Metroid Dread: Everything You Need to Know Before Playing

Metroid may not command the mass appeal of Zelda or Mario, yet our affection for Nintendo’s science-fiction action platformer is every bit as strong as it is for those giants. Nintendo only revealed Dread a few months ago in its E3 2021 Direct showcase. With its 8 October launch now under a month away, here is a brief guide to everything to know before you play Metroid Dread.

Who is developing Metroid Dread?

MercurySteam is developing Metroid Dread, following its previous partnership with Nintendo on 2017’s Metroid: Samus Returns. Earlier projects from the studio include Clive Barker’s Jericho, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow and Castlevania: Lords of Shadow 2. Although its record has had a few exceptions, the studio has delivered solid work overall, giving us hope that Metroid Dread can meet the anticipation around it.

Is Metroid Dread a direct sequel?

Nintendo describes Dread as a direct follow-up to Metroid Fusion, the 2002 Game Boy Advance release. That makes Dread the fifth official instalment in the 2D Metroid series. Nintendo has also confirmed that the game brings the central story of Samus’ encounters with the parasitic Metroid species to a close.

Do I need to play the rest of the series before Dread?

Metroid has never placed a huge emphasis on story, and Nintendo will almost certainly explain any essential details as players progress through this game. You therefore probably will not need to play earlier Metroid titles to enjoy Dread. Even so, plenty of the older games remain great to play today-particularly Super Metroid-so they are well worth revisiting if you missed them originally.

How long has Metroid Dread been in development?

The Metroid Dread name emerged shortly after Metroid Fusion launched in 2002. Series producer Yoshio Sakamoto has said he attempted to make Dread for the Nintendo DS handheld on at least two occasions. Once MercurySteam launched Metroid: Samus Returns in 2017, Nintendo resurrected the Dread title and approved the project for Switch.

What is the narrative setup?

Bounty Hunter Samus Aran has returned. In Metroid Fusion, Samus investigated a space station overrun by hostile, shape-shifting lifeforms known as X Parasites. Following her resolution of that possible disaster, the Galactic Federation received evidence suggesting that the X Parasites survived their supposed destruction and have begun infecting the distant planet ZDR. The Federation consequently sent a robot team to examine the planet. When the machines disappear soon after landing, Samus Aran is called in to uncover what happened.

The events of Metroid Fusion left Samus immune to X Parasites. Yet the X Parasites are not ZDR’s sole danger: Samus quickly meets an attacker from the ancient Chozo alien race, who strips her of her abilities. After recovering from the assault, Samus finds herself far below ZDR’s surface. She must fight her way out while evading the Federation robot squad, which is now pursuing her.

What do we know about Planet ZDR?

Very little is known about Planet ZDR. This isolated alien planet has a purple atmosphere and hosts the Corpious, a huge monster with fangs. The legless Corpious pulls itself across the ground using two powerful arms. It can also become invisible, striking opponents with its lengthy, scorpion-like tail.

The deep subterranean caves of ZDR include a region called Artaria, which contains rocky formations and underground waterfalls. Another ZDR area, Cataris, is an industrial facility that channels thermo-powered energy from nearby magma supplies. Its intense temperatures can harm Samus’ gear until she acquires a Power Suit.

Will Adam Malkovich return?

Longstanding fans may recall Commander Adam Malkovich, a "celebrated military genius" who served with the Galactic Federation Army. As explained in Metroid: Other M, Samus served under Malkovich when she was younger. She also thought about Adam several times throughout Metroid Fusion, even giving his name to a computer AI. Dread features Adam’s AI counterpart, though it will not issue orders to Samus. Rather, it serves as the game’s loremaster, providing story information to the player.

What are the E.M.M.I.s?

The Galactic Federation’s Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifiers are sophisticated operational robots built for "research applications." These E.M.M.I.s are also formidable instruments of destruction, however. Created as DNA-extraction machines, they now pursue Samus throughout Planet ZDR, presumably because she carries Metroid DNA.

Destroying an E.M.M.I. is not straightforward. Samus can dismantle one only by temporarily enhancing her arm cannon at designated locations across Planet ZDR. She must therefore sneak past these machines, which is difficult because E.M.M.I.s can hear her footsteps and will relentlessly hunt her if they detect her. Should an E.M.M.I. seize Samus, players have a very small opportunity to perform a melee counter and let her escape. Missing that counter means the E.M.M.I.s immediately impale her, causing a Game Over.

The Galactic Federation sent seven E.M.M.I.s to Planet ZDR, with every unit sporting a different colour. Their abilities also vary: the green E.M.M.I. can crawl through narrow routes, the yellow model can sprint at high speed, and the blue one can freeze and shatter objects.

What abilities does Samus gain?

Exploration has always been central to Metroid. While delving into Planet ZDR, Samus gradually finds additional weapons and abilities that open up new locations. That gameplay cycle has long defined Metroid, and Dread will not alter it.

Samus keeps many signature abilities, including her arm cannon, missiles, grapple hook and morph ball, which enables her to reach otherwise inaccessible places. MercurySteam added a melee counter to Metroid: Samus Returns, allowing Samus to parry incoming attacks and leave enemies vulnerable to punishing counterattacks. The move returns in Dread. Samus also receives some fresh techniques, including a slide that lets her swiftly pass through small gaps without changing into morph ball form.

Throughout her journey, Samus will gain powerful new technology and weaponry as well. Phantom Cloak makes her temporarily invisible, but consumes a resource called Aeion, which was likewise introduced in Samus Returns. Unlike in the previous game, Aeion now gradually restores itself over time. Flash Shift, another Aeion ability, lets Samus dash across the screen.

Not all powers consume Aeion. The Spider grapple, for instance, allows Samus to scale walls and ceilings marked by a blue magnetic surface. It resembles the Spider Ball from past Metroid games, but does not require Samus to enter morph ball form. Elsewhere, the Storm Missile weapon upgrade enables her to target several enemies and unleash a missile volley. Using free aim, Samus can lock onto as many as five targets and fire three missiles at each one.

Will longtime enemies Kraid and Ridley return?

Kraid, the enormous three-eyed reptile, is said to be returning, although the alien seems to be chained to a wall this time. There has been no word on whether Ridley will appear, but this is a Metroid game, so our Magic 8-Ball says "Very likely."

I like spending money, is there a Special Edition?

Nintendo is releasing a Metroid Dread Special Edition in a steel game case. It includes five art cards and a 190-page art book covering all five games in the 2D Metroid saga. The package costs $89.99.

When does Metroid Dread launch?

Metroid Dread will be available for Nintendo Switch from 8 October.