Metroidis a storied video game franchise credited with the birth of the “Metroidvania” genre.Super MetroidandMetroid Fusionare generally considered some of the best games of their time, and many people have explored theMetroidgames to their fullest over the past few decades.
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Still, there are a lot of people who haven’t had the chance to get their hands on aMetroidgame and may have picked upMetroid Dreadas their very first entry. As a result, newer players may find themselves having trouble getting used to the playstyle needed to succeed in a Metroidvania. Here are some mistakes to avoid when playing throughMetroid Dread.
Metroidputs a lot of emphasis on exploration, andMetroid Dreadis no different. As players explore the dangerous planet ZDRsearching for passages and hidden areas, they may find themselves faced with a series of dead ends and may feel as if they have nowhere to go.
However, this may not be the case. Many dead ends end up being destructible walls that you’re able to break just with your regular beam shot. Players should always make sure to give each wall they find a quick shot, otherwise, they may find themselves at a loss.
9Not Using Missiles To Find Destructible Blocks
At the beginning of the game, Samus only has a handful of missiles in her stock. This may tempt some players to try to avoid wasting missiles to avoid a situation in which they’re stuck in an area with no real way to refill.
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However, this is a big mistake. Missiles are an easy way (and for the early game, the only way) to find destructible blocks in ZDR’s environment. Avoiding shooting walls with missiles may preserve Samus’s stock, but it can keep players from vital progression through the game.
8Not Using Counter To Kill Enemies
Melee Counter is one of the most important new mechanics inMetroid Dread. There are some enemies in the early game that would be very hard to beat without it, and mastering the counter is vital for beatingmany of the game’s powerful bosses.
New players might not be willing to risk a counter, especially if they can kill the enemy without having to get close to them. However, killing enemies with a counter gives extra energy and missile drops, which makes it much more rewarding to do. In general, it’s best to kill most counter-able enemies with a melee counter to keep Samus at full strength.
7Countering From Too Far Away
While countering is integral toMetroid Dread’s gameplay, it is important to avoid being too reckless with it. The hitbox for a melee counter is shorter than players might realize, and whiffing a melee counter can leave Samus vulnerable to the enemy’s attacks.
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Players should do their best to avoid trying to counter in locations when they’re nowhere near the enemy. Performing a Dash Melee counter (by hitting the Melee button while holding forward) can increase the range of Samus’s counters, making it easier to counter enemies from farther away.
6Jumping Onto Diagonal Surfaces
Much ofMetroid Dread’s environments provide a variety of ways for Samus to traverse its various areas. This allows players to experiment with whatever tools they have to try and maneuver shortcuts and discover hidden areas.
However, diagonal surfaces are one feature that Samus is unable to traverse no matter what. The moment Samus lands on a diagonal surface, she will immediately slide down until she hits the bottom, with no way to get off. New players should avoid trying to make risky jumps onto diagonal surfaces if they don’t want to get stuck.
5Not Using L To Aim Shots
By default, Samus fires her shots straight in front of her. The player can move the analog stick around to have Samus change her aim, but this also causes her to move around, which can make it hard to shoot at something while staying in one place.
The player can remedy this by pressing the L button to have Samus aim while standing in place. Using L to aim shots will become a vital part of gameplay, and trying to avoid using it will only make the game harder.
4Not Using Phantom Cloak Effectively
Aeion abilities were introduced inMetroid: Samus Returns, and they come back inMetroid Dread. One of the first abilities Samus gets early on is calledPhantom Cloak, and it allows Samus to become invisible at the cost of losing speed and maneuverability.
While the downsides can make it hard to run away from an E.M.M.I. while cloaked, making sure to make effective use of Phantom Cloak is integral to getting through E.M.M.I. zones quickly. While players might find it tough to use a move that can drain Samus’s energy, the benefits outweigh the negatives by far.
3Not Paying Attention To The E.M.M.I’s Location
Traversing through E.M.M.I. zones will be a big part of Samus’s adventures in ZDR.E.M.M.I.’s are extremely powerful, and getting caught by one is essentially an auto-kill for Samus. For that reason, keeping clear of the E.M.M.I.’s are extremely important.
The best way to avoid being caught by an E.M.M.I. is to make sure to always be aware of its general location. This can prevent any surprise attacks caused by the E.M.M.I. showing up in an unexpected location. Furthermore, if an E.M.M.I. is too close to the exits, the exit becomes unusable, so it’s important to note where an E.M.M.I. is when trying to escape.
2Underestimating Lava
While Samus’s base Power Suit is capable of protecting her from many different hazards, it is vulnerable to both extremely hot and cold temperatures. The player is advised not to go into areas with such temperatures, but they may still risk it to pick up an item or even just to scout out the area.
While such excursions may be worth it, it is not advised for the player to do the same with lava. Not only does lava drain Samus’s energy quickly, but it also causes Samus to slow down the same way that water does, making it harder to get out of a lava pit. This won’t change even if Samus obtains the Varia Suit,which protects against heat. Lava is extremely dangerous and should be avoided until the Gravity Suit upgrade is obtained.
1Not Backtracking To Earlier Areas
Metroid Dread, like allMetroidgames, is a very non-linear experience. Many areas often have pickups and hidden pathways that simply can’t be accessed the first time Samus arrives in the area, and heading back to previous areas with new abilities is a core part of progression, not just in Metroid Dread,but in Metroidvania games as a whole.
Players who aren’t used toMetroid’s gameplay may not immediately realize that it might be necessary for them to head back to a previous area. Re-exploring previous areas are not only important to find new abilities and pickups, but sometimes it’s also needed to progress the story as well. Players should make a note to re-explore previous areas whenever they get an item that opens up new pathways.
