Metroid Dread
Games review
As of Oct 22, 2026, Metroid Dread is rated 88/100 on Metacritic (133 critic reviews), and 87/100 on OpenCritic (154 critic reviews). Each source is shown in its own units, never blended into one score.
Different sources measure different things, so each is shown in its own units and never merged into one number.
Is Metroid Dread worth it in 2026?
Metroid Dread earned strong praise, holding an 87/100 on OpenCritic and an 88/100 on Metacritic as a faithful continuation of the franchise. Sampled reviews highlight its clever level design, excellent combat, and challenging boss encounters as standout elements. However, individual sampled reviewers noted mechanical friction, citing cumbersome controls, difficulty spikes, and frustrating boss battles. A sampled reviewer also expressed disappointment with an uninspired setting and the narrative conclusion.
Series fans and action-adventure players seeking a faithful continuation built around clever level design and demanding combat.
Individual sampled reviewers reported difficulty spikes, cumbersome controls, frustrating boss battles, and an uninspired setting or story resolution.
AI-generated editorial synthesis of the source scores and sampled review themes, not a hands-on test. Reviewer experiences and allegations are not independently verified facts.
Pros
- faithful series continuation3
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- More than anything else, Metroid Dread feels like going back to a place of comfort after a long time away. Though the gameplay is refined and new features have been added to the mi...
- Metroid Dread is likely to give those that have been counting down the days to its release exactly what they want: a thrilling experience in line with what they loved about past ga...
- Metroid Dread is pure love for the franchise. It takes the elements of the classic 2D games and unites them with the evolving essence of Metroid Fusion, introducing many others tha...
Cons
- frustrating boss battles1
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- Frustrating boss battles and cumbersome controls distract from an otherwise fun and isolating adventure
- cumbersome controls1
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- Frustrating boss battles and cumbersome controls distract from an otherwise fun and isolating adventure
- uninspired setting1
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- So here we are. Supposedly, the saga is complete, and I’m left with mixed feelings. I’m glad that Dread really goes for it, that it wants to make you feel hunted and disadvantaged...
Themes and quotes are drawn from 20 sampled reviews with text. Each score above uses its source's displayed count. Theme counts are how many of the sampled reviews mention each point.
Rated near Metroid Dread
Closest scores in games, on the same source.