Chozo Artifacts/Sky Temple Keys Scavenger Hunt (Metroid Prime/Metroid Prime 2: Echos)

The Chozo Artifacts/Sky Temple Keys Scavenger Hunt is a section in both Metroid Prime and its sequel Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. They are the near-finale requirements to reach the final bosses of the games. While these sections aren't terrible from a story perspective, in terms of gameplay, they are often considered by many as one of the more tedious and weakest parts in both games.

Summery

In Metroid Prime, the player has to look for the 12 Chozo Artifacts in order to open up a path for the last level of the game, the Impact Crater. Those artifacts are scattered thoughout Tallon IV in all six areas of the game. Hints on how to find them are obtainable by scanning Chozo poles throughout the game.

In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, the player has to look for the 9 Sky Temple Keys in Dark Aether to open up a path for the final main world of that game, the Sky Temple. There are a group of enemies called Flying Ing Caches that are hidden in one of the four main areas of the game, the only way that they can be seen is with the Dark Visor, and after defeating them, the Sky Temple Key is found. Much like in the previous game, the player can scan the totem statues to receive hints to locate them.

Why These Sections Suck

1. Both games do not tell you about those sections in the first place, so coming to the final main area of one of the games, only to be told that you need these requirements is nothing more than the games giving you the middle finger.
2. These sections require unreal amounts of backtracking.
3. The hint systems are rather inconvenient.
4. Their placements are rather cruel. A great example in MP1 alone is an artifact hidden in Pandora's Edge, an area of Pandora's Drifts only seen with the X-Ray Visor and can only be revealed with the Power Bomb. The thing is, first-timers may not know that as not only is the section not shown on the map, but it cannot be scanned.
5. In MP2, you need the Dark Visor to locate the keys & kill the Flying Ing Caches that hold them dear + the Light Suit for 4 of them. Here's the catch: you get those upgrades mid-game (by beating the Misty Bog' Temple's boss) & near end-game respectively, so expect even more abnormal amounts of backtracking.
6. In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, due to how looking for all 9 Sky Temple Keys is basically the same as looking for 3 Temple Keys in all 3 areas, you will most likely get burned out of the fun.
7. Because of these segments, you need a guide &/or a walkthough to figure out what to do.

Redeeming Qualities

1. Backtracking in both Metroid Prime and Metroid Prime 2: Echoes can be somewhat fun as you can find some hidden goodies along the way.
2. While MP2 is worse in that regard as explained in WTSS #5, there are only nine of them to find at least, so it's a bit... better?
3. Acquiring those objects grants you access to the final rooms, as well as the final bosses, so it will be worth it.

Tip

1. After getting the necessary upgrades for the job, backtrack immediately to get the collectibles. You will be spared a lot of trouble doing so.