Metroid Prime Story: What to Know Before Metroid Prime 4
The Metroid Prime Story is complex, but understanding it is key to enjoying Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. With the release of Metroid Prime 4, it's a great time to recap the events of the previous Metroid Prime games. Let's dive into the storylines of the original trilogy, Metroid Prime Hunters, and Metroid Prime: Federation Force.
It's been quite some time since the last Metroid Prime installment, so a refresher is definitely in order. This guide will cover the essential plot points to get you ready for the next chapter in Samus Aran's journey.
Where Does the Metroid Prime Story Fit in the Timeline?
The Metroid timeline is relatively straightforward compared to other franchises. The entire Prime series takes place between the original Metroid and Metroid 2: Return of Samus. Therefore, you don't need to know everything about Metroid lore to understand the Prime games.
In the original Metroid, Samus Aran travels to Planet Zebes to defeat the Space Pirates, who are trying to harness the power of the Metroids. Samus defeats their commanders Ridley and Kraid, destroys Mother Brain, eliminates all Metroids, and blows up the facility.
The Events of Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime, released in 2002, begins shortly after the original Metroid. Samus investigates a distress signal from the space frigate Orpheon. She discovers that the Space Pirates are experimenting with a substance called Phazon.
During her investigation, Samus finds Ridley, who has been cybernetically enhanced. The Orpheon crashes on Planet Tallon IV, stripping Samus of most of her abilities. As she explores Tallon IV's biomes, she uncovers the truth about Phazon.
The Phazon arrived on Tallon IV inside a meteor, infecting the planet. The Chozo, who raised Samus, tried to contain the Phazon at the impact site but were wiped out. They left a message for Samus: enter the impact crater and defeat the monster at the heart of the planet.
Samus defeats Ridley again and encounters Metroid Prime deep underground. This Metroid has evolved after feeding on Phazon. Samus destroys it and escapes before everything explodes. However, a post-credits scene shows Metroid Prime survived and reshaped itself into a clone of Samus.
The Events of Metroid Prime: Hunters
Metroid Prime Hunters isn't crucial to the overall Metroid Prime Story, as it's primarily a multiplayer game. However, it introduces Sylux, who is set to play a significant role in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Samus is drawn into a race with six other bounty hunters searching for an "ultimate power" within the Alimbic Cluster.
Samus faces Weavel, Trace, Sylux, Spire, Kanden, and Noxus. Sylux's hatred of Samus and the Galactic Federation is established in this game. Samus and the other hunters briefly work together to defeat Gorea, a monster sealed away. The galaxy is saved, and the hunters go their separate ways.
The Events of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
After the Galactic Federation loses contact with troops exploring Planet Aether, Samus is sent to investigate, starting Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Aether is covered in Phazon, and dead Federation troops reanimate to attack Samus.
Samus encounters Metroid Prime again, now known as Dark Samus. She follows her to Dark Aether, a dark mirror version of Aether. Aether was split into two parallel dimensions when hit by a meteor containing Phazon. Samus restores Aether and defeats Dark Samus.
The Events of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
The finale of the core trilogy, Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, begins with Dark Samus using Phazon to corrupt the Space Pirates. This force takes Samus by surprise, and she is taken out in a battle. She wakes up a month later to find that Dark Samus plans to overrun the cosmos with Phazon-infused meteors.
Samus is infected by Phazon and must wear a special suit to control it. She reclaims her abilities and shuts off the Phazon source on Planet Phaaze. She confronts Dark Samus and destroys Phaaze, turning all Phazon in the galaxy into harmless goop. Samus flies off to find another bounty, pursued by Sylux's spaceship.
The Events of Metroid Prime: Federation Force
Metroid Prime: Federation Force has some important plot points. Samus is barely in the game, and you play as Federation troops. She is kidnapped by Space Pirates and brainwashed to become the final boss.
The final scene sets up the story of Metroid Prime 4. Sylux steals a Metroid egg and uses a weapon to make it grow rapidly. Trailers for Prime 4 show Sylux with his own army of Metroids. This will likely cause problems for Samus.
Will Sylux be the main villain in Prime 4? Is Dark Samus really gone? Is Phazon no longer a threat? These questions will be answered when Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches. Understanding this Metroid Prime Story is important.