Completed my first Hard Mode run on ZM (Update)
I posted last night about completing my first ever Hard Mode run of Metroid ZM and I'm back with the 100% update. After going for 100%, I've realized that a majority of the items locked behind the endgame make up a small fraction of all the items. About half of the items I missed are items I could have gotten before getting the Power Bombs if I had just remembered they were there. Although the biggest issue is that I'd have to go out of my way to get some of them which isn't really ideal. ZM is known for having poor 100% capabilities but I may try again later on in Normal difficulty knowing what I know now to see if that really holds up.
My biggest issue with 100% is the fact there Chozodia is a massive area and there are only two exits right next to each other, meaning you have to trek with a massive chunk of the area in order to leave and get all the missing items. I don't mind the fact that I have to wait until endgame to get everything, it just gives me an excuse to explore old areas to find new things. But if a game is gonna lock 100% behind the endgame, at least making getting in and out of the final area easier. It's just not very fun navigating the maze like structure of Mother Ship, especially since the Space Pirates don't drop anything on death meaning your only saving grace are the save rooms which are spaced out at just the perfect distance to be annoying.
At the end of the day, I don't think I'll be doing anther Hard Mode run again. Overall it was really fun, up until the post game. The entire game made me feel like I just had to be on my toes a little more and not take needless touch damage from enemies, which is totally fine. Until the postgame where the Space Pirates hit you like a truck and Mecha Ridley takes half of your missiles if you don't hit every single Super Missile on him. Tourian once again filled me with an anxiety I hadn't felt since playing Metroid as a kid and honestly I loved it, but that short burst of nostalgia isn't really worth the hassle. If I go for 100% again, I'll just play on Normal Mode.
(Side Note: I did 'kinda' cheat near the end. I just Save Stated at Mecha Ridley's room so I wouldn't have to do the annoying run back every time I died, but I didn't save state at any point in time during the fight. I did the fight legitimately. I DID Save State after finally beating him (on my 20th try) in case I died before I could escape, but I didn't end up needing it as I managed to escape on my first try. ...somehow.)
Posted Apr 24, 2026, 8:22 PM UTC