- This article is about an enemy creature in Norfair. For a weapon in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, see Nova Beam.
Sovas[1] (known as Novas in older games) are strange heat-loving creatures that have fire-retardant hair on their backs. In the Zebes-based Metroid games, they appear primarily in Norfair, and sometimes in Ridley's Lair. In Metroid Fusion, the Sovas return in the form of X Parasites either using them as hosts or mimicking them. The Parasites have modified them with the added ability to drop flames in whichever surface they walk on.
Metroid Prime
A dead Sova appeared in pre-release demo discs for Metroid Prime, in a tank in the Biohazard Containment room of the Frigate Orpheon. Notably, this appearance predates Other M as the first game to depict an extinguished Sova, though their design is drastically different. Also present in the demo's files are a set of sound effects, which can be heard here. In the final game, most of the data related to Sovas was removed; however, a few scraps still remain. The scan image used in the demo survived into the final game's concept art, along with a few other Sova scan images not seen in the demo. 4 of the 17 Sova sound effects are also still present in the game's data. Most notably, models of exploded Sova chunks are among the files for the Chozo Ruins, and are loaded (but never spawned) in the room Dynamo.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes
It is interesting that a drawing of a Sova is present in Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Its presence among other Aetherian creatures is strange, as Aether seemingly lacks a super-heated area. However, if the Sova was planned to be included in Echoes, Retro Studios might have retooled the creature to survive in the Agon Wastes or the Torvus Bog, or the Dark Aetherian counterparts of these areas.
Metroid: Other M
Sovas are also present in Metroid: Other M, their first 3-D appearance. The creatures inhabit the BOTTLE SHIP's Sector 3 / Pyrosphere, where they were apparently brought by the Galactic Federation to be studied as possible bioweapons. Viewed in three dimensions, Sovas are revealed to be small, insect-like organisms with a sac-like abdomen extending behind their familiar three-eyed head and legs. This abdomen is capable of swelling to considerable size and propelling the Sova at Samus through a sort of natural rocket effect. Sovas can be extinguished with the Ice Beam before they are frozen: without the nimbus of fire emitted from their heads, the creatures cannot charge, although the flames will re-ignite after a few seconds. Interestingly enough, if a Sova is left frozen, it will die shortly.
Official data
Metroid manual
"Their entire bodies are covered in spiky, fireproof wool and they crawl around the floor. A missile blast will kill them. If using the normal beam, it takes two blasts to kill the blue ones and four blasts to kill the yellow ones."
1986 manga
"Its whole body is covered with sharp, flame retardant hair. It crawls around the floors and walls. The blue ones take two shots to defeat while the yellow ones take four."
Official Nintendo Player's Guide
"Nova is covered with fireproof wool, and lives in a lava field. It crawls on walls and floors."
Super Metroid Nintendo Player's Guide
"They're much like Geemers but are a little quicker."
Trivia
- While not confirmed, one could assume that the Sovas that produce blue flames are hotter than those that produce yellow/orange flames, despite being weaker. This is due to the fact that a blue flame is hotter than a yellow one. Whether this also means that they are simply older Sovas instead of being a subspecies is unknown.
- Sovas "drink" lava, specifically, for microbes living in it.[1]
Other M concept art reveals that the flames a Sova releases are its feces, and that they are composed of silicon, carbon and gas.[2]
Appearances
- Metroid (first appearance)
- Super Metroid
- Metroid Fusion
- Metroid Prime (Beta demo and concept art of scan)
- Metroid: Zero Mission
- Metroid Prime 2: Echoes (concept art)
- Metroid: Other M
Gallery
References