15
edits
Metroid (universe): Difference between revisions
no edit summary
(→Fighters: Need a Samus/Zero Suit Samus Icon made) |
MightyKombat (talk | contribs) No edit summary |
||
| Line 40: | Line 40: | ||
With the controversy surrounding both ''Other M'' and ''Federation Force'', as well as the five-year hiatus between them, the early-to-mid 2010s marked a period of uncertainty surrounding the state of the ''Metroid'' series. However, two new mainline ''Metroid'' titles were announced during E3 2017 - ''Metroid Prime 4'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]], and ''Metroid: Samus Returns'' for the Nintendo 3DS. The latter of the two is an enhanced remake of ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' developed by MercurySteam, who previously handled the ''[[Castlevania (universe)|Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' games. ''Samus Returns'' would release in September of that year and the reveal of these two games marked the true end of the main series' hiatus and, together with a new sub-line of ''Metroid'' [[amiibo]], signaled the return of ''Metroid'' as one of Nintendo's flagship franchises. | With the controversy surrounding both ''Other M'' and ''Federation Force'', as well as the five-year hiatus between them, the early-to-mid 2010s marked a period of uncertainty surrounding the state of the ''Metroid'' series. However, two new mainline ''Metroid'' titles were announced during E3 2017 - ''Metroid Prime 4'' for the [[Nintendo Switch]], and ''Metroid: Samus Returns'' for the Nintendo 3DS. The latter of the two is an enhanced remake of ''Metroid II: Return of Samus'' developed by MercurySteam, who previously handled the ''[[Castlevania (universe)|Castlevania: Lords of Shadow]]'' games. ''Samus Returns'' would release in September of that year and the reveal of these two games marked the true end of the main series' hiatus and, together with a new sub-line of ''Metroid'' [[amiibo]], signaled the return of ''Metroid'' as one of Nintendo's flagship franchises. | ||
While ''Samus Returns'' saw incredibly positive reception from fans and critics for bringing the series back to its roots despite lukewarm sales (which can be partly attributed to the waning lifespan of the 3DS), information on ''Metroid Prime 4'' was hazy at best. Shortly after the game's teaser announcement, it was confirmed that longtime developer Retro Studios would not be returning for the new entry. Instead, it would be handled by an unspecified new development team. Roughly two years later, even after the series saw an increase in representation in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', it was announced in January 2019 that the game's development would be restarted from scratch. Shinya Takahashi cited development struggles under the new team to meet the quality standards of the previous ''Metroid Prime'' titles and the expectations of series fans. As a result, series producer Kensuke Tanabe would restart the game's development, but with none other than the original developer of the ''Metroid Prime'' series - Retro Studios. Meanwhile, producer Yoshio Sakamoto would continue working with MercurySteam to develop ''Metroid Dread'' for the Nintendo Switch, the first proper continuation of the ''Metroid'' storyline since ''Fusion''. | While ''Samus Returns'' saw incredibly positive reception from fans and critics for bringing the series back to its roots despite lukewarm sales (which can be partly attributed to the waning lifespan of the 3DS), information on ''Metroid Prime 4'' was hazy at best. Shortly after the game's teaser announcement, it was confirmed that longtime developer Retro Studios would not be returning for the new entry. Instead, it would be handled by an unspecified new development team. Roughly two years later, even after the series saw an increase in representation in ''Super Smash Bros. Ultimate'', it was announced in January 2019 that the game's development would be restarted from scratch. Shinya Takahashi cited development struggles under the new team to meet the quality standards of the previous ''Metroid Prime'' titles and the expectations of series fans. As a result, series producer Kensuke Tanabe would restart the game's development, but with none other than the original developer of the ''Metroid Prime'' series - Retro Studios. Meanwhile, producer Yoshio Sakamoto would continue working with MercurySteam to develop ''Metroid Dread'' for the Nintendo Switch, a project 15 years in the making and the first proper continuation of the ''Metroid'' storyline since ''Fusion''. A remaster of the first ''Metroid Prime'' game would release in early 2023, featuring a large graphical overhaul along with a more modern control scheme. Release to rave reviews, ''Prime Remastered'' would ensure the series' continued presence from there on. | ||
Overall, the ''Metroid'' series is often held up as one of Nintendo's greatest classic franchises and maintains a dedicated fanbase, particularly in the West. ''Super Metroid'' and the ''Metroid Prime'' trilogy in particular have garnered significant praise from fans and reviewers. Samus herself, while not achieving the same level of recognition as [[Mario]] or [[Link]], is widely praised as one of Nintendo's most iconic heroines and a groundbreaking example of proactive female protagonists in gaming. | Overall, the ''Metroid'' series is often held up as one of Nintendo's greatest classic franchises and maintains a dedicated fanbase, particularly in the West. ''Super Metroid'' and the ''Metroid Prime'' trilogy in particular have garnered significant praise from fans and reviewers. Samus herself, while not achieving the same level of recognition as [[Mario]] or [[Link]], is widely praised as one of Nintendo's most iconic heroines and a groundbreaking example of proactive female protagonists in gaming. | ||
| Line 48: | Line 48: | ||
*'''Metroid''' / '''Metroid: Zero Mission''': Samus' first mission is is to infiltrate the formerly Chozo-inhabited planet Zebes, since overtaken by Space Pirates, and destroy their standing forces and their stable of Metroids. Along the way, Samus battles the foremost "enforcers" of the Space Pirates - the colossal reptilian [[Kraid]] and the dragon-like [[Ridley]] (likely named after ''Alien'' director Ridley Scott) - and ends up battling the organic artificial intelligence helping dictate Pirate operations, [[Mother Brain]]. Immediately after a seemingly successful mission, however, Samus runs into some bad luck during her escape attempt, and is forced to find a way off the planet in just a [[Zero Suit Samus|light blue body suit]] while equipped with a [[Paralyzer|stun gun]]. After successfully escaping, Samus is able to harness the power of the ancient Legendary Power Suit (which more closely resembles her usual design) by proving herself at the Chozodia temple. With her newfound power, she tears through the Space Pirate mothership, destroys a giant robot shaped in Ridley's likeness, and narrowly escapes the planet intact. | *'''Metroid''' / '''Metroid: Zero Mission''': Samus' first mission is is to infiltrate the formerly Chozo-inhabited planet Zebes, since overtaken by Space Pirates, and destroy their standing forces and their stable of Metroids. Along the way, Samus battles the foremost "enforcers" of the Space Pirates - the colossal reptilian [[Kraid]] and the dragon-like [[Ridley]] (likely named after ''Alien'' director Ridley Scott) - and ends up battling the organic artificial intelligence helping dictate Pirate operations, [[Mother Brain]]. Immediately after a seemingly successful mission, however, Samus runs into some bad luck during her escape attempt, and is forced to find a way off the planet in just a [[Zero Suit Samus|light blue body suit]] while equipped with a [[Paralyzer|stun gun]]. After successfully escaping, Samus is able to harness the power of the ancient Legendary Power Suit (which more closely resembles her usual design) by proving herself at the Chozodia temple. With her newfound power, she tears through the Space Pirate mothership, destroys a giant robot shaped in Ridley's likeness, and narrowly escapes the planet intact. | ||
*'''Metroid Prime''': Samus tracks remnants of the Space Pirates to another outpost on the planet Tallon IV, and she discovers that they are experimenting on augmenting their capacity for warfare with a mysterious mutagenic substance called Phazon, which was brought to the planet by an enigmatic meteor strike long ago. She destroys the Space Pirates' research and standing forces once again, but along the way inadvertently allows for the incidental birth of a dark opposite to herself - the sentient Phazon entity [[Dark Samus]]. | *'''Metroid Prime''': Samus tracks remnants of the Space Pirates to another outpost on the planet Tallon IV, and she discovers that they are experimenting on augmenting their capacity for warfare with a mysterious mutagenic substance called Phazon, which was brought to the planet by an enigmatic meteor strike long ago. She destroys the Space Pirates' research and standing forces once again, but along the way inadvertently allows for the incidental birth of a dark opposite to herself - the sentient Phazon entity [[Dark Samus]]. The game was remastered in February 2023 for the Nintendo Switch, featuring a modern twin-stick control scheme and an immense graphical upgrade. | ||
*'''Metroid Prime Hunters''': When the Galactic Federation receives a mysterious telepathic message that the key to the "ultimate power" resides in the Alimbic star system, Samus is sent to investigate and possibly retrieve it, but six other rival bounty hunters from different alien species are also competing for the same goal. | *'''Metroid Prime Hunters''': When the Galactic Federation receives a mysterious telepathic message that the key to the "ultimate power" resides in the Alimbic star system, Samus is sent to investigate and possibly retrieve it, but six other rival bounty hunters from different alien species are also competing for the same goal. | ||
| Line 58: | Line 58: | ||
*'''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''': After Samus' elimination of the Phazon menace, the Space Pirates continue to serve as a threat in their own right. In response, the Galactic Federation initiates "Operation Golem" and trains an elite task force of Federation Marines in large mech suits in order to eliminate the remaining Space Pirates, henceforth known as the Federation Force. A significant Space Pirate presence is detected in the three-planet Bermuda System and the Federation Force are sent to eradicate them, with some occasional assistance from Samus herself. After their success, a mysterious figure infiltrated their base containing a Metroid egg, which the figure then prematurely hatched. He presumably stole it under the noses of the Federation troops. | *'''Metroid Prime: Federation Force''': After Samus' elimination of the Phazon menace, the Space Pirates continue to serve as a threat in their own right. In response, the Galactic Federation initiates "Operation Golem" and trains an elite task force of Federation Marines in large mech suits in order to eliminate the remaining Space Pirates, henceforth known as the Federation Force. A significant Space Pirate presence is detected in the three-planet Bermuda System and the Federation Force are sent to eradicate them, with some occasional assistance from Samus herself. After their success, a mysterious figure infiltrated their base containing a Metroid egg, which the figure then prematurely hatched. He presumably stole it under the noses of the Federation troops. | ||
*'''Metroid II: Return of Samus''' / '''Metroid: Samus Returns''': The Galactic Federation has deemed the Metroid species too great a threat to be allowed to live, and so tasks Samus to cull every individual specimen off the surface of the Metroid homeworld, SR388. Samus destroys Metroids that have matured into advanced, more monstrous forms, and squares off against the Metroid Queen itself, but at the end of her mission, she spares a lone hatchling and donates it to the Federation's research division on the Ceres space station. | *'''Metroid II: Return of Samus''' / '''Metroid: Samus Returns''': The Galactic Federation has deemed the Metroid species too great a threat to be allowed to live, and so tasks Samus to cull every individual specimen off the surface of the Metroid homeworld, SR388. Samus destroys Metroids that have matured into advanced, more monstrous forms, and squares off against the Metroid Queen itself, but at the end of her mission, she spares a lone hatchling and donates it to the Federation's research division on the Ceres space station. The remake, ''Samus Returns'', would feature a subplot about a schism in the Chozo people over the fate of the Metroids, featured in unlockable "Chozo Memories." This plot culminates in one side slaughtering their rivals before enacting a sinister campaign. This would later factor into the plot for ''Metroid Dread'', with the warlord Chozo identified as Raven Beak. | ||
*'''Super Metroid''': A revived Ridley promptly raids the Ceres station and takes back the Metroid hatchling by force, prompting Samus to return to Zebes on another mission to thwart the Space Pirates' last efforts to preserve and harness the species. She infiltrates the Space Pirates' reconstructed subterranean base on Zebes, and discovers and once again battles each of her classic foes - Kraid, Ridley, and the Mother Brain - before detonating the entire planet and achieving the extinction of the Metroid species. | *'''Super Metroid''': A revived Ridley promptly raids the Ceres station and takes back the Metroid hatchling by force, prompting Samus to return to Zebes on another mission to thwart the Space Pirates' last efforts to preserve and harness the species. She infiltrates the Space Pirates' reconstructed subterranean base on Zebes, and discovers and once again battles each of her classic foes - Kraid, Ridley, and the Mother Brain - before detonating the entire planet and achieving the extinction of the Metroid species. | ||
*'''Metroid: Other M''': Samus follows a distress signal towards a "Bottle Ship" floating near a Federation vessel, and discovers some of her companions from her days in the Federation militia, including her former commanding officer Adam Malkovich, on board in the middle of a mission he does not tell Samus about at first. After Adam begrudgingly allows her to cooperate with the platoon, they discover the first signs of a darker side to the Federation. | *'''Metroid: Other M''': Samus follows a distress signal towards a "Bottle Ship" floating near a Federation vessel, and discovers some of her companions from her days in the Federation militia, including her former commanding officer Adam Malkovich, on board in the middle of a mission he does not tell Samus about at first. After Adam begrudgingly allows her to cooperate with the platoon, they discover the first signs of a darker side to the Federation. With the aid of her old comrade Anthony Higgs, Samus foils the plans of MB, an android designed as a Mother Brain analogue, to get revenge on the Federation by plunging it into chaos. | ||
*'''Metroid Fusion''': While leading scientists on a Federation-sanctioned survey across SR388, Samus is attacked by a native parasitic lifeform, the X Parasite, that was originally kept in check by its natural predator, the Metroids. Samus survives, but becomes permanently bound to a "fusion" form of her suit. The research station floating above the planet later becomes infested with X Parasites that mimic other organisms. Thus, Samus, whose new form is immune to the infestation, is sent on a mission by the Federation to fight and wipe out the creatures, or at least that is what she was led to believe her mission is about before discovering that the Federation is using the remaining Baby Metroid cells to clone new Metroids for their own purposes. Samus fights her way through the X Parasites, the newly cloned Metroids, and a terrifying X Parasite clone of herself, the SA-X, before destroying the ship and setting off for the unknown. | *'''Metroid Fusion''': While leading scientists on a Federation-sanctioned survey across SR388, Samus is attacked by a native parasitic lifeform, the X Parasite, that was originally kept in check by its natural predator, the Metroids. Samus survives, but becomes permanently bound to a "fusion" form of her suit. The research station floating above the planet later becomes infested with X Parasites that mimic other organisms. Thus, Samus, whose new form is immune to the infestation, is sent on a mission by the Federation to fight and wipe out the creatures, or at least that is what she was led to believe her mission is about before discovering that the Federation is using the remaining Baby Metroid cells to clone new Metroids for their own purposes. Samus fights her way through the X Parasites, the newly cloned Metroids, and a terrifying X Parasite clone of herself, the SA-X, before destroying the ship and setting off for the unknown. | ||
*'''Metroid Dread''': Some time after the events of ''Metroid Fusion'', Samus receives | *'''Metroid Dread''': Some time after the events of ''Metroid Fusion'', Samus receives what appears to be video evidence of X Parasites, alive and at large on the remote planet ZDR. Additionally, the E.M.M.I., a series of practically invincible Federation machines, have gone dark after being dispatched on an investigation. She follows the X signal, but is attacked by the Chozo warlord Raven Beak and cast into the planet's depths as soon as she makes planetfall. Worse still, the E.M.M.I. have now seemingly gone rogue and attempt to kill her. Narrowly keeping one step ahead of the contraptions and unearthing more and more of the uncharted planet, she learns of two Chozo tribes, the Thoha and Mawkin, the latter, led by Raven Beak, seeking to conquer the galaxy using the power of the Metroids growing in Samus. This title serves as conclusion of the storyline of the intertwined fates of Samus and the Metroid species. | ||
==In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''== | ==In ''[[Super Smash Bros.]]''== | ||