I am not sure if it's on the presapise of Halloween or April Fool's day. I agree with the opening sentiment of 'get good'. Because apparently aledged game journalists are saying that Metroid Dread is 'too difficult' for them. Now if I recall right, most Metroid games have a level of skill curve to them. Fusion was another more difficult, skill based 2D action/ platformer kinda game. Dread itself is as hard as it is, because it's for the hardcore fans of the series. I would never wish or expect a newcomer to play Dread first. That being said. It makes articles like the one in this video laughable and rediculious to me. But what does every one else think of this?
Different people have different standards for difficulty, that's all I'm saying. And looking at it from an in-universe perspective, it makes sense; Samus' suit from Fusion onward isn't the exact same one that she spent most of her career with, so of course it's going to have some durability issues. Either that, or the enemies she's up against just hit harder. As for anything else... IIII don't think I'm qualified to speak on that. ()^_^
That I get. I wouldn't of honestly posted on this if it were a fair review though. The journalists complaining didn't briefly bring it up and move on. They spent a majority of the article they wrote complaining about it being too hard. Then bemoaning that it wasn't accessible enough for everyone to play. The thing is, games don't always have to be widely accessible and dumbed down in difficulty to be good. I get there is a crowd for simpler, more story heavy based games. I really do. But one's job as a reviewer of games is to provide a non-biased review that doesn't wholly base it on personal taste, as much as how functional the game is and if it's something worth buying. At the end of the day though, what I think wound me up was that they practically made it sound like Metroid Dread was Dark Souls difficulty or something. Not that it was directly said, but it felt like that. That and the in game reason for the difficulty, like you mentioned. The Fusion Suit does make her a bit more vulnerable. Plus the weakness to frozen environments.
I play games to relax. I've loved the Metroid series for years. Honestly, doing away with accessibility to appeal to more "serious" gamers seems like a mistake. Nintendo has always been about accessibility and fun. I'm not sure who the target audience is here, because the overlap between hardcore gamers and Switch owners seems kinda smallish.
Accessabity in use can be a double-edged sword in execution. Metroid Prime 3 was an example of some odd choices that were caused due to trying to be accessible. Hypermode being the biggest offender in the regard. Namely because made enemies either bullet sponges when fought normally, or too easy to wipe out when in hypermode. Though I did ultimately enjoying the game fairly well, but I am not beyond admitting where there can be issues. Though I can concede that there are a good few entry points for new players to Metroid. Zero Mission, Super Metroid, and Metroid Prime. And there are fairly easy entrees. Though there are tougher ones too. Again, Fusion comes to mind. And even Metroid Prime 2 comes to mind. In any case. Accessabity can be good in small doses if it's used and executed right. But I think there is an arguement to be made that something that is too accessible can be boring for those seeking to challenge themselves. Metroid can have a good amount of both. Though I cannot see it's more punishing entees as bad either. There is a reason Metroid stayed a more or less cult status series. I cannot say off hand myself how hard Dread is, as someone that hasn't played it yet. But I would be disappointed if there was barely any challenge and was a full on deadlock grip hand holding experience. Which is why I do regard this article a good sign, in some way, that this will not be a simple one and done experience. But I get it. Everyone plays at different levels. I personally look forward to games that provide fun but also challenge. Others will find a more casual experience more fun. Some want all bets off, *squee!* off hard games to play because they are fun for them. The Metroid series is at a happy medium where they are not too easy, but you'll not bust your controller in rage either because you died your 910th time. But that is how I look at it.
