When Metroid Dread was revealed earlier this month we found Samus stalked by robots called E.M.M.I.. Now we know a bit more about them thanks to a report from the developers.

As you may have guessed “E.M.M.I.” is an acronym. It stands for “Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifier” and they are used by the Galactic Federation to search for the X parasite which is central to the plot of the game.

The E.M.M.I. on the planet ZDR, which is where Metroid Dread takes place, have gone rogue and Samus needs to investigate.

We’ve seen in released gameplay that the E.M.M.I. use different colours of light to scan and hunt down Samus, and now we’ve been given an explanation of each:

Patrol Mode (blue light): Roaming the area and has not yet detected Samus.

Search Mode (yellow light): Investigating a suspicious sound.

Pursuit Mode (red light): Pursuing its locked-on target at high speed.

If the player is caught by an E.M.M.I. it’s not an instant death. A precisely-timed melee attack can set you free but the window to do so is apparently so narrow that players will apparently find it “nearly impossible” to pull off.

We have to wonder if this timing will be random in some way or if the timing will be consistant. If it’s the latter you just know that some players will master it making the E.M.M.I. much easier to defeat.

With all of this in mind we’re sure Metroid Dread will explain what happened to the E.M.M.I. and why they’re now wild. If we had to guess the X parasite, which we’re continually told is “a lifeform with mimicking capabilities”, has simply taken the form of the E.M.M.I. robot that was supposed to research it.

Our speculation aside the full Metroid Dread report volume two can be found here. Before you click on just a note as that post contains what we consider to be spoilers, at least for mechanics in the game. With this being one of the most anticipated games of the year we’re sure many people will want to go in as blind as possible, and these official blogs reveal a bit too much for our liking.

Those wanting to learn more about Metroid Dread before its 8th October 2021 release can also read the first developer report for the game which focuses on the reveal trailer.