Metroid Dread

Presentation

Metroid Dread directly continues Samus Aran's story after Metroid Fusion. Sent to planet ZDR to investigate the possible return of the X parasite, the bounty hunter becomes isolated deep below the surface of a hostile world that she must gradually climb through in order to escape.

Exploration follows the historical structure of the series' 2D entries. The different regions of ZDR are interconnected, but many paths remain inaccessible until Samus recovers the required ability. Each new upgrade therefore opens routes, reveals shortcuts or encourages a return to secrets spotted much earlier.

Samus's mobility plays a particularly important role. She can run, slide beneath obstacles, aim freely and perform a melee counter without completely stopping her movement. As the adventure progresses, iconic abilities such as the Morph Ball, missiles and Grapple Beam expand this foundation and gradually transform the way ZDR can be traversed.

The E.M.M.I. are the game's most distinctive threat. These exploration robots were originally sent by the Galactic Federation but have become hostile and hunt Samus within specific zones. Their armor withstands her standard arsenal, turning encounters into sequences where observation, mobility and escape temporarily matter more than direct combat.

Samus can notably use the Phantom Cloak to reduce the risk of detection, but the E.M.M.I. can also react to her presence and the sounds she makes. Once one spots her, it rapidly pursues her through the corridors and obstacles of its zone.

To destroy them, Samus must temporarily obtain the Omega Cannon, the only weapon capable of piercing their defenses. These encounters briefly reverse the roles: the hunted character must find the right position and enough time to stop her pursuer.

Outside these sequences, the game returns to a more traditional rhythm of combat against ZDR's creatures and numerous bosses. Arsenal upgrades simultaneously increase Samus's power and expand exploration, preserving the series' long-standing link between combat and progression.

Metroid Dread therefore develops the 2D formula without abandoning it: a labyrinthine world, new abilities gained gradually and a strong incentive to revisit previous areas, now combined with much faster movement and a threat capable of turning exploration into a chase.

Key points

• A direct sequel to Metroid Fusion.
• Samus investigates a possible return of the X parasite on ZDR.
• A 2D interconnected world that opens progressively.
• Modernized movement with sliding, free aim and counters while moving.
• The return of iconic abilities such as the Morph Ball, missiles and Grapple Beam.
• The E.M.M.I. hunt Samus inside dedicated zones.
• Their armor resists the bounty hunter's normal arsenal.
• The Phantom Cloak reduces the risk of detection.
• The Omega Cannon is the main way to destroy E.M.M.I.
• Progression combining exploration, combat, bosses and new abilities.
• An entry that concludes a major story arc involving Samus and the Metroids.

Conclusion

Metroid Dread preserves the fundamental structure of the 2D series while greatly increasing its pace. Samus's more fluid movement makes exploration of ZDR highly dynamic, while the gradual acquisition of abilities continues to change how the world is understood.

The E.M.M.I. introduce a different kind of tension. Against them, Samus does not immediately dominate her surroundings and sometimes has to escape before she can regain the advantage.

The game therefore combines methodical exploration with a sense of pursuit while directly continuing the events of Metroid Fusion and closing the long-running story arc surrounding Samus and the Metroids.

Good to know

Metroid Dread was developed by MercurySteam in collaboration with Nintendo and published by Nintendo.

The game was released on October 8, 2021 exclusively for Nintendo Switch.

It is the chronological sequel to Metroid Fusion, originally released in 2002 for Game Boy Advance.

Nintendo presents Metroid Dread as the conclusion of the story arc centered on the intertwined fates of Samus Aran and the Metroids, which began with the first Metroid.

The concept for Metroid Dread had been considered long before release. Nintendo stated that the project had been in development conceptually for more than fifteen years before technology and the collaboration with MercurySteam allowed it to be realized.

Free updates later added several options, including additional difficulty levels and Boss Rush modes. These later additions remain separate from the foundations of the original campaign.

The game is a single-player experience.

This entry focuses on the main campaign and core systems of Metroid Dread, without detailing its major narrative revelations.