Metroid Dread is an action-adventure masterpiece and the latest mainline entry in the Metroid franchise. It combines classic 2D exploration with modern graphics, fluid combat, and intense stealth sections. Players take control of Samus Aran, a legendary bounty hunter, as she explores the dangerous planet ZDR, filled with hostile creatures, robotic enemies, and mysterious ruins.
Metroid Dread Walkthrough, we will guide you through every stage of the game — from basic movement and exploration tips to defeating powerful bosses and uncovering all hidden secrets.
Purpose of This Walkthrough
The goal of it is to help players navigate every challenge the game presents. By following this guide, you can efficiently explore all areas, defeat every boss, collect every power-up, and fully experience the secrets hidden throughout ZDR. Whether you aim for a first-time completion or 100% mastery, this walkthrough will provide strategies and insights to enhance your gameplay.
Getting Started in Metroid Dread
Understanding the controls is essential in this Metroid Dread Walkthrough. Samus can move in all directions, shoot, jump, crouch, and aim in eight directions. Early on, mastering the dash and melee counter will help you survive encounters. As you progress, you will unlock advanced abilities like Flash Shift, which allows Samus to teleport short distances to evade attacks, and Shinespark, enabling powerful long-distance movement.
Early Game Tips
Exploration is key to early-game success. Always search rooms thoroughly for missile expansions, energy tanks, and hidden passages. Revisit previous areas when you acquire new abilities — old areas often contain secrets that were previously inaccessible. Focus on upgrading mobility and defense early to prepare for tougher enemies and boss encounters.
Metroid Dread Walkthrough – Area Guide
Chozo Ruins
The Chozo Ruins introduce players to the game’s core exploration and puzzle mechanics. Expect a mix of platforming challenges and combat with Chozo robots. Many secrets, such as missile tanks and energy upgrades, are hidden behind destructible walls or require precise jumping with newly acquired abilities.
Artaria
Artaria is the first major area where E.M.M.I. encounters occur. Explore every room carefully, as some upgrades like the Morph Ball Bomb are essential for accessing secret areas. Look out for environmental clues, such as walls with faint outlines or blinking indicators, signaling hidden rooms.
Ferenia
Ferenia features water-based sections and more challenging puzzles. Patience is key when navigating tight spaces or avoiding hazards. This area also introduces more aggressive enemies, requiring careful use of dashes, counterattacks, and terrain advantages to survive.
Dairon
Dairon is packed with mechanical puzzles and environmental hazards. Some areas require timing and use of the Speed Booster ability to cross long gaps. Backtracking is often necessary after acquiring new abilities to fully explore hidden tunnels and secret rooms.
Ghavoran & Burenia
Ghavoran and Burenia introduce advanced enemies and more complex platforming challenges. Using your acquired abilities strategically is essential for survival. Collectibles are often hidden behind challenging sequences that combine combat, exploration, and puzzle-solving.
ZDR Planet Finale
The final areas of ZDR are the most dangerous, filled with high-level enemies and environmental hazards. Careful planning and mastery of all movement and combat abilities are required. Exploring thoroughly ensures that you do not miss critical upgrades and collectibles that will help in the final battles.
Boss Fights Walkthrough
E.M.M.I. Bosses
E.M.M.I. Robots are some of the most challenging foes in Metroid Dread Walkthrough. They patrol specific areas and require a combination of stealth, speed, and precise counterattacks. When encountering an E.M.M.I., avoid direct confrontation until you acquire the necessary weapons or abilities that allow you to defeat them safely.
Mini-Bosses
Mini-bosses serve as checkpoints for player skill and progress. They usually have clear attack patterns that can be learned through observation. Utilize mobility, counterattacks, and your environment to exploit weaknesses and defeat them efficiently.
Main Story Bosses
The main bosses, including Drogyga, Escue, and Experiment No. Z-57, each presents unique challenges. Understanding attack patterns, knowing when to dodge or counter, and exploiting elemental or weapon weaknesses are crucial. Preparation with full health, energy tanks, and missile reserves can significantly increase your chances of victory.
Final Boss Battle
The final boss, Raven Beak, combines multiple attack phases requiring mastery of all abilities. Patience, precision, and effective use of mobility skills are key. Use your fully upgraded arsenal, keep moving, and time your counterattacks to survive the extended battle.
Secrets and Collectibles
The Morph Ball allows Samus to roll into tight spaces, revealing hidden areas with upgrades or collectibles. Metroid Dread Walkthrough power-ups acquired through hidden paths are essential for progressing in later stages of the game.
Missile Expansions & Energy Tanks
Missile expansions increase offensive capacity, while energy tanks boost survivability. Strategically collecting these early can make boss battles and hazardous sections significantly easier.
Hidden Rooms and Easter Eggs
Metroid Dread rewards exploration. Look for walls with subtle visual hints, use new abilities to reach high platforms, and explore backtracked areas to discover hidden rooms and Easter eggs that provide lore or upgrades.
Unlocking All Abilities
Abilities like Flash Shift, Speed Booster, and Shinespark are crucial not only for combat but for accessing areas that were previously unreachable. Revisiting earlier zones after unlocking abilities is essential for 100% completion in your Metroid Dread Walkthrough.
Tips and Tricks for 100% Completion
Always observe enemy attack patterns, use evasive maneuvers, and avoid unnecessary confrontations when health is low. Managing resources efficiently is key to surviving longer encounters.
Upgrade Order Recommendations
Prioritize upgrades that enhance mobility, defense, and offensive capacity first. Abilities like Morph Ball Bomb, Speed Booster, and Power Bombs should be acquired early to open new paths and defeat stronger enemies.
Speedrunning & Efficiency
Use abilities like Shinespark and Flash Shift to navigate levels faster. Efficient routing and planning minimize backtracking and maximize resource collection.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
Don’t ignore exploration, avoid rushing through areas, and never engage powerful enemies unprepared. Missing upgrades early can make later sections unnecessarily difficult.
Final Verdict
This Metroid Dread Walkthrough covers everything players need to succeed — from early-game tips, area guidance, and detailed boss fight strategies to secrets, collectibles, and 100% completion advice. By following this guide carefully, you’ll not only survive ZDR’s dangers but uncover every hidden secret and master all of Samus Aran’s abilities.