source: http://www.ign.com/blogs/gameguy523/2015/01/24/we-need-a-metroid-origin-story/
Hidey ho, friends! This is a blog about a topic that I am extremely passionate about. I've actually written about this before but I wanted to go in depth. A lot more in depth! I hope you enjoy 
We Need a Metroid Origin Story
Nintendo designer Shigeru Miyamoto has a firm belief that has guided the company through every game they’ve created: That gameplay must always come first before story. And while this is true, games like Zelda revolve around a very interesting lore. Nintendo games place plot in the background but the plots they’re involved in are still fascinating and deep at times. A game like Zelda strikes a perfect balance between gameplay and narrative. Players don’t need to know the timeline of the series in order to jump in at any point, but it is there and it’s enjoyable. This goes for nearly every series in Nintendo’s repertoire. All but one.
Metroid has a story. It has a timeline and it leaves very few loose threads. From beginning to end, it follows the adventures of bounty hunter Samus Aran and her journey through the galaxy to rid the universe of the dangerous creatures known as Metroids, a force known as the X parasite and the evil organization known as the space pirates. From the baby Metroid’s sacrifice to Adam Malkovich’s the plot of the Metroid series follows a strict and clear storyline, with each game having a callback to the ones before it. But there is one major chapter of this book missing, and it is the most important one of them all. This huge gap takes place at the very beginning. It’s time for it to be filled.
Samus Aran is an interesting character with an even more interesting backstory that is ripe for adaptation. It’s time players learned the truth of her chozo upbringings, her involvement with the galactic federation and her rivalry with Ridley. It is time that Nintendo graces us with a Metroid origin story. Could it work? Why should it happen? In order to try and show you the passion I have for this idea it’s best to start at the very beginning.
Samus Aran’s backstory is not completely shrouded in mystery. According to the Metroid manga, which unfortunately Nintendo has yet to officially state as canon, Samus was born on a planet classified K-2L and rose by her parents, Rodney and Virgina Aran. The three formerly lived in harmony amongst their planet’s inhabitants. When she is only three-years-old Samus’ colony is visited by a race of bird-like extra-terrestrials known as the Chozo, who come in peace searching for a rare material native to Samus’ homeworld known as Aflorltite. While the creatures visit Samus finds a friend in the leader of the Chozo, a wise old bird named… Old bird. The insightful one teaches Samus the value of friendship and encourages her to be more open toward the people she meets in her life.
Samus Aran may be Nintendo's most complex character.
Upon their departure, however, the chozo are followed by another group of visitors, a band of treacherous thieves known as the space pirates. (Who were tailing the chozo beforehand.) Lead by their dragon overlord Ridley, the space pirates invade the K-2L colony in search of the rare material the Chozo were searching for. Samus, having embraced the teachings of Old Bird, attempts to befriend Ridley during the siege. But the space pirate is not as kind. Ridley responds by attacking the young girl with a fiery blast. Her mother, who takes the heap of the impact to protect her child, saves Samus. Samus’ mother is murdered, and her father, after infiltrating a space pirate vessel landed on the planet, activates the self-destruct and kills himself, along with most of the space pirate fleet.
A day after the carnage, Old bird returns, fearing the worst for the colony and guilty over their fate. The chozo find the lone survivor, Samus, and bring them to their planet, Zebes, to give her a future. In order to survive the harsh biological conditions of planet Zebes the chozo merged her DNA with their own. This action was suggested by Mother Brain, a supercomputer program that acted as the counselor for the entire planet.
After being conditioned Samus goes on to train under the wisdom of the chozo and becomes a fearsome warrior. Eventually she departs Zebes to join the galactic federation and the rest, as we all know, is history.
The events of Samus Aran's backstory are so exciting that they are screaming for an adaptation.
Metroid is a unique Nintendo series for having a main protagonist with a surprisingly lengthy backstory, especially when compared to characters like Mario and Link. Though Samus is a character beloved by fans her personality is barely present, outside of games like “Other M” and “Fusion.” Many aren’t aware that the famous bounty hunter has a fascinating tale to tell, and that she has the potential to be so much more than just a video game avatar.
Though anyone could satisfy their desire for knowledge by reading the Metroid manga, unfortunately it still leaves out some major events and since Nintendo has yet to deem any of the comic book as canon, it isn't necessarily the final say on the genesis of the series.
A prequel game in the series would finally give us the chance to witness the true story of Samus Aran. Just what is her deep connection with Ridley? Why did she leave the chozo? And ultimately, how did she become the famous mercenary that she is today? Like any great story, Metroid has a multifaceted main character, and the events of the Metroid manga provide the potential for a major arc in Samus Aran. An origin story would reveal a very different version of her character and slowly develop her into the person we know today. She doesn’t have to be a courageous bounty hunter because of preconceived notions. An origin story would actually give the chance to show that adventure that shaped her and make Samus into the much more complicated, complex character she deserves to be. Throughout the course of the game, she’d learn the teachings of the chozo, build her power suit, discover the metroids and ultimately, aspire to become a protector, even under extreme life-conditions.
Samus' DNA is fused with that of the chozo.
Nintendo isn’t known for putting story before gameplay, and that philosophy is a winning one that has lead to some incredible video games. But perhaps just once they can make it happen. Metroid is easily the greatest platform to experiment with this. It’s one of the most story-driven franchises the big N owns, and the only one to follow a strict, clear-cut timeline. There is nothing up to interpretation when it comes to Metroid; no amount of theories among fans that rival the Zelda franchise. From the death of her parents to the eradication of the X parasite Samus Aran’s story is fully established and known (If someone wants to do research on it). It’s only missing the most important chapter of the entire saga.
Though they are technically present in nearly every Metroid game, Samus’ masters have never made a physical appearance in any game in the series. The chozo, however, are an incredibly important ingredient to the story of Metroid and their ancient relics decorate nearly every stage of every game in the franchise. Outside of the manga and a few of the Metroid instruction manuals, however, very little is known about the chozo. The abandoned chozo constructs in each Metroid game have served as a fascinating tease for players. Just what happened to them? It’s believed that the race died out due to their inability to procreate, however, Samus’ adventures with them ended not too long before they seemed to disappear. A Metroid origin is our chance to finally learn the truth of the Chozo, or at least what Nintendo ultimately deems canon. Though the various scanning logs in "Metroid Prime" have revealed a great deal of information, it would be just as exciting to experience these events up close and personal. Retro Studios is clearly interested in divulging the lore and history of "Metroid," more so than Nintendo themselves, so the potential is there.
Many interesting facts exist on the bird-like race already, and their backstory is actually so expansive that it stems far beyond the story of Samus Aran and even the federation. According to Retro Studios the chozo possessed the ability to tell the future at random moments in time. During one of their visions they foresaw a great threat to the cosmos would one day arrive in the form of the X parasite. Considering themselves as protectors of the galaxy, they had to act quickly for the universe to survive.
They created the Metroids, which means "Ultimate Warrior" in their language, in order to answer the threat. Interestingly enough, the main elements of Metroid’s overarching plot are all interconnected and this connection provides opportunity for a fascinating and tightly woven plot regarding the origin of many of the series’ main players. The metroids and mother brain, for example, were actually created by the chozo themselves, in order to repel the X parasite, at least according to the manga and the instruction manual of “Metroid Prime.” These events are major points in the timeline of Metroid and being able to finally live through them could be quite a treat.
An origin game would not only follow the event’s of Samus but also the creation and betrayal of the Metroids and Mother Brain. We know that at some point the Metroids turned on their masters and that Mother Brain was reconditioned to serve the space pirates after the Chozo abandoned their home planet. In the Metroid manga Samus was there to witness these events unfold. She had a direct hand in them, so if an origin story were to be created none of these exciting moments are exempt from adaptation. Some of the most important plot points in the series long history could be covered by a single game.
Though it’s not necessary for us to witness these events firsthand, it would certainly feel make them feel much more potent. Witnessing the moments that shaped the backbone for games like “Super Metroid” and “Metroid Fusion” would provide greater satisfaction when revisiting those games.
Here’s a shocker. In the Metroid manga, Samus’ arch nemesis actually speaks! Indeed, and he’s all the more sinister for it. Samus’ backstory tells the most pivotal moment in her life, when her mother and father were murdered at the hands of the evil space dragon. Though this is common knowledge for Metroid fans, we’ve never seen it unfold and felt the impact of this tragedy.
Some might argue we don’t have to, but I’m not one of them. All great rivalries between two characters tell a great story, and the blood feud between Samus and Ridley is actually one of the most interesting hero/villain dynamics Nintendo has ever had. Link fights Ganondorf simply because he’s evil and has to be stopped. Mario fights Bowser to save someone. But Samus has a much more personal reason for her rivalry with Ridley, and an origin story could tell that tale. We know that Samus battles Ridley in the first game in the series, however, it has never been confirmed whether or not this is her first encounter with him since the death of her parents. Ridley could certainly make an appearance beyond the prologue of a Metroid origin game.
Metroid is a series that thrives on atmosphere and a sense of mystery. Not only is the player constantly stumped on where to go in each stage, but the story is also kept to the background, with the narrative being told through written logs and visual imagery. It’s a series about showing more than telling, which is easy to see since the games have very little dialogue.
A Metroid origin series would be a major tonal shift for the franchise, and understandably, many fans would be resistant toward this idea. In a game that tells the origin story of Samus and the Metroids the main protagonist would require a voice and the game would require a hefty deal of dialogue. This is far more excessive than anything the series has ever offered, outside the one entry in the franchise that gets a lot of criticism. (You know the one I mean)
But the lore and history of Metroid is so meaty that it feels like a necessity. Being a Metroid fan can be tough since Nintendo doesn’t always show the series the love its fans feel it deserves. There is no Hyrule Historia equivalent for the galactic federation and Samus Aran, and yet there is an impressively deep amount of backstory contained in the series that deserves to be touched upon.
Did you know that Skytown was actually created by the Chozo? Perhaps a revisit is in order.
It’s time we learn the history of the chozo and their involvement with the universe. It’s time we feel the impact of Samus’ loss and eventual triumph. Imagine fighting alongside the Metroids for once. Imagine fulfilling missions for the chozo, learning of their deep history along the way. Imagine being able to create Samus’ power suit for the first time, and being able to play as a less-knowledgeable teenage Samus, who develops into the kickass person we know today. Through her eyes the player could witness some of the most major and exciting plot points in the Metroid series.
This idea not only provides the opportunity to tell an engaging story, but to also experiment with an entirely new form of Metroid, one that is heavily driven by plot and cinematics. If only done once, I believe it’s worth the risk.
The most pivotal job for a game like this is to keep the spirit of Metroid in tact, while also telling a satisfying origin story. And that is no easy task.
Most likely, the game would have to follow a mission structure for the first time in the series, as Samus ventures out into space in order to prove her worth as a warrior to the Chozo. Each mission could revolve around key moments in the character’s arc, such as the creation of her power suit and the discovery of the space pirates. Planet Zebes could serve as the game’s hubworld, in which the players can select which planet to visit to, engage in training exercises and witness the most major cutscenes of the game, such as the fall of the chozo, the betrayal of the Metroids and the ultimate fait of Mother Brain. After the downfall of planet Zebes the game could easily transition into Samus’ involvement with the Galactic police. We know that “Metroid” follows one of Samus’ first missions as a bounty hunter so her decision to break free of the federation and become a mercenary could serve as the conclusion to the game.
Fortunately, charting out into space on missions allows the game to keep Metroid’s signature feeling of isolation and desolation in tact. Perhaps the game could feature a handful of different worlds for Samus to explore, each empty and devoid of life she can communicate with. At this point in the game Samus would no longer have a reason to speak and the gameplay would progress as classic Metroid always has, with a heavy deal of exploration and loneliness.
This idea isn’t new to the series. “Metroid Prime Hunter” and even “Metroid Prime 3: Corruption” featured multiple planets to explore, as opposed to just one. Corruption in particular was also told with a heavy narrative, so it’s not unheard of for the series to try.
Implementing specific missions is not unheard of in Metroid.
And then there’s “Other M,” the black sheep of the franchise. A Metroid origin story could be incredibly beneficial to “Other M.” By finally telling the origin of Samus Aran players would further understand her actions in “Other M”. Ever wondered why she froze up when Ridley appeared in the Pyrosphere? Perhaps if we actually witnessed the death of her parents it would all make sense.
It would also give Nintendo the opportunity for redemption. Just because “Other M” failed in the eyes of its fans doesn’t mean Nintendo shouldn’t give another shot at a story-driven Metroid game, especially since the material is already there thanks to the manga. If they finally pull it off then “Other M” will matter less in the grand scheme of things.
Obviously this is an ambitious idea for a company like Nintendo, who has little experience making story-driven video games. Their track record in voice acting is even less impressive. (Charming, but not appropriate for a dramatic tale) They can create mechanically perfect games, but they’ll be the first to admit that story must take a back seat to gameplay.
So perhaps it’s best to call in Retro Studios. Western video game developers are commonly more focused on telling stories through video games. (Uncharted, Mass Effect, Bioshock to name a few) In order to properly tell an engaging story contracting a western company like Retro Studios could be beneficial for a game such as this. The “Metroid Prime” instruction manual and the “Metroid Prime Trilogy” art booklet feature a great deal of backstory, so it’s clear the company was interested in telling some sort of story with their Prime games. The various written logs created by Samus’ scanning visor also prove this.
Ultimately, this is the biggest challenge a Metroid origin story would face. If the story doesn’t work then it’s a kiss of death. Unfortunately the enjoyment of such a game would rely greatly on the quality of writing and that’s not something Nintendo games are known for. The stories can be exciting, of course, but most players would agree that Nintendo games thrive on gameplay first.
But with a rich backstory and a comic to fall back on, a Metroid origin story has a better chance than any to succeed. Samus Aran has an interesting story to tell and in my opinion it’s so important to the story of Metroid that it needs to be told. The idea of coexisting with living, breathing chozo, building Samus’ power suit and witnessing the tale of her origin is too much to pass up. It could break new ground for Nintendo as a company, while also sating the hunger of Metroid fans, eager for a new entry. Until that time Samus’ story shall begin with the adventures on Sr-388 and end with the destruction of the X parasite. If we are lucky, however, one day Nintendo will show us what it would feel like to play through that large, missing chunk at the beginning.
What do you think? Should a Metroid Origin game exist? Is it not necessary? Sound off below and thank you so much for reading : )
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