Metroid Dread
Games review
As of Jul 9, 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?
An 87-88 across both major aggregators from 130+ critics each is a genuine consensus, and the substance behind those scores holds up: level design, boss fights, exploration, and combat are all praised across multiple independent reviews, not isolated opinions. After a nearly 20-year gap in the 2D Metroid line, that's a meaningful achievement. The complaints are real but come from single reviewers, difficulty spikes, cumbersome controls, and frustrating bosses are worth flagging, particularly since 'frustrating bosses' directly contradicts the majority view that boss fights are a highlight, suggesting the game's high difficulty ceiling will divide players sharply rather than please everyone. The one structural weakness with broader implications is the setting feeling weaker than predecessors, and since Metroid is a series built on atmosphere and world-building, this isn't a minor quibble for its core audience of returning fans.
Players who want a demanding, precision-heavy 2D action-exploration game with strong level design and progression, especially those comfortable with punishing difficulty curves and who don't need the world-building to carry the experience.
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
- excellent level design3
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- Metroid Dread meets - and arguably surpasses - its lofty expectations, with demanding gameplay, clever level design and an ambitious story.
- Overall, Metroid Dread brings a narrative close to a decades long story with excellent level design and combat. It also looks great as well. So until Samus Aran is needed once agai...
- In design terms, what most impressed me about “Metroid Dread” was how the developers guide you through the game’s sprawling areas. Although there is ample incentive to backtrack af...
- strong boss fights3
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- A surprise sequel after nearly 20 years, Metroid Dread brings back the legendary exploration and progression and merges it with excellent modern combat and some of the best boss fi...
- Intense combat and a series of challenging boss fights require a high level of play, but the thrill of victory is incredibly sweet
- Metroid Dread meets - and arguably surpasses - its lofty expectations, with demanding gameplay, clever level design and an ambitious story.
- refined exploration and progression3
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- A surprise sequel after nearly 20 years, Metroid Dread brings back the legendary exploration and progression and merges it with excellent modern combat and some of the best boss fi...
- 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...
- In design terms, what most impressed me about “Metroid Dread” was how the developers guide you through the game’s sprawling areas. Although there is ample incentive to backtrack af...
- engaging combat3
see reviews +-
- A surprise sequel after nearly 20 years, Metroid Dread brings back the legendary exploration and progression and merges it with excellent modern combat and some of the best boss fi...
- Intense combat and a series of challenging boss fights require a high level of play, but the thrill of victory is incredibly sweet
- Overall, Metroid Dread brings a narrative close to a decades long story with excellent level design and combat. It also looks great as well. So until Samus Aran is needed once agai...
Cons
- difficulty spikes1
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- Metroid Dread is nearly the perfect return for Samus, and only some difficulty spikes rain on the parade. This is a tight, responsive 2D Metroid experience that constantly impresse...
- cumbersome controls1
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- Frustrating boss battles and cumbersome controls distract from an otherwise fun and isolating adventure
- frustrating boss battles1
see reviews +-
- Frustrating boss battles and cumbersome controls distract from an otherwise fun and isolating adventure
Themes and quotes are drawn from 20 sampled reviews with text; the scores above reflect all 287 ratings. Counts are how many of the sampled reviews mention each point.
Rated near Metroid Dread
Closest scores in games, on the same source.