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Everything We Know About Metroid Dread
Nintendo sure knows how to throw surprises, don’t they? With the surprise announcement of Metroid Dread during Nintendo’s E3 showcase, everyone is now flooded with memories and nostalgia. The game was originally announced about 19 years ago and the development was assumed to have come to a halt since there was no apparent news from anyone.
But lo and behold, Metroid Dread is alive and on its way to impress (hopefully). Since it is currently available for preorder on the Nintendo website, make sure to equip yourself with some OffGamers Nintendo eShop Cards and be on your way!
Release Date
Metroid Dread is set to release this year on October 8th for the Nintendo Switch exclusively. As with most Nintendo titles, the game is said to be an exclusive release on Nintendo platforms only.
Preorder Details
There are two different versions of the Metroid Dread game with different prices for you to choose from – the Standard Edition for $59.99 and the Special Edition for $89.99. The Special Edition contains a steel metal game case, five key art cards for each 2D Metroid title, and a 190-page art book from all five Metroid games.
Amiibo & Features
There are two Amiibo being released for preorder with the game featuring Samus and E.M.M.I. which grants you special abilities in the game. This double Amiibo pack is currently available for preorder for $30.
The Samus Amiibo grants players a permanent 100 health upgrade as well as extra health when scanned once a day. The E.M.M.I Amiibo grants Samus a Missile Plus tank, permanently increasing her missile capacity by 10. It can also be scanned once a day for some extra missiles.
As usual with these Amiibo, they are not a necessary purchase but they do look cool and a little boost never hurt anybody.
What Is Metroid Dread About?
It is the fifth installment in the Metroid series starring Samus Aran as a bounty hunter in her encounters with Metroids. These Metroids are alien species that look sort of like jellyfish hybrids with various forms and functions throughout the game.
The game is a 2D platformer where you get to explore and obtain abilities while unlocking a complicated map and secluded areas. All this while defeating the various enemies and bosses along the way. Does that ring a bell? Well, Metroid makes one-half of the Metroidvania genre, so fans of the genre should make sure to try this game out for a taste of what true Metroidvania games are like.
The game will also be a single-player game with no mention of multiplayer which is standard for the mainline Metroid games.
Story & Background
As we all know, the game would be taking place right after Metroid Fusion. As a little recap, Metro Fusion was focused on Samus’ exploration of an infected space station, the same virus which has also infected Samus herself. The only cure to it is Metroid cells. Somehow, her suit becomes infected as well and a clone came out of it which started hunting her throughout the game.
Metroid Dread should serve as a conclusion to the Metroid series in exploring the connection between Samus and Metroids. The game takes place on Planet ZDR as we see Samus being hunted by E.M.M.I. robots sent by the Galactic Federation to capture her. E.M.M.I. stands for Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifiers, and we’ll be referring to them as EMMI for brevity’s sake.
As seen from the trailer, these seven EMMI robots will hunt Samus if she breaches into their patrol areas, one hit from the robot, and Samus is dead. But no worries, Samus has her own counter and flexible maneuvers which she could use to avoid getting hit when timed right. These EMMI robots come in various shapes and sizes as well, which makes for an interesting variety in combat.
Gameplay
Now, with the incorporation of EMMI robots, we are glad that there’s a boost to Samus’ abilities as well. The EMMI are fast and will chase Samus down the moment they detect any movement or sound from her. If players could find a way to navigate around the EMMI soundlessly and stealthily, surpassing the EMMI shouldn’t be a problem. Either that or fight them head-on, I suppose.
With that said, there are also mentions of a Phantom Cloak suit upgrade that could help Samus move around stealthily which looks really cool! This would be of great help when running from those pesky EMMI robots hunting you down.
Of course, this is a Metroid game, so the standard running, jumping, and shooting your way through is inevitable. But there are four new moves and abilities that we’ve noted with Samus:
- She can slide and slip through small gaps without stopping and turning into a defensive ball.
- She has a new melee counter and dash melee that she could use to fight off enemies while on the move.
- Samus can now aim freely while moving, no longer held down by just stationary precision aiming.
- With the availability of blue magnetic strips on walls and ceilings, she can grab and climb while fighting off enemies.
Overall, everything looks and feels more dynamic making us excited to play Metroid Dread when it’s released!
There’s also a Treehouse Direct where they talk more in-depth about the game:
Do I Need To Play Previous Metroid Games?
No, you don’t. But why not? It would make for a fun experience. Anyways, the Metroid series producer has mentioned that there will be a prologue included in the game. This prologue would help players be brought up to speed with all that has happened throughout the previous games.
Although, the prologue can only bring up the basic points that you’ve missed or forgotten. But this still makes it unnecessary for you to play the previous games. So, ultimately the choice is up to you!
In a surprising turn of events, two individuals in Japan were hired by Amazon with the ulterior motive of stealing copies of the highly anticipated game, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom. This shocking revelation was brought to light by the renowned Japanese magazine, Shūkan Bunshun, which conducted an in-depth investigation into the matter.
The first perpetrator, a young 21-year-old, had recently landed a job at one of Amazon’s warehouses, conveniently timed just a month before the official release of the game. However, his true intentions became evident when he abruptly stopped showing up for work two days prior to the game’s release. Puzzled by his sudden disappearance, the subcontractor in charge of supervising him decided to reach out to his home. To their surprise, the phone was answered by the thief’s own mother, who casually revealed that her son was at home, engrossed in playing video games instead of fulfilling his work duties.
The truth behind the employee’s absence soon unfolded. Upon learning that the employee had been granted early access to Tears of the Kingdom, the subcontractor swiftly suspected him of pilfering a copy. Under mounting pressure, the perpetrator finally confessed that his sole motivation for taking the job was to get his hands on the coveted game. As a consequence of his actions, he was compelled to reimburse the cost of the stolen Nintendo game and was subsequently terminated from his position at Amazon.
In a similar vein, the second thief, a 24-year-old individual, executed a parallel scheme but with a slightly different objective. Instead of stealing the game itself, this cunning employee targeted the merchandise associated with The Legend of Zelda franchise, intending to sell it for personal gain. Much like the first thief, he mysteriously vanished from his workplace a couple of days prior to the game’s official release, raising suspicions among the subcontractor about his sudden “Zelda vacation.”
Shūkan Bunshun sheds light on the fact that these two cases are just a glimpse of a more widespread issue. The magazine interviewed the subcontractor, who expressed discontent with Amazon’s handling of such criminal activities. It was revealed that Amazon refrains from pressing criminal charges against the perpetrators, opting instead to terminate their employment and require them to compensate for the stolen goods.
On May 30, 2023, the first reviews of Diablo IV appeared, with an average score of 88 out of 100 on Metacritic. Some journalists emphasized that the version of the game provided to them by Blizzard did not feature microtransactions and a battle pass. The company stated that these mehanics were not yet operational due to technical reasons but would be included in the release.
Blizzard provided journalists with screenshots and videos showcasing the in-game store. Some authors noted that the purchase tab was located in the main menu and found its placement quite intrusive. However, the store does not appear in the main character menu, which players access most frequently. Journalists considered this to be a positive aspect.
Based on the materials provided by Blizzard, all microtransactions in Diablo IV are purely cosmetic. This means that players will not be able to enhance their character’s power by spending real money. The price of some character skin bundles is $13 and $28. It remains unclear whether there will be more expensive cosmetic sets in the game.
Summing up the preliminary assessment of microtransactions, journalists concluded that in-game purchases in Diablo IV can be ignored, and players can comfortably enjoy the game without them. However, from time to time, they will still come across the integrated store, which is bound to be annoying.
Another day and Disney Dreamlight Valley keeps confirming exciting new features. Here, we bring you the latest news for the upcoming June update.
In particular, it seems that the next update has confirmed even more details. Here are all the new additions that have been shared so far:
- Reveal the Secret of El Olvido: Get ready to uncover the mystery of El Olvido. In this enchanting quest, a princess embarks on a thrilling adventure that leads her to the heart of the valley. Join her on this captivating journey as you explore hidden treasures and unlock the secrets of the forgotten land.
- A Princess Runs Towards the Valley: Experience the excitement as a courageous princess races through the Dreamlight Valley. Join her on a quest filled with challenges and rewards, and help her overcome obstacles in her path. This thrilling addition promises to bring even more magic and excitement to the game.
- New Starry Path: Get ready to stroll along a brand-new starry path in Dreamlight Valley. Take a leisurely walk under the twinkling night sky and enjoy the mesmerizing beauty of the illuminated trail. This enchanting addition will surely captivate your senses and provide a serene experience within the game.
- Add Umbrellas: Protect yourself from the occasional rain showers with the addition of umbrellas. Whether it’s a light drizzle or a heavy downpour, you can now stay dry and continue your adventures in Dreamlight Valley without any worries.
Introducing New Objects
- Mannequin: Add a touch of fashion to your in-game house with the new mannequin object. Display your favorite outfits and create stylish setups that reflect your unique style.
- Artisan Bench: Spruce up your outdoor spaces with the artisan bench. This beautifully crafted piece of furniture will add elegance and charm to your garden or patio areas, providing a cozy spot to relax and enjoy the picturesque surroundings of Dreamlight Valley.
- Multiple Player Houses: One house is no longer enough! With the latest update, players will now have the ability to place multiple player houses throughout the entire valley. Create your dream neighborhood, design unique interiors, and invite your friends to explore your personalized virtual world within Dreamlight Valley.
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