What Happens After Conquering ZDR: Your Metroid Dread Post-Game Guide
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So, you’ve done it. You’ve navigated the treacherous paths of Planet ZDR, faced down the terrifying E.M.M.I.s, overcome formidable bosses, and ultimately, brought an end to the Metroid Dread storyline. Congratulations, bounty hunter! But what comes next? Where do you go after defeating Metroid Dread?
The answer, in short, depends on what kind of gamer you are. While there’s no “new game plus” in the traditional sense with retained abilities, completing Metroid Dread unlocks a plethora of post-game content and challenges, focusing on replayability and mastery. The real game, for many, is just beginning! Let’s delve into the possibilities.
Unlocking the Post-Game Treasures
Upon seeing the credits roll, you’re presented with several new options:
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Hard Mode: For those seeking a greater challenge, Hard Mode significantly ramps up the difficulty. Enemies hit harder, are more aggressive, and resources are scarcer. This is the perfect way to test your skills and truly master the game’s mechanics.
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Chozo Archives: This is where the completionist in you will rejoice. As you explore and collect items throughout the game, you unlock unique art pieces depicting moments from Samus Aran’s history and the Metroid universe. Completing the game unlocks even more archives. These are a treat for longtime fans.
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Clear Time and Difficulty Artwork: Your speedrunning aspirations are now supported by artwork that corresponds with the difficulty you completed the game on and your clear time. Strive to beat your personal best and collect all the art!
The Pursuit of Perfection: 100% Completion
Metroid Dread’s map is vast and intricate, filled with hidden items and upgrades. Achieving 100% completion is a significant undertaking, requiring meticulous exploration and mastery of Samus’ abilities.
What Does 100% Entail?
100% completion in Metroid Dread involves collecting every single item in the game. This means:
- All Energy Tanks and Energy Parts.
- All Missile Tanks and Missile+ Tanks.
- All Power Bomb Tanks.
How to Achieve 100%
The key is methodical exploration. Utilize the in-game map extensively, marking areas you haven’t fully explored. Remember to revisit areas with newly acquired abilities to access previously unreachable locations. The Scan Pulse ability, acquired later in the game, is invaluable for revealing hidden items and breakable blocks. Don’t be afraid to consult online guides and maps if you get stuck, but try to discover as much as you can on your own. The journey is part of the fun!
The Reward for Perfection
Besides the immense satisfaction of conquering every corner of Planet ZDR, achieving 100% unlocks the final Chozo Archive artwork. It’s the ultimate reward for the ultimate completionist.
Mastering the Speedrun
Metroid Dread is tailor-made for speedrunning. Its linear structure, coupled with Samus’ fluid movement and powerful abilities, allows for incredibly fast completion times.
Speedrunning Strategies
Speedrunning Metroid Dread involves a combination of skill, knowledge, and optimization:
- Route Optimization: Planning the most efficient route through the game is crucial. Skip unnecessary items and focus on acquiring essential upgrades quickly.
- Movement Tech: Mastering advanced movement techniques like shinesparking, wall jumping, and slide jumping can shave precious seconds (or even minutes) off your time.
- Boss Strategies: Developing strategies for defeating bosses quickly and efficiently is essential. Learn their attack patterns and exploit their weaknesses.
- Sequence Breaking: Skilled players might find clever ways to obtain upgrades out of the intended sequence. This is a riskier strategy, but can lead to significant time savings.
Resources for Speedrunners
The Metroid Dread speedrunning community is active and supportive. Online forums, Discord servers, and YouTube channels offer a wealth of information, tutorials, and resources for aspiring speedrunners.
Reflecting on the Narrative and World
Beyond the gameplay, Metroid Dread offers a rich narrative and intriguing world. Taking the time to reflect on the story, characters, and lore can deepen your appreciation for the game. Consider:
- The Chozo: The Chozo are central to Metroid Dread’s story. Their history, technology, and motivations are explored in detail.
- The Metroids: The true nature of the Metroids and their connection to Samus is revealed in Metroid Dread.
- Planet ZDR: The environment of ZDR is both beautiful and dangerous, hiding many secrets within its varied ecosystems.
Joining the Community
The Metroid community is passionate and welcoming. Joining online forums, social media groups, or attending gaming conventions can connect you with fellow fans and enrich your Metroid experience. Consider joining the Games Learning Society to further explore the educational and social aspects of gaming. Find out more at GamesLearningSociety.org.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is there a New Game Plus in Metroid Dread?
No, Metroid Dread doesn’t feature a traditional New Game Plus where you start a new game with all your abilities. Instead, you unlock Hard Mode and Chozo Archives upon completion.
2. What is the hardest E.M.M.I. to avoid in Metroid Dread?
Many players find the Blue E.M.M.I. the most difficult to avoid due to its speed and wide patrol area. Its ability to quickly traverse environments makes it a constant threat.
3. What is the reward for 100% completing Metroid Dread?
Achieving 100% completion unlocks the final Chozo Archive artwork, completing your collection and showcasing your dedication.
4. How many endings does Metroid Dread have?
Metroid Dread has one primary ending. The reward art you get changes based on game completion time and what difficulty was played.
5. Can you destroy an E.M.M.I. permanently in Metroid Dread?
Yes, you can destroy E.M.M.I.s, but only after obtaining the Omega Cannon in the respective E.M.M.I. Zone. The Omega Cannon is the only weapon capable of defeating them.
6. Where should I go after getting the Phantom Cloak in Metroid Dread?
After defeating Corpius and acquiring the Phantom Cloak, head to the northeastern section of Artaria to find a Sensor-Lock door. This will lead you to the next area.
7. Where do I go after defeating Experiment No. Z-57?
Defeating Experiment No. Z-57 allows you to return to Artaria and access the now unfrozen area in the southwestern portion of the map, leading to new upgrades and areas.
8. What should I do after defeating the first E.M.M.I. in Metroid Dread?
After defeating the first E.M.M.I., head through the door on the left and make your way up to the available door at the top left to find a Save Station.
9. What happens after getting the Cross Bomb in Metroid Dread?
After acquiring the Cross Bomb, you can travel east into a shuttle station to be transported further east into the late-game region known as Hanubia.
10. What is the hardest area in Metroid Dread?
Difficulty is subjective, but many players find the E.M.M.I. zones to be the most challenging due to the constant threat of being caught. In terms of environment and platforming, some find areas like Ferenia or Hanubia to be particularly demanding.
11. Is Metroid Dread the final Metroid game?
While Metroid Dread concludes the five-story arc, the developers have expressed interest in continuing the franchise. So, hopefully not!
12. Does 100% completion of Metroid Dread unlock anything significant gameplay-wise?
No, 100% completion mainly unlocks the final Chozo Archive artwork and the personal satisfaction of fully exploring the game. There are no new gameplay mechanics unlocked.
13. How do you Parry the E.M.M.I.s?
To perform an E.M.M.I. counter, press the X button “at the exact moment of the flash” that corresponds to the E.M.M.I.’s attack. The timing is very precise and varies with each encounter.
14. Are there any secret areas in Metroid Dread?
Yes, there are many secret areas containing upgrades hidden throughout Planet ZDR. Pay close attention to the environment and use abilities like the Scan Pulse to find them.
15. Where can I find a community to discuss Metroid Dread?
You can find active and engaging communities on online forums like Reddit (r/Metroid), Discord servers dedicated to Metroid Dread, and social media groups.
The Games Learning Society, found at https://www.gameslearningsociety.org/, provides a great space to discuss many things regarding gaming.
The Journey Continues
Metroid Dread is more than just a game; it’s an experience. Whether you strive for 100% completion, perfect your speedrunning skills, or simply reflect on the story and world, the journey doesn’t end when the credits roll. Embrace the challenge, explore the unknown, and continue to explore the galaxy with Samus Aran. The adventure awaits!