The Artifact Temple, also referred to as the Cradle in Chozo Lore, is a room and important location in the Tallon Overworld region of Tallon IV. It appears in Metroid Prime. Created by the Chozo who colonized the planet 50 years prior to Samus Aran's arrival, it was created to contain the spread of Phazon on Tallon IV, with a Cipher sealed by 12 Chozo Artifacts. The temple is later unlocked by Samus to confront Metroid Prime, the source of Phazon on the planet.
The Artifact Temple also has its own unique theme music.
History[]
The prosperous Chozo colony on Tallon IV prophesied their own destruction, foretelling that "the Worm" would threaten them, and that Samus, "the Hatchling" or the "Entrusted One" depending on the version of the game, would come and encounter this Worm.
This prophecy would later came to pass when Tallon IV was struck by a Leviathan. When it made contact, the local flora and fauna were horribly mutated, and the environment itself became poisoned. The Chozo attempted to seal away the Leviathan, constructing the Cradle over it. However, despite their efforts, the Phazon brought by the Leviathan had already poisoned their world. Even as they finished the Artifact Temple, the Chozo were soon driven insane from Phazon Fever. The Leviathan, however, was successfully detained in the Impact Crater below the temple, as the poison the Leviathan carried continued to spread across Tallon IV. Samus learns of the prophecy through Chozo Lore and sets out to fulfill it.
The Cipher's seal is finally broken, allowing Samus to explore the Impact Crater's depths.
After discovering the twelve Chozo Artifacts hidden by the Chozo across the planet, Samus returns them to the temple, activating the Chozo Totems and unlocking the seal. However, as the temple begins to unlock, Meta Ridley attacks Samus and starts destroying the totems. The Artifact Temple then becomes the arena for an intense battle between Samus and her cybernetically reconstructed archnemesis. After she severely wounds Meta Ridley, the power of the temple itself finishes the job, striking Meta Ridley with several simultaneous beams of red energy. As Meta Ridley plunges down to the Impact Crater below, the Chozo Ghosts that have dwelled within the twelve Chozo Totems complete the process of unlocking the seal, allowing Samus to proceed into the Impact Crater below.
The subsequent battle between Samus and Metroid Prime leads to the collapse of the Impact Crater, which spreads up to the Artifact Temple as well. Barely managing to escape from the Impact Crater, Samus leaps from the temple's main platform onto her Gunship, and mournfully watches the Artifact Temple burn from atop her ship with her helmet removed.
Description[]
The top of the room curves out in paths leading left and right. The right corridor leads to indestructible debris, while the other corridor leads outside of the shelter to the main portion of the temple. On the top floor, the Chozo Lore entries "Binding" and "Statuary" can be scanned in the NTSC GameCube version of Prime, but they are replaced with the entries "Prophecy of Light" and "Contain" in subsequent versions of the game. In the middle, a green visor-like window reveals the temple outside.
The actual temple leading to the Impact Crater is a large, ornately carved stone circle with twelve Chozo Totems arranged concentrically and a unique, central totem holding the Artifact of Truth. The Chozo Totems can be scanned for hints to the artifacts' locations, and when an artifact is returned, the corresponding totem will illuminate, as will glowing lines connecting the totems on the floor.
Samus looks up at the Chozo statues in the Artifact Temple.
The Chozo Statues that attack Meta Ridley can be seen above the platform. The Chozo Lore found at the Artifact Temple in the NTSC GameCube release, "Statuary", implies that they act in response to him willfully destroying the Chozo Totems while the temple is preparing to open the way to the Impact Crater. However, this lore is retconned in later versions, in which the lore does not mention Chozo Statues acting in this way.
Connecting rooms[]
- Temple Lobby (via Blue Door)
- Crater Entry Point (via Cipher)
Inhabitants[]
Samus battles Meta Ridley.
Items[]
- Artifact of Truth
- The first Chozo Artifact is located in the middle of the room, underneath the central totem.
Scans[]
- Binding (NTSC)
- "Chozo script translated.
The congregation of Artifacts that hold the Great Poison at bay still hold strong. Fearful of the potential within the Artifact Temple, the invaders known as Space Pirates tried to destroy it, only to fail in every attempt. We scattered the Artifacts across the planet for their protection, and only a few have fallen into invader hands. Failing to understand them, they now seek to unmake them. Again, they fail. They are right to fear these things. Great power sleeps inside them. Prophecy calls for their union, come the day that the unholy Worm is met by the great Defender. We can only hope the Artifacts are not destroyed by the invader, for then all will be lost. So, we do what we can to preserve the Artifacts, and to guide the Newborn to them. Time wanes with our souls, yet hope remains."
- Statuary (NTSC)
- "Chozo script translated.
As we have done for millennia, we Chozo work constantly on our statuary. The statues are our sentinels; blind but ever watchful, they are, and have always been, repositories for our most precious secrets and strongest powers. The crafting of each is a long and sacred process, performed only by those Chozo who have lifetimes of experience in such things. We have left these relics on planets across the solar system. Some are merely reminders; silent emblems of the Chozo that serve as icons of peace in lands that know only war. Others wield subtle strength, exerting their influence in ways beyond the understanding of mortal creatures. Still others are guardians of our secret ways, and these can be as terrible as they are beautiful. Those who respect and honor these relics will know the friendship of the Chozo. Those who deface or destroy them will know our wrath, unfettered and raw."
- Contain (PAL/Wii)
- "Chozo script translated.
The containment of the Great Poison... This task has fallen to the Chozo, and we will not flee from our duty, even as we suffer with the land and its creatures. We will pour our will into the Twelve - the Artifacts that, when brought together, form the lock that holds this great evil at bay in the depths of the planet. This lock must stand up to all who might come to assault it. To preserve the power of the seal, and to protect it from those who would meddle for their own designs, we will spread the Artifacts across the land, hiding them from prying eyes. The lock must never open until the day comes when this disaster can finally be put right."
- Prophecy of Light (PAL/Wii)
- "Chozo script translated.
Throughout our living nightmare, as we battle with this unyielding darkness, we Chozo see a light. This light glows with promise, chasing the shadows cast by the Great Poison and purifying that which has grown toxic. It is strange, though - at times it looks to our eyes as if the light coalesces into the figure of a woman. Burning brightly, the luminescence descends from space then retreats back into the infinite blackness from whence it came. When this prophecy comes to pass, when the light recedes, the Chozo's long vigilance of containment will finally come to an end."
- Artifact of Truth
- "This is a Chozo Artifact.
Collect it, then scan the Totems here for clues on the locations of the remaining Artifacts. Together, the Artifacts will open a path to the center of the Impact Crater."
- Totem (Truth)
- "The Artifact of Truth has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Strength)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
The heat of Magmoor was a test for many warriors. A Shrine in their honor holds the Artifact of Strength." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Strength has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Elder)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
Invaders have claimed Phendrana as their own. A Tower sits atop their fortress. Collapse it to reveal the chamber where the Artifact of Elder is held." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Elder has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Wild)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
A Sunchamber high atop our ruined home became the nest of a great beast, and a source of corruption. Many Chozo spirits have been drawn to this tainted place. Release their bond to the world to claim the Artifact of Wild." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Wild has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Lifegiver)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
There is a tower within the Ruins where Light always shines. Move through the waters there to find the Artifact of Lifegiver." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Lifegiver has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Warrior)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
A room of Research lies within the mines. A corrupted invader is trapped there. Defeat this creature to claim the Artifact of Warrior." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Warrior has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Chozo)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
In one of Tallon's far corners, a Grove of life lies. Reveal the pillar beneath the waves to find the Artifact of Chozo." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Chozo has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Nature)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
A molten Lake lies within the tunnels of Magmoor. Shatter the column at the lake's center to reveal the Artifact of Nature." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Nature has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Sun)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
Near Phendrana's shores, a Temple stands. Thaw the frozen waters flowing from the Elder to find the Artifact of Sun." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Sun has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (World)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
Within the ruins of our home, we honor our fallen Elders in a great Hall. A chamber beneath the statue holds the Artifact of World." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of World has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Spirit)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
A tall cave stands at Phendrana's Edge. Seek the unseen entrance at its top to find the Artifact of Spirit." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Spirit has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
- Totem (Newborn)
- "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface.
Invaders mine the depths in their greed. Forge a path through a Tunnel of the Great Poison to claim the Artifact of Newborn." - (After the artifact is collected)
- "The Artifact of Newborn has been returned.
You have restored power to this Chozo Totem."
Development notes[]
The Artifact Temple is the largest room in Prime in terms of the amount of memory it uses.[1]
LeRoy Strauss designed the Artifact Temple in-game. It was one of the instances where there was pre-existing concept art to work from, helping him achieve the vision of the temple despite the then-limits in the polygon budget.[2]
Trivia[]
- In the NTSC versions of the game, Pirate Data states that the seal does not extend below the surface, and so the invading Space Pirates are able to find Metroid Prime and capture it for study. It is infused with large amounts of Phazon before it escapes back to its den. In the PAL and later versions, this is retconned with the statement that the Pirates are never able to breach the seal, though are aware that some powerful creature exists within.
- The Chozo Totem representing the Artifact of Truth cannot be scanned prior to acquiring the artifact. Despite this, a scan for this case is still present in the game's data: "Translating Chozo runes on Totem's surface. The Artifact of Truth awaits those who truly seek it." This scan can be seen in the Logbook of the GameCube version via hacking of the Chozo Artifacts. In the Wii and Remastered versions of the game, this scan can be read in the Logbook if a new save game is started on a file that has already been completed.
- If Meta Ridley is defeated before he destroys all of the Chozo Totems, the remaining ones will still disappear in the following cutscene when the Chozo Ghosts emerge from them to open the portal to the Impact Crater. Despite this, they can still be scanned until the next time the room is entered.
- The theme that plays when the Impact Crater is opened is titled Artifact Shrine (Release of the Chozo Ruins Seal) in the Metroid Prime & Fusion Original Soundtracks tracklist.
- The Artifact Temple is the room that takes the longest to load within Metroid Prime and all its rereleases. This is due to the large amount of memory and scripts the room has (as stated in the developer's notes).
- SkyTown's Main Docking Bay in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption greatly resembles the Artifact Temple. Key similarities include both being the last rooms seen in the game, the green window, the U-shaped corridor, statues, the circular design, the open-topped layout, destructible obstructions, the link to the Chozo Artifacts, and having a boss battle take place there. In an unlockable Diorama in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, Ghor is seen surrounded by the Chozo Ghosts in the Main Docking Bay, further strengthening the relation between the two areas.
- It is possible to see and scan the Artifact of Truth from the top floor, looking through the window overlooking the lower area, in Metroid Prime Remastered, however, the artifact is not visible anymore from up there, but it can still be scanned.
- The introductory cutscene for the Impact Crater plays in Temple Security Station, which is two rooms prior. This would suggest that this room is equally or even exclusively part of the Impact Crater, a situation shared with the previous room, Temple Lobby.
Gallery[]
.jpg "Artifact Temple (inside).jpg (47 KB)")
.jpg "Artifact Temple (outside).jpg (53 KB)")
.png "Artifact Temple Remastered (outside).png (2.15 MB)")
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References[]
- ^ Kiwi Talkz. "#121 - Zoid Interview (Metroid Prime, Cameras, Scripting, Sequence Breaking , Programming etc.)" YouTube. January 22, 2022. Retrieved July 25, 2022. (starts at 42:11)
- ^ Shinesparkers. Interview: LeRoy Strauss. October 27, 2023. Retrieved October 27, 2023.
| Dimensional | |
|---|---|
| Species | Alimbic • Boost Guardian • Chozo (Ghost) • Craftsmen • Dark Pirate Commando • Darkling • Darkling Tentacle • Gorea • Ing (Hunter, Emperor, Warrior) Ingsphere Cache • Kralee • Leviathan • Luminoth • Metroid Prime (Core essence) • Phantoon • Warp Hound • Phazon Metroid |
| Gateways | Alimbic Cannon • Artifact Temple • Interdimensional void • Portal • Stronghold Portal • Wormhole |
| Alternate Dimensions | Dark Aether • Infinity Void • The Locker • Oubliette • Stronghold Void |
| Other | Black fog • Dark Visor • Darkburst • Multidimensional Stealth Warship • Transdimensional energy • Transdimensional flux |