Why is Metroid Dread called Dread?

The Metroid Dread game is called Dread because it is based on the concept of having Samus followed by “dread” on an unfamiliar planet, with the producer Yoshio Sakamoto wanting to expand on the stealth sequences in Metroid Fusion and combine them with traditional Metroid gameplay, creating a sense of panic and fear that Samus must overcome. The title Dread reflects the game’s themes of anxiety and urgency, as Samus navigates a hostile alien world filled with deadly creatures and EMMI robots.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Questions

1. What is Metroid Dread?: Metroid Dread is a science-fiction action-adventure game in the Metroid series, developed by MercurySteam, where players control bounty hunter Samus Aran as she explores the planet ZDR.
2. Why is Metroid Dread controversial?: Metroid Dread faced accusations of poor working conditions from former staff members, which were disputed by MercurySteam CEO Enric Alvarez, citing the game’s success and critical acclaim.
3. Is Metroid Dread a flop?: No, Metroid Dread is not a flop, having sold about 2.9 million copies and becoming the best-selling Metroid game ever.

Gameplay and Story

4. What does EMMI mean in Metroid Dread?: EMMI stands for Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifiers, which are highly agile, large research robots that have been corrupted and now pursue Samus relentlessly.
5. Why is Samus suit different in Dread?: Samus’s suit is different in Dread because it is the result of a DNA transplant she received from her vaccine, which fully awakens and turns her into a human Metroid.
6. What does Samus say in Dread?: Samus says “I’ll end this. Once and for all” at the end of the game, which is her only spoken line.

Development and History

7. Why was Metroid Dread cancelled?: Metroid Dread was originally conceived for the Nintendo DS in the mid-2000s but was cancelled due to technical limitations.
8. Why did Metroid Dread take 15 years?: Metroid Dread took 15 years to develop because it was initially cancelled due to technical limitations and was only revived after the success of Metroid: Samus Returns.
9. Is Metroid Dread a woman?: Metroid Dread is not a woman, but rather a game in which players control female bounty hunter Samus Aran.

Tone and Genre

10. Is Metroid Dread actually scary?: While Metroid Dread is not a horror game, it effectively instills dread and anxiety through challenging EMMI encounters.
11. Are Metroid Dread EMMI creepy?: Yes, Metroid Dread’s EMMI enemies are made scary by creating a sense of urgency and danger while evading them.
12. Is Metroid Dread too violent?: Metroid Dread is pretty scary with killer robots chasing Samus, but it does not show blood or explicit violence.

Audience and Reception

13. Is Metroid Dread ok for 7 year old?: Metroid Dread may be too scary for some 7-year-olds, as it features killer robots and intense action sequences, but a mature 7-year-old could handle it.
14. Is Metroid Dread addictive?: Yes, Metroid Dread is a polished and remarkably addictive game that is faithful to the Metroid series.
15. Is Metroid Dread very difficult?: Yes, Metroid Dread is a very difficult game, with bosses offering enormous spikes in difficulty and no helping hand along the way.