Nintendo and developer MercurySteam have released a big new update for Metroid Dread, adding three new Boss Rush game modes with which to test your combat prowess.
Version 2.1.0’s boss rush has three variants that pit you against the game’s 12 big boss battles. You can find them by pressing R on the Samus Files screen to select from regular Boss Rush, Survival Rush and Dread Rush. All three are only available after you’ve met certain conditions, such as beating the main game, or beating the other Boss Rush modes.
Boss Rush is as you would expect, pitting you against each of the 12 bosses in sequence and seeking the best possible time. Survival Rush mixes things up by giving you a five minute limit to see how far you can get against the bosses, while Dread Rush makes it so that one hit will knock Samus out. Game over.
The update follows on from version 2.0.0 which released in February with a pair of new difficulty modes – Rookie Mode to lower the difficulty further for new players, and Dread Mode which, like with Dread Rush, gives you a single hit before it’s game over.
Here’s the full Metroid Dread version 2.1.0 patch notes:
New Modes Added
Three different boss rush modes have been added to the game. Press the R Button on the “Samus Files” screen to move to the Boss Rush selection screen.
Boss Rush
- A mode where players fight 12 continuous boss battles, and aim for the best time.
- Any damage received is carried-over into the next fight. Weapons are fully-restored between battles.
- If Samus is defeated, players may select “Retry” to continue playing from the start of the battle they lost. There is, however, a time penalty for being defeated.
- Bosses fought in Boss Rush can be fought one-on-one at any time by selecting “Practice”.
*Unlocked by clearing the main game a single time. (In the event that a player has completed the game before the update was released, they will be able to play Boss Rush immediately after updating).
Survival Rush
- A mode where players see how many bosses they can defeat inside of the 5 minute time limit.
- Any damage received, or weapons spent are carried-over into the next battle. Even if time remains on the clock, Samus being defeated will result in a game over.
- Defeating a boss will add a fixed amount of time to the countdown clock. Defeat a boss without receiving any damage to receive an even bigger time bonus.
*Survival Rush is unlocked by completing either Boss Rush or Dread Rush.
Dread Rush
- The basic rules are the same as in Boss Rush, but if Samus is hit by a boss, her energy drops to zero and she is defeated.
- Bosses fought in Dread Rush can be fought one-on-one at any time by selecting “Practice”.
*Unlocked by clearing the main game using Dread Mode. (In the event that a player has completed Dread Mode before the update was released, they will be able to play Dread Rush immediately after updating).
General Fixes
-
Fixed an error where the Game Over screen would not display properly when Samus takes damage and is defeated immediately after destroying a central unit.
Metroid Dread is excellent, and a glowing return for the series in its side-scrolling form. Continuing the story from the 19-year-old Metroid Fusion, and mixing it with modern gameplay intruded in Metroid: Samus Returns, it’s a must-buy for any fan of the series. In our Metroid Dread review, I wrote:
“Metroid Dread sees the galaxy’s best bounty hunter return in fine form. It takes the terror of being hunted from Metroid Fusion, the more modern direction of Samus Returns, and the freedom to add to the series’ decades of lore to create something that’s nigh on essential for Metroid fans.”
Source: Nintendo
