Splinter Hive (location)

Hive Chamber A, the first room of the Splinter Hive.

The Splinter Hive is a subsection of the Temple Grounds on Aether in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes located deep underground. According to SPC B. Reevs, the area explored in Echoes is only a small portion of a much larger hive network.

The Splinter Hive serves as a tutorial area, being the first location that Samus visits on Aether.

One of the themes that play in the Splinter Hive is remixed as Shadows in Metroid Prime Hunters.

Connection to the Federation Marines

Force Two of the GFMC Task Force Herakles was sent to investigate the surrounding area of the crash site of the G.F.S. Tyr, this place being their first choice. They were attacked and killed by the native Splinters, despite their best efforts to restrain the creatures. None of them survived (in Metroid Prime: Episode of Aether, however, four people are seen). Details of their occupancy in the area and struggle against the Splinters are told through several computer terminals, Trooper Logs, and analysis of biological and mechanical remains.

Samus explores the remnants of their base early on during her time on Aether. It is here where she first sees the reborn Metroid Prime, Dark Samus. The Ing, another chief foe that dominates this world, are also first encountered within these catacombs. After seeing the troopers becoming possessed, Samus flees the base with them in pursuit, eventually finding the Tyr's crash site and discovering everyone's fate.

Three deceased Grenchlers are also found in the Splinter Hive, presumably after the Federation Troopers.

After obtaining Morph Ball Bomb from the Agon Wastes, Samus can revisit the Splinter Hive and obtain two Missile Expansions. The second time she jumps down the Hive Access Tunnel, the Dark Missile Trooper awakens and fights her, dropping the first Missile Expansion on defeat. The second Missile Expansion requires the use of Morph Ball Bombs, and is found in Hive Chamber B.

Rooms

• Hive Access Tunnel
• Hive Chamber A
• Hive Tunnel
• Command Chamber
• Hive Storage
• Hive Chamber B
• Hive Chamber C
• Hive Save Station
• Hive Transport Area

Development notes

The Splinter Hive was a late addition to Echoes. After the Temple Grounds had been built, Mark Pacini proposed creating a subarea where Samus would discover the fate of Herakles and encounter the Ing for the first time.