Sector 5 (ARC) - Cold Storage
Welcome to Sector 5, also known as ARC, the frigid research facility. This area is characterized by its icy environments and unique challenges. Prepare for slippery surfaces and enemies adapted to the cold.
Initial Exploration and Navigation
- Upon entering Sector 5 from the Main Deck, you'll find yourself in a long vertical shaft. Descend carefully, dealing with any Fune or other airborne enemies.
- At the bottom, head left through the first door. You'll enter a room with several frozen blocks. These can be destroyed with your Charge Beam, but be mindful of the enemies encased within.
- Continue left into a larger chamber. Here, you'll encounter new enemies like the Zebesian, which can be a nuisance with its projectile attacks. Dispatch them and proceed.
- You'll soon reach a Save Room. It's highly recommended to save your progress here, as the upcoming sections can be challenging.
- From the Save Room, head right. You'll find a door that leads to a long, horizontal corridor. This corridor is often patrolled by Mochtroids, which are fast and can drain your energy quickly. Use your Speed Booster if you have it to clear them out, or carefully pick them off with charged shots.
Acquiring the Wide Beam
Your primary objective in this initial foray into Sector 5 is to locate the Wide Beam. This upgrade is crucial for breaking certain blocks and progressing further.
- From the horizontal corridor mentioned above, look for a path leading downwards. This will take you into a series of interconnected rooms with more frozen blocks.
- Navigate through these rooms, destroying blocks and enemies as you go. You'll eventually find a room with a large, central pillar of ice.
- To the right of this pillar, there's a door. Enter it. This leads to a small, isolated chamber.
- Inside this chamber, you'll find the Wide Beam upgrade. Collect it immediately.
using the Wide Beam and Further Progression
With the Wide Beam in hand, new paths become accessible. This upgrade allows your beam to hit three targets simultaneously, making it excellent for clearing out groups of enemies and destroying specific block types.
- Return to the room with the large central ice pillar. Notice the blocks on the left side of the pillar that were previously indestructible. With the Wide Beam, you can now destroy these.
- Break through these blocks and proceed left. You'll enter a new section of the sector.
- This area features more complex platforming over icy chasms. Be careful not to fall into the freezing water below, as it will damage Samus.
- You'll encounter more aggressive enemies here, including the Serris X, which is a faster, more dangerous version of the Serris you may have encountered before.
- Continue navigating left and downwards, using your Wide Beam to clear any obstacles. You'll eventually reach a large, open shaft with a series of platforms.
- Descend this shaft, being wary of enemies like the Puyo that float around.
- At the bottom of this shaft, you'll find a door leading to a new area. This path will eventually lead you towards the Sector 5 Navigation Room and further objectives.
Optional Collectibles (Energy Tanks & Missile Expansions)
While your main goal is the Wide Beam, keep an eye out for hidden upgrades. Sector 5 contains several valuable items.
- Missile Expansion (1): In the long horizontal corridor after the first Save Room, look for a series of breakable blocks in the ceiling. Use your Wide Beam to destroy them and reveal a hidden passage leading to a Missile Expansion.
- Energy Tank (1): After acquiring the Wide Beam and breaking through the ice pillar, as you descend the large, open shaft, look for a hidden alcove on the right wall. It's often obscured by the environment, so use a Power Bomb or carefully shoot around to reveal it. This alcove contains an Energy Tank.
Remember to always check your map frequently and use your beam to shoot suspicious walls or floors, as many secrets are hidden throughout Sector 5.