Relentless Mechanical Hunters -- The E.M.M.I. | Metroid Lore + Theory

The Extraplanetary Multiform Mobile Identifiers, or E.M.M.I., are near-indestructible machines with only one mission. To extract Samus Aran's Metroid DNA. But who for in reality? Watch this to find out more about one of Metroid's newest foes and uncover what their true purpose may be!
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Chapters:
0:00 - Intro
0:56 - E.M.M.I. Description
4:55 - Individual E.M.M.I.
5:13 - E.M.M.I.-01P
6:18 - E.M.M.I.-02SM
8:03 - E.M.M.I.-03MB
8:53 - E.M.M.I.-04SB
9:35 - E.M.M.I.-05IM
10:18 - E.M.M.I.-06WB
11:29 - E.M.M.I.-07PB
12:49 - Speculation/Theory
16:58 - Outro
#Nintendo #Metroid #MetroidDread

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

Source for 16:15 - www.reddit.com/r/Metroid/comments/r1ybkf/i_delete_the_previous_publication_with_this_image/

[@GamingWithCalvin1]

"if the person playing this isn't a gaming journalist, they'll blast the eye of 02SM" not even the Varia suit will save you from that burn.

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

That's a phrase I've not heard in a while lmao

[@NuiYabuko]

Okay, that saved me a view.

[@justcallmeshorty240]

I felt that, and I'm not even a journalist! XD

[@literally_lappy5981]

I wouldn't be surprised if the federation decided to create (or support) the E.M.M.I. program after failing to acquire an SA-X due to Samus' actions, either as something that could stand up to and defeat Samus or as a starting point into researching the X parasite thanks to their immunity (or both)

[@myleswelnetz6700]

“Spy sappin my EMMI!”

[@metroidtheorist466]

While Samus' mission might have been to go to ZDR to deal with the X parasites, recovering the E.M.M.I. might have just been a secondary mission. In Samus' initial encounter with the E.M.M.I., she doesn't attack it. Of course, the player can try to do so after he or she resumes control of Samus. Given Samus' situation at the time, she probably dealt with the first E.M.M.I. for two reasons. First, she had no way out, and it's doubtful she'd remain holed up in the Central Unit's room. Second, given the state of the first E.M.M.I., trying to destroy it probably wasn't going to negatively impact her relationship with the Galactic Federation. When Samus first speaks to "Adam", she's told, "I have determined that you are somewhere within the depths of ZDR. Your top priority should be to return to your ship on the surface. This situation is...precarious. Trust your instincts as you navigate upward." This suggests that given Samus' situation against the first E.M.M.I., her instinct was to deal with it, given her situation leaves her with only two options: destroy the E.M.M.I., or die. "Adam" later tells Samus, "Continue to search for the unique energy you employed against the first E.M.M.I. It is the only way you can confront them." By this point, E.M.M.I.-02SM hasn't been destroyed, meaning that this would be regarded as an authorization to destroy the E.M.M.I. if necessary. The concept of a Federation faction has been done twice already in both Metroid: Other M and Metroid Fusion, so I don't know why there wouldn't be a bit more emphasis in Metroid Dread if there was a faction bent on acquiring Samus' Metroid DNA. That seems like an important detail that would be left out if it's meant to serve as some major plot point in Dread. I know you didn't say that this is what it was, but Other M and Fusion were in your face about it, and Dread isn't. While people might not trust their government, Metroid is a fictional world. I'm not saying that I think Samus trusts the Federation, but I don't think she's going ACAB on them, either. She's been vindicated twice by the Federation when these factions probably tried making her like she was in the wrong. Why do you suppose so many fans for the longest time thought Samus was going to be a fugitive post-Fusion? I also don't think it was the Federation itself, but the factions that were against Samus. So I'll have to disagree with you on that point. Chozo Archive 7 is an interesting piece, since yes, Samus' headshot is present. Unfortunately, there's no sufficient evidence to support your notion. You can say it's "that's how it is narratively constructed to be interpreted", but I'd say that's more of your interpretation, rather than that's how it's meant to be interpreted. Given that the X parasites were a problem in Fusion, it's just as probable that the Federation decided to have the E.M.M.I. constructed to prevent any potential threats like the X. Not only would it be impossible to mimic them, since they're not biological organisms, they'd have the advantage, due to their durability and ability to extract DNA. Now, one could argue that the E.M.M.I. could have also been made so that if a future threat like the X parasites existed, that a faction of the Federation could potentially make use of the X-like organisms. After all, near the end of Fusion, the X were the next best thing after the restricted laboratory was destroyed. You also make note that Samus' headshot on the E.M.M.I. databank could have been the way Raven Beak found out about Samus' Metroid DNA. But I find this backwards. Or, the way you're explaining it seems backwards. Consider that the video of the X was sent to the Federation. It wasn't that the Federation sent the E.M.M.I. to ZDR, that Raven Beak damaged E.M.M.I.-01P so that he and Quiet Robe could acquire the schematics, and then the Federation received the video of an X. If it happened this way, then I could see your theory making sense. Rather, a video of an X being alive was sent to the Federation. The Federation then sent the E.M.M.I., which is odd if they were originally intended to go after Samus. Contact with the E.M.M.I. was lost. There would need to be a motive as to why Raven Beak would have had the video sent in the first place. An alternate theory that I have is that the reason why Raven Beak knew that Samus had Metroid DNA in the first place was because he and/or Quiet Robe hacked into the Federation database. What you see in Chozo Archive 7 is just that. It's not a schematic of E.M.M.I.-01P (although it could be a general schematic of the E.M.M.I.) It's said a couple (or a few times) of times early on that "Adam" had checked the Federation database to find out more about Samus' assailant. If he was even pretending to have done this, I don't doubt that he or Quiet Robe had already done it before Samus' arrival. The reason for Samus' headshot on that schematic is open for interpretation. For all we know, her headshot was there to compare her to the E.M.M.I., so that should the X still exist for whatever reason, the E.M.M.I. could deal with them. Kind of odd they were sent to deal with the X before Samus, isn't it? So, to conclude, the way Raven Beak found out about Samus' Metroid DNA was by hacking into the Federation database, finding information about the E.M.M.I., luring the Federation to send out the E.M.M.I., hacking them, which then forced the Federation to rely on Samus. Anyway, I apologize for this long ass response. I did enjoy your video, and I look forward to whatever you have in store for future videos.

[@syweb2]

Unfortunately, the "rogue faction of the Federation" thing wasn't translated into Fusion and Other M, so most fans don't know about that.

[@bestaround3323]

I mean once she enters the planet it is pretty likely that she never speaks with Adam again until she makes it to the surface. So the one who authorized the destruction of the E.M.M.I. would be Raven Beak. Which makes sense when you consider his plan of letting her get stronger

[@sometf2player752]

13:24 that detail in fusion was a translation error it was a rouge part of the federation that was cloning the Metroids and the ones that got upset when the station blew up not the actual main federation itself (also I know I’m 10 months late)

[@Applemangh]

I'm curious about the control units. I kind of thought they were made by Raven Beak and/or Quiet Robe to control the E.M.M.I remotely, with the E.M.M.I zones representing the signal range. If they were deployed along with the E.M.M.I, I would have thought the game would have mentioned it. Plus, they look like Mother Brain, which is kind of a Chozo thing.

[@Freyafanboy90]

The EMMI were a great villain I thought. I would like to see more of them in the future but the way I see it is the Federation has a point to possibly fear Samus as she's pretty much a mutant by now. Part human, part Chozo and part Metroid. She has become that which she hates, ironic. I'm not defending the Federation but maybe they are acting in the best interests of self preservation. Metroid really works in a horror sense. Fusion was tense and dread had that creeping factor.

[@MetalFacedGamer]

I hate them. Literally won't play the game because of them. I was so looking forward to this game. I was beyond excited. And then I fought the first one and I was like all right. It's annoying but now that's out of the way. And then the next one popped up and it just ruined the entire game for me. It's just such a bummer because the controls are amazing. I also think the graphics and audio are fantastic. But those stupid robots. I don't want to play splinter cell or metal gear solid. If I did I would play those games. It is a cheap way to fill the game to make it seem like there's more content than there is and that's a shame. I could see having killed the initial one and then maybe later on in the game. A big one pops up but this lazy repetitive nonsense is an insult to how great the game IMHO could have been

[@spitgorge2021]

@@MetalFacedGamer seems like you don't get metroid

[@ArmaBiologica35]

I think it's possible the EMMI existed way before the events of Metroid Dread as that might explain how the Federation got a hold of the DNA needed to recreate most of the boss and enemy creatures in Metroid Other M and Metroid Fusion. Maybe they're being repurposed by the federation to hunt Samus for her Metroid DNA but I think they were really designed as explorer droids first and foremost.

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

I personally think they were made in response to Samus' betrayal. Contextually would make sense.

[@kelp-ist3469]

Raven Beak reprogrammed the E.M.M.I's to hunt and take the metroid DNA its even said in the game, sure the Federation wants to control Samus but why would you kill the one being that's able to fight the X, not only that but why save Samus in Fusion with the metroid cure

[@323starlight]

I've seen people also complain that I the Emmi's armor is the toughest in the galaxy, why not equip their soldiers with it. That question is an easy one. The material is likely extremely hard and expensive to work with. The raw materials are also likely very rare. Plus Emmi were designed to go into environments too dangerous for the average soldier or armored researcher, so you'd of course want to equip them with the best armor around.

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

It'd be like questioning why soldiers don't wear tank armour lmao.

[@videocrowsnest5251]

Would be interesting seeing that feud between Samus and the Federation take a prominent role in a game in the future. Especially with them trying to exterminatus her a few times already. Though considering Nintendo owns Metroid, that feels a tad unlikely, because Nintendo is, in general, not fond of touching these sorts of topics without tossing the "few rotten apples" card on the desk clear as day due to being so very afraid of stepping on someone's toes and tarnishing their family friendly image. Which mostly consists of just sticking to defending any given status quo without touching the delicate topic of systemic issues (which widespread corruption very much is) due to the above-mentioned dread of doing so. There are though probably exceptions to this around, so it isn't impossible-merely quite improbable.

[@JustAWildSkullKid]

I feel like the Nintendo could do so much more with Metroid and refuses to do so. I wouldn't want it to become extra violent or extra horror, but you know, just a little more violence 17:15 and a little more horror would benefit the series a lot in my opinion. I've played all the 2D ones, Prime, and have done a bit of research on the rest of the trilogy. They're all bloody awesome but like, I would love to see a truly mature story and some small details that would add to the experience a lot, instead of keeping it all almost crystal clear and clean. How come Samus never has a scratch on her suit? Dude, you showed me the protagonist getting strangled to death (almost), a monster who's face melts down and a colleague who got impaled, you're not family friendly, stop pretending! And Zelda has the exact same problem, only 10 times worse.

[@videocrowsnest5251]

@@JustAWildSkullKid I believe the reason for that is found in money. A wider audience means more money for them. It also gives them a nice clean reputation for making nice, clean, wholesome games. When an E as an age rating in a Nintendo game usually means an E for Eternal nightmares.

[@madcap3450]

I think Raven beak knew about samus Metroid DNA because he isn't stupid. He's probably been keeping up with what the federation is doing, chozo tech is vastly superior to the federations tech, hacking their info wouldn't be hard for him and he probably did so to find out what happened to the Metroid on sr388

[@Applemangh]

I think it's likely that the E.M.M.I really were meant to deal with (or at least study) the X. Being 100% mechanical, they couldn't be infected. However, the idea that some within the federation still wanted Samus's metroid DNA makes sense.

[@AltairEgo1]

On top of that, they were combat ready for any situation. I think the idea was to make them invulnerable to any form an X may take to attack them.

[@dravendarkplays9607]

And once they've lost their control units, which look biomechanical, they lose all control and are in constant kill mode. Leaving the emmi zone is impossible without destroying the emmi. And only raven beak was able to break a technically weakest version of it. Who knows if raven beak could take on the literal walking nuke that is the yellow/orange one

[@marcoscabezolajr.8408]

I think they made them that way specifically because of the threat the SA-X posed, maybe that's why Samus was in the data banks. Also X can take over machines too, the B.O.X is a perfect example, but the EMMI being made of indestructible metal probably I'd why X can't touch them

[@Applemangh]

@@marcoscabezolajr.8408 I think B.O.X. had some sort of organic brain. As far as I know, the EMMI are 100% mechanical, although the control units are clearly more organic. Although, I suppose an X mimicking a control unit could effectively control an EMMI, maybe.

[@adambrumovsky3982]

I do like your theory about E.M.M.I being controlled by Raven Beak hopefully in the next game the Galactic Federation might be involved in it for the future game same with X Parasite that could be another theory.

[@triggeredcat120]

Well ADAM did state they may have been hacked.

[@TheNeoVariable]

One thing I'm curious about is the fact of "why" they would go through all this trouble of trying to extract Metroid DNA when it's known for a fact that the federation has Metroid DNA?

[@marcoscabezolajr.8408]

It's Samus DNA specifically Raven Beak wanted. Metroid mixed with human and Chozo DNA, a true force of destruction, so he wanted an army of Metroid infused Samus clones. He even says it in one of the last cutscenes.

[@myleswelnetz6700]

There is a mod where you can take the Omega Cannon outside of an EMMI zone. It can make quick work of the other bosses.

[@syweb2]

0:40 Didn't she get hired by the Federation to investigate the disappearance of the EMMI? 6:20 Judging from the other EMMI, this one seems to be modified, as it is the only one with long rear-plates. 7:24 You mean pursuit mode, right? 8:35 It doesn't seem to be that _specific_ EMMI has the Morph Ball, but rather that it was the first one Samus encountered that could contort into a smaller form, an ability which her suit then converted into the Morph Ball. 13:10 It probably wouldn't be surprising if Raven Beak had spy robots or espionage programs that caught wind of Samus's Metroid infusion during or after Metroid Fusion. Also, the Federation as a whole aren't "bad"; it's a splinter group within the Federation Military that were making bioweapons without the knowledge of the rest of the Federation. This was lost in translation during the localization of Fusion (and especially that of Other M). Given this context, the Federation as a whole has little to no hostility against Samus.

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

1. That's never explicitly stated. The bounty in question is to retrieve the E.M.M.I., but that's not the reason for Samus going to ZDR. The bounty existing was likely the last straw, and Adam's sarcastic comments makes it clear that Samus isn't there for the bounty, and thus nor the Federation. 2. That is the standard issue E.M.M.I. from what we know, the others don't have the plates to assist in their morphing abilities. 3. Yes lmao, I thought I put a correction on-screen but I guess not. 4. It does as it has the designation of MB, meaning Morph Ball. The others have designations based on their abilities. 5. It's not impossible, but there's no evidence of that, while there is evidence of him learning about Samus' Metroid DNA through the DNA extracting machines. I also don't like the "splinter group" thing, not only has it been done twice, but you'd think the Federation would do something about it by now. The fact they haven't says a lot. And I don't use translation stuff, we got what we were given, I don't speak those other languages and I'm not going to take 50+ languages into account for stuff like this lmao. It's a bad practice.

[@johnleonard9102]

I agree with your theory on the true purpose of the EMMI, but I'll still argue that the majority of the members of the Galactic Federation government are good people; most of them are just majorly incompetent and gullible like most modern politicians. Characters like Admiral Dane, Anthony Higgs, and even Chairman Keaton are ones who I would say trust Samus and she trusts them too; they have no part in trying to recreate Metroids, and they will expose anyone who tries to tempt them with the idea. The Rogue Federation members have been exposed and gutted from the government after Other M and then after Fusion, but they grow back like a weed to keep their hands on many aspects of government leadership. These are the ones who want Metroid DNA, and they worked with ESC to make the robots just like you said; I have no doubt that they had their hands on some of the research that was performed on Samus' infected suit when it was on the BSL, and from there they were able to create the robots to be immune to her weapons and carry some of her abilities. When it comes to the bounty payment being low, I moreso interpreted that as Samus not caring about the money but instead accepting the fact that she's the only one who can take on the X parasites, showing us her caring nature. If anything, the Rogue Federation would have offered her a huge bounty to entice her to take the contract, expecting her to die which means they wouldn't have to pay her anyways. I can imagine the Rogue Federation and ESC slandering and libeling Samus after the events of this game to convince everybody else that she's a threat; considering what's been happening around the world the last couple of years, it's not unfeasible that many people within and without the government would give into their fear and do whatever their government tells them to do.

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

I don't like the idea of parts of the Federation being bad. If anything, it should be parts are good, like the people you mention. It just cheapens things to me.

[@solomon9655]

@@ThatMetroidGuy Parts of the federation are definitely bad and a splinter group got dismantled after the events of Fusion. If you weren’t aware or don’t know the details, look up “Metroid Fusion Mistranslation” and you’ll get some results worth checking out.

[@NoReasonToAnwser]

I cannot believe the E.M.M.I.-03MB vented. What have you done. Get out of my head get out of my head get out of my head

[@vinbingames]

Don't you DARE!

[@myleswelnetz6700]

7:02 Mother Brain.

[@ElvisRocking1]

4:11 I SAW THAT xDD i laughed so much in the Kraken video with this refernce. Your content is awesome and very welcomed.

[@sometf2player752]

15:23 this is the rouge faction of the federation that was behind that not the actual main part of the federation there was a translation error in fusion (also yes I’m 10 months late)

[@caraprism9074]

I hope we get to see more of the EMMI, everything about them is so so cool and I just wanna see them do more cool shit and exist EMMI my beloved

[@geoshark12]

Also to extract dna you wouldn't need a giant spike

[@myleswelnetz6700]

I don’t think the Galactic Federation were fully aware what they were getting themselves into.

[@yoh2525]

To add on to the idea that the EMMI weren't there for the X: The control units are organic and the X can take over bioweapons as seen in fusion with the Nightmare and security robot. AI Adam was giving reports to the federation so it's unlikely they didn't know this. Why would any sane military approve of sending in a very valuable asset with such a glaring weakness that anything hostile in the area could exploit Fantastic video and analysis man!

[@darkreflection9087]

Just subscribed

[@PrincePoison]

02-SM and it gives you the *S*-pider *M*-agnet? This same principle can be applied to every other Emmi except the broken one, because it didn’t give a power up. But we can theorize what that P stands for. My one idea is a “pulverizer” that would just buff the melee damage. What are y’alls thoughts?

[@myleswelnetz6700]

That’s too many digits to keep track of. Let’s use color codes instead next time.

[@theclaudfather6436]

Raven Break found out about Samus’ Metroid capabilities during their first encounter. She revealed a flash of that power when he got her in the chokehold and that’s when he hatched his plan to get those powers fully awakened so he could create the strongest army possible, an army of Metroid awakened Samus clones.

[@JustAWildSkullKid]

I'm a biologist, and I know I shouldn't nitpick and apply my knowledge to videogames, especially this one, but I know how to extract DNA from something, and it doesn't involve giant needles. So I alway found it very odd that the EMMIs were presented as research robots and not actual killing machines. I believe that the research thing was a lie all along. Now, I'm not sure if the Federation was planning on collaborating with Raven Beak, but I still think they send these EMMIs there knowing they would be useless and with the intention to send Samus and screw her over all along.

[@myleswelnetz6700]

I don’t think it was. Raven Beak blackmailed and sabotaged them for the sake of his agenda.

[@Prootgen]

Perhaps they just need a biological sample, like why make the robot extract the dna in the field when you can get the emmi to grab a chunk of flesh and have the emmi retrieved so they can extract the dna in a lab.

[@user-hi4xh2ut1v]

My Theory is that the emmi are all connected via a central system, and raven beak destroyed the first emmi, hacked that, and the rest turned in succession

[@duke0salt717]

I'm gonna replay dread again after watching this video

[@luca.official9352]

Emmi would make good pets

[@mbanana23456]

One question is whether the Federation successfully recreated Samus's abilities and built them into the EMII, or if Raven Beak stole Samus's abilities and gave them to the EMII

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

An interesting thought, but Samus didn't have several of the abilities that the E.M.M.I. did. She didn't have the Spider Magnet, Wave Beam or Ice Missile as we see in the opening of the game. It's most likely that the Federation recreated her abilities and implemented them into the E.M.M.I. It wouldn't be the first time the Federation has successfully replicated her tech.

[@kileysevens9116]

@@ThatMetroidGuy Yep. In Prime the Pirates managed to replicate some of her tech. I just love how their morph ball attempts failed haha poor pirates that got all crunched up

[@siassmal6502]

Red planet 2000 AMEE says hi.

[@niketheteach2693]

My question is... Some year later... Why no just recreate metroid from scratch... They were created by chozo, how could they create something without DNA initially?

[@Regunes]

still sad 01-P didn't make a comeback by being infested by parasites if you skipped him

[@brandonwithnell612]

As a pure machine im pretty sure their immune to the X, the other machine enemies didnt get infected, one exception from fusion could be said about that security bot however after your first fight its shown to have organic components which is likely how it later got infected. The control units seem to be organic though so the X might get limited control that way

[@lettuce510]

I watched this after beating dread modexd

[@kwinter2541]

¿1 2 5 4?

[@zackonark2658]

Why would the feds need to extract metroid DNA from Samus? They already have metroid DNA and have used it to clone metroids, as well as give Samus the metroid DNA she has. They do not need to take such drastic measures to get more. On top of that. Why pursue such a convoluted plan to get Samus's DNA specifically? Just call her i to HQ, and swarm her with EMMI when she's there. I think you're reading too much into this. Cuz these aren't even the only issues I have with your theory. I am by no means a fan of the EMMI, but man, you are doing them a disservice

[@ThatMetroidGuy]

Because Samus destroyed the last of it in Metroid Fusion and Samus is the only source of it left in the galaxy. Because, as I say in my theory, Samus isn't friends with the Federation, so she wouldn't accept their call /to/ be swarmed. How?

[@zackonark2658]

I don't claim to know everything about Fusion, but I'm fairly certain the game says absolutely nothing about Samus having destroyed all the metroid DNA the feds have. Just that she and the SA-X destroyed the metroid breeding program. That said, the way Raven Beak treats Samus would make it appear to be the case. And if it is, then I'm sorry, but it's yet another example of bad writing in the series. It makes no sense for the feds to put all of their eggs in one basket like that when metroid DNA is easily the most valuable stuff in the universe. Ceres was destroyed, and it's where they even got the DNA to begin with, so why should BSL be any different? She accepted the bounty in Dread. Did she not? Fusion said that what she did on BSL would cause uproar; however, it does not explicitly state she and the feds are outright enemies. One of your legitimate pieces of evidence that the feds are after Samus was that her picture appears on the hologram Raven Beak and Quiet Robe are contemplating. Which is like...dude. No. That's the chozos' study, not the feds'. Like that one cannot even be debated. You're just wrong about Samus's picture. You want to know how? Please see above. You are grasping at sraws to make this theory work. I'm sorry I'm blunt about it, but I believe it to be the truth.

[@adamsrealm]

As interesting of a story this game has Only "Prime" games in this series interest me as I personally loath side scrolling platformer games

[@jamiekosch2562]

The cohzo hakdit the emmi cuz rayvinberk told tem to

[@primalfeline]

Think I’m gonna have a stroke

[@saltysaltmaker3848]

@@primalfeline I think this fellow already did.

[@kelp-ist3469]

Lemme just say I hate how Nintendo forgot that X can absorb machines as well as living beings they did this in Fusion so releasing 7 robots with "the strongest material in the universe" as armor on a planet infested with parasites known for ignoring the strongest of hides and most powerful armors is just stupid planning

[@ChristianVillamil]

X parasites can infect machines fused with organic components, like Nightmare and the Security Robot in Metroid Fusion. Nightmare was basically an enhanced creature and the robot was a brain with a mechanical armor so being infected made sense for both cases.

[@overthegardenwall7143]

Fun Fact: The Strongest Material Know To Man Is Called Strange Matter. If You Want To Learn Further I Recomend Going To The Channel Kurzgesagt - In A Nutshell.

[@concept8192]

why do you type like that

[@maxisenberg9093]

Shame they're arguably the weakest part of the game

[@svagglaorde4387]

And annoying, I don't know why people say those things were scary tho.

[@maxisenberg9093]

@@svagglaorde4387 it's the same with most unkillable enemies. Scary at first but become annoying the more you have to deal with them. Doesnt help that two of them are taken out via cutscene. I think the idea is good but it wasn't fleshed out enough. People criticized sa-X for being scripted but j thunk it was more effective there