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When you first enter an E.M.M.I. Zone, its boundaries and exits will be automatically identified on your map. Knowing where the exits are located will dramatically increase your odds of survival.

—In-Game Tip, "MAP"

E.M.M.I. Zones are isolated areas on planet ZDR that are patrolled by the E.M.M.I.. They appear in Metroid Dread.

Description[]

The entryways and exits of E.M.M.I. Zones are denoted by special doors filled with cuboid voxels. While in an E.M.M.I. Zone, a distinct ambiance will play and the game's visuals will gain multiple filters, such as vignetting that rhythmically darkens, a grain filter, steam, static effects[1] and a high contrast filter, all of which help signify that Samus is currently in an E.M.M.I. Zone. As long as an E.M.M.I. is active, its zone does not contain any other enemies besides the Central Unit, Autools, and Autectors.

All exits and boundaries will be marked on the map once Samus enters an E.M.M.I. Zone, as well as the location of the Central Unit. This is helpful for Samus to plan an escape route in case she is detected by an E.M.M.I. However, if the E.M.M.I. is in Pursuit Mode, all Zone exits are locked, forcing Samus to find a hiding place and stay there until the E.M.M.I. returns to Search or Patrol Mode, causing the doors to unlock.

After the E.M.M.I. is destroyed, the graphical filters are removed and the ambiance is replaced with one of several simple, less tense themes. The zone also begins to be populated with enemies from the surrounding area. The zones are marked as gray as long as their respective E.M.M.I. are functional, but once they are destroyed, the zones become marked as green instead.

Music and ambiance[]

While in an E.M.M.I. Zone, an ambiance with an echoing sonar pulse can be heard all throughout the zone. The ambiance will continue to play as long as Samus is not being pursued by an E.M.M.I., although it will transition into the more tense Fear experience if the E.M.M.I. enters Search Mode. If Samus is detected and is being pursued by an E.M.M.I., the ambiance will cease, and harsh music will play to signify that an E.M.M.I. is currently in pursuit.

Players are encouraged to listen closely and familiarize themselves with the ambiance, as to audibly recognize when an off-screen E.M.M.I. has entered the same room Samus is currently occupying, which is denoted by an E.M.M.I.'s sharp chirping.

As mentioned previously, these ambient themes are replaced with less tense ones once the E.M.M.I. are defeated. In order of the relevant E.M.M.I.'s serial numbers (02 to 07), these tracks are:

E.M.M.I.-01P's zone[]

The area patrolled by E.M.M.I.-01P in Artaria is marked as an E.M.M.I. Zone on the map. However, due to the very early point in the game where Samus usually encounters this E.M.M.I., its zone is an exception to most of the rules stated above.

Unlike all others, it is not demarked by E.M.M.I. Zone Doors and does not feature any graphical filters even while the E.M.M.I. is active. It is also the only zone where the resident Central Unit is destroyed already before Samus enters. Finally, in place of the ambiance of the other zones, it simply uses the main themes of Artaria until the E.M.M.I. appears, at which point the robots' pursuit music plays until Samus either reaches the safe Central Unit room or destroys the robot.

Official data[]

Metroid Dread Report[]

"The E.M.M.I. are confined to roam only within designated E.M.M.I. Zones. These zones are separated from the rest of the world by E.M.M.I. Zone Doors—and only Samus can freely move through them.

When the E.M.M.I. visually identifies Samus and begins its heated pursuit, the E.M.M.I. Zone Doors lock down. To get them back open, you must shake the E.M.M.I. off your trail.

The Zones where you must contend with the E.M.M.I. threat are limited. It’s otherwise too stressful to have this kind of sustained tension!

When you enter an E.M.M.I. Zone, your map registers the layout of the Zone and the locations of the Zone Doors, which is helpful for making important decisions around where to go. Just remember: stay calm and check the map to get your bearings when you enter.

Loading screen tip[]

MAP
"When you first enter an E.M.M.I. Zone, its boundaries and exits will be automatically identified on your map. Knowing where the exits are located will dramatically increase your odds of survival."

Metroid.nintendo.com[]

E.M.M.I. ZONES
"The deadly E.M.M.I. are contained to certain, occasionally expansive areas of the planet confined by E.M.M.I. Zone Doors. If the E.M.M.I. is alerted to her presence, Samus must elude its attention before she can make for the zone’s exit and continue her escape."

References[]

  1. ^ Jarop. "Metroid Dread dev on taking the series to HD, E.M.M.I.’s design, much more". Nintendo Everything (originally published in Famitsu, translated from Japanese). January 30, 2022. Retrieved March 19, 2022.
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