Luminoth Webbing is a type of biology found on Aether and is encountered during the events of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Luminoth Webbing is not named directly in-game, however it is referred to as such by the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc and is named such internally within model files of Echoes.
Description
Luminoth Webbing appears much like an Earthly spider's web. It has a bone-like center crater where its outer ring extends four bone-like appendages directly opposite from each other, in a slight X-shape. Between each bone extension is silk-like webbing (hence the name) to encase small targets and block passage to larger creatures. Many of these webbings contain a fragile Acid Sac in the center crater that, when broken by weapons fire, will spew a fluid over the webbing, dispersing it and the bone-like material, causing the entire web to fade.
Although both the entire web itself and the Acid Sac is scannable within the Bonus Disc, only the Acid Sac is left scannable in the final. This suggests that the webbing is most likely created and/or used by the spider-like creatures known as Splinters (despite its name suggesting otherwise). This is somewhat evidenced by the introduction of the Worker Splinters within the Splinter Hive. When Samus first arrives at the Hive Tunnel, these ghastly Splinters can be seen dropping down from what appears to be Webbing, mimicking how Earth Spiders dangle from webs. The Worker Splinters are also seen roaming around these webbings.
Luminoth Webbing is the first obstacle that Samus faces after crash-landing on Aether. The first web acts as a tutorial for Locking-on to targets. The Luminoth Webbing with sac seen in Hive Tunnel acts as a tutorial for Free Aiming. With the exception of one sac-less webbing in the Splinter Hive, Luminoth Webbing will never be encountered again once all are destroyed.
An object known as Nutrient-grade biomatter can sometimes be found in the presence of Luminoth Webbing or with normal sized webbing. Its scan mentions the object being covered in a "tensile webbing". It is possible this may be a creature encased in Webbing, furthering connection to spider-like behavior.
Other types of Webbing
Curiously, there is a creature called Webling in the same game which has an identical structure except for its dark purple color, red glowing lights spread throughout its web and an eyeball in the center instead of a sac. Their similarities strongly imply that the Webling organism is a Luminoth Webbing possessed by an Ing; in other words, a Darkling. The Weblings are described by their "Dark Webbing" in the Bonus Disc of Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. However, neither of their scans mention any relation between the Luminoth Webbing and Webling.
Another type of Webbing exists exclusively within the Dark Agon Wastes of the final game. Known as an Ing Webtrap, these generally behave as smaller Weblings that appears immune to all forms of weaponry. Curiously, its scan entry displays its model as a normal Luminoth Webbing, despite visually appearing completely different in-game. This may be due to similar sharing properties between the biology subjects.
Locations
- Landing Site x 3
- Hive Chamber A
- Hive Tunnel
- Transport to Agon Wastes (Final only)
- Temple Elevator (Bonus Disc)
- Judgment Pit (unscannable, no sac)
Scans
Luminoth Webbing
Object scan complete.
Object contains large quantity of acidic fluid.
Fluids may be used by indigenous bioforms for digestive purposes. Shell is vulnerable to weapon fire.
Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc
Obstacle composed of tensile biomaterial. Conventional weapon fire will be insufficient to destroy obstacle.
Development Data
Luminoth Webbing appears within the unused Logbook of the Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Bonus Disc. Housed within the Biology section of the Data Network, the entry itself has no text present but does contain a model. This lack of text is also present with its neighboring biology subject, the Dark Webbing. It is unknown if the lack of a connection to the Luminoth was the result of the Bonus Disc webbing scan being outright removed in the final.
Because the Ing Webtrap reuses the model of the Luminoth Webbing in its Logbook entry, it is assumed the Luminoth Webbing entry was converted and repurposed into the Ing Webtrap's entry during development. However, this raises confusion as in-game, the Ing Webtrap bears more closely a resemblance to Dark Webbing rather than Luminoth Webbing.
Trivia
- If the Webling is indeed the Darkling variant of the Luminoth Webbing, it is entirely unique in its category because Ing usually require their hosts to be either an organic being or a synthetic being such as a robot or android. The Luminoth Webbing, however, is simply an inanimate object.
- Luminoth Webbing is referred to as a Shell of Acidic Fluid on the Metroid Prime 2 Echoes Website.
- The first Acid Sac inside the Luminoth Webbing found at the Landing Site is immune to all but the Power Beam and Missiles.
- In Metroid Prime 2: Echoes, using the Boost Ball on the second and third webbing located in the Landing Site will cause the webbing to disperse but keep the sac floating in mid-air. The sac cannot be destroyed from the rear, though the Boost Ball can still trigger the glitch from the backside. If the sac wasn't destroyed, the webbing will return when the room is reloaded. Because of this glitch, it is possible to lock Samus out of the Gunship until she reobtains the Boost Ball or has Super Missiles to enter the room from the other pathway.
- The Screw Attack and the Phazon Beam (via hacking) are also capable of dispersing the web without damaging the Acid Sac.
- Very curiously in the final, a small Luminoth Webbing can be seen covering a locked door in the Judgment Pit, during the battle with the Jump Guardian. This can only be seen using out of bounds movement or free-roam camera, as a tall metal wall prevents Samus from sheltering within the hallway during the battle. The Web's presence here is odd, suggesting this may have been added during development. It is unscannable but does block weapon fire and prevent Samus from entering the door to Junction Site (despite a Blast Shield also present).
- This is the only Luminoth Webbing seen outside the Temple Grounds. Coincidentally, the Dark Agon Wastes is also the only location to house Weblings/Dark Webbing and Ing Webtrap.
Gallery
