Hypermode Guide
Samus' eventual Phazon corruption doesn't come without its benefits. Thanks to her Phazon Enhancement Device (PED) Suit, Samus can tap into her body's Phazon reserves and utilise the substance as a potent energy source.
While Hypermode is active Samus is completely invulnerable and can deliver strong blasts of Phazon more powerful than her regular projectiles. There are, however, potential risks in utilising this dangerous technology.
Activating Hypermode
To enter Hypermode, hold the Plus Button. Your view will switch to a greyscale depiction of the surrounding area while a solid white bar appears at the top of the screen. The "Energy Tank Injected" message refers to the utilisation of one of your Energy Tanks to power Hypermode, so don't go wasting health by using Hypermode too much.
Hold the Plus Button again to exit Hypermode. Upon reverting to normal you'll lose however much energy you spent while in Hypermode from that one Energy Tank (up to 100 points if you used it all).
Using Hypermode
Initially you'll begin with a standard Phazon attack for your arm cannon, but will eventually acquire new forms of weaponry. Each blast of Phazon energy from your weapons will drain your Phazon meter, once the meter empties you'll automatically return to normal mode.
Early in the game Hypermode will also automatically disengage after twenty-five seconds of use. You may also find yourself shunted out of Hypermode prematurely from certain enemy attacks and hazardous environments such as Fuel Gel pools (without the Hazard Shield equipped). See below for a quick summary of Phazon attack forms.
Corrupt Hypermode
Eventually Samus will find herself entering Corrupt Hypermode later in the game, usually by remaining in Hypermode for more than ten seconds. Two signs will tell you if this happens, one, you can't manually switch off Hypermode, and two, the white Phazon meter will change to red. In this state the Phazon levels in Samus' body begin climbing to critical levels - you'll notice the red bar will slowly increase. Allow that bar to fill up completely and her visor HUD will flash red and yellow. Stay like this for a few more seconds and Samus will become utterly corrupted, ending your game right there and then.
Thankfully some quick reflexes will ensure that never happens. Watch the white Phazon meter, if it ever turns red simply blast away at anything and everything to vent Phazon energy from Samus. Drain the bar to return her to normal and out of danger. If you remain in Corrupt Hypermode and regulate the increasing Phazon levels (a good tactic to prolong the use of Hypermode), eventually the PED Suit will automatically drop Samus out of Hypermode after twenty-five seconds (don't be scared by the gradually cascading alarm sound, all it means is that her suit is about to auto-vent Phazon).
If you sustain damage while in Corrupt Hypermode the red energy bar will increase dramatically. Oddly, this can be used as an effective tactic to quickly give yourself more Phazon energy while in the middle of a firefight, instead of waiting for it to slowly rise (just keep firing to make sure the bar doesn't max out). Also be wary of certain Space Pirate foes; if they throw a grenade near you the blast will send you straight into Corrupt Hypermode - don't waste any time venting energy. On the upside, if a grenade sends you into Corrupt Hypermode you won't lose an Energy Tank as per normal, so use the Phazon firepower for as long as possible.
Hypermode attacks
- Hyper Beam: Your standard Phazon-powered attack, simply fire your arm cannon to expel blasts of Phazon. Hold for a Charge Beam shot to emit a continuous blast of twirling Phazon energy for a short time.
- Hyper Ball: While in Morph Ball mode, hold A to produce an electric Phazon attack to inflict damage on any nearby targets.
- Hyper Missile: Fire a missile while in Hypermode to deliver a far stronger concussive blast. Note that each shot considerably drains your Phazon meter.
- Hyper Grapple: This infuses your Grapple Beam with Phazon energy. Some targets can only be destroyed by overloading them with Phazon (attach the Grapple Beam and hold forward).
Hypermode notes
- Some enemies throughout the game utilise their own form of Hypermode, and in this state become incredibly resilient to your regular attacks. Use your own Hypermode attacks against these foes to finish them quickly.
- Remember to use Hypermode for defense as well as attack. If you can see a dangerous scenario in Samus' near future, activate Hypermode and don't fire your weapon to preserve health - use the time before she enters Corrupt Hypermode to avoid damage completely. Quickly exit Hypermode before Corrupt Hypermode begins - giving you around ten seconds in total of invulnerability.
- Use Hypermode wisely against stronger enemies and bosses for that extra edge, but to preserve health avoid using it repeatedly.
- Certain Phazon-based objects in the game can only be eliminated with subsequent Hypermode attacks. Scan the object for a hint of which attack is required to clear it away.
- In Metroid Prime, the Phazon Suit granted Samus immunity from harmful Phazon deposits in the environment. In Metroid Prime 2, Samus could only avoid these harmful hazards. Not in this game. Thanks to the PED Suit, if you see a large deposit of Phazon, stand among the sloppy blue liquid and watch as it actually restores Samus' health to maximum.