Although a popular and long running Nintendo franchise, Metroid hasn't seen as many game releases in recent years as other series like Mario and Zelda. While Metroid Prime 4 was revealed years ago, development has been a rocky one, switching developers and getting rebooted. Many fans assumed the title would finally be ready to be shown at E3 2021 this year, but as it turns out, the upcoming FPS was only given a brief mention.
However, Nintendo wasn't about to let Metroid fans go empty handed once again as it had another surprise announcement to make. For years, rumors have been swirling about a game known as Metroid Dread, though Nintendo never gave much information regarding the 2D action title. Years ago, reports indicated that Dread had been outright canceled, dealing another blow to Metroid fans. However, as it turns out, those reports were indeed false as Metroid Dread is not only real, it launches in just a few months.
During its E3 2021 presentation, Nintendo officially revealed Metroid Dread, combining CG with actual in-game gameplay. In it, Samus appears to have a brand new suit made up of whites and blues, as she explores a new area. She also appears to be hunted by mechanical creatures known as E.M.M.I, though the trailer does show off a few new tools to help her escape them. At one point in the trailer, she uses a camouflaged ability called the Phantom Cloak to avoid being scanned by the enemy robot.
As expected, longtime producer Yoshio Sakamoto is once again involved and mentioned that the original idea for Metroid Dread started about 15 years ago, though the team wanted to wait for the technology to catch up. Sakamoto revealed that the E.M.M.I. patrol specific zones and once Samus has been detected, they'll relentlessly chase her even through doors. In fact, Samus' weapons do no damage to them, so getting captured is essentially an end state that players will want to avoid.
Outside of the E.M.M.I. threat, Metroid Dread retains and refines much of what made the classic 2D games like Super Metroid into fan favorites. Players are encouraged to explore the environment to find new upgrades and gadgets in order to explore deeper. A number of features from Metroid: Samus Returns is back again as well including the melee counter and free aim feature, letting Samus have full control over where she shoots.
While the reveal of Metroid Dread likely came as a surprise to many, though leakers have been mentioning the return of a new 2D Metroid game for months now. In fact, back in January, an insider specifically mentioned that not only a new 2D game was happening, but it would be releasing in 2021 as well.
Metroid Dread launches on October 8, 2021 for the Nintendo Switch.