Super Metroid begins with a cinematic recap of the events of the previous installments in the franchise (Metroid and Metroid II Return of Samus). Samus has captured the titular Metroid and given it to scientists to be studied and ultimately used for the good of mankind. Shortly after dropping the Metroid and retelling her story, she receives a distress call from the scientists saying that their station is under attack. We see her ship return to the station and from there the initial tutorial level of the game, Ceres Station, begins.
Opening Cutscene
Samus enters the station in a vertical room with various floating platforms, A style of room that is very common in all the Metroid games. This is an excellent area for the player to figure out learn the controls and practice some platforming.
The first room, good for getting used to the way Samus controls.
Eventually you continue through a series of empty rooms that are all accompanied by atmospheric noises. Rooms with no enemies is not unusual for a Metroid game and instead this first part of the level is just an opportunity to show off the game designers' ability to create an eerie atmosphere.
Finally Samus enters a laboratory where the dead bodies of scientists are lying on the floor. This is definetly a moment that shows off the more mature nature of the game. It also contributes further to the plot, letting the player realize that they will probably be confronting whatever has attacked the station.
A disturbing image for a Nintendo game.
You finally enter a large chamber where the Metroid is lying on the floor in a glass container. As Samus approached the Metroid, the door behind them locks. This initiates a short animation where Ridley appears.
Ridley appears out of the background to steal the Metroid.
Ridley snatches the glass container containing the Metroid and the games boss battle music begins.
Ridley is impossible to beat and after Samus’ health is taken down to a certain percentage, he flies out of the room carrying the Metroid.
The timer appears.
After Ridley flies away, a timer begins, letting the payer know that the station is going to self destruct in 1 minute and they need to escape.
Samus must run back out the way she came, maneuver around obstacles that appear as the station falls apart.
The station, now glowing red, shakes and even tilts from side to side in one room. These effects are not obstacles, however, Falling debris and jets of steam are obstacles. Running into them will not cause much damage to Samus but can delay her from reaching the exit in time.
Steam jets can come from anywhere and will throw Samus back, delaying her escape.
Falling debris is the hardest obstacle to avoid.
After escaping, Samus flies from the exploding station in short cutscene. We then see her arrival at the Planet Zebes, where the entirety of the rest of the game takes place.
Space Station Ceres explodes, as Samus makes an escape.
Samus follows Ridley to Planet Zebes, where the rest of the game takes place.
This is an excellent tutorial level because it introduces the player to almost every type of obstacle they will be facing in the game (platforming, traps, boss battles and time limits). All of these challenges are thrown at them the moment they begin the initial boss battle with Ridley and even though this flow is a bit jarring, it is also really exciting and somewhat challenging (though not too challenging). It also does an excellent job of introducing the games story by showing a recap of previous games, setting up Samus’ (and the player’s) ultimate goals and also setting the stage for the games most epic boss battle when Samus must battle Ridley again. On top of all of that, the level alos takes its time, letting the player get emerged in the world of Metroid.
The only element that would seem to be lacking from the tutorial is any positive or negative feedback to the player. However, I think this is done on purpose. The game designers want the player to feel overwhelmed at this point. Throughout the rest of the game, players will be introduced to the assortment of powerups Samus’ suit can have to overcome obstacles and beat bosses like the ones found in the tutorial level.
