Cataris

Cataris (カタリス^?) is the second location on the planet ZDR in Metroid Dread.

Description[]

The area is first entered from Artaria via an elevator. A Shuttle connects Cataris to Dairon.

The area is an industrial station that transports thermo-powered energy from surrounding magma reserves to other parts of the planet. It is also implied that the thermo-powered energy acted as the main reason the planet doesn't end up frozen. Samus is able to redirect magma flows using machines to power or power-down parts of the station. This area also features rooms with extreme heat that will require the Varia Suit upgrade to traverse, but Samus can deactivate this heat in some rooms by activating neighboring switches.

Chozo Soldier Gravity Suits can be seen in the background of one room of Cataris, suspended by mechanical arms over a pool of lava. This area may be where their armor was originally forged.

Cataris contains one E.M.M.I. Zone, patrolled by E.M.M.I.-03MB. The Morph Ball is acquired after Samus destroys the E.M.M.I. and its Central Unit. The E.M.M.I. Zone appears to be an area where Robot Chozo Soldiers are manufactured.

Kraid was restrained by the Mawkin Chozo Soldiers in the depths of Cataris. His roars can be heard in the neighboring rooms. The statue of a mysterious bull-like creature can be found in the path leading to Kraid's room, playing a similar role to the "Lair Entrance Statue" leading to Kraid's Lair in Metroid and Super Metroid.

After the X Parasites are released from Elun, one absorbs the DNA of Experiment No. Z-57 and uses its fleshy mass to disrupt the central control system's routing of thermal energy. This causes much of Cataris and Artaria to freeze over, with certain doors and routes becoming inaccessible due to the buildup of ice. Burenia freezes over as well according to the map, but because the elevator to it becomes inoperable after Samus arrives in Artaria, there is no way to see the cold's effects on that aquatic area. In order to thaw these areas, Samus must navigate the frozen Cataris and defeat Experiment No. Z-57.

Inhabitants[]

Power Ups[]

Main article: Cataris/Items

Metroid Dread[]

Music[]

Similarly to other areas in Metroid Dread, most of Cataris features variations of a single music track. The superheated rooms feature a more intense version of this track than their non-superheated counterparts, and when Cataris is frozen over, another version of it is used to evoke the cold, eerie atmosphere. After E.M.M.I.-03MB is destroyed, Emmy Defeated Magma plays in its former zone.

Official data[]

Metroid Dread Report Volume 8[]

"Home to the central system that manages the supply and circulation of energy-generating magma throughout the planet, which powers various facilities. Hot streams of magma flow out in many places. Some of its high-temperature areas are too much for Samus to handle with just her standard Power Suit."

Trivia[]

Cataris might be named after Qatar, or Catara, as named by Ptolemy. The Online Etymology Dictionary notes the name may be of Arabic origin, "katran 'tar, resin,' in reference to petroleum". Just like Cataris, which appears to use geothermal power, petroleum is also located underground and is used to fuel vehicles.
A massive, incomplete Chozo mech is present in the bottom right area of Cataris' E.M.M.I. Zone. It appears to have wing supports, an Arm Cannon and left arm, but no legs. It suggests that Raven Beak was creating a massive Robot Chozo Soldier. The wires emerging from its neck extend into the room above it.^[1]