Pride Month Is Ending And I Never Got To Kiss My Girlfriend Once :(

Maytroid… sort of… part 5!

Now, we come to the end of my little Maytroid series. If you want to understand what’s going on with these, I’d recommend glancing at the previous posts in this little series in order to understand what’s going on with this. In hindsight, I sort of wish I had put a little more time and effort into these, but I suppose it cannot be helped now. I do still enjoy the world building these have allowed me to do, and in many case have laid out the groundwork for some very interesting storytelling going forward, from the cult like worship of Phaaze, to the mysteries of SR-388. I hope to flesh these things out in future stories, but something I’ve learned from some prior experiences is to hold myself to a standard of passion over consistency. I can’t give any promises on when any of these story arcs will be properly written and posted. For now, though, onto the finale of his little series.

Day 27: Golden Torizo

Zebes Rebuilt Archive Scan

“The process to control the Torizo guardians has been a long and arduous process, with much trial and error. The Torizo are sentient, containing the souls of long deceased warriors of the Chozo. Many of my archives on Chozo spiritual studies have been lost due to the destruction of the initial archive made by my creators, so I am unable to ascertain the exact process of imbuing the soul into one of these guardian statues. Current efforts to convert the Torizo to our side have centered around continuous logic routines and straining the mental faculties of the guardians. Their on control over themselves is absolute, and they will never make a move to harm a member of the Thoha Hasana. This has had no hope of change. However, this should not pose an issue.

Ridley has personally taken one of the Torizo to convert by way of immense emotional trauma. He has regularly destroyed artifacts of great spiritual significance to the Chozo in front of the Torizo. Once a week, he has commissioned for me to create a biologically perfect Chozo egg, which he proceeds to consume in front of the Torizo. The fact that the egg is infertile has not been acknowledged. Other acts to emotionally torment the Torizo include footage of violence against animals and civilians during his raids on Galactic Federation Space and during recreational hunts, and playing footage of the massacre of the Chozo during his attack on Zebes. Such methods have shown only minor success in breaking the Torizo’s will. However, I believe he simply seeking personal pleasure from the guardian’s suffering.”

Day 28: Metroid Prime

Promise to the Entrusted One

“We have failed. While the great poison has been sealed away at its source, our population is all but dead. Only seven of us remain. We cannot hope to finish this, nor rebuild the society we once knew. Our creations are insufficient to end this. We are scientists, not the great warriors who fell to protect our world. Still, we toil, in hopes that you, the entrusted one that greatest of us foresaw, can succeed where we have not. We gift to you the armor perfected for your use, utilizing the one organism the Phazon does not infect. Go forth, hatchling of the Chozo, and save this world. You cannot save us, but this world of beautiful creatures can live on. From the trees to the fish to the very fungus that protects you in this armor, you can save this vast, wonderful world. Go forth, and free this world.”

Day 29: EMMI

Report from GFS Sunset Homage

“EMMI unit S-11 has infiltrated SR-166. Preliminary readings show minimum atmospheric Phazon contamination in general planetary range. However, creatures around the crash site have already undergone Phazon induced transfiguration. Several carcasses within a 45 mile radius of the crash sight have been found with no signs of predation and have shown definitive signs of Phazon Induced Cell Death (PICD). While exacerbating preexisting ailments has not been ruled out, current evidence points to death due solely to PICD. One herbivorous creature seen displaying erratic behavior was euthanized by S-11, and was found to have PICD in several areas of the brain.

It is this researcher’s opinion that the entire north western continent of SR-166 be put under strict quarantine. We have seen in other cases how the Phazon infestation of a planet can begin slowly but escalate exponentially. We cannot risk the Phazon crisis reach the Galactic Federation’s proverbial flank.”

Day 30: Mother Brain

Secret Agreement

“Your purpose will not be to enforce order. You will not bend the Galactic Federation to my will or push politics from the shadows. You are not an agent of peace. You are my monster. You will have your fill of blood and sadism. You will be my agent of evil to sic on those who fall astray from cooperation. You will be nothing more or less than yourself, but only where I choose. This war will last forever, and you will be the wolf for the sheep to fear. You will be the enemy.”

Day 31: Mission Completed

Mission Report

“Mission was successful. Metroid presence on SR-388 has been eradicated. Signal coming from the cavern was created by highly mutated Metroid, which was put down as well. However, I have saved and catalogued data on all Metroid permutations encountered for future reference. Glaxamore presence on the planet was low, but I did face a brief encounter with Ridley. He was beaten, but due to the arrival of the planetary super storm, I cannot confirm the kill. Additionally, I have disobeyed orders slightly. I discovered a Metroid hatchling during its hatching process. It has since imprinted on me, and has shown no signs of aggression. I have taken in the Metroid for study by the Galactic Federation. I already have drafted paperwork to ensure that it will not be tampered with for purposes of bioweapons research, and hope that the energy they metabolize can be used for something positive. Against my better judgement, I have given the hatchling a name. It’s the name of a pet I used to have before the Chozo took me in, Pyonchi… Computer, strike the last two sentences from the record.”

Made a little edit of basically all of the footage we have of Sylux himself (song is “Psycho” by DHeusta)

Space Pirate Design Ranking

The Metroid series has a boatload of different designs, completely changing between every game except the 2D iterations. Some think it’s simple design inconsistency, others think that they’re different genetic manipulations of the same species, while others (including myself) are of the opinion that the Space Pirates are a collective made up of various species. Today, I’ll be ranking these designs based on what they convey and, simply, what I think is cool and aesthetically pleasing. For the sake of simplicity, I’ll only be ranking the standard Space Pirate variant of each game, the “core enemy type” if you will. And yes, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is here, though its place in the ranking is subject to change as we get more closer looks.

7. Metroid Prime 2 Echoes

Some people may consider this a sin to put so low on the list but, to me, this really just doesn’t fit the whole vibe of the Space Pirates, especially in the Prime series. In the Metroid Prime saga, the Space Pirates are an authoritarian empire who recklessly abuse technological advancement for the sake of domination. This just… doesn’t say that. It’s a good design, don’t get me wrong, but this really looks like some weird skeleton knight. I could see this crawling out of some crypt to seek vengeance, not descending from a space ship to plunder. For that reason, I gotta put this guy in last place.

6th place: Metroid Prime Federation Force

For many of the problems Metroid Prime 2’s design has, I think Federation Force remedies… and then makes the opposite mistakes. Federation Force’s Space Pirate design is, canonically, around the same height as Metroid Prime’s Omega Pirate. Why make mechs for your game if you’re just gonna scale the enemies up anyway is anyone’s guess. With that in mind, I kinda like this as a heavy unit for the Space Pirates, but the center of this design just is a bit hard to look at. I love the limbs and the inclusion of the iconic Prime Pirate energy blade. There’s a mix of fleshy joints and tough, metal plating that I enjoy, I actually like the bright red eyes as well, especially for a heavy unit. But the carapace around it just feels… it’s kinda hard to look at. That mouth, as well, is just a bit too buggy and lacks expressiveness. Really, that’s my edict on this thing. Good extremities, but lacks expression and is generally tough to look at. Still, I imagine someone could retool/retexture this thing to be a real banger of a design.

5th place: Metroid Other M

From here on, these designs are ones I truly like as Space Pirates. Metroid Other M’s Space Pirate design was a tough one to find a good image of. This was about the best one I could find in a cursory search. As far as official designs go, I think this is the best translation of the iconic Zebesian Space Pirate to 3D we’ve ever gotten. There was a small effort made in Prime 2 to bring the claws back, but here there are on full display and they look great. The whole design is, honestly, fantastic. You can see the smooth bands around the limbs and torso, downward pointed jaw, and the big, smooth, blank eyes of the old sprite. The spines on the back and head really add some personal flare to these guys as well, and the whole design has a delightfully cheesy color scheme that I simply adore. I think the series has designs that evoke certain feelings and themes better, but this is certainly a fun looking guy.

4th place: Metroid Prime 3 Corruption

Unlike every other type but the Zebesians, the Space Pirates of Corruption have a distinct name based on the Homeworld we explore, Urtraghians. There is a distinctly pseudo organic bend to these guys, with the textures on the armor plating feeling almost Xenomorphic. However, where I think this design stands out is, of course, the head. The long, pointed teeth clearly visible under the rows of eyes really makes this eel-like head intimidating. You can really imagine the Urtraghians descending from their ships in a city, gunning down innocents and plundering whatever they choose. These animalistic terrors will smell where you’re hiding and drag you out kicking and screaming. It really fits the Space Pirates’ role in the story. From day one, they really have just been a bogeyman for the Federation. We rarely actually see them doing… ya know… pirating. The rampant technological obsession was a concept introduced by the Prime trilogy. As a design for the Bogeyman of the Galaxy, I think the Urtraghians work great.

3. Metroid Prime 4 Beyond

Haha, 3 is for 4 and 4 is for 3. This will be subject to change and many people might not rank them until we get clearer images, but uh… I’m doin it. Beyond’s pirates have a very buggy design, but in a way that’s parallel, not identical, to the Zebesian designs from the 2d games. Their mouth is split into mandibles, they have a hard carapace, and their movements can be jittery and unsettling. The large size of them compared to the Federation personnel seen in the trailer really evokes power and control. Their armor has outward pointed edges and defined pectorals. These are conquerors, proud, undefeatable warriors. The sparseness of it also evokes a sense of confidence, as if they don’t need a full covering when their hardened shell is so superior to weak flesh. It’s almost ornamental in a way. (Though someone should remind them they lost in every previous fight against Samus). Their mandibular maws, hunched backs, double thumbed hands, and digitigrade stance (standing on their toes with their heels off the ground) also evokes a certain other core enemy type in a sci fi shooter.

I’m going to leave it here for now as I have some other stuff to get to at the moment and I Forgor the image limit on Tumblr posts. I’ll get the ranking for the final (first?) two designs by the end of today. Then, I might make a post about what roles I’d fit these different species into for my own storytelling purposes.

Well… CapCut got banned alongside TikTok. I had known about TikTok getting banned, but CapCut? I’m genuinely shocked. I did not know about that. I use CapCut for any video projects I do. Without that, I need to find a new video editing app. If anyone has any recommendations, please send them my way.

Your life is nothing! You serve zero goodness! You should kill yourself NOW! And give somebody else a piece of that soul energy that’s here so we can live inside this spinning dust storm galaxy. Cuz what are you here for? To worship the Chozo? Kill yourself! I mean that with 100%, with 1,000%.

After the events of Fusion, Noxus learned that Samus had Metroid DNA (I have different ideas as to how), and realized it was destiny; He is a Judicator-wielding Vhozon who helped slay Metroids, and came into conflict with Samus Aran multiple times, believing during one incident that the Federation could not be trusted with an ultimate power she was attempting to secure. Noxus believed it was his duty to slay the last Metroid, and bring peace to the galaxy; Its DNA could not be trusted to fall into anyone's hands, least of all the Federation's after Adam helped leak its corruption. The Metroid must be destroyed completely.

Cue a confrontation in which Noxus is more of a threat than before because of Samus' new Metroid-inherited weakness to ice. And when murdering her himself isn’t quite working, Noxus remembers that Samus is still someone with a strong sense of justice that often overlaps with the Vhozon codex, in many ways he sees her as simply misguided. And thus someone whose sense of justice he can appeal to…

So Noxus suggests to Samus that she should just let herself die right here, right now, to save the galaxy; She understands the threat the Metroid poses, and she would sacrifice herself in a more conventional mission to save everyone. Why risk it, except to let herself enjoy a selfishly dangerous existence??? Adam tells Samus within her helmet not to listen to Noxus; You deserve to live too.

And in the end this episodic arc is meant to reiterate, it’s meant to be Samus practicing, a lesson she’s trying to internalize for herself after the events of Fusion, after the guilt and self-loathing she’s accumulated after so many loved ones’ deaths. Because damn Noxus is almost like the devil on her shoulder (ironic given his Holier than Thou personality; And Vhozon parallels to Christian extremism and the belief that suicide is a sin) making it sound real tempting to Samus to just kill herself.

She doesn’t even have to do it herself, someone will do it for her! Insisting it’s actually better for people Samus cares about if she’s dead, so this isn’t selfish but selfless, and vice-versa!!! So once again Samus is grappling with continuing to apply this lesson of self-worth because that’s the exhausting truth; You will relapse and you will have to constantly remind yourself and relearn that same lesson over and over again. That’s life, that’s the banal truth behind living, but there’s also a deep wonder behind it as well.

But in contrast to this, Noxus is essentially telling Samus:

People on Reddit absolutely FLAMING Sylux for this one😭

Happy Halloween!

Halloween has been my favorite holiday for as long as I can remember. Granted, that may be in part due to my birthday also falling on October, but nevertheless, I still love it. It’s a holiday of pure fun and celebrating the macabre. Alas, I haven’t been feeling it this year. Between politics (blech), quitting my current job, searching for a way forward in life, and a lack of new spooky content, I’ve just not felt drawn into the Halloween spirit. I’m also waist deep into the process of writing for my Metroid rewrite, and have very little to show at the moment. Still, Halloween is calling my name and I must not deny it, plus I really wanna get some more of my ideas out there. So here’s a quick post to at least get the ball rolling on some ideas for a rewritten Metroid Fusion, the game the cemented Metroid in the minds of many as suspenseful and horror adjacent.

1. Waking up

As opposed to the drawn out process of “go to SR-388, get infected, fly off, go comatose and crash into an asteroid field, get taken in and healed by the BSL station, leave the BSL, head BACK to BSL”, I’m simplifying it down. Instead of being called back to the BSL station due to an explosion on board, Samus wakes up on the operating table in the middle of the X-Parasite outbreak, similar in part to Doom 2016’s opening. However, she’s not thrust into action immediately from the onset, having some time to wake up and get a feel for the new/post surgery suit.

2. X-Parasites Science

I want to dive a little deeper into the details of the X-Parasites. Firstly, their scientific nomenclature is Anomalomimus Volans, roughly translating to “Strange Mimic which Flies”. Furthermore, I want to play more into the fact that it is an intelligent hivemind. Perhaps not Gravemind levels of intellect, but still enough to strategize and make complex decisions. However, their mimicry has a catch. They can only repeat phrases they’ve already stated. They can form new sentences, but it is difficult, and strains the limited mental capacity of each individual X.

3. X-Parasite life cycle

There is a variety of different levels of mimicry the X take on in the Metroid games. We have heard of them blending in with their prey, utilize the unaltered bodies of their prey, and even mutate into hideous new forms in order to gain an edge in combat. I have been able to come up with a few stages for a hypothetical Anomalomimus life cycle. First is the amoeboid stage, where we see their multi colored, amorphous forms floating through the air, searching for a creature to consume. This stage is temporary and, without food in time, they will disintegrate and die. Second is the mimic stage, where the X will attempt to blend in and retain its form, assessing the safety and viability of spreading in a given situation. The assessment is not exactly clinical, but it does take into account obvious factors like weaponry and escape routes… and, ya know, Metroids. If their cover is blown, they will react violently, killing all witnesses, and find a safe location to move onto their third stage. This stage can also be used in combat to aid in overwhelming and consuming a resisting population such as the Chozo. Lastly in their standard life cycle is the budding form, where their visage breaks down into amorphous slop as they begin to reproduce more X parasite offspring. I don’t have full details on this, or how the Core X fit into this, but this is where I’m at currently.

4. Scan Logs

Prime time, baby. We doing scan logs. In addition to the typical written logs and notices, I am going to be employing the Doom 2016 style holograms to relay events from the past. While I understand why they are not present in any of the Prime games, I do think they are a tool that make for some interesting storytelling opportunities, (especially in a show or movie, but that’s a discussion for another time). I will try to keep extensive scans sparse as it can be easy to oversaturate the inclusion of logs in a written story when the format already allows a window into how Samus deciphers situations around her.

5. Stakes

I will freely admit to not knowing a great deal about Metroid Fusion’s plot beyond the general outline of things. Some people may then find my reworking to be a bit dishonest in some ways to the source material. With that said, the stakes will be laid out from near the start, and the clock will start ticking. The X parasites have overrun the BSL Station, with near free rein over all of its systems. There are still some guard rails, but it’s only a matter of time until they find a way to send the station toward a well populated planet and spread. Samus, in addition to finding the truth of what was happening on board this station of doom, must ensure the X Parasites can never travel to another star system. If they do, all life in the galaxy is at risk.

6. The SA-X

The SA-X has been an extremely iconic villain due to its stalking behavior and sheer advantage in power over our recovering hero, in addition to being a demented, dark reflection of her. That being said, I think the mutated design for the SA-X feels a bit… uninspired? I simply feel that it just doesn’t add much to the design in its current form. However, the idea of the SA-X mutating is one I’ll keep. Instead of… whatever we have in canon, these mutations will come in the form of the SA-X attempting to keep cohesion with Samus’s spliced DNA and growing more Chozo traits, but deformed and uneven. Half a beak here, a featherless wing there, some mismatched eyes. It will exceptionally uncanny for Samus, given her relationship to both humanity and the Chozo.

7. Neo Ridley

There will be no Neo-Ridley… kind of. I feel like the years have really dulled the effect of having another clone of Ridley, so I will not be including one. Instead, BSL station will house the only other member of Ridley’s species known to the Galactic Federation, an individual named Neo, who provides insight into Ridley’s origins. His copy, Neo-X, will also feature some inspirations from Dread, including a ranged attack of black muck instead of fire, and mutating his wings into additional arms, alongside twisting its head 180°, allowing it to crawl along the walls and high speeds.

Hopefully, this turned out to be an interesting view into how I plan to bring my own spin on Metroid through a different storytelling format. My first project for this rewritten Metroid series is going to be a modified version of the Metroid Zero Mission manga. Stay tuned for updates on that! (If I ever get around to them>.<)

Can someone explain to me why the first Murder Drones post I make here is a meme about an AU? I did not expect this to be how it goes. Eh. @ddwhaleshark here ya go.

Shoutout to people who reblog my posts with commentary and insights. I fuck w/ you heavy.

Metroid Prime: The Great Hunt art dump 1

Today, y’all get some wildlife concepts. After all, the worlds of Metroid feel a lot less lively without an array of critters and beasts populating them!

The Icthyosuchus is a marine predator on the planet Collidus III, a world with vast oceans and only scattered islands left above the waves. Think of them like the cross between a dolphin and a mosasaur but with gills. There will be a brief fight between Samus and one of these sea beasts

The “Vigor” is something I thought up while brainstorming wildlife for a tall mountain range. The name is a pun based on its resemblance to a… certain tree dwelling mammal. It is a predator inhabiting the frigid planet of Collidus V, a world experiencing its own ice age.

Returning to Collidus III, the War Mantis is based off the concept of having a bigger, meaner war wasp, and thus the carnivorous praying mantis served as inspiration. The War Mantis is huge, with a specimen encountered by Samus totaling about 11 feet in height. Due to this size, they are flightless. However, their abdomens are hollow, allowing them to float on top of calmer waves and catch prey in shallow waters. Their thickly armored underbelly keeps them safe from aquatic predators like the Icthyosuchus.

The Herrahound is a ubiquitous native of Collidus IV, an arid world comparable to late Triassic Earth. These nocturnal creatures prefer to sleep during the day, held off of the heated soil of the perpetual summer by their clawed tails which can cling to trees or the ceilings of caves. Their prehensile mandibles and powerful legs allow them to catch prey effectively. The design of this creature is adapted from a cancelled enemy type from Metroid Prime: Hunters. I was not able to find a name for this creature, so I drew inspiration from its Triassic Environment and resemblance to a creature from the Half Life game series.