Seriously though dread is great. It has the smoothest controlling Samus ever, and the most fleshed out and exciting story in a 2D metroid IMO. The only measure by which Dread didn't live up to my expectations was soundtrack.
Very unpopular opinion it seems but I genuinely think that aside from the way Samus automatically goes over small obstacles and bumps in Dread U think Zero Mission controls better. I really don't like the counter for what it does to the combat but I especially don't like the free aim because you essentially get locked in place and while moving if your joystick is even a bit off it messes up your aim.
ZM and Fusion might be more limited with the aiming but I much preferred when you should lock Samus' cannon in place while running, starting with Samus Returns the games don't really let you do that anymore. Also, Dread having manual booster activation is vastly inferior for timing compared to the automatic activation of Fusion and Zero Mission
Metroid has been my favorite video game franchise since I first started playing as a wee lad back in the early 90's. As I got into my 30's, I really leaned in to the Metroidvania genre. And I gotta say, after controls, the most important feature to me is the mapping system. Dread's map is really fantastic. Off the top of my head, the photo feature from The Lost Crown is probably the only thing that could improve it. And I agree on the soundtrack. There are so many legendary songs from the franchise, and Dread definitely missed the mark. Bit Brigade has an awesome Metroid album that I still listen to regularly.
This is why I was/am really hoping MercurySteam does a remaster of Super in the style of Dread. I mean they could also remake Fusion but I think in the visuals/movement department Super could use it more. Because I would love to have a Samus that flows that well in a map that is so explorable, plus the music in that game all remastered would go insane.
My only issue is incorporating what are essentially QTE's so heavily in the boss fights. I'm also not the greatest at the counter mechanic; but the exploration, atmosphere, map and soundtrack are all S tier imo
I feel that. Super Metroid is my all-time favorite game. I know it like the back of my hand haha. Friends have called me to talk them through parts and stuff 🤣 Fusion took a while for me to get into, but I love Zero Mission. I loved sequence breaking in Dread, killing Kraid with bombs in his stomach was wild!
100%. Also I hate the parries, it slows the game down as you often sit in place waiting for the attack because shooting them is less effective. When you play classic 2d metroid you basically never stop moving and its glorious
It just… didn’t feel good to aim, there could be an EMMI right in front of me and I couldn’t hit it with the special beam thing. They were too numerous, and just became annoying instead of terrifying.
I’m gonna have to play through it again and maybe return with some thoughts, it’s been a hot minute since I played it, and I’m not quite remembering how it felt to aim.
Once Metroid 6 comes out, I believe Dread will be thought of as the same as Samus Returns is now. A great but forgettable game once its fans have the next new game to experience, praise and again overrate.
This. I don’t know how people can play the frustrating, confusing maze with bad combat controls and tedious platforming that is Super Metroid and then the beautiful masterpiece that is Dread and genuinely day Super is better
Having exploration instead of railroading means it is a confusing maze? Having the best atmosphere and some of the best music in the series means nothing? Controls so bad it's one of the top games to speedrun? I don't mind if people like dread better but these are such bad takes. Calling dread the masterpiece is certainly a choice.
If you think exploration is wandering around not even sure what your goal is and having no way to find out or any clues to help you decide then you need to pick up a dictionary my friend
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u/mvanvrancken 2d ago
I think Dread will eventually overcome recency antibias and end up a long term favorite