Metroid Prime – Game Writing Topics and Concepts

Dichotomy/Connection between Samus Aran and Dark Samus/Metroidso Samus, through suit upgrades and numerous trials, earns what she

obtains, and earns passage to new lands. Dark Samus is born into the world (as this form, from Metroid Prime) to take, consume through conquest. Dark Samus does not earn through any means of trial that which it takes by force.

Phazon behaves fundamentally the same as Dark Samus (Dark Samus even becomes an envoy of sorts for the planet Phaaze; source of all Phazon), to consume, overpower, and spread influence at the expense of all other life it comes into contact with. The general struggle of Samus versus the scourge of Phazon is very much solidified in the rivalry with her dark counterpart who directly embodies that struggle.

o Dark Samus is the result of a mutated, highly evolved Metroid synthesizing with Samus’ suit technology. Even this synthesis can be considered further evolution, albeit of corrupt nature due to the presence of Phazon. [Fateful, thematic connection between Samus and Metroids.]

The evolution of Metroids, regardless of Phazon’s inclusion, mirrors Samus’ growing arsenal of suit/weapon augmentations throughout each game. This strengthens the tie between Samus and Dark Samus as a dichotomous yet inextricably connected pair, the latter of which grows in strength by feeding on Phazon deposits rather than overcoming trials in order to earn upgrades.

This system is turned on its head rather poetically in MP3, where each seed boss defeated corrupts Samus further, giving her more Phazon abilities and reliance. Samus now grows in strength by absorbing Phazon, though unwillingly. The endgame sequence on Phaaze has Samus desperately ridding her system of overwhelming amounts of Phazon to prevent her own demise. The majority of MP3 is Samus becoming more like Dark Samus in terms of Phazon corruption. The endgame sequence is a dire struggle to distance herself

from what Dark Samus has become through the frantic expulsion of Phazon during her time on Phaaze, including her final confrontation with Dark Samus.

Theme of fateful connection relevant to other games in the Metroid series, wherein Samus spares the last Metroid Hatchling on planet SR388, presumably out of sympathy from her own experience of isolation and tragedy at the time of her colony’s complete destruction. The very same rescued Metroid, seeing Samus as its mother, returns the favor by absorbing Mother Brain’s lethal laser attack and granting that power to Samus, thus saving her during crisis and ultimately sacrificing its life for hers. There is a ‘give and take’ between Samus and the Metroids.

The Doppelganger

Note: Metroid Prime and Dark Samus are essentially the same creature, the latter’s form having been created by the augmentation of Samus’ Phazon Suit. The two are only sometimes interchangeable in reference.

Samus’ relationship with isolation and exploration

o Samus, since childhood, has been familiar with the state of isolation. While Ridley’s killing of her parents exposed her to the concept in an overwhelmingly tragic way, the Chozo provide young Samus the means to embrace isolation. (Power Suit allowing for her dangerous, primarily solo bounty hunter profession)

Similarly, Dark Samus is an isolated entity as the only existing Metroid Prime, or Metroid drastically mutated by Phazon.

Tangent: It is difficult to ascertain the source of Prime’s motives in MP2, and whether it is the Phazon influencing their destructive actions or simply the ravenous nature of Metroid Prime’s instinct. Perhaps they are one and the same, since Metroid Prime exists as both a Metroid and Phazon-generating creature, but not exclusively as one or the other. While MP1 leans more on the primal nature of a Metroid with immense power, MP3 has Prime working directly for the benefit of Aurora Unit 313 and planet Phaaze.

o Mature Samus experiences isolation through her occupational nature and subsequently, extraterrestrial exploration. (spatial, more accessible to the player) Dark Samus experiences isolation solely through its own existence as a unique specimen. (existential)

Exploration is an essential factor of Samus’ adventures. Awareness and extensive travel through various environments grant her the abilities necessary for further progression.