Optimal Route for 100%

Optimal Route for 100% Completion

Achieving 100% completion in Metroid Prime Remastered demands meticulous exploration, strategic backtracking, and efficient item acquisition. This comprehensive guide outlines a streamlined route designed to minimize unnecessary travel and ensure you collect every Missile Expansion, Energy Tank, Power Bomb Expansion, and Chozo Artifact. Remember to scan every new enemy, lore entry, and environmental object you encounter for full Log Book completion – this is crucial for 100%!

Early Game: Tallon Overworld & Chozo Ruins

Your initial objective is to gain access to key abilities that unlock new areas. Focus on these steps:

1. Tallon Overworld (Landing Site):
   • Acquire the Morph Ball from the Morph Ball Tunnel. This is essential for navigating tight spaces.
   • Proceed to the Chozo Ruins via the Main Plaza.
2. Chozo Ruins (Initial Exploration):
   • Obtain the Charge Beam from the Main Plaza. This allows for more powerful shots and puzzle solving.
   • Proceed to the Watery Hall Access to find the Missile Launcher. This is a critical upgrade for opening missile doors and defeating tougher enemies.
   • Defeat the Incinerator Drone in the Furnace to acquire the Wave Beam. This beam type is effective against certain enemies and opens purple-tinted doors.
   • Use Missiles to open the door to the Ruined Shrine and acquire the Morph Ball Bomb. This allows you to destroy weakened blocks and activate bomb slots.
   • Collect Energy Tank 1 in the Ruined Shrine, increasing your maximum health.
   • Head to the Watery Hall and defeat the Flaahgra boss to gain the Varia Suit. This suit protects you from extreme heat, allowing access to Magmoor Caverns.
   • Backtrack to the Main Plaza and use the Varia Suit to safely enter Magmoor Caverns.

Mid Game: Magmoor Caverns & Phendrana Drifts

With the Varia Suit, you can now safely navigate the scorching temperatures of Magmoor Caverns and the icy expanses of Phendrana Drifts.

1. Magmoor Caverns (First Pass):
   • Navigate through the fiery caverns, primarily focusing on reaching Phendrana Drifts.
   • Collect Energy Tank 2 in the Monitor Station. This requires a Morph Ball Bomb to access.
   • Proceed to Phendrana Drifts.
2. Phendrana Drifts (Initial Exploration):
   • Acquire the Boost Ball from the Phendrana Canyon. This allows for faster Morph Ball movement and activating boost ball slots.
   • Defeat the Thardus boss in the Quarantine Cave to obtain the Space Jump Boots. This crucial upgrade allows for double-jumping, greatly increasing your mobility and access to higher platforms.
   • Collect Energy Tank 3 in the Ice Ruins West.
   • Head to the Magmoor Workstation in Magmoor Caverns to find the Spider Ball. This allows Samus to cling to and roll along magnetic tracks.
   • Return to Phendrana Drifts and use the Spider Ball to access the Gravity Chamber. Here, you will acquire the Gravity Suit, which negates the effects of water on your movement and allows underwater exploration.
   • With the Gravity Suit, return to Magmoor Caverns.

Late Game: Phazon Mines & Artifact Hunt

The Phazon Mines are dangerous, but hold crucial upgrades. This section also covers collecting the necessary Chozo Artifacts.

1. Magmoor Caverns (Second Pass):
   • With the Gravity Suit, explore previously inaccessible underwater areas.
   • Collect Energy Tank 4 in the Magmoor Workstation (if not already collected during Spider Ball acquisition).
   • Locate the Plasma Beam in the Magmoor Caverns, typically found in the Geothermal Core area after solving a puzzle. This beam is effective against ice and certain enemies.
   • Proceed to the Phazon Mines.
2. Phazon Mines (Initial Exploration):
   • Obtain the Power Bomb from the Main Quarry. This powerful explosive can destroy specific types of blocks and clear large groups of enemies.
   • Collect Energy Tank 5 in the Elite Research.
   • Defeat the Omega Pirate in the Phazon Processing Center. This formidable foe drops the Phazon Suit, which grants immunity to Phazon radiation and allows you to absorb Phazon for enhanced attacks.
   • Use the Plasma Beam to melt ice and access new areas in Phendrana Drifts.
3. Phendrana Drifts (Second Pass):
   • Utilize the Plasma Beam to open new paths and collect previously inaccessible items.
   • Acquire the Ice Beam from the Research Core. This beam can freeze enemies and activate certain mechanisms.
   • Collect Energy Tank 6 in the Research Lab Aether.
   • Continue exploring Phendrana Drifts to collect any remaining Missile Expansions, Power Bomb Expansions, and Chozo Artifacts that are now accessible with your new abilities.
4. Tallon Overworld (Second Pass):
   • With all beams and the Phazon Suit, revisit Tallon Overworld to collect previously inaccessible items.
   • Obtain Energy Tank 7 in the Biohazard Containment.
   • Explore the Life Grove to find the X-Ray Visor, which reveals hidden passages and enemy weak points.
5. Artifact Collection & Final Upgrades:
   • At this point, you should have most major upgrades. Your primary focus now shifts to collecting all 12 Chozo Artifacts. Refer to a dedicated Artifact guide for specific locations, as their collection often requires specific beam combinations, visors, and traversal abilities.
   • Ensure you have all Missile Expansions (up to 250 missiles), Power Bomb Expansions (up to 8 power bombs), and all Energy Tanks (up to 14 tanks).
   • The final Energy Tanks and Expansions are often hidden behind Power Bomb blocks, require specific beam combinations to access, or are located in challenging platforming sections.
   • Once all artifacts are collected, proceed to the Impact Crater.

Impact Crater: Final Confrontation

With 100% of items and scans, you are ready for the ultimate challenge.

1. Impact Crater:
   • Descend into the Impact Crater, the source of Phazon.
   • Defeat the Metroid Prime (Exoskeleton) in its armored form. Utilize your various beams and missile upgrades.
   • Confront and defeat the Metroid Prime (Core) in its true, ethereal form. The Phazon Suit and its Phazon Beam capabilities will be crucial here.
   • Enjoy your well-earned 100% completion!

Key Item & Boss Reward Summary

For quick reference, here's a summary of critical item locations and boss rewards:

Tips for 100% Completion

• Scan Everything: The Scan Visor is your most valuable tool. Scan every new enemy, plant, Chozo Lore entry, Pirate Data, and environmental object. Missing even one scan means you won't achieve 100% Log Book completion.
• Map Awareness: Frequently check your map for unexplored rooms (indicated by blue squares) and areas with uncollected items (indicated by a small icon).
• Backtracking is Key: Metroid Prime is built around backtracking. Don't be afraid to revisit old areas with new abilities; you'll often find new paths or items.
• Missile & Power Bomb Management: Use these sparingly on regular enemies, saving them for missile doors, Power Bomb blocks, and boss fights.
• Energy Tank Prioritization: Always prioritize collecting Energy Tanks to increase your survivability.
• Chozo Artifacts: These are often the last items players collect. Many require a combination of late-game abilities. Keep a separate checklist for these.
• Secret Worlds/Glitches: This guide focuses on legitimate 100% completion. Avoid using glitches or out-of-bounds techniques, as they can sometimes break progression or prevent proper item collection.
• Save Often: Utilize save stations whenever possible, especially before challenging areas or boss fights.

Remember to frequently check your map for unexplored rooms and your Log Book for missing scans. The Scan Visor is your best friend for uncovering hidden passages and enemy weaknesses. Good luck, Space Hunter!