SA-X
SA-X | |
---|---|
Metroid character | |
First appearance | Metroid Fusion (2002) |
Designed by | Yoshio Sakamoto Katsuya Yamano |
The SA-X is a creature in the
The SA-X was designed to mimic Samus' movements and actions, with designer Yoshio Sakamoto identifying such a concept as unsettling. The concept of being chased by the SA-X was reused in the video game Metroid Dread with the antagonists, the EMMI, as Sakamoto wanted to reproduce that tension.
The SA-X has been met with generally positive reception, praised as an iconic character as well as one of the scariest characters in video games. Her power, particularly in contrast with Samus', was met with praise, with critics identifying the chase scenes between the SA-X and Samus as the best moments in Metroid Fusion. She has also been compared to the EMMI in Metroid Dread, which were themselves inspired by the SA-X.
Concept and creation
When designing Metroid Fusion, designer Yoshio Sakamoto aimed to make the SA-X mimic Samus' movements and action, feeling that it was an unpleasant concept to have someone mimic someone. Enemy programmer Katsuya Yamano identified SA-X as the thing he spent most of his time on.[1][2][3] The SA-X was also designed to have all of Samus' equipment from Super Metroid, contrasting a defenseless Samus.[4] The video game Metroid Dread features robots called EMMI that hunt down Samus. The concept comes from SA-X, with Sakamoto wanting to recreate the tension SA-X produced in another game.[5] They specifically wanted to feature the chase style of gameplay in a Metroid game more normal than Fusion.[6]
Appearances
The SA-X originally appeared in
The X parasite, residing in her Power Suit remains, eventually developing into a mimic of Samus on the BSL Space Station, able to use the arsenal of weapons and upgrades Samus wielded in Super Metroid, while Samus herself is relatively weakened.[7][4] The SA-X stalks Samus throughout the game, forcing her to hide or flee for most of it.[citation needed] As the plot develops, the player discovers that there are multiple SA-X, the X virus having replicated itself, and are targeting Metroids, which includes Samus due to her DNA.[citation needed] Samus learns of the Galactic Federation's intention to try to take and utilize the SA-X, opting to destroy the space station and SR388 to wipe out the X.[8] After Samus has grown powerful enough, she faces off against the SA-X, which eventually transforms into a hulking monster.[citation needed]
After being defeated, the SA-X flees in its parasite form, reforming later when Samus is facing off against an Omega Metroid. It is ultimately defeated by the Omega Metroid, at which point Samus fuses with it and regains her powers from Super Metroid, allowing her to kill the Omega Metroid and escape from the space station before it collided into SR388, destroying both.[9]
Reception
The SA-X has been generally well-received by critics, considered one of the best new villains of 2002 by Nintendo Power.[10] Retro Gamer staff called her iconic, attributing her icon status to her overwhelming power and intimidation.[11] Retro Gamer writer Darran Jones also noted her first appearance, where she looks straight at the player with her "cold, dead eyes," which they stated still makes their stomach "turn in terror."[12] She has been identified as a particularly frightening encounter in video games, with GamesRadar+ writer Connor Sheridan finding her the "coolest part" of Metroid Fusion.[13] Hardcore Gaming 101 writer Kurt Kalata considered the moments with the SA-X to be the best part of Metroid Fusion, though felt that the boss battle was too basic.[7] GameSpot writer Jordan Ramée commented on SA-X being "[Samus] at her best," and how it reflected how Samus, now infused with Metroid DNA, was being hunted by herself, reflecting how she once hunted the Metroids to extinction. He praised the writers for creating a character so "chillingly horrifying" that they are still memorable years later.[14]
Dual Shockers writer Marcus Jones considered her the scariest Nintendo character, citing her original appearance - where she blows her way through a door and slowly walks - as a "dreadful" moment. That Samus has to evade the SA-X rather than fight her was considered by Jones to be Nintendo's "greatest unorthodox take on survival horror."
The SA-X has been compared to other characters in the Metroid series, including the EMMI from Metroid Dread, with the EMMI criticized as being an inconvenience compared to SA-X.[18] Jordan Ramée felt that the EMMI was an evolution of the SA-X concept mechanically, but a step back thematically. He felt that revealing that the EMMI could be killed early in the game took away from its impact, noting that the SA-X being a "terrifying threat" is enhanced by being invulnerable to Samus until the end of the game.[14] Kurt Kalata felt similarly, feeling that EMMI are an improvement mechanically, and while they created "some incredibly tense standoffs," the SA-X were more frightening.[19] Nintendo Life writer Ollie Reynolds felt that Dark Samus lacked impact due to SA-X, feeling SA-X was superior and Dark Samus felt "been there done that."[20]
References
- ^ Hosokawa, Takehiko; Yamano, Katsuya; Yamane, Tomomi; Hamano, Minako (March 2003). メトロイドフュージョン 制作スタッフ インタビュー. Nintendo Online Magazine (Interview: Transcript) (in Japanese). No. 56. Nintendo. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Hosokawa, Takehiko; Yamano, Katsuya; Yamane, Tomomi; Hamano, Minako (March 2003). メトロイドフュージョン プレイレポート. Nintendo Online Magazine (Interview: Transcript) (in Japanese). No. 56. Nintendo. Archived from the original on July 22, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Hosokawa, Takehiko; Yamano, Katsuya; Yamane, Tomomi; Hamano, Minako (March 2003). 「メトロイド」に託す思い 坂本賀勇インタビュー. Nintendo Online Magazine (Interview: Transcript) (in Japanese). No. 56. Nintendo. Archived from the original on July 21, 2015. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ a b "Metroid Fusion – 2003 Developer Interview". Shmuplations. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Bailey, Kat (June 17, 2021). "Inside Metroid Dread's Development With Producer Yoshio Sakamoto". IGN. Archived from the original on June 17, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Knezevic, Kevin (June 17, 2021). "Metroid Dread Is The Realization Of A 15-Year Vision". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ a b c Kalata, Kurt (December 27, 2017). "Metroid Fusion". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Jones, Marcus (August 28, 2023). "Metroid's SA-X Is The Scariest Nintendo Character". Dual Shockers. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Myers, Maddy (October 8, 2021). "Everything you need to know before you play Metroid Dread". Polygon. Archived from the original on October 12, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "2002 Nintendo Power Awards". Nintendo Power. No. 168. Nintendo. May 2003. p. 166.
- Future Publishing. 2019. p. 149.
- ^ Jones, Darran. "Metroid Fusion". Retro Gamer. p. 87.
- ^ Sheridan, Connor (April 5, 2017). "Rethinking Metroid should be the next step for Nintendo Switch after Zelda: Breath of the Wild". GamesRadar+. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Ramée, Jordan (October 9, 2021). "Metroid Dread Still Doesn't Quite Deliver The Horror Experience I Know The Series Can Be". GameSpot. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Ruiz, Fran (March 16, 2023). "Metroid Fusion remains the scariest 2D game ever". VG247. Archived from the original on December 16, 2023. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ "Discussion: what's the scariest game you've ever played?". Yahoo! News. August 17, 2014. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Dawson, James (August 14, 2011). "Memories of Metroid". Nintendo World Report. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Donaldson, Alex (October 6, 2021). "Metroid Dread review: a strong adventure that'll delight fans". VG247. Archived from the original on December 21, 2021. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- ^ Kalata, Kurt (April 13, 2023). "Metroid Dread". Hardcore Gaming 101. Archived from the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
- Nintendo Life. Archivedfrom the original on February 4, 2024. Retrieved February 4, 2024.