I hated sixth grade with a passion. Back then I was chubby, awkward, and lonely. I only had two friends and we really only hung out with each other due to our shared obsession with Pokémon. I had a lot going on in my personal life at the time that I found very difficult to cope with, but I didn’t think anyone would understand what I was going through, so I did my best to keep my thoughts bottled away. However, there was one person I knew I could always turn to when things were looking their worst. Her name was Samus Aran.
I purchased a brand new copy of Metroid Fusion the day it was released. I was persuaded to buy it after viewing a commercial for it that I thought was the coolest thing the world had ever seen. I had never played any Metroid games before and I really didn’t know anything about the series except that it had something to do with that robot-looking person from Super Smash Bros. I was amazed to discover that the game I had purchased on a whim was not only an amazing amount of fun, but starred a protagonist that I could identify with.
Samus the inspiration
Throughout Fusion I was allowed a sneak peek into the mind of Samus. During long elevator rides on the space station she was exploring, she would share her thoughts with the audience.
It turns out that despite being a badass intergalactic bounty hunter with a gun for an arm, Samus had doubts and fears. She was skeptical of the person she was taking orders from and knew she couldn’t defeat the clone of herself that was hunting her. She wasn’t even entirely positive that she would survive the situation she had found herself in. But despite how she felt, Samus kicked every single butt she could find and lived to see another day. She looked past her insecurities, did what needed to be done, and didn’t let anything stop her.
To say I was inspired is an understatement. I loved that game and I looked up to Samus Aran in a way I had never looked up to anyone before. Despite Nintendo’s attempt to ruin the character with Metroid: Other M, I still think Samus is one of the greatest characters in all of gaming. I don’t know how I would have gotten through middle school without Metroid Fusion, and eventually Metroid: Zero Mission, by my side. In fact I don’t think I’d be the same person I am today if Samus hadn’t taught me about overcoming my fears.
The second a new Metroid game becomes available you can be sure that I’ll be first in line, eagerly awaiting my next life lesson.
