{"id":4950,"date":"2021-09-27T15:00:21","date_gmt":"2021-09-27T13:00:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.radiotimes.com\/?p=1370520"},"modified":"2021-09-27T15:35:22","modified_gmt":"2021-09-27T13:35:22","slug":"metroid-dread-preview-samus-returns-in-a-sci-fi-sequel-laced-with-horror","status":"publish","type":"rss_feed","link":"https:\/\/c01.purpledshub.com\/radiotimes\/rss_feed\/metroid-dread-preview-samus-returns-in-a-sci-fi-sequel-laced-with-horror\/","title":{"rendered":"Metroid Dread preview: Samus returns in a sci-fi sequel laced with horror"},"content":{"rendered":"

We played the first two hours of Metroid Dread, and this is what went down. <\/p>

By Rob Leane\n \t\t<\/p>

Published: Monday, 27 September 2021 at 12:00 am<\/p>

\n\n

Ahead of the Metroid Dread release date<\/a>, RadioTimes.com<\/a> travelled to the Nintendo UK offices in Windsor to get some hands-on preview time with Metroid Dread. We\u2019re pleased to report that this sci-fi sequel made a good impression, particularly in the sequences where you can see its horror inspirations shining through.<\/p>\n

Metroid Dread is set directly after 2002\u2019s Metroid Fusion, a Game Boy Advance title that ended with Samus overcoming the vicious X parasite. Don\u2019t worry if you\u2019re not familiar with that game\u2019s ins and outs, though \u2013 Metroid Dread begins with a handy little recap, before setting up its own story, pointing to the possibility that the X parasite may not be fully eradicated after all.<\/p>\n

Although the graphics in these text-heavy establishing cut-scenes aren\u2019t particularly impressive, they do the job of setting up the Metroid Dread story. A unit of EMMI robots is sent to investigate a planet where the X parasite may have been spotted, and Samus is sent to the scene when contact with the robots is lost. This is when the gameplay begins.<\/p>\n

Due to an unfortunate case of \u2018physical amnesia\u2019, Samus has lost her previous abilities and will have to learn them again. This does feel a little hammy, but it\u2019s par for the course with a lot of video game sequels. You start the game without much in the way of abilities, but it\u2019s not long before you start relearning them.<\/p>\n

\""Magnetic\"<\/div>
Magnetic grip can help you out of a tight spot in Metroid Dread.<\/span><\/figcaption> Nintendo<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

Immediately, that classic Metroid structure reasserts itself \u2013 you\u2019re in an intricately designed 2D environment stuffed with creepy corridors, locked doors and enemies that will attack you on sight. You\u2019ll have to explore every nook and cranny if you want to piece together the path to progression. Gradually, you\u2019ll unearth upgrades that will help you take down bigger baddies and open otherwise impenetrable doors.<\/p>\n

Some of these abilities will be familiar if you played 2017\u2019s Samus Returns, which was made by the same developers from MercurySteam \u2013 fans of that game will feel right at home with the free aim (which allows you to shoot in any direction) and the ability to parry melee attacks with a carefully timed button press. These are your basic combat mechanics, and you\u2019ll get into a really good flow of shooting, parrying and moving around the map as you get to grips with the game. It\u2019s very satisfying when you time it right.<\/p>\n

There are also some new abilities to be had \u2013 there is temporary invisibility (which comes in very handy for reasons we\u2019ll touch on shortly) and the ability to climb on magnetic surfaces (which plays in nicely to the exploratory element). These are both nice additions, making this feel like an expansion of this franchise rather than just a continuation.<\/p>\n

Each time you pick up a new power, you\u2019ll probably be able to access an area that was previously locked off. Again, it\u2019s the classic Metroid structure, and that gameplay loop still feels just as satisfying as ever \u2013 as you go back through old areas to uncover new secrets, you feel like you\u2019re piecing together a larger puzzle and really achieving something with each bit of progression.<\/p>\n

\""When\"<\/div>
When an EMMI robot sees you in Metroid Dread, you\u2019re in trouble.<\/span><\/figcaption> Nintendo<\/i><\/span><\/div>\n

The best thing about Metroid Dread might just be its horror influences, though \u2013 those EMMI robots that went missing have now gone rogue, and they\u2019ll kill Samus without hesitation if they spot her. This means you\u2019ll have to be sneaky and stealthy, carefully hiding from these killer androids and deploying your brief windows of invisibility wisely.<\/p>\n

This creates a really strong sense of tension, like a 2D spin on the horror of Alien Isolation, which is especially effective at points in the story where you have no way of taking the EMMI bots down. You do eventually get a nice big upgrade for your gun that has powerful chargeable attacks, but even that comes with its challenges \u2013 you\u2019ll need to manoeuvre your foe carefully into spots where you can corner them, charge up your weapon and deploy a deadly blow before they can take you out. It\u2019s tense, tactical and a whole lot of fun.<\/p>

We played these two hours of Metroid Dread on the Nintendo Switch OLED Model<\/a> (you can read our hands-on impressions of the Switch OLED here<\/a>), which has brighter colours and a bigger screen than the regular Switch and the Switch Lite \u2013 on this console, Metroid Dread gameplay looked and felt great. The cut scenes aren\u2019t exactly thrilling (so far), but that\u2019s not really the point \u2013 the levels are baked with heaps of colourful detail and the enemies look sleekly scary, making Metroid Dread a great showcase of what the Switch OLED can do.<\/p>\n

We only really saw the first segment of Metroid Dread during this preview session, but it did enough to pique our interest \u2013 the exploration felt great, the combat is just difficult enough, and we even encountered a big boss battle that really ramped up the challenge factor. The story seems intriguing as well, and we look forward to learning more when Metroid Dread launches next month.<\/p>\n

Metroid Dread launches on Nintendo Switch on 8th October and you can order your copy now<\/a>.<\/strong><\/p>\n

Follow Radio Times Gaming on Twitter<\/a> for all the latest insights. Or if you\u2019re looking for something to watch, see our TV Guide<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n

Visit our video game release schedule<\/a> for all upcoming games on consoles. Swing by our hubs for more Gaming<\/a> and Technology<\/a>\u00a0news.<\/strong><\/p>\n

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