Samus encounters Metroid Dread's Golzuna in Ghavoran, the region where she has previously defeated both a Robot Chozo Soldier and a Chozo Soldier. Technically Golzuna is a three-stage fight, as Samus must defeat the two lesser forms of Golzuna before fighting the massive armored boss version. However, players have faced these lesser forms of Golzuna previously. The first form requires a few Super Missile shots that will eventually freeze and shatter the enemy; the second requires Samus to get behind it and shoot its weak spot.
Golzuna's fight is mechanically simple, and there are strategies that should prevent players from taking much damage at all. Since Golzuna's attacks can be easily evaded, Samus will be free to fire Super Missiles at the boss's weak spot. Once the fight is over, Samus can return to eliminating the remaining two E.M.M.I. units still on ZDR.
Breaking Down the Fight Against Golzuna
Golzuna uses two different attacks. The first is a charge that backs Samus into a corner. Golzuna will then pull back its armored legs before having them crash down onto Samus. The second is a bomb that causes damage in a cross pattern. These bombs are either released individually or in a group. When individual bombs are launched, they home in on Samus before exploding. When released in a group, they spread out so that Samus will be caught in a grid.
Once players deal enough damage to Golzuna, it will transform into an X parasite orb that tries to collide with Samus. X parasites are released when Samus shoots it.
Strategies to Defeat Golzuna
Golzuna may look intimidating, but knowing one simple trick makes this encounter extremely easy after fighting previous boss Experiment No. Z-57. When Golzuna stands on its hind legs, slide beneath it; this tactic can be used with the second less-armored form of Golzuna as well. Don't waste energy trying to jump over it. By sliding, Samus will evade being hit by Golzuna's armored front legs and won't take damage. She's then free to shoot Golzuna's weak spot until it drops bombs or turns around.
When Golzuna drops bombs, they fire out in a cross pattern. Some bombs home in on Samus. They are typically launched individually when Samus is in front of Golzuna. These can be evaded using the Space Jump to prevent them from locking on or by timing a jump once they do lock on.
Other bombs are dropped in groups covering one side of the screen. These are usually dropped when Samus is behind Golzuna. Samus can Space Jump to the other side of the screen to avoid getting caught in the cross beams. Otherwise, players can calculate an open spot in the explosion grid where the bombs won't cause damage.
During the final stage, Samus simply needs to fire Super Missiles at the X parasite orb. She can absorb X to regain health this way.
What You Get for Defeating Golzuna in Metroid Dread
After defeating Golzuna, Samus earns the Cross Bomb upgrade, the same bombs Golzuna used against Samus during the fight. While using the Morph Ball, Samus can lay a bomb that deals ranged horizontal and vertical damage. These can also launch Samus upward or to the side. Cross Bombs allow Samus to pass over pitfall blocks that would otherwise hinder progress.