Topic: Help with metroid

[Belmont legacy]

So I recently got my hands on a copy of super metroid and I am familiar with metroid fusion and loved it because the map system seemed more helpful but the one in super is different of course and such but I'm stuck on a part where the door to the croc boss or something is blocked and I'm wanting to just restart it but I've always had a hard time getting into metroid games and metroidvania games. I want to love and get into them but I just can't get into them because my patience wears thin way too fast and easy. So do you guys have any tips on getting into this kind of gameplay? 

[shelverton.]

I hate to say this, but...

If you feel impatient playing Super Metroid, maybe this genre is simply not for you? If you don't love the world, the exploration, the nooks and cranny, the mystery... Well, let's just say part of the fun with these kind of games is to explore and figure out how to progress.

There are, of course, more straight forward metroidvania games that tells you what to do and where to go all the time. Super Metroid does not.

In general, if you REALLY wish to continue in this game, just look at your map and see if there's somewhere new you can go. What new abilities do you have that could help you progress, and so on... That's how you do it, basically. Restarting the game won't change anything.

[X]

Shelverton's correct I'm afraid. Super Metroid isn't like playing Metroid Fusion where either the map or your computer buddy is holding your hand. You really need to look around and figure things out. you're on your own in this games as was the intentions of the game itself. I consider Super Metroid the quintessential game out of the entire Metroid Saga. It does what the first game did and kicks it up a notch...by several light years. The Metroid games and Metroidvanias that have been made since then don't really hold up to Super Metroid. Everything just seems so right with it. If you want some help in this segment you are stuck on then tell me exactly what's going on and I'll try to assist you. I know the part where you are at, however your question is lacking a bit of info for me to give you the answer you seek.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

"The croc boss"
I guess you're talking about... Kraid?
Because there's another enemy called "Crocomire" so your question is unclear.

IF you're talking about Kraid, is the door grayed out, or is there something blocking the door?
I recall that when a door is completely grayed out, you usually have to defeat all the enemies in the room for it to open.  There is one door like that in one of the rooms but it's an optional door, not one that you need to go through to reach Kraid.
However, some doors have a monster with an eyeball blocking them.  The door's eye will close if you're too close.  If you move away though, the door's eye will open and shoot some energy shots.  When the eye is open, blast it with a missile and repeat until it is destroyed to proceed.

Other gray doors won't open until you're done with another part, such as some of the doors in an area wit no power, or with a creature sucking the power (there's an area called the "Wrecked Ship" which has this feature).
What color is the door?  Some doors won't open until you have certain devices with which to open them:
-Gray: defeat a boss in the area or all the enemies in the room and then it'll turn into a flashing door
-Flashing Gray doors: just blast 'em.
-Blue doors: just blast 'em.
-Red doors: use 5 missiles or one Super Missile
-Green doors: only 1 Super Missile (regular missiles won't work)
-Yelllow doors: a PowerBomb blast to the door

[theANdROId]

(click to show/hide)

Some things to know about the Metroid series:
- Metroid is not the name of the character.  It's Samus.
- Samus is a woman.
- Don't ask Y can't Metroid...I mean...why Samus cannot crawl.  Just accept that she can't, and use the morph ball instead.
;-)

I'm pretty sure there were some gray "one way" doors too in that game, though I can't remember where exactly.
But as was said, the big deal about the original Metroid games was exploration.  By the time the Prime Trilogy came about, they started giving a bit more guidance (and I can understand that...they are getting bigger and bigger).  The real thrill of these games is making it on your own though...trekking that planet yourself...having no clue where to go, but braving the villains and terrain again and again, back and forth and back until you figure it out!

[shelverton.]

The main reason I don't love games like Metroid Fusion or Shadow Complex is the handholding and the "I'VE MARKED IT ON YOU MAP!" kind of mentality. The games are really good - don't get me wrong - but they also lack the immersion, IMO. I like that I know every nook and cranny in SotN, or Zebes in Super Metroid (although it's been some time now). With something like Shadow Complex I feel hopelessly lost BECAUSE of the handholding. It never forces me to get a feel for the place so I just follow the intended path. The game feel very linear because of it. Super Metroid is pretty linear too but the way it's set up gives the illusion of it being more open. I love that, and I miss it in games today...

[Dracula9]

Basically what the others said. Super Metroid is a flagship of non-linear gameplay, it allows for mostly free exploratory reign while still having the required linearity for it to actually progress as a game. It's something you have to immerse yourself in to fully appreciate it, and unfortunately that isn't something that can just be switched on or off.

However, a rule of thumb with the game is this; as soon as you reach a new area, find the map node. Once you have the area map, all you have to do is explore every inch of it you're able to when you're stuck. If you can't reach a certain ledge or don't have the ability to progress beyond a certain point, then you obviously don't have something you should. At which point backtracking and getting back in all those nooks and crannies becomes your friend.

Super Metroid has a lot of backtracking. If you're not a fan of it, it's gonna be an adjustment.

(there's an area called the "Wrecked Ship" which has this feature).

FUCKING PHANTOON OH GOD THE NIGHTMARES

But yeah, this "croc boss" can either be Kraid or Crocomire. I can see getting stuck on Crocomire if you don't know how to beat him (I was stuck on him for like an hour my first playthrough), though I don't believe there's a door required to reach him; you fall from a hole in front of him.

Crocomire:


Kraid:


If you can tell us specifically (if you're able to) which one you're stuck with it'll be easier to help you. Jorge's covered the Kraid bit already, so there's that.

[Belmont legacy]

It's definitely crocomire guys. I can't find access to getting into the room where he is located what so ever.

[Belmont legacy]

I think a lot of the problems I have with these kinds of games is I get impatient really quickly with this kinda stuff. I feel like the metroid games are not only an accorded taste but also in some forms of gaming, a fine art that takes time as well as patience to appreciate. I believe quite a few games are like this that are older such as our very own, Castlevania on nes. I read that it takes 1st time players to beat super metroid 10 to 12 hours to beat but if it takes me longer than I'm not gonna beat myself up over it. I'm used to playing platformers and RPGs to be honest and not as much as adventure/exploration. (I'm not counting free roam as such) but I think that when I do decide to come back to this game I'm gonna make a new game and see if I can't just take my time and explore. Lose myself in it and take my time. I think it also really doesn't help that I was trying to sequence break this on my first playthrough. Bwahahahaha!!!!

[PFG9000]

It sounds like you're using a guide, since you know what the boss is before you've seen it.  I'd recommend not using a guide, since that will kill the whole point of the game.  Asking for help on a forum isn't as damaging as using a guide.  I understand it can be frustrating if you're stuck.  But don't rely too much on outside help, because you won't get that "Eureka!" moment when you finally figure it out for yourself.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

It sounds like he's missing the WaveBeam to pierce the barrier and activate the sensor that leads down the path to the Crocomire.
The WaveBeam path is the 2nd door from the top, on the right side, in the big "Green Bubbles" room in Norfair.
You usually go there right after getting the Speed Booster (or even prior to, depending on how you explored).

The Crocomire door itself requires a Super Missile, which he should already have by the time he gets there.

[BMC_War Machine]

Jorge's right, if memory serves you get to the bottom of norfair, just to the left (I think) of the bubble room, then you'll reach a path with those grasshopper-cyclops leech things lol and some rocks you cant destory. You hyper dash through it, the next room to the left requires you to keep running then make a leap of faith all the way to the left. There is acid that fills this room so you have to keep going up and right after the jump. You eventually reach a tall narrow room with the door at the bottom in the middle with a super missle as jorge said. Another thing to make sure to keep in mind like others have mentioned is that when you reach a gray door, you either need to kill all the enemies or possibly there could be a chozo satue that gives you something new to get out with or maybe a hidden path. When you're stuck, always remember "bombs are your friends" lol good luck!

[Dracula9]

Yeah, Crocomire himself is in Upper Norfair (which tells me you've probably already killed Kraid and gotten the Varia Suit).

Seeing as Jorge and BMC have taken care of the major explanation, all I can say is be patient with Crocomire himself.

[Belmont legacy]

Dang it I knew I was missing something! It's that wave beam I was missing. I have the freeze beam right now. I can't remember if I had it before or not because I haven't played this file in forever. I'm 2 hours in with Kraid and the spore spawn dead. I know I seen a room that was blocked off by a metal door/shutter with the green switch outta reach with a middle upgrade behind it. Is that the door you guys are talking about that gains access to crocomire?

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

Sadly, no.  However, it's a very similar switch!
The Green Switch cannot be activated with the WaveBeam.
The one that can be activated with the WaveBeam, however, is very similar, only the Activation Light is BLUE.

Once you get the WaveBeam, find a door leading left on the underside of the GreenBubbles room.  This passageway can be used to backtrack back to the initial elevator shaft, and is comprised of two rooms: a boiling-hot red room, and a reasonably safe purple-ish room with debris blocking the passageway.

If you want to go back, you have to break the debris by dashing through with the speed booster.  However, to proceed down to the Crocomire, stay in the Red room and blast around for a secret passageway below you somewhere.  You'll spot the blue switch on the lower left.