Countdown: Difference between revisions

The '''escape sequence''' or '''countdown''' is a common element of the [[Metroid (series)|''Metroid'' series]] which is usually activated or triggered usually after an important boss battle or event. Escape sequences are almost always activated by the boss or the main antagonist of the game and always involve a fatal occurrence of some sort. Occasionally in the series, a time limit will be implemented during boss fights such as the battle against [[Meta Ridley]] and [[Dark Samus]].

The original ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]'' featured the first Self-destruct Sequence upon [[Mother Brain|Mother Brain's]] defeat in the depths within planet [[Zebes]]. Samus then has 99.9 seconds to escape the region of Zebes, [[Tourian]], and reach an elevator leading to the surface of [[Zebes]]. Samus's arrival to the surface marks the end of ''Metroid'', where the earned ending is displayed and credits begin to roll. It serves as a sort of prologue in Super Metroid.

''[[Metroid: Zero Mission]]'' features two Self-destruct Sequences: one mirroring the original ''Metroid'' ending and a second one upon defeating [[Mecha Ridley]]. Like the original ''Metroid'', Samus must escape Tourian and reach Zebes's surface. This escape is much longer and more complicated than the original ''Metroid'' escape. Samus is given one minute on Hard Mode, 2 minutes on normal mode, and 3 minutes on easy mode to escape Tourian and reach her Gunship. ''Zero Mission'', unlike ''Metroid'', does not end upon Samus's escape from the planet. As Samus enters her [[Samus Aran's Gunship|starship]] and flies away from Zebes, she is chased down by [[Space Pirate]]s and her ship is shot back down onto the planet. On the planet's surface she infiltrates the [[Space Pirate Mother Ship]].

The first timed sequence occurs on [[Norion]] as the first encountered [[Leviathan]] is headed straight toward Norion. Samus and the other [[Bounty Hunter|hunters]] must reach and activate the Energy Cannon used to destroy the Leviathan while it hurls toward the planet. She manages to reach the Energy Cannon in time but along with the other Bounty Hunters, is confronted by Dark Samus, who nearly prevents their objective from being completed. Samus, fortunately, is able to activate the Energy Cannon before it is too late.

The second instance occurs when Samus faces the returning [[Meta Ridley]]. Samus and Meta Ridley are both falling down an extremely long, narrow shaft. Samus must defeat Meta Ridley before they impact the core of the shaft. After defeating Meta Ridley, Rundas is able to locate and remove Samus from harm by pulling her to the top of the shaft.

The ''[[Super Metroid]]'' escape sequence is very similer to the escape sequence in ''[[Metroid (game)|Metroid]]''. After defeating [[Mother Brain]] with her newly aquired [[Hyper Beam]], a time bomb is activated giving Samus three minutes to escape. She uses the Hyper Beam, she is able to destroy barriers and destroy the [[Space Pirates]] remaining in the facility. She breaks out of [[Tourian]] into the early section of [[Crateria]]. She must then go to her ship, optionally freeing trapped [[Etecoon]]s and [[Dachora]]s. After this countdown, [[Zebes]] is destroyed.

The [[Metroid: Other M|''Other M'']] escape sequence occurs immediately after Samus obtains [[Adam Malkovich|Adam's]] helmet from his [[Galactic Federation Power Suit|suit]]. Samus is too mentally unstable to remain in her [[Power Suit]] so she must escape the exploding [[Bottle Ship]] in her [[Zero Suit]]. As Samus traverses the crumbling Bottle Ship, she is attacked by various [[Zebesian]]s, mirroring the ''Zero Mission'' escape sequence. Samus escapes by reaching her landed Gunship. This escape sequence is the only escape sequence not necessary to complete, as ''Other M'' ends upon defeating [[Queen Metroid]] and it is not necessary to continue.

Nearing the end of ''[[Metroid Fusion|Fusion]]'', [[Adam Malkovich|Adam]] sends Samus to the [[Operations Room]] to send the [[Biologic Space Laboratories Research Station|B.S.L Station]] toward [[SR388]]. After Samus arrives at the Operations Room and inputs the command, she has a set amount of time to reach her [[Samus Aran's Gunship|ship]] before the station impact with the planet. Aside from avoiding getting lost, Samus must face [[SA-X]] and finally the [[Omega Metroid]]. After defeating the Omega Metroid using Samus's former powers, Samus escapes the station safely with [[Etecoon]]s and [[Dachora]] aboard her ship.