Metroid Dread is a Metroidvania with many branching paths to explore. Some areas will be gated off to you when you first get there, and you will need to acquire an ability or upgrade to proceed. As a result, it can be easy to get stuck, lost, or not know what to do.
There is usually an answer if you think that you are stuck in Metroid Dread somewhere and cannot proceed. Open your map and take a moment to look at your surroundings. Anything that you have not encountered yet will be labeled with three question marks. This likely means you cannot proceed without an ability you do not possess.
Related: How to unlock all Ending Rewards and Screens in Metroid Dread
Whether you find yourself stuck in Artaria, Cataris, Burenia, Ferenia, or any of Metroid Dread's other areas, this usually applies. Search every corner of the map, and don't be afraid to backtrack, as you will likely have to at some point. Additionally, back out to the global map and look at the other areas. You may be able to unlock new paths with newfound abilities.
If all else fails, there may be a secret path that you haven't discovered. A good rule of thumb is to shoot everything as secret paths can be hard to spot. Secrets will show up as flashing spots on the map, so keep a lookout for those.
For more information on Metroid Dread, check out How to unlock the Grapple Beam in Metroid Dread and How to unlock the Bomb in Metroid Dread on Pro Game Guides.
Justin has been diving into fantasy worlds since he can remember. He is a certified nerd who has a deep love of reading, writing, and hiking. He has been writing since his college days, but specifically in gaming for two years. His favorite games are The Legend of Zelda, Pokémon, Hollow Knight, Celeste, and Banjo Kazooie.