Does Metroid Dread Have a Postgame? A Deep Dive into Completion Rewards and More
The quick answer is this: Metroid Dread doesn’t offer a traditional “postgame” in the sense of new areas to explore or story content after the final boss is defeated. However, it provides a robust set of post-completion rewards that encourage replayability and thorough exploration. These primarily consist of unlockable artwork that pays homage to the entire Metroid series, adding a significant incentive for completionists and fans of the franchise.
Unlocking the Past: Artwork as a Post-Game Incentive
While you won’t find new levels or quests, the real post-game content lies in collecting everything and achieving certain feats. After rolling credits, you’ll unlock Hard Mode for a more challenging experience. More importantly, your actions throughout the game – specifically your clear time, difficulty setting, and completion percentage – determine which pieces of special artwork you unlock. These artworks depict scenes and characters from previous Metroid games, acting as a nostalgic reward for dedicated players.
This system motivates players to revisit the game multiple times, mastering its mechanics, optimizing their routes, and exploring every nook and cranny of Planet ZDR. Whether you’re aiming for a speedrun or striving for 100% completion, Metroid Dread offers plenty of reasons to keep playing long after you’ve defeated Raven Beak.
What to Do After Beating Metroid Dread
So, what exactly can you do after watching the credits roll? Here’s a breakdown of the primary post-completion activities:
- Unlock and View Artwork: As mentioned, artwork is the main reward. Experiment with different difficulty levels and playthrough speeds to unlock all available images.
- Hard Mode Playthrough: Test your skills in a much more challenging environment. Enemies deal significantly more damage, forcing you to truly master the game’s combat and movement.
- 100% Completion Run: This is the ultimate challenge! Collect every Energy Tank, Missile Tank, Power Bomb Tank, and all other upgrades hidden throughout the game. This unlocks a special piece of Chozo Archive artwork.
- Speedrun Attempt: For those who thrive on optimization and quick reflexes, try to beat your best time. Seeing how quickly you can traverse Planet ZDR is incredibly rewarding.
- Analyze the Lore: With the game completed, take time to dissect the story and characters. Metroid Dread adds significant depth to the Metroid universe, and understanding the nuances of the narrative can enhance your appreciation for the entire series.
- Experiment with Movement and Combat: Now that the pressure of progressing is gone, experiment with the various movement options and combat techniques. Find new ways to chain abilities and defeat enemies efficiently.
Is It Worth Going for 100% Completion?
This is subjective, but for fans of the Metroid series, the answer is likely yes. While there are no in-game benefits besides the final Chozo Archive, the sense of accomplishment and the unlockable artwork make it a worthwhile endeavor. Knowing that you’ve uncovered every secret and mastered every challenge is a rewarding experience in itself. The artworks are a fantastic visual representation of your dedication to the game. Although there is no way to use them as backgrounds on a Switch, as of now.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Here are some frequently asked questions about the post-game content and other related aspects of Metroid Dread:
1. What unlocks after beating Metroid Dread for the first time?
After defeating Raven Beak and completing the game for the first time, you unlock Hard Mode.
2. What is the point of getting 100% in Metroid Dread?
Getting 100% completion unlocks a special Chozo Archive artwork. More broadly, it provides a sense of accomplishment and mastery over the game’s world and mechanics.
3. Is there a secret ending in Metroid Dread?
No, there isn’t a traditional secret ending. However, different playthrough conditions unlock unique artwork referencing previous Metroid games. These artworks effectively act as a visual reward system.
4. What are the Chozo Archives in Metroid Dread?
The Chozo Archives are art pieces unlocked by achieving specific milestones in the game, primarily related to collecting all items in each area. The final archive unlocks upon reaching 100% completion.
5. How do I unlock all the artwork in Metroid Dread?
The artwork unlocks based on your difficulty setting and clear time. Experiment with different combinations to unlock all the pieces.
6. What does Hard Mode change in Metroid Dread?
In Hard Mode, enemies deal significantly more damage, making combat much more challenging. This requires more strategic gameplay and precise execution.
7. Is anything missable in Metroid Dread?
No, nothing is permanently missable in Metroid Dread. You can return to any area of the game after defeating the final boss to collect any remaining items or unlock any remaining areas.
8. Where do I go after defeating the first boss, Corpius?
After defeating Corpius, head to the northeastern section of the Artaria map to find a Sensor-Lock door. These are the same doors that players will run into immediately after exiting the boss fight room.
9. What’s the best way to prepare for Hard Mode in Metroid Dread?
Practice on normal mode to master movement and combat. Memorize enemy attack patterns and learn efficient routes through each area. Collecting as many Energy Tanks and Missile Tanks as possible is also helpful.
10. What is the Samus suit at the end of Metroid Dread?
The Metroid Suit is Samus Aran’s final Suit upgrade in Metroid Dread. Unlike other suits, which are power-ups she acquires, the Metroid Suit is the result of the DNA transplant Samus received from her vaccine, fully awakening and turning her into a human Metroid.
11. What’s the hardest EMMI in Metroid Dread?
While subjective, many players consider the yellow EMMI the most challenging to defeat due to its incredible speed. The blue EMMI can be tough to avoid.
12. Where do I get the Plasma Beam in Metroid Dread?
Take the Morph Ball Launcher at the bottom of the room to whip on over to a shielded door, and inside you’ll get the final upgrade to dispel all shielded doors – the Plasma Beam.
13. Why did Quiet Robe help Samus at the end of Metroid Dread?
The reason Quiet Robe’s X Parasite appears to assist Samus for seemingly no benefit to its species is unclear. It is possible that this earlier action may have been a gambit to indirectly assist Samus by facilitating her acquisition of the …
14. Is Raven Beak the father of Samus?
Largely because of Raven Beak’s role in Samus having Mawkin DNA, he is technically the third surrogate father for Samus, after Gray Voice and Commander Adam Malkovich.
15. Is Metroid Dread a good educational tool?
While not explicitly designed as an educational tool, Metroid Dread can indirectly promote problem-solving skills, spatial reasoning, and hand-eye coordination. Games like Metroid Dread have been shown to improve cognitive abilities. You can learn more about the educational benefits of gaming at the Games Learning Society website: https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/.
Conclusion: Metroid Dread’s Enduring Appeal
While Metroid Dread doesn’t offer a traditional post-game with new story content, the unlockable artwork, Hard Mode, and completion challenges provide ample reasons to revisit Planet ZDR. For fans of the series and completionists, the rewards are well worth the effort, making Metroid Dread a game that continues to offer value long after the final boss is defeated. The thrill of exploration and the satisfaction of mastering the game’s intricate mechanics make it a truly rewarding experience.