E.M.M.I.

E.M.M.I. Artwork of an E.M.M.I. from Metroid Dread

Game(s) Metroid Dread Threat Capacity Hostile

Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifiers (E.M.M.I.) are enemies in Metroid Dread. They are agile robots that were designed by the Galactic Federation; seven are sent to ZDR to investigate evidence of an X Parasite. However, the Federation quickly loses contact with them as they have been reprogrammed by Raven Beak to kill Samus Aran on sight.

E.M.M.I. appear throughout ZDR and patrol certain areas. If one spots Samus, it chases her and grabs her if she is caught. Samus is given an extremely brief window from which to escape with a Melee Counter, but if failed the E.M.M.I. will stab Samus through the chest, killing her instantly. E.M.M.I. are impervious to Samus's normal weapons and can only be destroyed with the Omega Cannon.

Concept and design

Yoshio Sakamoto first conceived the E.M.M.I. during the initial development of Metroid Dread, fifteen years prior to its eventual release date. Sakamoto envisioned the E.M.M.I as being similar to the SA-X from Metroid Fusion in its ability to pursue Samus, but significantly more difficult to escape from. However, Sakamoto stated that the hardware limitations of the Nintendo DS prevented him from realizing this concept. The capabilities of the Nintendo Switch allowed for the E.M.M.I concept the materialize, with Sakamoto proudly remarking that the E.M.M.I's gameplay exceeded his initial concept.

Appearance

An E.M.M.I. is a slim humanoid robot. Each of their limbs have three segments and end with four radially symmetric claws. Its front and back are nearly identical and the joints on its limbs and neck are capable of rotating equally in both directions. This symmetry and flexibility allows it to quickly change directions simply by flipping its head and body in the opposite direction. Its face, upper torso, forearms and upper legs are covered in armor, with different colors depending on the model.

There are seven different models of E.M.M.I. seen on ZDR:

1. E.M.M.I.-01P: Is heavily damaged by Raven Beak, missing its armor and one of its claws. It cannot climb on walls or ceilings.
2. E.M.M.I.-02SM: Has white armor. It can climb on walls and ceilings but cannot enter small spaces due to its larger face armor. It gives Samus the Spider Magnet ability when defeated.
3. E.M.M.I.-03MB: Has green armor. It is functionally identical to E.M.M.I.-02SM except it can fit in small spaces. It gives Samus the Morph Ball ability when defeated.
4. E.M.M.I.-04SB: Has yellow armor. It is functionally identical to E.M.M.I.-03MB except it can also run at high speeds. It gives Samus the Speed Booster and Shinespark abilities when defeated.
5. E.M.M.I.-05IM: Has blue armor. It cannot run as fast E.M.M.I.-04SB but has an extremely long-range vision cone that freezes Samus on sight and is unable to close the E.M.M.I area doors. It gives Samus the Ice Missile ability when defeated.
6. E.M.M.I.-06WB: Has purple armor. It also has long-range vision but can see through walls and shoot stunning purple energy orbs at Samus through walls as well. It gives Samus the Wave Beam ability when defeated.
7. E.M.M.I.-07PB: Has red armor. It has normal vision but can detonate a Power Bomb-like explosion that stuns Samus. It is defeated in a cutscene by Samus' Metroid powers before any gameplay. It gives Samus the Power Bomb ability when defeated.

History

The E.M.M.I. were deployed on ZDR after the Galactic Federation received a video of a living X Parasite. After all communication was lost with the E.M.M.I., Samus Aran was sent to ZDR.

01P

Soon after being defeated by Raven Beak, Samus encountered the heavily damaged E.M.M.I.-01P before getting cornered. Samus escaped it by using a melee counter and sliding between its legs. Samus quickly jumped on a platform and onto another ledge. The E.M.M.I. was unable to follow her due to its missing claw preventing it from climbing the wall. Samus observed it for a bit and entered the next room where she encountered the E.M.M.I's already defeated Central Unit and obtained the Omega Cannon ability. The E.M.M.I. walked through the door, only to be shot with the Omega Cannon and destroyed. Unlike the other E.M.M.I., 01P gives Samus no new abilities when defeated.

02SM

Later, Samus came across E.M.M.I.-02SM. Samus evaded the E.M.M.I. until she obtained the Omega Cannon ability again. She first uses the cannon's Omega Stream to destroy its face plate and then uses the Omega Cannon itself to finish it off. After destroying -02SM, Samus obtained the Spider Magnet ability.

03MB

In Cataris, Samus came across E.M.M.I.-03MB, which is fully functional but has no special abilities. After evading and eventually defeating it in similar style to the last E.M.M.I., Samus regained the Morph Ball ability.

04SB

In Dairon, Samus finds E.M.M.I.-04SB. This unit could move faster than the past 3 E.M.M.I., though it could still be outrun. After obtaining the Omega Cannon again, Samus destroyed it and regained the Speed Booster and Shinespark abilities.

05IM and 06WB

In Ferenia, while looking at a Chozo mural, Samus was stunned before E.M.M.I.-06WB broke through it and grabbed Samus by her arms. She was saved by Quiet Robe, who deactivates the E.M.M.I. Later, Quiet Robe was mimicked by an X parasite who reactivated the remaining E.M.M.I., and Samus encountered E.M.M.I.-05IM in Ghavoran. This E.M.M.I. had the ability to freeze things in its line of sight. After the E.M.M.I. was destroyed, Samus gains the Ice Missiles. -06WB returned while Samus explored Ferenia further. -06WB had the ability to see through walls and fire energy to stun Samus. After Samus finally destroyed -06WB, she gained the Wave Beam.

07PB

In Hanubia, when Samus enters the E.M.M.I. Zone, she is detected by the final E.M.M.I.: E.M.M.I-07PB. It releases a huge blast of explosive energy, heavily damaging the room and knocking Samus down. The E.M.M.I. entered the room and just as it was about to extract Samus’ Metroid DNA, Samus used her newfound Metroid powers to absorb the energy from the E.M.M.I., killing it and its Central Unit.