The Galaxy is Safe… or is it?
The dramatic shift in what the series was and could be forever changed with the cancellation of the 2005 DS title, Metroid Dread. The game had been in development hell as soon as it was announced and was rumored to feature Samus, still infected by the X Parasite, escaping from Galactic Federation Force. As a direct sequel to Fusion, Dread may have revolved around the concept of cat-and-mouse scenarios introduced in the predecessor, but on a much larger scale. Instead, Nintendo seems to have clung to the handheld market for subsequent Metroid releases, including the upcoming Federation Force.
Whether or not Samus is in the game remains to be seen but fans certainly aren’t optimistic, with massive outrage over the the game due to its otherwise un-Metroid appearance. And it’s clear fans want the games to return to its side-scrolling roots as evidenced by the release of Another Metroid 2 Remake, which had been in active development for years. The game is a complete overhaul of the Metroid II, with Super Metroid/Zero Mission inspired graphics and gameplay mechanics. This released, no coincidence, on August 6, 2016, Metroid’s 30th anniversary. Nintendo has since shut the title down.
The galaxy may be safe with the final Metroid in captivity, but is it better off? Metroid fans everywhere don’t seem to think so. Perhaps Federation Force will be a charming success despite initial impressions. And maybe, just maybe, Nintendo has big plans for the intergalactic hero, Samus Aran.
