Samus Aran, a skilled bounty hunter armed with a cannon, is an unsung hero in Nintendo’s lineup. Despite not receiving as much attention as Princess Zelda, who typically plays the damsel in distress role, Samus shines in the more mature realm of the Metroid games. These sci-fi action-adventures offer a unique experience with an eerie and tight exploration of alien worlds.
However, early glimpses of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond raised concerns among fans. Some journalists expressed unease after playing a segment featuring a character named Myles, described as a talkative and clumsy sidekick. This addition was criticized for diluting the game’s atmosphere and tension with comedic interjections.
The full game, estimated to take around 15 hours to complete, balances these character dynamics. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers a satisfying experience for long-time fans, capturing the essence of the series while introducing fresh elements. Yet, not all new features hit the mark, resulting in some frustrating or disappointing moments.
Development of the game spanned nearly a decade, with the original Metroid Prime setting a high standard upon its 2002 release for the Nintendo GameCube. Despite facing setbacks and a complete restart during its creation, Metroid Prime 4 is finally ready to launch on the Switch and Switch 2 consoles after years of anticipation.
In Beyond, players join Samus as she responds to a distress signal from a besieged base under attack by space pirates. A confrontation with the enigmatic Sylux leads to an unexpected journey to an alien planet, where Samus must regain her powers and unravel the mystery surrounding her predicament.
Remaining true to its predecessors, Metroid Prime 4 maintains the series’ core gameplay elements. Players explore diverse alien environments on the planet Viewros, battling hostile creatures and robots using Samus’s versatile arm cannon. The game encourages strategic exploration, with players using scanning visors to uncover secrets and overcome obstacles.
While introducing new psychic abilities and interactive puzzles, some additions, like the character Myles and the vast desert landscape, fall short of expectations. The game’s reliance on the Switch 2’s unique controls for challenging encounters may pose a hurdle for some players, though it adds a layer of precision to combat.
Despite its flaws, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond offers a rewarding experience for fans of the series, blending familiar gameplay with innovative elements. However, newcomers may find more enjoyment in exploring earlier titles like Metroid Prime Remastered, Metroid Dread, or Super Metroid to grasp the essence of Samus’s adventures before diving into this latest installment.