Chozo Memories

“	In Metroid: Samus Returns, by meeting certain conditions you can unlock a number of visuals called the Chozo Memories. These tell the story of what happened on the planet SR388, as well as what the Chozo did. They may reveal a surprising secret that nobody could have imagined.	„
—Yoshio Sakamoto

Chozo Memories are a new feature in Metroid: Samus Returns. The eleven memories are visual artwork that shed light on the history of the Thoha tribe of Chozo that colonized SR388.

Description

As stated, the eleven memories shed light on the Thoha, the specific tribe of Chozo that inhabited planet SR388. This is similar to the Chozo Lore in Metroid Prime, which was written by the Chozo who lived on Tallon IV.

Yoshio Sakamoto revealed this feature at Gamescom 2017, and implied that the Chozo Memories would reveal what became of the Chozo. He also said that the memories are acquired by "meeting certain conditions", and they may reveal a "surprising" secret. The conditions are collecting all power-ups and expansions within the game, which will gradually unlock new Memories.

In-game, the Chozo Memories are accessed via the Gallery section of the Options. Each individual memory is split into four parts which make an unlocking noise the first time they are viewed and another sound once all 4 of them are added. These 4 parts are initially monochrome, but gain color and are slightly enlarged once all of them are added, and then also feature a stereoscopic depth effect if the system's 3D depth slider is turned on. The images are unlocked by collecting the items in each area of the game. A remix of Theme of Samus (the same one as in the game's introduction) plays as the memories are viewed.

The memories depict the X Parasites, the Chozo collecting Aeion energy, and the creation of the Metroids. It is implied in one memory that the Metroids were not intended to develop beyond the larval stage.

While none of the Chozo are officially named or identified, there are a few notable recurring characters with unique designs that appear in multiple Chozo Memories. These include a "Thoha elder" and a "Thoha researcher". Other Chozo share similar designs and clothing that suggest the roles that they play, including overseers, scientists, and Chozo warriors.

Connection to Metroid Dread

Two characters introduced in these Memories, Raven Beak and Quiet Robe, appear in Metroid Dread. The former is the main antagonist of Dread, while the latter is a supporting character.

In the Ferenia E.M.M.I. Zone, Samus Aran comes across hieroglyphs depicting Raven Beak and the Mawkin tribe executing the Thoha tribe, presumably referencing the events depicted in these Memories. Quiet Robe explains the Memories in greater detail and explains the motivations of the Thoha and Mawkin, accompanied by visual reenactments of the final four Chozo Memories in the artstyle of Metroid Dread; these reenactments appear in Glimpse of Dread and Metroid Dread - Overview Trailer as well.

Additionally, Metroid Dread features the Chozo Archives, which are a successor to the Chozo Memories. Much like the Memories in Samus Returns, this gallery of artwork depicting the Mawkin tribe's history on ZDR is unlocked by collecting 100% of items in each area of the game.

List of Memories

1/11

The focus of the shot are three Chozo that have landed from a starship on the surface of SR388. Behind them are four more Chozo investigating their surroundings, with one Chozo working on a Robotsmall. The main trio seem to be talking amongst each other; curiously, the two overseers on the sides have identical attire, while the middle figure is a "Thoha elder" with a unique design.

The foreground features four creatures watching the visitors: on the left, a Chute Leech and a Moto; on the right, two of the hard-shelled Gravitts.

Besides the starship the Chozo landed with, the sky houses three other ships. They have a different design than the main ship, favoring a vertical alignment rather than horizontal. The ever-present aurora is particularly vibrant in the night sky, and a black hole can be seen to the right, partially obscured by the Surface's rough terrain.

One last feature is the trapezoidal pyramid structure in the back-right. These structures are seen primarily throughout the Surface and Area 1, but can also be found in other areas.

2/11

In the foreground, there is a "Thoha researcher" collecting an Aeion Orb dropped by a dead Hornoad. Many Gulluggs are seen feasting on other Hornoads, some even lifting them into the air.

On the left, another Chozo scientist is investigating the Aeion Orb in a holographic structure. Similar holographs can be seen around both Chozo's arms.

Many subterranean caves with water and stalactites can be found in Area 2. This evidence suggests that Area 2 is the setting of this image.

3/11

In the front right, three Chozo scientists (including the "Thoha researcher") are present, two of which are analyzing a couple Tsumuri and three unknown insects. Behind them is a large number of the Robotsmalls and Robotbigs. These robots are marching out of the large complex featured in the area, with the Diggernaut sitting at the entrance; the goliath is seeming to be inspected or worked on by two Chozo engineers. Three Halzyns can be seeing flying above the troupe.

Overseeing the marching digger bots is a squad of Chozo warriors in battle armor with the iconic Varia Suit shoulder pads. They bear glowing blue shields, diamond-shaped and as tall as the Chozo themselves.

In the lower part of the caverns, a Chozo watches as some digger bots tear through the earth and uncover a bright yellow substance, possibly Aeion energy, illuminating the underside of the nearby rocks and walls.

The orange atmosphere in the background, as well as the presence of certain robots and wildlife, suggests that Area 3 is the setting of this image.

4/11

Three Hornoads are in varying stages of infection from the X Parasites: pre-infection, during the process, and the resulting infected variant. The caverns are flooded with the X and some have taken to attack the Chozo; a couple of parasites can be seen splatted against the warrior's shields. The "Thoha elder" is also present, reacting to the X's presence. The X seem to glow, as seen on the surface of surrounding objects and uninfected Hornoad, but the glow intensifies when the parasite overwhelms its victim.

Blue and purple crystals are seen in the background, much like those seen in Area 4. This evidence suggests that Area 4 is the setting of this image.

5/11

The room is a laboratory with an opened chamber in the middle that is filled with strands of a green, cohesive substance. The same substance is covering the creature that is the focus of the shot: a Metroid larva.

Surrounding the released Metroid are Chozo scientists overlooking the creature and equipment. The "Thoha researcher" is among the working scientists; the "Thoha elder" appears to be overseeing the project; and one Chozo overseer is presenting holographic Metroid data to Quiet Robe. Display monitors feature an X Parasite, a Metroid, a planet (possibly SR388), one with indeterminable text, and a last one with an object that is difficult to identify. In the background, more larvae can be seen incubating in chambers.

The laboratory setting, including several pieces of equipment seen in the game itself, strongly suggests that Area 7 is the setting of this image.

6/11

Three Chozo overseers and two Chozo warriors can be seen in the background; in front of them are the chambers from the lab, now opened. The Metroid larvae are flying out of said chambers and attacking the X and their mimics. There are a couple of Metroids with X inside their talons and one that is actively draining the energy from an X-infected Hornoad. The Chozo overseers seem to be controlling the Metroids via holographic interfaces on their bracers, and their facial expressions appear to show a mixture of shock and awe at the Metroids' performance.

This scene takes place in a desolate canyon-like area, with large bones visible in the background. This evidence suggests that Area 6 is the setting of this image.

7/11

Quiet Robe and a Chozo scientist stand over ground with cracks that seep yellow light, most likely Aeion energy. Behind them are more Chozo scientists that are observing a spherical hologram, likely of SR388. A Chozo warrior watches the Metroids that are floating above with his shield raised, one of which is attacking the sole X parasite. Robotsmalls and Robotbigs can be seen in the background and Diggernaut looms overhead.

Yellowish-green light can be seen pouring in through the cavern roof. This evidence suggests that Area 1 is the setting of this image.

8/11

Metroids have metamorphosed. The larvae have fallen to the floor and Alpha Metroids are shedding out of them. The recently molted Metroid Husks still laying on the ground are partially covered in a green substance. Once tame around their creators, the creatures have gained severe aggression and are now attacking the Chozo. Two Chozo warriors have fallen to the creatures in this shot, one of which is in an Alpha's jaws and the other knocked off the side of a cliff with an Alpha chasing after them. One warrior wields a spear in defense while two more escort the overseers out of the area.

The yellow light is very prominent in this shot, once again coming up from the ground and illuminating the underside of objects.

9/11

A Chozo Seal is the focus of the memory, as is the purple liquid filling the chamber. Quiet Robe and the "Thoha elder" are on the podium in front of the seal. Three warriors brandishing spears hold back the invading Gamma Metroid while the room is filled; one looks back towards the overseers.

Only one Chozo Seal with the maximum ten slots is seen in-game, in Area 3. This evidence suggests that Area 3 may be the setting of this image. However, this may also be excused by artistic license, since none of the ornate structures seen around the Chozo Seal in this memory match the environment of the Chozo Seal in Area 3.

10/11

Six Chozo overseers, including the "Thoha elder" and Quiet Robe, are seen communicating with Raven Beak, having returned to the surface. The elder's arms are outstretched towards the new figure, apparently beseeching for help in the Thoha's goal to destroy SR388 and eradicate the Metroids. Only Raven Beak's left arm is visible; his right arm is obscured by his cloak. In the back, a battalion of Mawkin Chozo Soldiers are standing at attention.

Above the crowd is a starship with the same design as the one seen in the first memory; however, this ship's thrusters are active. On the right is a large black structure with a blue glow at the top and another can be seen in the far back, behind the battalion.

11/11

When it is unlocked, the triumphant prologue music comes to an end and a distorted screech sounds. The colors on Memory 10 are replaced by an ominous red tint and the heavy contrast distorts the image. When it refocuses, a new picture (labeled 2d/10 the first time it is viewed) appears that keeps the red and black coloration. An eerie track plays over the scene before the memory fades, but does not play when the image is viewed subsequently.

The six Chozo overseers lie on the ground, dead or dying with smoke rising from their bodies. Raven Beak is turned towards the battalion, arm outstretched while issuing an order; his right arm is revealed to have an Arm Cannon, smoking from recently being fired. The warriors continue to stand at attention, unfazed by the events before them.

Trivia

• Memory 11's reveal of the Mawkin tribe as a malicious group of Chozo is the first to depict the bird-like race in this manner (not counting the Chozo Ghosts, as they were corrupted by Phazon to act malicious), as they have always been instead described as benevolent and good-intentioned beings throughout the games prior to Metroid: Samus Returns. Previously, a non-canon Nintendo Power Source interactive story called Blood of the Chozo focused on attacks by a radical group of Chozo, calling themselves the True Chozo.
• Sakamoto, asked about the Memories in a 2018 interview, said that the last Memory implied something about the Chozo's fate, but chose not to explain what for the time being.
• The "2d/10", after dividing the numbers and taking into consideration of the red color, could be interpreted as "5d(red)", likely foreshadowing Metroid Dread which is also titled Metroid 5.
• High resolution versions of several memories were released in Metroid Dread Report volumes 4 and 7, and were later uploaded to Nintendo of America's Twitter in even higher resolution. Interestingly, each image differs slightly from the in-game images from Samus Returns:
  • In 1/11, the three Chozo in the foreground have been shifted so that the spaceship and the background Chozo are more visible.
  • In 5/11, the content of the monitors were shifted around, the X Parasite image on the monitor was changed to a hologram, and the lens flair is much wider.
  • In 6/11, the positions of the Metroid and Hornoad closest to the camera have been slightly shifted.
  • In 7/11, the Chozo Soldier is made smaller so that more of the background buildings and Robotbig are visible.
  • In 9/11, lighting and shadows from the Chozo Seal are missing in the high-resolution image.
  • In 10/11, Raven Beak is bowing instead of standing upright, many Chozo have shifted in position, and the yellow lighting has been replaced with grey mist.
• The 9/11 reenactment in Metroid Dread notably replaces the Gamma Metroid with an Omega Metroid.
  • On a similar note, the Dread version of the 10/11 memory, while similar overall to the HD rendition (see above), shows Raven Beak as being much taller than in either the original game's memory or the HD version, and also shows the front of the Thoha Chozo that was greeting him (originally it showed said chozo from the back).
  • The 11/11 memory replaces the red tone with a more yellow-orange tone for the image. The smoke from Raven Beak's arm cannon is also omitted, although his murder of the Chozo is nevertheless heavily implied.

Gallery

In-game versions

Memory 1

Memory 5

Memory 6

Memory 7

Memory 9

Memory 10

Dread re-enactments

Memory 8

Memory 9

Memory 10

Memory 11