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Metroid Primeis one of the most beloved games in the franchise, and for good reason. Not only was it the first time that Samus Aran came into the 3D space, she did so with a flourish of memorable gameplay and stunning graphics. The recent remaster of this classic has only elevated these aspects, finding a permanent place in the hearts of fans.
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However, something that might not receive as much praise is the hunt for theChozo Artifactsat the end of the game. It’s been a thorn in the side of veterans for a long time to backtrack through all the game’s zones to find these hidden collectibles. If you’re struggling, here’s everything you need to know about where to find them.
Chozo Artifact Overview
Chozo Artifacts are thekey tounlocking the end of Metroid Prime. Once you’ve beaten all the previous bosses and acquired thePhazon Suit, you’ll find that your next destination is theArtifact Temple, which will prompt you to seek out all twelve of these relics.
To the dismay of many, the Artifacts are not in a singular area butrather scattered throughout every zonethat you’ve visited prior. This is where the game becomes a true Metroid experience, withbacktracking galore and finding hidden secrets that you didn’t see the first time around.
During your visit to the Artifact Temple, you canscan various statues for hintson where the Artifacts may be unearthed. However, some are harder to find than others, and the hints can be more than just a little vague.
Tallon Overworld Artifacts
Tallon Overworld, the home of the lush green environment where you begin your adventure in,hides two of these Artifacts, neither of which are particularly hard to acquire.
Artifact Of Truth
The first relic that you’ll likely run into is theArtifact of Truth, which begins the hunt for the other eleven. This is waiting for you in themiddle of the Artifact Temple, with no gimmicks or secrets in play just yet.
Artifact Of Chozo
The other Tallon Overworld treasure is theArtifact of Chozo, which can be found in theLife Grove. This is thesame room that you find theX-Ray Visorin, and after using a quickPower Bomb, the walls come tumbling down and reveal the true nature of the room.
Walk out to the small pool of water fed by a waterfall, then go intoMorph Ballmodein its center andbomb a small, fragile covering. This will raise a pillar from the water, with aBoost Ball Spinnerat its base. Spinning the machination will further reveal the Artifact’s tomb, where you can claim it for yourself.
Chozo Ruins Artifacts
The sandy, sprawling labyrinth of theChozo Ruinssecrets awaythree total Artifacts, more than an average zone will hold. Whiletwo of them can be acquired fairly earlyinto the game, you’ll have toreturn withendgame gear for the third.
Artifact Of Lifegiver
TheArtifact of Lifegiveris in theTower of Light, the same room that holds theWavebuster upgrade. Instead of climbing the platforms and ascending, once you have theGravity Suit,splash down in the water and use yourSpace Jump Bootsto reach an otherwise inaccessible door. Beyond will be a smaller room that holds the Artifact.
Artifact Of Wild
Perhaps one of the most iconic rooms of Metroid Prime, you’re able to find theArtifact of Wildin theSunchamber, otherwise known asthe arena where you fought Flaahgra. However, reaching this room a second time is arguably more challenging than what you face within.
Unfortunately, if you attempt to navigate the Sunchamber the same way you did the first time, you’ll findthe door covered in impenetrable roots, barring your path. Instead, you’ll have togo through the Sun Tower, where you must solve a puzzle by scanning runes. Once that’s done, use yourSpider Ballability to crawl up the wall.
After you’ve finally reached the arena for a second time,three Chozo Ghost enemies will spawn, which you can defeat with thePower Beam or Super Missiles. After you’ve cleared them out, the roots on the opposite door will disappear, and the Artifact of Wild will spawn on Flaahgra’s flower.
Artifact Of World
Although the other two can be claimed as soon as you have the Gravity Suit or Spider Ball, the Artifact of World requires you to have thePlasma Beam, the second to last upgrade in the game.
Make your way to theHall of the Elders, where you cansit in the Chozo statue’s hands as a Morph Ball. If you activate thePlasma Beam bomb slotdirectly above, the statue will move, uncovering anIce Door. This will let you drop into a small space where you’re able to pick up the Artifact.
Magmoor Caverns Artifacts
Although it presents the danger of lava and fire,Magmoor Cavernsis well known for its simple Artifacts, both of which can be acquired before you make iteven halfway through the game.
Artifact Of Nature
TheArtifact of Natureis a classic case of Metroid Prime’sdestructible environment. In theLava Lake, near the elevator to Chozo Ruins, you canSuper Missile a pillar of rockin the middle of the magma, revealing the Artifact.
Artifact Of Strength
TheArtifact of Strengthonly requires the Boost Ball and the Space Jump Boots, making it theearliest Artifact you can find in the game. InMonitor Station, jump to the verytop of the Space Pirate structure, then use theBoost Ball Spinner toextend a bridge.
Jump from this bridge andwalk along thecliffside pathuntil you find a doorthat leads to the Artifact’s small room.
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Phendrana Drifts Artifacts
Unlike the zones before it,Phendrana Driftsand its snowy scenery require you tocome back with the Plasma Beamlate in the game, and some of its puzzles can be challenging.
Artifact Of Sun
The easiest relic to find in this zone is theArtifact of Sun, hidden away in theChozo Ice Temple. Make your way to the top of the room and find the largeChozo statue with frozen water spilling from its mouth,which you’re able to melt with your Plasma Beam.
After melting the ice, you cansit in the statue’s hands as a Morph Ball, which opens a small crawlspace in the altar below.Roll through it as a balland find the Artifact of Sun within.
Artifact Of Elder
As memorable as this Artifact can be to veteran players, it can be tricky to find on your first time. You’ll want to infiltrate theSpace Pirate research labsagain and reach theControl Tower, the large outdoor room halfway through the complex.
Once you’ve arrived andeliminated the Flying Pirates, use yourSpace Jump Boots to reach an area above one of the doors. If youlook to your right, you’ll find a few boxes that shield a frosted window.Break the boxeswith a simple missile anduse your Plasma Beam to shatter the icy window, giving you a clear shot at one of the towers.
Aim at theorange explosive canistersat its base and unleash a Super Missile. A short cutscene will play where the tower becomes enveloped in fire and smoke beforecrashing down and opening a small holein the floor. If you fall down into this hole as a Morph Ball, theArtifact of Elderwill reward your hard work.
Artifact Of Spirit
Finally, the last of the Phendrana Drifts Artifacts can be found inPhendrana’s Edge.Activate your X-Ray Visorand ascend the tall room with yourGrapple Beam. As you land on one of the platforms near the top, you’ll noticea door that isn’t marked on the map. APowerBomb will destroy a fake walland reveal the door, along with theArtifact of Spiritthat lies beyond.
Phazon Mines Artifacts
Serving as the bane of many players,Phazon Minesis the hardest area in the game, and it holds two of its Artifacts, both of which require some of thestrongest upgrades available.
Artifact Of Warrior
Be sure you’re ready for a fightand make your way toElite Research, where you’ll find alarge vat of Phazon on the ground levelof the room. A quick scan will tell youit’s destructible with a Power Bomb, but aPhazon Elite will be waitingfor you when you break it open.
This stronger variant of theElite Pirateenemy will stillabsorb your Beam attacksanderupt the ground with waves of damaging Phazon. When it isn’t holding up its glowing hand,try to hit its head with Super Missilesuntil it’s defeated. When you’re victorious, theArtifact of Warriorwill spawn in the middle of the room.
Artifact Of Newborn
Finally, this is the only important Artifact found within a Morph Ball tunnel. In thePhazon Mining Tunnel, tucked away in the deepest reaches of the zone, you can take an alternate path bydestroying a few rocks with bombs.However, this path is coated withdeadly Phazon, requiring you to have the aptly namedPhazon Suit to survive the journey.
So long as you have the appropriate gear, justgo through the spiraling path while bombing the rocksto come across the last of the twelve relics, theArtifact of Newborn.
Where To Return Chozo Artifacts
Once you hold all twelve Artifacts, make the final trek back toTallon Overworld, save at your gunship, andenter the Artifact Temple one last time. Upon reaching where the Artifact of Truth once stood, you’ll be treated to a short cutscene before unlocking the rest of the game.
