10 Things to Know Before Playing Metroid Dread
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VOICE OVER: Riccardo Tucci
WRITTEN BY: Ty Richardson
After all these years, we're finally getting a brand new “Metroid” game. Sure, 2017's “Samus Returns” was a fantastic appetizer for the bounty hunter's reappearance, but this is the first brand new “Metroid” game we've had in YEARS! So, whether you're a veteran or a newcomer, there are a few things you ought to know before jumping into “Dread”.
Script written by Ty Richardson
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the 10 Things to Know Before Playing “Metroid: Dread”!
After all these years, we’re finally getting a brand new “Metroid” game. Sure, 2017’s “Samus Returns” was a fantastic appetizer for the bounty hunter’s reappearance, but this is the first brand new “Metroid” game we’ve had in YEARS! So, whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, there are a few things you ought to know before jumping into “Dread”. Do you plan to get the game? What’s got you excited for Samus’s next mission? Share with us in the comments below!
Nothing much has changed with the usual formula for “Metroid’s” narrative. Every game has seen Samus arriving on an unknown planet to investigate and fight terrifying foes. This time, our token mysterious rock is Planet ZDR, where Samus must look into the disappearance of research robots known as the E.M.M.I. (more on that in a bit). Shortly after her arrival, the ancient alien race known as the Chozo steal her weapons. Get your tech back, survive the planet’s savage inhabitants, and escape with your butt intact. Of the 2D “Metroid” games, this looks to be the most tense and frightening game in the line.
Some of you are probably wondering where exactly “Dread” falls in the “Metroid” timeline, and we can understand why, given how some of the sequels have actually been prequels. “Dread” is picking up sometime after the events of “Fusion”, which launched on the Game Boy Advance all the way back in 2002. However, “Dread” also serves as the thrilling conclusion to Samus’s story under the 2D games. If there are any critical details you should know, it’s that Samus had fought a race of copycat creatures known as X Parasites, and she’s gained immunity to their attacks. Will this keep her safer from the powerful foes, though? Or will this immunity make her a bigger target?
Given how much time has passed, it’s not too surprising to see folks forget one glaring aspect in “Dread’s” development. “Dread” has actually been in the works since the days of the Nintendo DS, where it would be developed and re-developed twice for the handheld. Unfortunately, director Yoshio Sakamoto and his team weren’t hitting the feel they strived for, and the DS’s technical limitations made things more difficult. Despite having been in the eyes of the press throughout 2005, 2006, and even 2007, “Dread” abruptly went quiet as its placeholder dates passed. Eventually, folks began to believe the project had long been cancelled and were so driven to find out what happened to it that Sakamoto would be asked about “Dread” during several E3 interviews years later. And now, here we are, with the game being resurrected for Switch, and it’s all thanks to developer MercurySteam and their phenomenal job on the “Metroid II” remake, “Samus Returns”.
Indeed, those who have heard or seen the MercurySteam name most likely played the 2017 3DS game “Samus Returns”. The studio not only managed to reinvigorate the public’s interest in Samus, but they also showed that they could implement some cool ideas to breathe new life into the IP. The new parry mechanic allowed “Samus Returns” to make the core gameplay more action-oriented, and controlling our beloved bounty hunter felt tight and fluid. While the studio’s history isn’t as extensive as others, it has had a hand in some hidden gems such as “Clive Barker’s Jericho”, “American McGee Presents: Scrapland”, and the “Lords of Shadow” series of “Castlevania” games. Assuming “Dread” does well, MercurySteam could possibly join the ranks with Nintendo development teams Retro Studios, Next Level Games, Monolith Soft, NDcube, HAL Laboratory, and many, many more.
Of course you don’t need to know how to play “Metroid”! If you clicked on this video, you probably played the original or even “Super Metroid” through Switch Online, right? “Dread” has the same core gameplay the franchise has long been known for - shoot aliens, obtain powerful new weapons and gadgets, and discover new areas to escape the hostile planet. Given who is developing the game, you can expect a few features to be adopted from “Samus Returns”, most notably that parry mechanic. Another new feature is that Samus will be able to slide underneath tight spaces instead of needing to go into Morph Ball mode. But will there be any shiny new toys to play with?
Indeed, there will be new toys! Samus will come across a handful of new tech to endure the harsh creatures skulking around Planet ZDR. A grappling tool will allow her to scale walls and ceilings, and she’ll be able to obtain upgrades to her arsenal. Only one problem you’ll face - you may not be able to rely on these ordinary gadgets alone. Some situations may require using more powerful devices, tools that consume an energy called Aeion. With this, you’ll be able to use better tech that may let you cloak yourself and go invisible or even do a simple dash. These gadgets will especially come in handy when facing the EMMI.
As mentioned earlier, the EMMI were a platoon of research robots who have gone rogue and become another hostile mob on ZDR. What makes them so horrifying is their seeming invulnerability to any and all attacks. Samus will not be able to deal with these guys head-on and will have to figure out how to outrun and outsmart them instead. Yes, this is very similar to the SA-X enemies from “Metroid: Fusion”, enemies that would skulk around the map as they hunt for Samus. Players will have to study their behavior and stay on their toes until they find a way to bring the EMMIs down.
Speaking of vicious foes, one must wonder if any of Samus’s old adversaries are coming back. One baddie confirmed to return is Kraid. You know, Kraid? Giant tubby alien that needs six GBA screens just to make a full appearance? The dude is just one of many sizable baddies Samus has encountered, but we have to wonder how many other familiar faces might be coming for us. Could our old nemesis Ridley make a return? Yeah, he sort of died in “Fusion” in his Neo form, but we all know the deal with Ridley - damn space lizard never really dies. As for Mother Brain, we wouldn’t be surprised if there is some Omega Mother Brain or even a counterpart like a Father Brain.
“Metroid: Dread” releases October 8, 2021, and boy, is this a heck of a launch day! Most of us are probably going to grab a copy without another thought, but there are other ways to commemorate the first original “Metroid” in ages. The new Switch model, the Switch OLED, is also launching on October 8 and boasts a larger screen and bigger internal storage than the standard Switch model. Plus, you get the general benefits of OLED screens - no backlight while still retaining quality lighting and resolution, a lighter display, better contrast to make those colors and lights pop in your games, and therefore, less heat generated from the console. Needless to say, “Metroid: Dread” will serve as the perfect game to experience on your new OLED!
So, one question on everyone's mind - what does “Dread” mean for “Metroid Prime 4”? Yes, the fourth “Prime” game has been in development for quite some time. To recap, “Metroid Prime 4” was announced to be in development at Nintendo in 2017 before shifting the project to Retro Studios two years later. With “Dread” now launching, Nintendo is probably going to have us wait a little longer before showing “Prime 4”. As much as we’d love to see the game release in 2022, we have a hunch that Nintendo is wanting to launch “Breath of the Wild 2” during that window. That being said, don’t expect “Prime 4” anytime soon, but 2023 might be a realistic expectation. For now, enjoy “Dread”, and let the folks at Retro Studios take their time.
10 Things to Know Before Playing “Metroid: Dread”
Welcome to MojoPlays, and today, we’re taking a look at the 10 Things to Know Before Playing “Metroid: Dread”!
After all these years, we’re finally getting a brand new “Metroid” game. Sure, 2017’s “Samus Returns” was a fantastic appetizer for the bounty hunter’s reappearance, but this is the first brand new “Metroid” game we’ve had in YEARS! So, whether you’re a veteran or a newcomer, there are a few things you ought to know before jumping into “Dread”. Do you plan to get the game? What’s got you excited for Samus’s next mission? Share with us in the comments below!
The Premise
Nothing much has changed with the usual formula for “Metroid’s” narrative. Every game has seen Samus arriving on an unknown planet to investigate and fight terrifying foes. This time, our token mysterious rock is Planet ZDR, where Samus must look into the disappearance of research robots known as the E.M.M.I. (more on that in a bit). Shortly after her arrival, the ancient alien race known as the Chozo steal her weapons. Get your tech back, survive the planet’s savage inhabitants, and escape with your butt intact. Of the 2D “Metroid” games, this looks to be the most tense and frightening game in the line.
A Fused Reunion
Some of you are probably wondering where exactly “Dread” falls in the “Metroid” timeline, and we can understand why, given how some of the sequels have actually been prequels. “Dread” is picking up sometime after the events of “Fusion”, which launched on the Game Boy Advance all the way back in 2002. However, “Dread” also serves as the thrilling conclusion to Samus’s story under the 2D games. If there are any critical details you should know, it’s that Samus had fought a race of copycat creatures known as X Parasites, and she’s gained immunity to their attacks. Will this keep her safer from the powerful foes, though? Or will this immunity make her a bigger target?
“Dread” Has Been a Long Time Coming
Given how much time has passed, it’s not too surprising to see folks forget one glaring aspect in “Dread’s” development. “Dread” has actually been in the works since the days of the Nintendo DS, where it would be developed and re-developed twice for the handheld. Unfortunately, director Yoshio Sakamoto and his team weren’t hitting the feel they strived for, and the DS’s technical limitations made things more difficult. Despite having been in the eyes of the press throughout 2005, 2006, and even 2007, “Dread” abruptly went quiet as its placeholder dates passed. Eventually, folks began to believe the project had long been cancelled and were so driven to find out what happened to it that Sakamoto would be asked about “Dread” during several E3 interviews years later. And now, here we are, with the game being resurrected for Switch, and it’s all thanks to developer MercurySteam and their phenomenal job on the “Metroid II” remake, “Samus Returns”.
MercurySteam
Indeed, those who have heard or seen the MercurySteam name most likely played the 2017 3DS game “Samus Returns”. The studio not only managed to reinvigorate the public’s interest in Samus, but they also showed that they could implement some cool ideas to breathe new life into the IP. The new parry mechanic allowed “Samus Returns” to make the core gameplay more action-oriented, and controlling our beloved bounty hunter felt tight and fluid. While the studio’s history isn’t as extensive as others, it has had a hand in some hidden gems such as “Clive Barker’s Jericho”, “American McGee Presents: Scrapland”, and the “Lords of Shadow” series of “Castlevania” games. Assuming “Dread” does well, MercurySteam could possibly join the ranks with Nintendo development teams Retro Studios, Next Level Games, Monolith Soft, NDcube, HAL Laboratory, and many, many more.
Gameplay
Of course you don’t need to know how to play “Metroid”! If you clicked on this video, you probably played the original or even “Super Metroid” through Switch Online, right? “Dread” has the same core gameplay the franchise has long been known for - shoot aliens, obtain powerful new weapons and gadgets, and discover new areas to escape the hostile planet. Given who is developing the game, you can expect a few features to be adopted from “Samus Returns”, most notably that parry mechanic. Another new feature is that Samus will be able to slide underneath tight spaces instead of needing to go into Morph Ball mode. But will there be any shiny new toys to play with?
New Gadgets
Indeed, there will be new toys! Samus will come across a handful of new tech to endure the harsh creatures skulking around Planet ZDR. A grappling tool will allow her to scale walls and ceilings, and she’ll be able to obtain upgrades to her arsenal. Only one problem you’ll face - you may not be able to rely on these ordinary gadgets alone. Some situations may require using more powerful devices, tools that consume an energy called Aeion. With this, you’ll be able to use better tech that may let you cloak yourself and go invisible or even do a simple dash. These gadgets will especially come in handy when facing the EMMI.
The EMMI
As mentioned earlier, the EMMI were a platoon of research robots who have gone rogue and become another hostile mob on ZDR. What makes them so horrifying is their seeming invulnerability to any and all attacks. Samus will not be able to deal with these guys head-on and will have to figure out how to outrun and outsmart them instead. Yes, this is very similar to the SA-X enemies from “Metroid: Fusion”, enemies that would skulk around the map as they hunt for Samus. Players will have to study their behavior and stay on their toes until they find a way to bring the EMMIs down.
Bringing Back Big Baddies
Speaking of vicious foes, one must wonder if any of Samus’s old adversaries are coming back. One baddie confirmed to return is Kraid. You know, Kraid? Giant tubby alien that needs six GBA screens just to make a full appearance? The dude is just one of many sizable baddies Samus has encountered, but we have to wonder how many other familiar faces might be coming for us. Could our old nemesis Ridley make a return? Yeah, he sort of died in “Fusion” in his Neo form, but we all know the deal with Ridley - damn space lizard never really dies. As for Mother Brain, we wouldn’t be surprised if there is some Omega Mother Brain or even a counterpart like a Father Brain.
Launch Date
“Metroid: Dread” releases October 8, 2021, and boy, is this a heck of a launch day! Most of us are probably going to grab a copy without another thought, but there are other ways to commemorate the first original “Metroid” in ages. The new Switch model, the Switch OLED, is also launching on October 8 and boasts a larger screen and bigger internal storage than the standard Switch model. Plus, you get the general benefits of OLED screens - no backlight while still retaining quality lighting and resolution, a lighter display, better contrast to make those colors and lights pop in your games, and therefore, less heat generated from the console. Needless to say, “Metroid: Dread” will serve as the perfect game to experience on your new OLED!
What Does This Mean For “Metroid Prime 4”?
So, one question on everyone's mind - what does “Dread” mean for “Metroid Prime 4”? Yes, the fourth “Prime” game has been in development for quite some time. To recap, “Metroid Prime 4” was announced to be in development at Nintendo in 2017 before shifting the project to Retro Studios two years later. With “Dread” now launching, Nintendo is probably going to have us wait a little longer before showing “Prime 4”. As much as we’d love to see the game release in 2022, we have a hunch that Nintendo is wanting to launch “Breath of the Wild 2” during that window. That being said, don’t expect “Prime 4” anytime soon, but 2023 might be a realistic expectation. For now, enjoy “Dread”, and let the folks at Retro Studios take their time.
