ROM Hack Metroid: Other M Redux (Based on Maxximum Edition)

[ShadowOne333]

That doesn't work for wiiscrubber which is the only way to keep the ISO as similar as possible to the source in order for the resulting xdelta patch as small as possible.

Rebuilding new ISO from scratch basically means that any xdelta patch will include all of the data in the entire game as the file structure will be different.

So unless you need me to rephrase the question, it's looking this this going to end up being another one of those situations where I'm going to have to just find out the answer myself by extracting the contents of the existing version of Other M Redux and doing a file checksum comparison between the files...

I do suppose it was a bit naive of me to hope that I could get an updated xdelta patch uploaded before ShadowOne333 updates the instructions since using an xdelta patch is a bajillion times easier, but I just remembered that I still have the niggle of the 4 seemingly larger-than-original files that need special versions with smaller file sizes in order to "complete" this xdelta patch for release:

I haven't modified the SFD files since July 2024, so the ones you have should still be the same ones. The same applies for all the other files, except for the DOL file, which is the one that's being modified by Wii GCT Embedder, and that one is for sure bigger (by around 4-5kB) than the one from the original Other M.
I still haven't found a way to properly reduce the size of those specific SFD files, but once I do, I'll try to redo the SFD files so WiiScrubber can work with all the videos, as I do think that's an important thing to handle.

I did try making an XDelta patch out of the final converted ISO with the working DOL in real hardware on my end, but the size of the XDelta patch was around 7GB, really out of size, so I think I'll just make a proper tutorial based on @Rick328 to properly convert the whole Redux project to an ISO that works on real hardware.
I'm just happy this all worked out in the end and we can finally have a built ISO working with all the Redux stuff into it, even Classic Controller and Nunchuck support!

Also, one important bit I noticed...
When Wii GCT Embedder is creating the ISO after patching the DOL, it seems to completely get rid of the UPDATE folder found in the v1.1 of Other M.
It's possible, although I haven't verified it, that the UPDATE stuff could have been the issue originally when we tried to use the redux.dol with the created ISO from WiBaFu.
It's just a theory, but it's certainly a possibility that the main.dol from UPDATE could have been screwing with the redux.dol once running.

From what I could gather, although I am not 100% sure, the v1.1 version of Other M simply/only fixes the softlock in Sector 3 with the closed door?
Because if that's so, my GCT already fixes that, so the generated/patched DOL should cover that too, without a need for the update data.

 

[Nintendo Maniac]

except for the DOL file, which is the one that's being modified by Wii GCT Embedder, and that one is for sure bigger (by around 4-5kB) than the one from the original Other M.

If it's only larger by that tiny bit then it might actually still work due to the way file size allocation works, like a 4.4KB and a 7.7KB file typically takes up the exact same amount of space on a file system unless you've manually configured it to use a cluster size smaller than 4096 bytes (which is a common default).

Could this updated DOL file be shared so I can see if it does in fact fit? In particular, it'd be a good idea to keep the existing method with cheat files and stuff on-hand if it doesn't fit (I also wonder if wiiscrubber can sort of "reallocate" space saved from other places in the ISO)

I did try making an XDelta patch out of the final converted ISO with the working DOL in real hardware on my end, but the size of the XDelta patch was around 7GB, really out of size

Yup! That's exactly what I referring to with regards to this statement of mine:

Rebuilding new ISO from scratch basically means that any xdelta patch will include all of the data in the entire game as the file structure will be different.

I still haven't found a way to properly reduce the size of those specific SFD files, but once I do, I'll try to redo the SFD files so WiiScrubber can work with all the videos, as I do think that's an important thing to handle.

Just don't throw away the current higher-quality versions, alright?

As a reminder, I suggested the following three possibilities that you could try:
1. lower bitrate/greater compression
2. smaller resolution
3. lower frame rate (I'd try 24000/1001fps, 20000/1001fps, and 15000/1001fps)

To clarify the frame rate, the source videos are 30000/1001 which comes out to roughly 29.97fps which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as just 30fps (but that then doesn't differentiate between true 30.000fps!), so to maintain proper frame-cadence you'd have to use the same drop-frame rates. However, the higher the frame rate, the weirder of a fraction relative to the source therefore resulting in more telecine judder, counter-acting the benefit of using a higher frame rate. :/

 

[ShadowOne333]

If it's only larger by that tiny bit then it might actually still work due to the way file size allocation works, like a 4.4KB and a 7.7KB file typically takes up the exact same amount of space on a file system unless you've manually configured it to use a cluster size smaller than 4096 bytes (which is a common default).

Could this updated DOL file be shared so I can see if it does in fact fit? In particular, it'd be a good idea to keep the existing method with cheat files and stuff on-hand if it doesn't fit (I also wonder if wiiscrubber can sort of "reallocate" space saved from other places in the ISO)



Yup! That's exactly what I referring to with regards to this statement of mine:




Just don't throw away the current higher-quality versions, alright?

As a reminder, I suggested the following three possibilities that you could try:
1. lower bitrate/greater compression
2. smaller resolution
3. lower frame rate (I'd try 24000/1001fps, 20000/1001fps, and 15000/1001fps)

To clarify the frame rate, the source videos are 30000/1001 which comes out to roughly 29.97fps which is sometimes incorrectly referred to as just 30fps (but that then doesn't differentiate between true 30.000fps!), so to maintain proper frame-cadence you'd have to use the same drop-frame rates. However, the higher the frame rate, the weirder of a fraction relative to the source therefore resulting in more telecine judder, counter-acting the benefit of using a higher frame rate. :/

The new DOL can be found in the Archive link. I uploaded it a few hours ago.
Should be Redux+Classic Controller.dol, simply rename that to main.dol and use that one, everything else should be the same.

I was about to update the main page about the new final conversion method, but I couldn't due to the new files for Tools being uploaded still when I left off, so I'll update the main page tomorrow.

I'll attempt some quick tests with dm09_02, as that seems like a good start to check if I can lower the size by just a bit.
If we had another open source method of doing SFD files, like with CryTools before we found out it crashed the cut scenes, I could reduce the size of all the SFD files to just a fraction of their original size by keeping the quality, but sadly there doesn't seem to be any other option for that :/

 

[ShadowOne333]

I have finally updated the Archive.org page description with the new method for creating the ISO.
I struggled the whole week since Archive was giving me error messages every time I tried to update the description, but it was due to one specific link I had in the credits.
I changed it and now it should all be properly formatted and updated to the current methods!

 

[LTen]

Hiya, I've been following the archive.org page trying to make my own Redux.iso
But on step 5 where it says to use GCT Embedder, those instructions perhaps aren't clear?
I've tried a few different methods, but all of them result in the Drag ISO Here.bat giving a false finished message, or saying there's nothing in the gct folder, which there is.
I'm wondering if I could get some help with this step? Cheers a bunch.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Hiya, I've been following the archive.org page trying to make my own Redux.iso
But on step 5 where it says to use GCT Embedder, those instructions perhaps aren't clear?
I've tried a few different methods, but all of them result in the Drag ISO Here.bat giving a false finished message, or saying there's nothing in the gct folder, which there is.
I'm wondering if I could get some help with this step? Cheers a bunch.

Inside the gct folder you should the .gct file with the title ID of Other M, it should be R3OE01.gct
Once that file is there, you should drag the ISO into the .bat and it should start extract the data and patching the DOL file.

 

[Technician]

Inside the gct folder you should the .gct file with the title ID of Other M, it should be R3OE01.gct
Once that file is there, you should drag the ISO into the .bat and it should start extract the data and patching the DOL file.

Is this just the classic controller gct file by vague rant or have you add something else like deflicker into it?

 

[Rick328]

Yeah, make sure the GCT file you want to patch in is in the GCT Folder, and on my side I also needed to have the complete ISO file is in the same directory as the Drag ISO Here.bat before dragging it over to start the process.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Is this just the classic controller gct file by vague rant or have you add something else like deflicker into it?

What does deflicker do for Other M?
And its not just the CC code, it's also the other QoL changes and a fix for the softlock bug in Other M too.

 

[Technician]

Deflicker is the vfilter, which makes the picture a lil bit blurry. Common for wii games. Sometimes it produces graphical issues if it's disabled. So it's better that it's not included.

But the QoL changes are the part I'm really interested in. I have never played Other M before. Would you suggest the vanilla game or the redux mod for the pure Metroid experience? I read that the mod is not completely finished, at least on the sound side of the game, but I think it's still better with the QoL changes than the vanilla version, right? Thanks for your effort

 

[LTen]

There's no CGT folder in Redux/Tools/ISO/Windows/GCT Embedder, but when I make one and put the files from Redux/Files inside, I get an unrecognized command error.
I've attached some images showing what I've got. I figure that not all the .gct files are needed, the .bat probably only looks for the one matching the Game ID, but I placed all the provided ones inside anyway.
It might be worth going over which .dol/.gct files to use.

I downloaded the GCT Embedder from the link provided in archive.org, and had success with that one though, despite doing the same thing, so I'm not sure. It all seems to look good so far, cheers

Inside the gct folder you should the .gct file with the title ID of Other M, it should be R3OE01.gct
Once that file is there, you should drag the ISO into the .bat and it should start extract the data and patching the DOL file.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Deflicker is the vfilter, which makes the picture a lil bit blurry. Common for wii games. Sometimes it produces graphical issues if it's disabled. So it's better that it's not included.

But the QoL changes are the part I'm really interested in. I have never played Other M before. Would you suggest the vanilla game or the redux mod for the pure Metroid experience? I read that the mod is not completely finished, at least on the sound side of the game, but I think it's still better with the QoL changes than the vanilla version, right? Thanks for your effort

By all means, try Redux. Theres no downsides to using it atm.

It's quite complete right now, there's nothing left other than bugfix the subtitles in two cutscenes and be able to change which suit appears in a couple of cutscenes after the Sector Zero event.

There's no CGT folder in Redux/Tools/ISO/Windows/GCT Embedder, but when I make one and put the files from Redux/Files inside, I get an unrecognized command error.
I've attached some images showing what I've got. I figure that not all the .gct files are needed, the .bat probably only looks for the one matching the Game ID, but I placed all the provided ones inside anyway.
It might be worth going over which .dol/.gct files to use.

I downloaded the GCT Embedder from the link provided in archive.org, and had success with that one though, despite doing the same thing, so I'm not sure. It all seems to look good so far, cheers

That sounds weird. I don't have a way to check on Windows right now so I'm not sure what could be missing there.
Glad you got it working tho.

 

[LTen]

Well I finished Redux, probably the best way to replay Other M. Thought I'd leave my thoughts below;

I honestly like M's music, and while Maxx had some good ones, like you say, shoehorning other Metroid tracks took away. Redux keeping M's music was a good call.
I like the idea of Suit Auto-Repair instead of Adam Authorization, but perhaps due to my issues with making the .iso, the game version (Dolphin says R3OE01 Disc 1, Revision 1), or both, those voice lines were all jumbled up (see below).

• Grapple Beam VO played for Ice Beam upgrade
• Speed Booster VO played for Varia Suit upgrade
• Ice Beam VO played for Speed Booster upgrade
• Varia Suit VO played for Wave Beam upgrade
• Wave Beam VO played for Grapple Beam upgrade

Perhaps related to the above issue, 3rd person missiles wouldn't work for me with the Classic Controller patch.
Not a big deal imo, I love the sfx they make, which iirc are absent in Maxx's 3rd person missiles.

All the cutscenes that use the wrong model are already noted unto your TODO section, I didn't notice anything else.
I like the changes made to the cutscenes also, esp the effort that went into the (real) Madeline Bergman cutscenes.
Personally I preferred Maxx's version of the Sector 0 cutscene. Adam makes the Metroids strengths more certain instead of speculative, but I can understand why the rough editing of those cutscenes might not be preferred for Redux.


Love this mod, like I said, great way to replay Other M. Kudos to everyone involved, I know modding isn't easy. Cheers a bunch.

 

[Technician]

Well I finished Redux

Wait a minute, did you play the whole night through or what? Thanks for not spoilering it with the blurry text

 

[LTen]

Wait a minute, did you play the whole night through or what? Thanks for not spoilering it with the blurry text

Not through the whole night, haha, I was just fortunate to have a very free Saturday.
Not my first time 100% completing Other M either, enjoying Redux had my IGT at just over 7hrs.

I'm also happy with the markdown on this site.

 

[Technician]

Should I replace the files from the Models folder as well? Not meaning does in the Other M Redux models folder. They are in the Files folder with the gct. But they would overwrite as well. Just tested it. What model files are that?

Edit: I guess these are some versions, because they are titled with windhunter or varia or power og. A lil bit confusing.

Another thing are the inner monologues of samus. I did not replace the ost sound files made by maxximum, but in the beginning when Samus is being called an outsider, there is no inner monologue. Is this supposed to be like that or did I make a mistake in the iso making process?

Thanks a lot for your help.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Well I finished Redux, probably the best way to replay Other M. Thought I'd leave my thoughts below;

I honestly like M's music, and while Maxx had some good ones, like you say, shoehorning other Metroid tracks took away. Redux keeping M's music was a good call.
I like the idea of Suit Auto-Repair instead of Adam Authorization, but perhaps due to my issues with making the .iso, the game version (Dolphin says R3OE01 Disc 1, Revision 1), or both, those voice lines were all jumbled up (see below).

• Grapple Beam VO played for Ice Beam upgrade
• Speed Booster VO played for Varia Suit upgrade
• Ice Beam VO played for Speed Booster upgrade
• Varia Suit VO played for Wave Beam upgrade
• Wave Beam VO played for Grapple Beam upgrade

Perhaps related to the above issue, 3rd person missiles wouldn't work for me with the Classic Controller patch.
Not a big deal imo, I love the sfx they make, which iirc are absent in Maxx's 3rd person missiles.

All the cutscenes that use the wrong model are already noted unto your TODO section, I didn't notice anything else.
I like the changes made to the cutscenes also, esp the effort that went into the (real) Madeline Bergman cutscenes.
Personally I preferred Maxx's version of the Sector 0 cutscene. Adam makes the Metroids strengths more certain instead of speculative, but I can understand why the rough editing of those cutscenes might not be preferred for Redux.


Love this mod, like I said, great way to replay Other M. Kudos to everyone involved, I know modding isn't easy. Cheers a bunch.

Mmm I'd have to check the issues with the VO.
I'm sure they work since I did a whole play through when I finished the audio and cutscenes and they all worked fine on my end.
How did you replace the files?

Also, for the 3rd Person Missiles not working, I found that to be an issue with the GCT Embedder method of patching.
If I patched the DOL with Gecko Loader then it works.

Theres another method of creating the ISO when the first one has issues, try that one, it's basically using BAT files I made out of the original. That one should make the missiles work even on Classic Controller.

Should I replace the files from the Models folder as well? Not meaning does in the Other M Redux models folder. They are in the Files folder with the gct. But they would overwrite as well. Just tested it. What model files are that?

Edit: I guess these are some versions, because they are titled with windhunter or varia or power og. A lil bit confusing.

Another thing are the inner monologues of samus. I did not replace the ost sound files made by maxximum, but in the beginning when Samus is being called an outsider, there is no inner monologue. Is this supposed to be like that or did I make a mistake in the iso making process?

Thanks a lot for your help.

Focus solely on the folder that says "Other M Redux". That one should contain everything you need.

The other folders like "Files" and such are just for backup purposes, in case a model or one specific file goes missing I have backups to work around that.

 

[Technician]

Focus solely on the folder that says "Other M Redux"

Ok thanks. I will do that.

But about the inner monologue of Samus: you wrote in the first post of this thread that you didn't like that the maxximum mod erased all the inner monologues of Samus, which I also agree with you.
So my thinking was that you replaced some of the old ones to be back, because some of them are essential for the plot. Does this mean they are still in your mod or am I confusing here something?
Will it break the mod, if I don't replace the sound files? I kinda like the inner monologues of Samus. I don't find them annoying. They are helpful to understand, especially if it's the first play. It's kinda like watching the series Dexter without his inner monologues. He becomes just a crazy guy looking stupidly into the camera.

 

[ShadowOne333]

Ok thanks. I will do that.

But about the inner monologue of Samus: you wrote in the first post of this thread that you didn't like that the maxximum mod erased all the inner monologues of Samus, which I also agree with you.
So my thinking was that you replaced some of the old ones to be back, because some of them are essential for the plot. Does this mean they are still in your mod or am I confusing here something?
Will it break the mod, if I don't replace the sound files? I kinda like the inner monologues of Samus. I don't find them annoying. They are helpful to understand, especially if it's the first play. It's kinda like watching the series Dexter without his inner monologues. He becomes just a crazy guy looking stupidly into the camera.

I gave an explanation on which monologues I kept and which ones I didn't.
I read through each one and if the monologue didn't add anything meaningful to the story and was just emotional padding, I tried reworking them bit by bit.

The one where Samus is about to leave the federation is one I reworked so it didn't sound too emotional.

 

[Technician]

Ok now I get it. Thanks for the explanation and the mod you created. I will try it out