Metroid returns with the long-delayed (and at one point abandoned) Metroid Dread, furthering the continuity of bounty hunter Samus Aran. The game builds on the revitalized 2D sidescrolling formula seen in Metroid: Samus Returns, the Nintendo 3DS remake of the franchise's second game, combining it with new cinematic aspects, while hearkening back to an iconic villain from the series' past.
Metroid Dread contains many new threats for Samus to face. One of those is the E.M.M.I., a powerful robotic entity that is shown hunting Samus down. The E.M.M.I. was conceived of back when Metroid Dread was first being developed, but is inspired by an enemy from Samus' previous adventure, Metroid Fusion.
The E.M.M.I. is seen stalking Samus as she enters a corridor. It appears in a sort of spider-like form before taking on a more humanoid physique to chase and attack Samus. This unit is one of several robots which were dispatched due to the supposed survival of the X Parasites from Metroid Fusion.
The units' new purpose is to defeat and capture Samus Aran with the goal of extracting the Metroid DNA injected into her. They are resistant to Samus' weaponry and pose an immense threat to her. If she happens to fall prey to their assault, they can take Samus out with one strike to her sternum. They are also incredibly perceptive of sound and movement, which is how they can track and hunt down Samus so easily.
The E.M.M.I. was conceived all the way back in 2006 when Metroid Dread was first being developed. Yoshio Sakamoto, who co-created the franchise, was the one who envisioned the robotic creature, hoping to fittingly give the game and the player controlling Samus a sense of fear and dread more intense than any previous Metroid adventure. The idea of the character was based on the SA-X from Metroid Fusion.
The SA-X was one of the X Parasites who were the central antagonists of that game, with SA-X being the main villain in particular. SA-X copied Samus' DNA, taking the appearance of her traditional power suit. It was given form through the infected parts of Samus' removed armor that had been taken off by the Galactic Federation. The creature was immensely powerful and impervious to most attacks. Likewise, the parasite's use of the Ice Beam made Samus incredibly vulnerable, as the Metroid DNA now inside of Samus made her susceptible to the cold. This caused every encounter with the doppelgänger to be harrowing and fearful, as Samus would have to duck and dodge SA-X's attacks and wait for it to leave the area.
The SA-X, however, was known by gamers for having particularly bad AI, making the survival horror aspects of the character somewhat middling. Sakamoto has stated, however, that the advancement of technology used in the new game will see E.M.M.I. more accurately portray the original ideas for both E.M.M.I. and SA-X, making the latest Metroid game more dreadful than ever.