Dark Aether’s Top 10 Games of 2021

Whenever I describe my writing style, I often compare it to taking a chainsaw to a block of ice, and then chiseling out the detail afterwards. In a roundabout way, that accurately sums up my 2021 experience, as well as the gaming industry in general. Between the frequent news of company inequality, harassment, and abuse becoming an almost daily ritual, it was difficult for me to muster up the strength to write this list. Entering the fifth annual game of the year list (note: I skipped 2018), I debated heavily if I should do one this year.

Compared to last year, my list of contenders is noticeably dry for a few good reasons. For starters, not being able to acquire a next gen console, a byproduct of COVID and manufacturing delays – something I’m quite familiar with if you’ve spent any significant amount of time with a computer vendor. With life returning to a very loose definition of normal, I’m back to a regular work schedule, so less time for writing, much less games! Finally, I suppose you could say I’ve been burned out recently from many factors.

Still, when I look back at where I was five years ago, I can definitely say I’ve been much worse. Back then, it seemed like my options were limited. Writing was not something I ever intended to do on the side, it sort of just happened by chance – a whim. I stuck around TAY thinking it would be a temporary phase, until I became a regular commenter and then a contributor not long after. Though my writing has shifted with the bulk of it now on the AniTAY side of the coin, I had a moment of clarity. I needed to move forward; to change.

No, this isn’t a long spiel about how life magically improved for the better. To be perfectly straight, I don’t believe any medium has that ability. It can provide guidance and inspiration, but not action. It can provide perspective, but not sight. If nothing else, it can change your entire outlook, and that in turn can change everything else. I hesitate to think what most will remember from 2021. The lessons that won’t be learned, the actions that were or were not taken, the many failures of the industry, and the worst sequel to 2020. But I’ll be damned if I didn’t try to take something out of it. I think that’s merit enough to chisel away at the year.

And chisel I did, because I somehow ended up with a longer script! Under different circumstances, I might have had different games altogether had I not missed them (no Psychonauts 2, Deathloop, Returnal or the dozen or so indie games I’m often recommended, sorry!). Regardless, these were the games I devoted a significant amount of time on last year. So, here it is, my top 10 games of 2021:

10. No More Heroes III

Let me start off with something controversial: I don’t think No More Heroes III (Grasshopper Manufacture) is a very good game. From a technical perspective, it’s buggy and it looks and feels like a game from the 2010s. Gameplay wise, it’s lost quite a bit of that charm and eccentricity from its predecessors while offering less – no unlockable wrestling moves, no secondary swords – and expanding functions that either didn’t need to or should have been removed (a bigger and emptier open world, a worthless chip system and basic leveling mechanic). But its greatest detriment to the franchise is in being the penultimate final chapter in the saga of Travis Touchdown as a direct follow up to 2019’s Travis Strikes Again and simply throwing everything and the kitchen sink out the window in a mad dash to wrap everything up while simultaneously resolving… nothing. Truth be told, this is my least favorite No More Heroes game.

It’s also one of my favorite games of 2021.

Yes, I know how that sounds, so let me explain. Around the time of release, I wrote a semi long tweet that goes further into my thoughts about the game. We all play for various reasons, but if I had to some up my experience with NMH3, brilliantly flawed is my preferred terminology. For everything that it lacks or steps over, it sucker punches you twice as hard everywhere else. From its retrograde stylings and animated opening to its killer soundtrack and deadlier cast of assassins, NMH3 rarely slows down in an effort to cram an acid trip experience into one complete package as Travis ascends the Galactic Superhero Rankings.

How wild is this game? You play a retro 2D side scroller beat em up. You fight aliens the old-fashioned way with your trusty Beam Katana and pro wrestling skills, or take to the air and fight massive space aliens in a bullet style sequence. You’ll clean toilets, eat sushi, cut grass, fight off alligators, collect cool t-shirts, hear way too much about Takashi Miike, and yes, square off against the 10 galactic assassins which completely goes off the rails in ways I’m not about to spoil for you here! For all of its faults, there are a ridiculous number of ideas put together to form an incomplete, yet simultaneously engaging theater of death that I was too busy relishing in the insanity rather than being abhorred!

Remember how I said the gameplay lost a bit of that charm and eccentricity? Well, I half lied! While it doesn’t gain anything new from running on a new hardware and lost some features in the transition, the actual combat is still fairly fun for the most part. There is a new death drive system that adds a bit more to the combat, the transformation power up is much more reliable while also being extremely over the top, and though it gets fairly repetitive in the later game when mission variety dips, there is no other game where you can suplex an alien to death quite like this one.

No More Heroes III is an odd entry in every conceivable fashion. From its inception to its gameplay and story, it may not be the sequel and conclusion that most were anticipating, but that doesn’t make it any less interesting. Plus, it includes Deathman – that alone puts it ahead of several games!

9. WarioWare: Get It Together!

Leave it to the Switch to continue to occupy my entertainment center of weird, experimental, or couch-centric games! The WarioWare franchise is one that is near and dear to my heart, with the original 2003 title ranking as one of my all-time favorite Game Boy Advance games, and its GameCube remake one of the more prominent multiplayer titles I cycled into rotation frequently. Following two successful sequels in Touched! and Twisted!, I sort of just fell off the series for some reason. Perhaps it was Nintendo’s shifting priorities with the Wii and Wii U, the advent of online gaming and no longer being in physical proximity to close company for local play, or my own changing tastes as I shifted to other platforms, but I missed out what the series had been up to in the years following. New characters, new playstyles, and and even an English dub to boot! It was only a matter of time that I would find myself returning for another helping of microgame action…. That time is now!

WarioWare: Get It Together! (Nintendo EPD and Intelligent Systems) marks the 10^th entry in the franchise, featuring a brand new twist on its gameplay and chaotic multiplayer hallmarks by capitalizing on its most valuable asset. Rather than just playing character curated microgames, you now play the games as the characters, each of which play completely different from one another! Some characters can move everywhere. Some don’t move at all or never stop moving. Depending on who you’re playing as at any given moment, many microgames can be solved differently, becoming easier or harder simply by who is in your crew at any given moment. It is such a bonkers gameplay mechanic, but the way the story mode easies you into each character’s quirks and each subsequent stage after the WarioWare crew get trapped in a video game made for some of the most fun I’ve had tackling the microgames since 2005’s Twisted!

The real beauty of this game is the multiplayer. All microgames in the story mode can be tackled cooperatively. When the game’s demo launched prior to the full release, we played a few rounds in the Aether household. While it took a while for everyone to get up to speed, eventually the concept started to sink in as we helped and hindered our way to the high score, making for some hilarious late night game sessions. Even after the game’s full release, I was still finding new “solutions” for characters through repeat playthroughs. My personal favorite moment was just using Penny’s water cannon to put out a fire directly instead of solving it the way the game intended.

At only number 9 on my list, there were a few nitpicks I couldn’t overlook. Not every character is fun to play (looking at you 9-Volt!), the endgame content is by far its weakest component, and its other multiplayer modes range in quality with one of its best literally lifted from Mega Party Games! The lack of any online multiplayer is also a detriment to its overall replayability, and despite heavily advertising the characters as the selling point, it’s a bit baffling to see the story mode presented with partial dubbing audio after WarioWare Gold made it a focal point. Regardless of whether or not it reaches the original’s excellence or the wilder mechanics of its sequels, it says a lot that I put it on my list for one reason alone – it’s goddamn fun to play, and even more fun to watch as a group. WarioWare: Get It Together! is one of the Switch’s best party games and the most fun I’ve had in 2021.

8. Guilty Gear -Strive-

Out of all the games on here, I feel weird putting this on my list having put the least amount of hours into it of any game in 2021. Sometimes you don’t need to heavily invest in something to appreciate it for its other qualities. When a hot new title takes the community by storm, it can be easy to get caught up in the zeitgeist of its pull despite not partaking in it directly. Guilty Gear -Strive– (Arc System Works) is one such title that even though I couldn’t tell you what a Roman Cancel is, you don’t need to be a fighting game master to enjoy some button mashing and a casual random encounter just pick May.

There’s not a whole lot I can say that hasn’t been said about Strive. One of the best looking anime fighters on the market in both presentation and roster, excellent rollback netcode and a less intimidating entry point for newcomers, and the pièce de résistance, that kickass soundtrack. Seriously, if there was absolutely one game that needed to be nominated for best soundtrack at The Game Awards, it was this one. I cover a lot of anime songs over on AniTAY, but nothing quite reaches the level of intensity, speed, and raw energy as the composition of Daisuke Ishiwatari and vocalists Naoki Hashimoto and AISHA. Even more incredible is the fact that they are still putting out more content as new characters get added overtime. The burning passion of opening theme Smell of the Game. The pop filled The Disaster of Passion. The power metal stylings – and my personal favorite – The Roar of the Spark. Each song is as much a character theme as it is its own metal infused take on other music and subgenres. Lately, I find that too many fighting games rely heavily on their greatest hits when it comes to their music rather than try something new or experimental. To see Strive take such a bold approach to its music proves the game’s underlying philosophy of attempting to break new ground for newcomers, and based on the game’s newfound success, it seems to be working.

All this talk about the music and presentation and I realized I haven’t touched the actual gameplay! Again, I might be in the minority in this not playing the game in the way it was intended on a very, very, very casual basis. I simply don’t have the time or dexterity to memorize inputs or hit up training mode for hours on end on top of my job and writing on and off. It’s a shame because a younger me would have eaten up a game like Guilty Gear -Strive-. With its simple to learn and difficult to master mechanics, superior netcode and online play, and yes, a soundtrack that absolutely slaps, it’s no wonder that Strive is the definitive fighter of 2021.

7. Shin Megami Tensei V

Folks that know me personally know that Shin Megami Tensei V (Atlus) was one of my most anticipated titles of the year after being stuck in development hell with no clear launch date. When I initially drafted this list, I had it significantly higher than its current position, right around #3 which was where I had predicted it would land. Then I played it. Then I played it some more. Then I spent hours wandering Tokyo waiting for that X factor to kick in – the moment that would truly elevate this game from good to great. Just one more hour, and then I’ll get to the good stuff…

See, I have a bit of a love/hate relationship general RPGs that has fluctuated. For the longest time, I did not care for the genre, but that notion was challenged as more modern games tackled many of my initial preconceptions by presenting more palatable options. They integrated more narrative and character driven story. They fixed a lot of initial gripes with turn based combat, making it actually fun and removing random encounters altogether. They challenged me in ways that other games could not. Shin Megami Tensei IV was one such title that despite its punishing beginning, hooked me in almost immediately with its focus on setting up its world, your teammates, and themes before tossing you into the demon pit.

On a purely technical level, Shin Megami Tensei V’s combat and gameplay is a step upwards, giving the player a significant amount of customization. As the Nabohino, your character can acquire sub-skills ranging from the traditional “more demon slots” to some significant survival tools to ease some of the game’s difficulty. Some even reward you depending on your preferred playstyle like blocking or nullifying an attack or giving you additional options during demon negotiations. The caveat to this freedom is you have to unlock almost everything. By the time you reach the second or third area, you can finally unlock the ability for your demons to use items instead of having the player waste their turn. Overall, its one step above the previous app system, while simultaneously a step backwards having to acquire almost everything by hand to progress. The combat is clearly the draw because the story is, regrettably, is its biggest casualty jumping from IV to V. It’s not bad per say, it just sort of exists. Most of the characters are fairly one dimensional compared to IV’s order and chaos routes, though I’m still waiting to see how much of my choices will impact V’s progression.

I know this may not be the most positive summary of Shin Megami Tensei V, but the reason it made the list is relatively simple: the gameplay is good. Sure, it can be a daunting and even frustrating game at times, yet it gives you just enough confidence to be able to succeed, to be able to take on one more difficult boss fight and ask yourself “okay, I need a different team makeup to counter this.” Sometimes, that’s all you really need from an RPG.

6. Death’s Door

Earlier in the year, I played The Legend of Zelda: Link’s Awakening remake for the first time. To keep it short, I was impressed. So impressed in fact, that I am willing to put it as one of the all-time great 2D Zelda games somewhere right between A Link to the Past and A Link Between Worlds. Not sure how this conversation started, but in relaying my recent ventures one day, I get a recommendation saying “hey, you should check out Death’s Door.” Months later, a version on the Switch appears and after glowing appraisals all around, I immediately downloaded it within release.

Every year, there always seems to be at least one indie darling that becomes the talking point for the community, and Death’s Door (Acid Nerve) comes fairly close to reaching that shared space occupied by some of the most prominent titles to achieve that status. It’s a 2D action adventure game putting you in the role of a small crow who works as a reaper, until your assigned soul gets taken from you. What follows is a short, yet fulfilling hack and slash with a surprisingly tragic and comedic story about the role of death and those who aren’t ready to go into the great beyond. Going in, I did not anticipate such a huge emphasis on narrative, but the way the story unfolds through the levels, boss fights, and eventually the titular Death’s Door made for one of the best surprises of the year.

Like its Zelda-like inspirations, combat is simple with one major departure. Items or “spells” as referred to in-game are managed by a small magic meter that replenishes with each hit of your sword. At first, I did not care for this change, but Acid Nerve balances this system by ensuring you always have something to hit within close proximity. Eventually, its simplicity of one block per spell became my preferred system as you learn to swap between spells and sword swings. If I had one major gripe with this game, it would be its handling of its post-game content. Without giving away too much, there is a side quest that requires 100% completion of a certain task you’ve likely encountered in every major area. It’s not quite Batman Arkham Knights level of gate keeping important content, but it is worth pointing out since there is no menu to track completion.

A grim but charming tale, Death’s Door isn’t quite the “Zelda killer” or even the definitive indie of the year, but its understanding of the formula coupled with its strong writing, creative visuals and impressive soundtrack proves the studio takes after the animal it used as its foundation – perhaps too closely.

5. Persona 5 Strikers

If you would have told me I’d putting a goddamn musou game on my top 10 list, I’d have laughed! Mind you, it’s not for a lack of trying either. Hyrule Warriors? Pass. One Piece: Pirate Warriors? *fart noises* Next. Fire Emblem Warriors? Sure, and then they’ll remake of Genealogy of the Holy War, right? Look, if putting Fire Emblem in front of it isn’t enough for me to convince me to like a musou game, there’s simply nothing else that will change my mind-

“Okay, what about a direct sequel to Persona 5, your own 2017 GOTY?”

“I already told you! Nothing is going to change-”

“Did I mention it plays closer to Persona with more of an action flair?”

Folks, it finally happened in 2021. A musuo game I actually enjoyed! Or is it an action RPG wearing the skin of a musou? Whatever you call it, Persona 5 Strikers (Omega Force, P-Studio) is a very good game, giving me more of what I love and something I didn’t think I needed – pure beat em up action. Make no mistake, this is still a musou game: tons of enemies, simplistic combat, multiple characters – look, Dynasty Warriors! At the same time, it’s a Persona game in all but name. Story driven content, strategic combat, elemental weaknesses, and even the Velvet Room is all reworked to fit the style and faster paced action-oriented combat, with a more JRPG focus. In other words, it’s a musou game with the bells and whistles of a JRPG, and I am all for it!

I’ve been seeing some complaints about the game’s “missing” features in the form of social links and other activities, but as someone who has played and beaten both vanilla and Royal games, I find the change to be refreshing. I know these characters’ stories, I don’t need a play-by-play of everything they went through again! Set sometime after the events of Persona 5, Strikers sees the Phantom Thieves reunite for a cross country tour when a new threat emerges. While most of the story plays like a greatest hits compilation of the base game, the real treat comes from traveling all over Japan, giving the game a sort of tourist destination appeal in between the actual combat. In a year where most places are still under some form of travel restrictions, it’s kind of nice to be able to wind down for a few moments and helps break out the pacing between the story and the gameplay.

What’s great about Strikers is while it borrows heavily from its source material, it makes some clever changes to speed up some of the original’s minor annoyances. Ammo now recharges after every fight, the fusion compendium gives you the option to update only the higher level Personas when recording new stats, and because of the shift in genre, there is no time management or personal stats to manage. That last one may sound like a detriment to those expecting more Persona 5, but after doing this twice before, it’s a welcome change as combat does eventually start to wear thin in the late stages. Outside the dungeons, there is plenty to do back in reality. Cooking meals, chatting with the locals, and of course, hanging out with your comrades in addition to the main story. Speaking of, some of the new characters introduced manage to flesh out what would otherwise be an expansion of Persona 5’s core thesis. Inspector Zenkichi in particular takes the story down a different path, acting as both a confidant and an adult liaison to round out your party’s vigilantism.

Love it or hate it, Persona 5 Strikers is a worthy follow up to its progenitor, with enough differences to separate it from its musou contemporaries. While I can’t say for sure what non-musou or Persona fans will take away from it, its flashy combat and overarching narrative might just be the winning combination fans of either series can agree on.

4. Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy

Another game almost no one expected would be making anyone’s GOTY list, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy surprised everyone by being the one thing we’ve been wanting from Square Enix since failing hard with Marvel’s Avengers – an honest to God, single player game with no strings attached! Despite the company making every attempt to remake Final Fantasy VII in real life at the start of 2022, studio Eidos-Montréal somehow managed to avoid falling prey to their corporate overlord (for now), delivering a fully fleshed out superhero story with some fun combat in between.

As it’s been said elsewhere, I’ll only briefly go over the combat – its fine. You shoot things and you explore linear levels, with the occasional set pieces and puzzle to solve with the help of the other Guardians. Frankly, it doesn’t evolve beyond that. That’s because despite only playing as Star Lord, it’s everything around him where the real game starts as you explore the troubled history and backstories of the other guardians, many of which differ greatly from their MCU inspired counterparts. In fact, that’s the magic trick you see over and over again just when you think you have the story figured out. One moment you’re in a firefight or escaping some near death sequence, the next moment you’re back on the Malano having a personal conversation just before jumping back into the fire. There is a ridiculous amount of dialogue to the point that it’s suffocating, but I never got bored of hearing characters trade barbs or get into heated arguments over petty details – except for characters commenting on my extended absence. Seriously game developers, let me explore damn it!

While most have gone on to praise the level of detail in the writing, setting, and technical polish, the soundtrack deserves special mention, and I don’t just mean the licensed soundtrack! In this version of the Guardians, Peter Quill takes the Star Lord moniker off of his favorite rock band of the same name. Rather than just leave it at that, the mad lads behind the fictional band took the time to craft an entire album filled to the brim with 80s flair, space metal, and some headbanging singles that I still can’t get out of my head. Compared to the more comic book inspired cameos and other moment to moment set pieces, it’s a very small component in the grand scheme of things, yet it’s the kind of attention to detail that shows the level of care given in going above and beyond the source material and the MCU’s modernization of the team.

In summary, if you have even the slightest affinity for comic book heroes or enjoyed some of Marvel’s other single player offerings in recent years, Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy is a standout title and another fantastic entry in the pantheon of great superhero adaptions.

3. Lost Judgment

As much as I enjoyed the new turn based take in the previous year’s Yakuza: Like A Dragon, returning to the more action oriented combat in Lost Judgment is a lot like slipping on a familiar glove. Fresh off the excellent Judgment, you take on the role of Takayuki Yagami investigating a new murder mystery seemingly linked to a sexual harassment case. This time around, Yagami takes to Yokohama while working undercover at a prestigious high school with its own share of secrets to uncover. Detective stories are some of my favorite fictional stories, so it’s not too surprising that the story in Lost Judgment is also the game’s major selling point. Like an interactive TV drama, I’d often jump straight into the next story mission to find out what happens next, with the occasional side activity to break up the pace. It’s a dark and twisting tale that slowly unravels into a larger conspiracy with more questions being raised as the truth comes to light. It also helps that the main cast in Yagami, Kaito and more are generally fun to watch, with strong performances all around in the new and returning English dub.

The core gameplay is…. Well, it’s a Yakuza game, which at this point should tell you how much you’re going to get out of Lost Judgment. Most of this game’s improvements are incremental at best, with the biggest changes being Yagami gets a third fighting style in the counter heavy Snake style and a skateboard for travel. Your mileage may vary depending on your feelings on Yakuza combat, but I personally enjoy the simplicity and somewhat janky physics – easy enough to breeze through, yet difficult enough when the game starts throwing bosses your way. Outside of beating punks with a bicycle, there are tons of side activities. Similar to Judgment, these tend to be appetizers compared to the mainland Yakuza games (in my opinion). They are fun diversions, but I rarely ever spent more than a handful of minutes on them before returning to the main campaign or the ever growing list of side cases, many of which use the school setting to hilarious effect, along with some more heavily involved story lines.

In contrast to Like A Dragon’s fresh spin on the formula, Lost Judgment is a more familiar beast to its predecessors. In its place, however, is another compelling narrative of law, order, and who ultimately gets to deliver final judgment.

(Except for this list of course. Hey now, let’s not forget who calls the shots here!)

2. Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139…

Either I’m one of the only people on the planet experiencing Nier for the first time, or everyone seemingly forgot this game exists! Nier Replicant ver.1.22474487139... (I still can’t believe that’s the full title!) comes as a welcome surprise having previously dipped my toes in Nier: Automata, a game that was also the runner up game of the year back in 2017. Things have finally come full circle with the progenitor title fully modernized and polished to a mirror shine. Now, all that’s left to answer is, which is my favorite Nier?

To start, let’s look at what’s been improved: the gameplay. Taking over the reins from original developer Cavia, Toylogic took some notable cues from Automata in overhauling the combat.  It’s noticeably faster and snappier, but can’t quite obscure the fact that this is still a game now more than a decade removed from its original release. The art and graphics have been upgraded significantly and the audio, dialogue, and score have also been re-recorded. If that wasn’t enough, the remaster sports additional content, including the DLC and some brand new and unused content exclusive to this remake. Even if you’ve played the 2010 original, this new version will be of notable interest if you have even the slightest of attachment to these characters or care to see more of the story.

Remaster or no, what has aged well is the story and presentation. Set in a distant future where civilization has fallen to ruin, a nameless protagonist (Nier in my playthrough because I stick to “canon”) sets out on a journey to find a cure for his sister’s unknown ailment. What transpires is anything but ordinary. You meet two outcasts with their own troubled pasts. You travel across the Great Plains, slaying anything that dares stand in your way. Then the game shifts, and then it shifts again. From an action RPG to completely other genres that are best left to discover individually, this game will challenge not only your dexterity, but your perception of reality – and then you repeat it all over again. Repetition is Nier Replicant’s preferred instrument. Sometimes it’s fun, other times it will drive you up a wall. When you reach a milestone, the game presses on, moving to the next scripted event. And when it does tell you to stop, you might find yourself asking “what the hell?”

Not since Nier: Automata have I played a game that has asked this much from the player. It’s a game that is seemingly disinterested in giving the player a “fun” time, but rather, an engaging one. Is Nier Replicant the definitive Nier experience? I’m still not entirely sure myself! While I still prefer Automata’s gameplay, the original Nier laid much of the groundwork for Yoko Taro’s resurgence following the unprecedented success of its future sequel. 11 years later, Nier Replicant brings the series full circle to its origins, melding old and new into one unforgettable journey.

1. Metroid Dread

19 years. It’s been 19 years since Metroid Fusion, the last new 2D entry in the franchise. I was in middle school when I first picked up the game after borrowing it from a friend. Back then, Metroid was nothing more than an obscure Nintendo title I’d never heard of and Samus was a character in Super Smash Bros. Despite having never touched a proper Metroidvania at that point, it didn’t take long before I became engrossed in the futuristic and decrepit walls of the BSL space station and deeply unsettled of the SA-X staking me. With its tight mechanics, hostile environments, memorable art direction and music on top of a neatly woven narrative, it’s a game that would become the start of a 19 year relationship with the franchise. Within that timeline there were soaring highs, middling lows, and whatever the hell Federation Force was supposed to be. But through it all, there was never a title that could quite deliver that same sensations I felt all those years ago. Silence, isolation, and dread… until now.

Metroid Dread (MercurySteam and Nintendo EPD) has been a long time coming for both fans and series producer Yoshio Sakamoto, who had been conceptualizing the idea since the mid-2000s. After all this time, did they finally pull it off? Well folks, let me put it to you this way. I spent three whole days getting through as much as possible until I finished my first playthough. I collected every item and did every shinespark puzzle. I beat it in Hard Mode, then beat it a third time. Hell, I’m even thinking about booting it up right now! I even own the damn mug. To call Metroid Dread my favorite game of 2021 would be an understatement of the highest caliber. It is the culmination of a franchise that kicked off the Search Action (God, I love saying that!) phenomenon, returning to reclaim its throne after an almost two decade hiatus – and it rules.

Once more, you take on the role of bounty hunter Samus Aran who takes a job from the federation after receiving a mysterious video. Beaten and stripped of your abilities by an unknown assailant, you make your way back to the top as you explore the planet for clues to the events that transpired before your arrival. New to the mix is the impregnable E.M.M.I. that scan for hostiles. Virtually unkillable without a special finite weapon, these relentless machines turn the hunter into the hunted at various sections of the game. Dread repeatedly plays out this tense cat and mouse game. Even when Samus temporarily gains the ability to turn the tables, it becomes a battle of distance and environmental awareness until the guardian of the sector is finally put down for good.

2D platformers and labyrinthine map design have become such a staple in today’s insatiable hunger for more. While many excellent games have sprung up, carving their own paths with unique twists of their own, they all share similar DNA: tight controls, a steady progression system where more becomes accessible as you grow stronger, and a well thought out level design that ideally blends gameplay and story. Dread doesn’t stray too far from the formula, but this forms the three basic principles that game refines and polishes from the moment you land on Planet ZDR, all the way into the final credits.

Metroid’s gameplay and upgrades have become such a key staple in the franchise’s enduring popularity that its best additions are small, but significant improvements. Samus can now slide. She can now transition immediately in and out of morph ball via one button or from a climb. Shooting, aiming, and the counter mechanic (introduced in Metroid: Samus Returns) have been dramatically improved. Probably my favorite change, the Speed Booster now has additional directional output and control that is utilized for some devilishly creative puzzles. For most other games, this all sounds like a no-brainer, yet it opens up Samus’s movement and speed exponentially in ways that were not possible on older tech. Even better, the game encourages replayability through repetition and sequence breaking – some intentional and some not even the developers accounted for!

Progression remains similar, with a few unexpected twists thrown in. Withholding series staples by emphasizing new ones and getting familiar with the gameplay loop. Backtraveling through areas multiple times, often having to take the scenic route to discover where to go next. Of course, there is the ever-looming presence of E.M.M.I, which have their own walled up sections. I’d often have to collect myself for a few moments before venturing into the room where a confrontation was almost always a guarantee.

Lastly, there is the level design and story, which (in my opinion) is the weakest part of the package and its most interesting change with regards to the future of the series. Levels stick to the usual fire, water, and jungle sectors, among others, with a few original areas to emphasize its fallen civilization. No doubt it’s familiar territory, but the way it integrates its level design into the environment is reminiscent of several games from Metroid Fusion to Hollow Knight (I’d argue). Mixing 3D elements into its 2D environment to the changing of entire level layouts as the story progresses, for a game running on older tech, few platformers match the level of technical precision and detail that Dread polishes. The story itself, while not terribly deep, sees Samus return (pun not intended) to the intergalactic badass we know as she contends with a new antagonist. Though I wasn’t a big fan of the ending and the villain could have used more screen time to establish their inevitable confrontation, it’s the most fun and engaging tale I’ve had with a 2D Metroid title since discovering the series for the first time.

19 years. 19 years have passed. The world has changed. New titles, new pastimes, and new responsibilities. A while back, I managed to track down a second hand copy of Metroid Fusion and played through it again after all those years. No matter how much time has passed, my passion for this franchise has only grown with age. Metroid Dread marks the conclusion of one story, and hopefully, a new beginning. Until then, the galaxy is at peace – for now.

Credits:

Dark Aether is a writer/contributor for TAY and AniTAY. You can check his previous writings on TAY2, Medium, or follow him on Twitter @TheGrimAether. Not Dead Yet.

See You Next Mission! (Previous Awards):

Dark Aether’s Top 10 Games of 2020

Dark Aether’s Top 10 Games of 2019

Dark Aether’s Top 10 Games of 2017

Dark Aether’s Top 10 Games of 2016