Metroid Dread came out for the Nintendo Switch on October 8, 2021, and it is already gaining critical acclaim. In this new title, Samus Aran arrives on planet ZDR to look into the disappearance of several robots that were investigating the potential existence of X Parasites there. The game features a heavy amount of combat, and it excels in its boss battles.
These fights are not only visually stunning, but they are can also be challenging. Metroid Dread is not supposed to be an easy game, so players may have to try multiple times to defeat certain bosses. However, the enjoyment of playing through the game makes it well worth it.
Corpious
Corpious's most defining physical feature is its scorpion-like tail, which it uses to jab and slash at Samus. The movements of its attacks are often easy to predict, but they can occasionally catch players off-guard. Another facet is Corpious's ability to turn invisible. This can initially be concerning, but players can observe the monster's location from the glowing portion of its tail.
The positions where players are supposed to aim are clear, and by using Samus's missiles, which are some of the best weapons in Metroid, they can defeat Corpious without extensive trouble.
Escue
Escue is only vulnerable when electricity does not surround it. Offensively, it fires projectiles at Samus, rushes forward in a ramming attack, and launches large energy balls at her, which send an electrical current along the floor. Escue also moves quickly, which, paired with its flight, can make it frustrating to face if players have not mastered aiming.
When it is vulnerable, it does not take a long time to defeat, but reaching this accessibility requires patience and skill. An unpopular opinion about Metroid is that boss fights are too easy, but while Escue is not the most challenging boss in the game, it is certainly one that will cause problems for some players.
Golzuna
Golzuna is one of the more fascinating bosses in Dread because as the battle goes on, its form changes to become stronger. This battle initially seems straightforward, because Samus can slide under Golzuna when it raises its claws to attack her. She can also jump over Golzuna when it is not readying an attack. This leaves it vulnerable because its back is not covered in armor.
The fight becomes more complicated, though, when Golzuna releases projectiles from its body, which follow Samus and detonate. These items do a significant amount of damage and can be hard to avoid. Players must try to dodge as they are keeping track of Golzuna if they want to defeat it.
Twin Robot Chozo Soldiers
Something players need to know about the Metroid series is that the Chozo are bird-like aliens that took in Samus after her parents were killed. In Metroid Dread, Samus fights several robot Chozo, though they usually are not too difficult to defeat. However, the Twin Robot Chozo Soldiers are more challenging because players must manage to take down two of them.
When facing only an individual, their attacks become easy to predict, but trying to track both at the same time can cause players to lose focus on one at a crucial moment. The platforms in the area help Samus to dodge, but the bosses are fast and can catch up to her quickly.
Kraid
The giant, reptilian Kraid is a recurring character in the Metroid series. Though it is uncertain if this boss is the same Kraid, the enemy is nevertheless a formidable opponent. In the first phase of the battle, when Kraid is restrained, Samus must avoid projectiles fired by the boss, some of which she can destroy with her weapons and others that she cannot.
During the second phase, when one's of Kraid's arms comes out of its restraints, the opponent breaks the platform Samus is standing on, sending her down to a lower, smaller platform. Samus must then avoid more projectiles that bounce around the platform while also damaging Kraid. The battle is difficult because the enemy sends out projectiles in rapid succession, and it can be difficult to dodge without taking damage. If players do not prepare, the battle can feel overwhelming.
Experiment No. Z-57
The monstrous Experiment No. Z-57 has a slew of attacks that make it as dangerous as it looks. Some of the attacks are easy enough to dodge, but others leave the ground in a residue that players should avoid. After Samus deals enough damage to Z-57, it starts unleashing waves of horizontal projectiles across the stage, which require precise timing to evade. The attacks are powerful, and if players do not land in the correct spots to avoid attacks, the battle can be very difficult.
Something many players might have missed on their first Metroid playthrough is the fact that there is a way to instantly kill Z-57 at a certain point in the battle by using the Shinespark. However, this move requires accurate timing and can be challenging to perform.
Raven Beak
As the main antagonist of Metroid Dread, Raven Beak is the hardest boss in the game. There are several phases he undergoes, and each presents its unique challenges. For example, during his second phase, Raven Beak flies, firing projectile shots that can be difficult to dodge.
The final phase of the battle, which features Samus in her Metroid Suit using her Hyper Beam against Raven Beak after he has been infected with the X Parasite, is fairly straightforward. However, the rest of the battle leading up to this point can be incredibly difficult.