After months of anticipation built upon years of speculation,Metroid Dreadis getting ready to launch in just a few weeks. The next installment in the classicMetroidfranchise has been a long time coming, and Nintendo has been doing an encouraging job at supportingMetroid Dreadleading up to its release. The majority of Nintendo’s support for the game has been in the form of a periodicMetroid DreadReport, letting players in on the game’s new features while catching up those who may not be as familiar with the franchise. This week brought the eighth report, and this time the focus was onDread’s environments.
Players have known for some time thatMetroid Dreadwill bebringing Samus Aran to Planet ZDRto investigate a sighting of the dangerous X Parasite, but now there’s a better sense of what players will be adventuring through. Combing through the most recentMetroid DreadReport, it seems Nintendo is playing it safe when it comes to these areas. All six environments that the report discussed seem to follow relatively conventional designs. While this may seem like an odd choice for the triumphant return ofMetroid, there’s reason to believe it’s a calculated one.
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There are generally a handful of different environments that are staples for just about any genre. The environments inMetroid Dreadinclude about every major gaming environment, with forest, lava, water, arctic, ruins, and technological lab themes making up its six core locations. These kinds of environments have become commonplace, butMetroid Dreaddoes put an effort into diversifying them with unique enemies and sci-fi elements. There’s also a story behind many of the environments, with the Ferenia ruins in particular showing some connection tothe mysterious Chozo.
Motivating The Metroidvania Formula
WhileMetroid Dread’s environments may look formulaic, the game’s recent report shows how they will be used to motivate Metroidvania mechanics. In the lava environment Cataris, Samus will only be able to explore certain areas once she’s upgraded her Power Suit to withstand certain temperatures. It’s a detail that may seem small for other games, but it is crucial when looking at theMetroidfranchise. This kind of environmental storytelling and build-up of upgrades is whatMetroidis all about, and incorporating these kinds of environmental hazards could be the thing thathelpsDreadstand out among newer metroidvanias.
What’s At Stake With Metroid Dread
When looking at the familiar environments ofMetroid Dread, it’s important to realize what’s on the line. It’s been a long time since there was a majorMetroidgame on consoles, and the series historically doesn’t sell as well as other Nintendo properties likeSuper MarioorThe Legend of Zelda. Nintendo is taking a risk in putting this game out, and making the gameplay areas as widely accessible as possible could help reluctant gamers giveDreada try. It might not be the most ambitious approach, but it could be the one decision that keepsMetroidfrom falling dormant yet again.
The existence ofMetroid Dreadis still considered a miracle by many fans. Even if the environments are simplistic,Dread’s new gameplay mechanicsshould be enough to make it a truly unique entry for the franchise. The game has received an encouraging amount of support from fans and Nintendo alike, so it’s just a matter of time until gamers have a better idea ofMetroid’s future.
Metroid Dreadreleases October 8 on the Nintendo Switch.
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