What Happened to Samus in Metroid Dread?

In Metroid Dread, Samus Aran experiences a transformative and harrowing journey that pushes her to the very limits of her physical and emotional capabilities. The game details the culmination of a long-running narrative arc, fundamentally altering her character and her relationship with the universe. At its core, Samus undergoes a profound Metamorphosis, triggered by her latent Metroid DNA fully awakening. This awakening is precipitated by the manipulations of Raven Beak, who aims to exploit Samus’ newfound power to create an army of Metroid clones. Along the way, Samus is confronted with familiar foes, new enemies, and shocking revelations about her past and her destiny.

The main events that transpired with Samus in Metroid Dread can be summarized as follows:

1. The ZDR Investigation: Samus is dispatched to the planet ZDR by the Galactic Federation to investigate the possible presence of the X Parasite, a deadly organism capable of mimicking and destroying its hosts. Initial transmissions indicated that the E.M.M.I. (Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifier) robots, sent to ZDR earlier, had gone rogue.

2. Power Loss and Raven Beak’s Assault: Immediately upon arriving on ZDR, Samus is ambushed by Raven Beak, a Chozo warrior and her adoptive father figure. Raven Beak easily overpowers Samus, stripping her of her power-ups and abilities, essentially resetting her back to a weaker state. This forces her to re-acquire abilities throughout the game, a classic Metroidvania mechanic.

3. E.M.M.I. Encounters: Samus faces relentless pursuit by the E.M.M.I. robots, each patrolling designated zones. These encounters are tense and challenging, requiring stealth and strategic use of temporary abilities to evade or disable them. It’s later revealed that Raven Beak designed the E.M.M.I. to awaken Samus’ Metroid DNA and extract it.

4. Meeting Quiet Robe: Samus is saved from an E.M.M.I. attack by Quiet Robe, a Chozo of the Thoha tribe. Quiet Robe reveals the history of the Chozo on SR388 and explains the Thoha tribe’s efforts to contain the Metroids. He also plays a crucial role in temporarily disarming the E.M.M.I.

5. Metroid Awakening: The constant encounters with the E.M.M.I., combined with Raven Beak’s manipulations, begin to awaken Samus’ dormant Metroid DNA. This manifests initially as the Metroid Suit, a transformation that grants her the ability to absorb energy.

6. Confrontation with Kraid: Samus encounters and defeats a cloned Kraid, showcasing the Mawkin tribe’s genetic engineering capabilities and Raven Beak’s willingness to use extreme measures to achieve his goals.

7. Revealing Raven Beak’s Plan: Raven Beak reveals his master plan to Samus: to use her as a biological weapon, harnessing her Metroid DNA to create an army of Metroid clones under his control. He believes that the Metroids are the ultimate weapon and that he can control them through genetic manipulation.

8. Final Battle and Metroid Transformation: The final battle with Raven Beak is a grueling test of Samus’ skills and abilities. In the heat of combat, Samus’ Metroid DNA fully awakens, transforming her into a powerful, almost unstoppable Metroid form. She defeats Raven Beak, unleashing her full Metroid power.

9. X Parasite Intervention: As Samus loses control of her Metroid powers, the X Parasite that had previously infected Quiet Robe intervenes, seemingly out of its own volition. It grants Samus a temporary reprieve, allowing her to regain control and escape the collapsing planet ZDR.

10. Escape and Continued Existence: Samus escapes ZDR, now permanently transformed into a being with both human and Metroid DNA. She must continue to control her newfound powers and navigate the implications of her changed nature, setting the stage for future adventures.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

Why did Samus Suit change in Dread?

The Metroid Suit in Dread is not simply a power-up; it’s a manifestation of Samus’s awakened Metroid DNA. The vaccine she received in Metroid Fusion, created from Metroid cells, contained the genetic code that was dormant within her. The events of Dread, particularly Raven Beak’s actions, acted as a catalyst, fully awakening this dormant potential.

Who saved Samus in Metroid Dread?

Several characters played a role in saving Samus throughout Dread. Quiet Robe saved her from an E.M.M.I. attack and provided crucial information about the Chozo history. However, the X Parasite from Quiet Robe ultimately saved her from losing control after the final battle with Raven Beak.

How is Kraid alive in Dread?

The Kraid encountered in Dread is a clone. Evidence for this is the collar he wears, similar to those found on other cloned creatures in ZDR. Raven Beak’s Mawkin tribe had the technology to create clones, explaining Kraid’s reappearance despite his death in Super Metroid.

Is Ridley still alive in Metroid Dread?

No, Ridley is not alive in Metroid Dread. He was definitively killed during the events of Metroid Fusion, following his re-emergence as a clone in Metroid: Other M. His story arc has concluded.

Why does Samus lose her powers in Dread?

Samus loses her powers early in Metroid Dread due to an ambush by Raven Beak. He not only physically overpowers her but also manipulates her Metroid DNA, causing her to lose access to her suit’s abilities and revert to a more vulnerable state.

Did Samus lose her arm?

No, Samus did not lose her arm. The Arm Cannon is an integrated part of her Power Suit, not a prosthetic. This is a common misconception among new players of the Metroid series.

Why is Samus suit blue in Dread?

The blue coloration of Samus’s suit in Dread is initially a lingering effect of her Fusion Suit, a result of being cured of the X Parasite with Metroid DNA in Metroid Fusion. As her Metroid DNA awakens, the suit undergoes further transformations.

Is there zero suit in Dread?

The Zero Suit does make an appearance in Dread, appearing in two instances outside the standard game over sequence, accessible through specific glitches. However, it is not a usable suit in regular gameplay.

Why did Quiet Robe help Samus at the end?

The intervention of Quiet Robe’s X Parasite is somewhat ambiguous. While it initially seemed to reactivate the E.M.M.I., it’s possible this was a gambit to indirectly assist Samus in acquiring the Metroid DNA. Ultimately, its actions prevented Samus from losing control entirely to her Metroid powers, potentially stemming from a lingering sense of duty or a desire to protect the Thoha legacy.

Why is Samus suit white in Metroid Dread?

The brief glimpse of a white suit is believed to be a reference to the Light Suit from Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. It’s a subtle callback to her potential attempt to acquire the Light Suit in that game, as the Light Suit is the only one with a white Visor color.

Why is Metroid Dread controversial?

Metroid Dread faced controversy due to allegations of poor working conditions at MercurySteam, the development studio. Former staff members claimed long hours, high stress, and a challenging work environment, which were disputed by the CEO.

Is Dark Samus just a suit?

Dark Samus is not just a suit. She is a sentient being created from Samus’s Phazon Suit and Metroid Prime’s essence. She is a doppelganger of Samus and a formidable antagonist.

Is Samus cured?

Samus is “cured” of the X Parasite infection in Metroid Fusion, but the vaccine made from Metroid DNA has permanently altered her genetic structure. In Dread, this alteration fully manifests, making her a hybrid of human and Metroid.

What disorder does Samus have?

It’s implied that Samus suffers from Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD), stemming from the trauma of losing her parents to Ridley and her subsequent experiences as a bounty hunter. This is subtly referenced in some promotional material and within the gameplay where Ridley is involved.

Is Dread a sequel to Fusion?

Yes, Metroid Dread is a direct sequel to Metroid Fusion, continuing the storyline and addressing the long-term consequences of Samus’s infection and subsequent cure with Metroid DNA.

Metroid Dread represents a pivotal chapter in Samus Aran’s saga. It’s a game that not only provides thrilling Metroidvania gameplay but also delves deeper into her character and her complex relationship with the universe. The themes of identity, destiny, and the burden of power resonate throughout the game, solidifying its place as a significant entry in the Metroid series.

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