Raven Beak X[1] is a hulking beast created by a purple X Parasite forming an amalgamation of Raven Beak and Kraid. It appears as the final boss of Metroid Dread.
Description[]
The unique purple X Parasite had either been quarantined in Elun during the X outbreak on ZDR, or had been spawned afterward by the X that were released by Raven Beak. It presumably made its way to Cataris and absorbed the DNA of Kraid, who had been defeated by Samus Aran earlier; since Kraid sank into the lava, the X most likely absorbed his last stomach spike, which remains in the room after his battle but vanished after the X are released from Elun.[2] The purple X then headed to the planet's surface, Hanubia. After Itorash crashes in Hanubia, the purple X Parasite ambushes Raven Beak and infects him, causing him to writhe and scream in agony.
Combining the DNA of Kraid and Raven Beak, the X transforms into a colossal monster largely derived from Kraid's form, but with Chozo-like limbs replacing its arms and smaller limbs dangling from its throat. Raven Beak X's head also bears Kraid's likeness, although it can split open in the middle (similar to other X like Experiment No. Z-57) to reveal Raven Beak's head within a mass of black sludge. Raven Beak X's eyes are white similar to X-infected Chozo and SA-X. Unlike Kraid or Raven Beak, this form appears to be unable to stand up straight, instead using its arms to drag itself forward. Much like Quiet Robe, this X echoes some of Raven Beak's final words, exclaiming "Samuuuuus!"[note 1] and "Hadar sen olmen!" in a distorted voice while approaching Samus.[3]
Raven Beak X is significantly more powerful than other X hosts. While most X would immediately die upon making contact with Samus's Metroid Suit, Raven Beak X is capable of instantly killing Samus by biting her with its enormous jaws.
Using her latent power, Samus unleashes the devastating Hyper Beam to defeat Raven Beak X, forcing it to revert back to its original gelatinous form. Instead of absorbing the X, Samus fires the Hyper Beam again and completely disintegrates it into nothingness, ensuring that Raven Beak will never return. However, upon Raven Beak X's death, ZDR begins to self-destruct and Samus is then forced to flee back to her Gunship.
Battle[]
Raven Beak X crawling towards Samus.
Raven Beak X is fought immediately after the main battle against Raven Beak, and therefore can be considered a final phase of the prior boss battle.
Raven Beak X slowly lumbers toward Samus, instantly killing her with a bite if he gets close enough;[4] a checkpoint occurs right before this phase should she suffer a Game Over. Since the Free Aim reticle is automatically pointed at Raven Beak X's head, Samus only needs to hold down the trigger on her newly-acquired Hyper Beam until the beast falls. Samus then eradicates the X in a non-interactive cutscene.
Development notes[]
Raven Beak X is named Commander X in internal files, which is consistent with Raven Beak being internally named Commander.
Raven Beak X's dialogue has unused English subtitles, including the unused line "There is no power without sacrifice."[3] Unlike Raven Beak X's other dialogue, this line is never spoken by Raven Beak prior to his X infection.
Trivia[]
- Despite being a powerful host and the final boss of Metroid Dread, Raven Beak X appears to contain an ordinary X Parasite instead of a Core-X, albeit one of a unique color not seen in other X.
- An arrangement of Tension Before a Confrontation plays during Raven Beak's transformation into Raven Beak X, reprising the song's role as a prelude to boss battles.
- Raven Beak X is the only X-infected individual to officially follow the naming scheme of SA-X, designated by the addition of "X" in its name. However, while SA-X's name is hyphenated, Raven Beak X's name is not. While some other X-infected enemies have "-X" in their internal names, such as "Superquetzoa-X" and "Supergoliath-X", Commander X does not.
- Through a Shine Sink, it is possible to reach Raven Beak X's room before visiting Itorash. He can be killed with rapidly fired beam shots.[5]
Gallery[]
Notes[]
- ^ As with Raven Beak and Quiet Robe, Raven Beak X pronounces "Samus" differently in the Chozo language, resulting in it sounding more like "Tamus" when spoken.
References[]
- ^ Map and Mission Log
- ^ Now that's attention to detail!, posted by u/CYBER_X5 on r/Metroid
- ^ a b There's more secrets in Dread's ending, comment posted by u/BearborgOne on r/ChozoLanguage
- ^ Raven Beak X eats her daughter Samus in Metroid Dread メトロイド ドレッド
- ^ Oatsngoats. "SUITLESS ESCAPE | Metroid Dread Glitch (Pre-Patch 1.0.3)". YouTube. November 5, 2021. Retrieved August 1, 2022.
| Kraid | |
|---|---|
| Areas | Kraid's room (Kraid's Lair/Cataris) Planet Zebes: Brinstar Depths • Volcanic Sector • Dark Realm |
| Weapons | Spinning claw • Kraid Bouncing Creature • Kraid's Missile Gun • Rocket |
| Music | Tourian • Big Boss Confrontation BGM (Kraid, Crocomire, Phantoon) Boss Kraid • Brinstar Depths • Brinstar (Metroid) |
| Other | Gallery • Mini-Kraid • Raven Beak X • Doug Parker • Kraid's Toy Shop |