With Nintendo Direct for E3 2021 well underway, Shinya Takahashi and Yoshiaki Koizumi presented a variety of trailers, including one surprising presentation of the upcoming Metroid Dread installment, which shows the galactic bounty hunter Samus Aran back in action.
Metroid 5 and The Return of Samus Aran
Metroid Dread (initially with a “5” at the beginning of the trailer) sees Samus returning to her 2D platforming roots. The reveal trailer follows a cautious Samus walking through a corridor. However, she’s unaware of a mechanical crawling enemy who is stalking her from up above. Action ensues, but our heroine is unable to kill her enemy, discharging even a rocket to no avail.
This E.M.M.I. proceeds to chase and takedown Samus before the trailer kicks into gameplay territory. Strange creatures from the space beyond, environmental dangers, and platforming galore are all on display. Most notably though, the new E.M.M.I. enemy types will add a new layer of cognizant gameplay. These additions to the Metroid universe stalk and haunt Samus as she traverses an unknown planet. Best to tread and jump carefully.
The “Dreadful” Neglect
Metroid Dread was originally planned for development back in the 2000s. There were a lot of back and forth discussions regarding the game’s release for the DS system. As Metroid Dread was left neglected, other titles took the spotlight. It wouldn’t be until many years later for the rumored title to be unveiled.
Being that this is the fifth main entry in Samus’ adventures, Dread will be the follow-up to 2002’s Metroid Fusion. In other words, this will be the newest 2D installment in the series in close to two decades. Metroid Director Yoshio Sakamoto even claims that the game was conceived about 15 years ago. But with limitations on video game technology, the idea was pushed to the side. Now, the game is nearing completion, and it’ll soon be in the hands of Nintendo fans.
