If you were looking for an excuse to return to Metroid Dread, this might just do the trick: a free update has come to the game and brings with it a bunch of tweaks. The most notable of which being a pair of new difficulty modes to fiddle around with. Rookie Mode eases players into the action while Dread Mode implements one-hit deaths. The latter should keep even the most diehard of Metroid players on their toes.
Here are the full patch notes:
New Difficulties Available
- “ROOKIE MODE” has been added to the game. This is a mode suited towards new players, with the following adjustments:
- Dropped items from enemies now replenish greater amounts when picked-up.
- Damage received from Boss attacks has been lowered.
- Destructible Boss projectiles have been made easier to break than usual (excluding some attacks).
- Increased number of missiles available when beginning game.
- Made the finishing counters when defeating some Bosses easier to perform.
- Selected when starting a New Game, and choosing “SELECT DIFFICULTY”.
- “DREAD MODE” has been added to the game. This is an extremely high-difficulty mode, where any damage taken from enemies or traps will lead to an instant Game Over.
- Can be selected after clearing HARD MODE, when beginning a New Game, and choosing “SELECT DIFFICULTY”.
New Details Added to Results Screen
- Several new details have been added to the results screen that appears after clearing the game. These new details will not appear, however, for game files that were started prior to updating the game.
General Fixes
- Fixed an issue where Samus sliding down a surface and touching a frozen enemy would force the game to close, after the message “The software was closed because an error occurred” appears.
- Made several other fixes to improve playability and enjoyment of game.
Demo Update
The following updates to the “Metroid Dread DEMO” are also now available (Ver. 2.0.0).
- The scale of the playable area has been expanded, with the Corpius boss fight now being available.
- Added “ROOKIE MODE”, a mode suited towards new players, where dropped items from enemies now replenish a greater amount, and bosses’ attack power has been lowered.
- Added “SELECT DIFFICULTY” options when beginning the demo.
The update is free and available now. It will be followed in April by another free addition, a Boss Rush mode where players can take on a gauntlet of (you guessed it) bosses. Will you be checking out either of these updates? Let us know in the comments!
Source: Nintendo Direct Broadcast 02.09.22
Hard mode was close enough to one-hit death for my nerves and patience, so I’m not sure Dread mode is for me.
Boss rushes normally aren’t my thing either (give us rearranged items and transports!) but I’m curious how they’ll manage items. Easy/normal/hard could equip you with gravity/varia/power suit (Kraid’s room already isn’t “hot”, interestingly), but how many energy tanks, and what about other items? Boss difficulty can vary wildly if you grab screw attack early or visit optional robot chozo late, etc.