the 3D space during some (scarce) cutscenes or abilities. Perspective changes you can't get in 2D.
Unfortunately, the music continues to be lackluster. I don't know how Kenji Yamamoto can go from Super/Prime 1-2 to Other M and all the current Metroid's which lack melody. I'm starting to speculate this must be orders from Sakimoto to go for minimalistic ambience. The game has a great vibe though, it's lonely/dark sci-fi. At this point I seriously hope Prime 4 has a new composer(s) though, it's time to change things up.
We all loved Bloodstained here, including myself. I probably already like this even more, so I certainly don't say that lightly. This is classic Metroid that sticks to the formula that works and throws in just enough twists and turns to be different. Samus Returns was good stuff but my hope that this would be better and it definitely is.
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Post by Ex on Oct 8, 2021 20:55:15 GMT -5
Thanks for the robust breakdown. The most interesting aspect to me is the increased difficulty. We haven't seen a difficult Metroid since Prime 2 seventeen years ago.
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Post by Sarge on Oct 8, 2021 21:56:57 GMT -5
Huh, might have to go pick up a copy tomorrow.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 8, 2021 22:08:43 GMT -5
I'm surprised you didn't automatically get it!
The checkpoints/saving stations are pretty lenient, but yeah I'm dying a LOT to these bosses which just get increasingly tougher haha. Some enemies will do full Energy tanks worth of damage or more with a single hit. I mentioned the parry window being easier but let me retract that and say that's just for normal enemies. It's freaking brisk with bosses and becoming crucial to take them down faster.
Something happens after a point in the game that makes the base enemies tougher too. I'd say level exploration isn't too tough though, you get hit hard but enemies drop a lot too. You just can't slouch here.
I'm probably over halfway now and there's definitely been some cool upgrades and new things that I won't spoil. I will say the Samus Returns pulse radar thing is back. I think that was a cool alternative to Super's X-Ray Scope.
Seriously, I think this already beats Fusion/Samus Returns for me. I don't even want to bother comparing anything to the original or Super for my tastes and it's impossible to beat those for me, but yeah for modern Metroid this is top tier. I think this might even put pressure and expectations on Prime 4 to be extremely good now too.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 8, 2021 22:19:13 GMT -5
How I'm feeling at this moment heh:
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Post by Ex on Oct 8, 2021 22:43:03 GMT -5
Based on the ones I've played/beat: I left out the entries I've not played yet.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 9, 2021 13:51:26 GMT -5
Dread just keeps delivering... I feel very confident about my A ranking for it now.
I've gotten stuck hardcore 3 time so far and noted down when/where. It'll be interesting to see if others get caught up there.
BY FAR the hardest Metroid. I got through a boss battle recently that I wonder if was a direct nod to an infamous fight in Dark Souls 1. Good luck fellas.
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Post by Xeogred on Oct 9, 2021 21:55:35 GMT -5
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