A deep dive into the timeline placement of the newest Metroid Prime recreation in addition to the complete Sylux 100% cutscene.
WARNING: This Function is filled with spoilers for Metroid Prime 4: Past in addition to the complete Metroid sequence. Let this be a warning to you if you happen to don’t need these particulars ruined for you. In any other case, please take pleasure in.
Metroid Prime 4: Past lastly launched and is filled with lore many followers of the sequence love to check. That mentioned, earlier than it was launched we have been left to marvel the place on the Metroid timeline the sport takes place. Now unnamed members of the event workforce have not too long ago chimed in on the timeline placement in a current interview in Famitsu, however I urge you to look over the proof introduced right here earlier than taking the interview at face worth.
Background Info
To start I feel it’s necessary to grasp the Metroid timeline earlier than the discharge of Metroid Prime 4: Past. Up till this level there hasn’t been a lot argument over the canonical order of the video games. That timeline goes:
Metroid: Zero Mission (Cosmic 12 months 20X5)
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Metroid Prime: Federation Power (Cosmic 12 months 20X6)
Metroid: Samus Returns
Tremendous Metroid
Metroid: Different M
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Dread
So how will we go about inserting Metroid Prime 4: Past on this timeline? For starters you need to know that after the occasions of Metroid Prime 3: Corruption the Galactic Federation launched Mission Golem to construct highly effective Mechs for Federation Marines to make use of based mostly on tech from Samus’ Energy Go well with. This tech is what was utilized in Metroid Prime: Federation Power and might be seen all through Metroid Prime 4: Past. So we all know for certain that Metroid Prime 4: Past takes place after Federation Power.
The subsequent factor to have a look at is Samus’s Gunship. For this we should hint what Gunships Samus has had all through the timeline. Since these totally different ships don’t have names I’ll identify them from their recreation of origin when positioned upon the timeline.
Metroid: Zero Mission (Zero Mission Gunship. Destroyed within the recreation’s ending.)
Metroid Prime (Prime 1 Gunship)
Metroid Prime: Hunters (Prime 1 Gunship)
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (Prime 2 Gunship)
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption (Prime 3 Gunship)
Metroid Prime: Federation Power (Prime 3 Gunship)
Metroid: Samus Returns (Prime 2 Gunship)
Tremendous Metroid (Prime 2 Gunship)
Metroid: Different M (Prime 2 Gunship)
Metroid Fusion (Prime 2 Gunship Destroyed in Intro. Fusion Gunship after.)
Metroid Dread (Fusion Gunship)
When tracing the historical past of Samus’ Gunship we see that her preliminary ship in Zero Mission was destroyed. She then began utilizing the Prime 1 Gunship for Prime & Hunters. She then switched to the Prime 2 Gunship for Prime 2, however stopped utilizing it for a while. We don’t know why she switched for a number of adventures afterwards. My concept is her religion in it was shaken after it sustained injury in Prime 2. One other factor to think about is that the builders possible, initially, needed the Prime sequence to finish with Samus utilizing the Prime 2 Gunship in order that it matched up with the ship utilized in Metroid 2. That mentioned Prime 3 took a course that referred to as for in-game use of the ship and sure triggered a redesign to raised match the specified gameplay.
So Samus makes use of the Prime 3 Gunship in Prime 3 and Federation Power. The Prime 3 Gunship is predicated on the Prime 2 Gunship, designed by Samus, and makes use of each Federation and Chozo expertise. By this description it sounds superior to the Prime 2 Gunship in each manner so it’s no marvel Samus prefers it to the Prime 1 and Prime 2 Gunships which so far as we all know nonetheless exist someplace.
After Federation Power Samus reverts again to the Prime 2 Gunship for unknown causes. Maybe in a narrative we don’t but know the Prime 3 Gunship will get broken or destroyed. It ought to be famous that that is, earlier than the discharge of Prime 4, the one identified time Samus reverts again to a earlier Gunship. The Prime 2 Gunship stays her alternative of ship till it’s destroyed within the intro to Metroid Fusion the place Samus then will get a brand new Fusion Gunship which she makes use of via the tip of the present timeline in Dread.
With all that mentioned we don’t know the true final destiny of the Prime 1 or Prime 3 Gunships. We additionally don’t know precisely when these ships have been manufactured or what number of Samus owns directly.
Another factor we have to focus on earlier than inserting Prime 4 on the timeline is the Sylux data. Sylux, who first seems in Prime Hunters, makes use of a Energy Go well with that seems to be based mostly on a Federation Prototype. He additionally has a deep hatred in the direction of the Galactic Federation and Samus for aiding them. This data is related to the Sylux character in Prime Hunters. Sylux’s ship seen in Prime Hunters, the Delano 7, can also be a stolen Federation Prototype. Throughout the occasions of Federation Power a Federation Marine steals a Metroid Egg from a secret House Pirate facility earlier than blowing up the power and all their Metroids and analysis. Then on the finish of Federation Power Sylux sneaks right into a Federation base and hatched this similar egg and stole the newborn Metroid from the Federation.
Metroid Prime 4: Past Placement
Earlier than even stepping into the occasions of the sport the Nintendo At the moment cellphone app gave us helpful data on Sylux. The app states:
“Cosmic 12 months 20X6 – Metroid eggs secretly saved in a sure analysis middle of the Galactic Federation have been forcibly hatched, and the hatchlings have been taken. It was the work of Sylux, making the most of the imprinting attribute of Metroids.
He then cultured and multiplied the Metroids, and within the course of, succeeded in his experiment to present them a brand new capacity – to merge with and management different organisms.
By controlling officer-class people of the House Pirates through the Metroids, Sylux constructed a brand new military for himself and orchestrated assaults on the Galactic Federation’s analysis facilities one after one other. His purpose was to amass new applied sciences and weapons to strengthen his military and himself, and he was in a position to improve his personal battlesuit to a nanosuit of the newest mannequin.”
This supplementary data provides us extra data on Sylux’s purpose after Federation Power, but additionally tells us he stole the newborn Metroid on the conclusion of that recreation for the reason that Cosmic Years line up. Metroid Prime 4: Past additionally states that the sport takes place in Cosmic 12 months 20X9 which suggests it’s after Federation Power.
In Metroid Prime 4: Past Samus can also be seen piloting the Prime 3 Gunship which is robust proof that it takes place after Prime 3 and Federation Power. Additionally, whereas not bulletproof, it does lead folks to consider it occurs earlier than Samus Returns and Tremendous Metroid since she hasn’t swapped again to her previous, possible inferior, ship but.
The ultimate in-game proof that Prime 4 takes place after Federation Power is the truth that the sport makes use of a number of Mechs that have been developed as a part of Mission Golem after Prime 3 to be used in Federation Power.
At a look this proof would recommend that Prime 4 can happen anytime after Federation Power. That mentioned there may be additional proof to slim down the location. Samus Returns has Samus searching down all of the remaining Metroids on their homeworld of planet SR388. On the conclusion of the sport Samus takes one child Metroid again to the Galactic Federation for analysis which instantly goes into the occasions of Tremendous Metroid. Tremendous Metroid then begins with the notorious quote from Dan Owsen, “The final Metroid is in captivity. The Galaxy is at peace.”
As a result of the final Metroid is in captivity through the occasions of Tremendous Metroid, and the Galactic Federation is definitely conscious that Sylux or somebody stole a Metroid, I conclude it’s not possible for Metroid Prime 4: Past to happen after Samus Returns. Subsequently Metroid Prime 4: Past takes place instantly after Federation Power and earlier than Samus Returns. This leaves us with the next Berube timeline.
Berube Timeline
Metroid: Zero Mission (Cosmic 12 months 20X5)
Metroid Prime
Metroid Prime: Hunters
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
Metroid Prime 3: Corruption
Metroid Prime: Federation Power (Cosmic 12 months 20X6)
Metroid Prime 4: Past (Cosmic 12 months 20X9)
Metroid: Samus Returns
Tremendous Metroid
Metroid: Different M
Metroid Fusion
Metroid Dread
Nintendo’s Present Placement
As talked about at the beginning of this characteristic, unnamed Metroid Prime 4: Past builders not too long ago answered a query as to the place Metroid Prime 4: Past takes place within the Metroid timeline in an interview with Famitsu. The interview states that Prime 4 takes place between Tremendous Metroid and Metroid Fusion. Whereas it doesn’t particularly say if it takes place earlier than or after Different M, I’d simply assume after as sure facets would have extra affect inside that recreation. That mentioned, this Prime 4 placement doesn’t make any sense.
We are able to begin with a minor discrepancy. Samus could be going again to her Prime 3 Gunship after utilizing the Prime 2 ship for 3 video games. What causes this alteration? After which why does Samus resolve to return to the Prime 2 ship for Fusion? When the Prime 2 ship is destroyed in Fusion’s intro why doesn’t she revert to her Prime 3 ship? As an alternative she will get the brand new Fusion Gunship.
Then we’ve the foremost drawback with inserting Prime 4 after Tremendous Metroid. On this interpretation Sylux would have stolen a Metroid on the conclusion of Federation Power. Then in Tremendous Metroid it states that the final Metroid is in captivity. If Samus has captured the final Metroid, and the Federation clearly is aware of Sylux has a Metroid, then the final Metroid is NOT in captivity. It’s a significant screw up that damages the plot of a number of different video games.
I additionally take this interview with a grain of salt as a result of comparable interviews about Nintendo recreation lore prior to now have, at occasions, contained incorrect data or data that was later modified to replicate higher reasoning. Hopefully a correction or main rationalization is given to repair the plot holes launched by this assertion.
The Sylux 100% Cutscene
Another factor that must be mentioned about Metroid Prime 4 is the 100% Sylux full cutscene. All through the sport Samus, utilizing her psychic talents, retains getting flashbacks on one thing that occurred in Sylux’s previous.
The complete flashback exhibits Sylux on a battlefield as a Federation Trooper in a command place. There’s a large battle happening in opposition to the House Pirates and a significant Pirate weapon seen looming within the background. Sylux will get a name from a superior officer telling him to carry place and to attend for Samus’ workforce to reach to assist. Disobeying orders, Sylux tells his troops to advance and says, “Get me that weapon.”
As Sylux and his troops proceed in the direction of the Pirate weapon it then costs up and fires. This weapon seemingly destroys Sylux’s complete squad as he dives in a ditch for security. The weapon additionally destroys Federation Mechs.
Samus’ Prime 3 Gunship is then seen flying overhead in the direction of the battlefield. Afterwards Samus is seen exterior her gunship destroying the Pirate weapon a lot to Sylux’s disdain. Samus then makes an attempt to assist Sylux up and he slaps her hand away.
Many individuals view this scene because the Sylux origin story, however I feel based mostly on the proof offered it isn’t an origin story however simply an occasion that occurred to Sylux in one among his grabs for energy and weapons. Some assume this occasion is the rationale behind Sylux’s hate in the direction of the Federation and Samus, however that doesn’t make a lot sense. Every thing that occurs right here is Sylux’s personal fault and out of doors of jealousy of Samus’ energy right here I can’t see it sending him on a campaign in opposition to the Galactic Federation.
There’s additionally ample proof that this occasion did not occur within the distant previous. For starters, Samus is flying her Prime 3 Gunship. This ship wasn’t seen till Metroid Prime 3, so except Samus is hoarding ships manner earlier than we find out about them this didn’t exist till Prime 3. The stronger proof on the flashback’s timeline placement is the truth that there are Federation Mechs on the battlefield. These didn’t exist till after Prime 3 when Mission Golem began and have become outstanding throughout Federation Power.
This could get complicated since Sylux clearly already existed as a risk along with his stolen Energy Go well with in Hunters. Additionally showing on the finish of Prime 3 and Federation Power as this highly effective being. So what’s the reason of Sylux being a excessive rating commander within the Federation military? I feel I’ve the reply.
My concept is that Sylux has been a Federation Trooper working his manner up the ranks for years. That is nothing greater than an extended recreation ruse although. He’s used his place to realize data on the Federation, to steal their tech, and to bide his time earlier than making an enormous play. In Hunters he took a few of this stolen gear and tried to get the doable Final Energy hidden within the Alimbic Cluster. He then waited, watching over Samus and the Federation. Finally Sylux hatches and steals the newborn Metroid. Nonetheless secretly being a Federation Soldier, Sylux tries to steal the Pirate weapon throughout that fateful battle. It’s even doable his squad is with him and secretly in opposition to the Federation as he has no drawback telling his males that HE desires that weapon. Round three Galactic Calendar years later Sylux succeeds in cloning Metroids in a manner that creates Fusion Metroids that enable him to manage others. He focuses this new biotech on taking management of commanding House Pirates to get revenge on the Federation, Samus, and to get extra highly effective than ever earlier than. Sylux then makes his largest performs by commanding a House Pirate power, stealing tech, and taking down his hated Galactic Federation.
One other concept is one which initially comes from NWR web site director John Rairdin. He thought it was doable that Sylux was one sufferer of the Horus Riot. This insurrection is briefly talked about in Prime 3 with not a lot context. If Sylux did acquire hate for the Federation from this occasion, perhaps so did the remainder of his Federation Squad.
Additionally value mentioning is that the complete Sylux 100% flashback cutscene might have simply been extraordinarily poorly made. What I imply is, maybe it’s meant to happen earlier than Metroid Prime: Hunters however the folks overseeing it have been extraordinarily sloppy with the lore. In that case Samus in all probability shouldn’t have had her Prime 3 Gunship and Federation Mechs shouldn’t have been on the battlefield. If that is so it will be nice if it have been retconned in a future title and even given an replace within the present Prime 4. Followers of the sequence deserve accuracy if the presently observable intent isn’t right, particularly after ready twenty years to study extra about Sylux.
You might also be curious as to how the Sylux cutscene would match into Nintendo’s timeline. In it is present type it might be anyplace from after Federation Power via to almost earlier than of Metroid Prime 4: Past which is, once more, after Tremendous Metroid in keeping with the interview.
Conclusion
Prime 4 is the primary time I feel we’ve ever needed to marvel in regards to the precise timeline placement of a Metroid recreation. The sequence is thought for being pretty easy with the whole lot and I discover Nintendo’s present official response missing and lazy. I by no means hear a lot about it, however are there lore masters at Nintendo? If there are, I want we might hear extra from them and have precise American equivalents so we all know there are folks watching out for the pursuits of loopy followers in Nintendo’s largest market. Finally, nothing is about in stone and hopefully future statements and video games clarify the obvious issues created by the Prime 4 developer assertion.
All of that mentioned I do really feel my timeline interpretations repair the issues created by Nintendo’s personal placement. Hopefully somebody is listening and taking note of all this as a result of if Nintendo doesn’t care about their very own continuity why ought to anybody care about any of the lore of their video games? Why get invested if the creators break the lore? It’s not a great search for the merchandise or model.
So there you may have it, my tackle the Metroid Prime 4: Past timeline placements. Do you agree with my timeline or do you facet with Nintendo’s? Did I miss some necessary element? Please let me find out about it within the feedback part under or on the Nintendo World Report Discord Server!
