Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review – Good Game, But Not A Good Metroid Prime Game

2 weeks ago 10

Obviously, hindsight is 20/20, but we should have known that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was in a no-win situation.

Much has been made of its infamous development: it was first announced in 2017 and developed by Bandai Namco, was said to be "well into development" in 2018, and was then completely rebooted at Retro Studios in 2019. Even aside from that rocky development, there were also questions about whether the Metroid Prime style of gameplay would hold up today. Sure, the Metroidvania genre has arguably never been more popular than it is today, but Metroid Prime felt a little dated compared to modern Metroidvanias.

Metroid Prime 4: How To Beat Carvex

Carvex is the first boss you'll encounter in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but he's no slouch.

Then 2023's Metroid Prime Remastered blew us all away and emphatically said, "Yes, I'm still the GOAT. My gameplay is still fun today."

It's just a shame that nobody listened. The Metroid series has always had a hard time moving copies. Metroid Dread is the best-selling game in the series, with over 3 million copies sold. That puts it behind other Switch games such as 1-2 Switch, Mario Tennis Aces, and Suika Game. To be fair, Suika Game is awesome, but Metroid is, or at least should be, a tentpole franchise for Nintendo.

Why am I talking about this? There are some clear design choices within Metroid Prime 4 that look to make the game more accessible for mainstream audiences, which, sadly, come at the cost of the overall experience. As a result, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a good game, but it's not necessarily a good Metroid game.

The Friends We Made Along The Way

It makes sense to start with the elephants in the room: the NPC "companions" such as Myles MacKenzie. They were the sticking point around the game's first impressions, and I get it. They feel antithetical to everything that makes Metroid great.

Keep in mind, though, that, for whatever reason, the Metroid franchise has a hard time selling copies. It seems strange in a world where Hollow Knight: Silksong is one of the most successful games of the year, but it's true. These games do not move the needle at retail, and one possible reason is that they feel inaccessible at times.

One of the biggest appeals of any Metroid is exploration. You arrive at a new area, get your bearings, and eventually figure out where you should be going through context clues and discovery. Metroid Prime 4 addresses that "issue" by introducing NPC characters that feel similar to characters in the Marvel Cinematic Universe whose sole purpose is to act as the audience stand-in. The problem is that, while this sometimes works (re: Shang Chi), it doesn't in Metroid Prime 4.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a good game, but it's not necessarily a good Metroid game.

I'm not going to gripe that Myles is the worst thing Nintendo has ever put in a video game because, well, it's not. If you know what you're doing, Myles will leave you alone for the most part, and I'm not ashamed to admit that he did help me from time to time. He still exists, though, and there's this weird disconnect where he, as well as other NPC characters, are talking to Samus, and she just stands there, refusing to respond or even acknowledge the other characters.

It's not like Samus has never spoken in a game before. Before you say anything, no, I'm not solely talking about Other M. It's clear that Retro wanted to give the game a more cinematic approach. Still, it feels like the game is trying to have its cake and eat it too by keeping Samus as a silent protagonist. It's a recurring theme that keeps cropping up as you play through the game: Metroid Prime 4 feels like two games in one, both of which could have been great, but can't pick a lane and stick with it.

Despite This Glaring Issue, Still Understands What Makes It Great

Imagine my frustration, then, when Metroid Prime 4 does an excellent job of nailing the mood and atmosphere of Metroid Prime.

The game's main sections take place in a variety of biomes that all feel ripped straight from Metroid's history. Not exactly innovative, but if it ain't broke, why fix it? That said, there's a definite linearity to the game compared to its predecessors, which feels disappointing. Yet despite this linearity, traversing through each region still feels like a traditional Metroid experience.

Perhaps the biggest achievement here is how Metroid Prime 4 does a great job at foreshadowing. I'm not talking about dropping hints about certain areas you won't be able to reach until you obtain the necessary power-up. Instead, I'm talking about the storytelling that exists within each area. As you scan items and learn about what's going on, you'll get a good idea of what to expect as you continue through each section. It's a nice, subtle touch that encourages the exploration and discovery that make Metroid so great.

There is, sadly, another elephant in the room that needs to be discussed: Sol Valley, the desert "overworld" where you traverse with your Vi-O-La Bike. On the one hand, several points of interest encourage exploration, similar to Breath of the Wild's and Tears of the Kingdom's Shrines. Plus, driving a bike is a lot of fun. Having said that, it's ultimately devoid of any personality, and it's this, not Myles and company, that is Metroid Prime 4's biggest flaw.

Metroid Prime 4: How to Beat Xelios

Take on this ball of energy in the Volt Forge of Metroid Prime 4.

Feels Like It's Actually Two Games Fighting Against Each Other

The linearity of Metroid Prime 4's zones, juxtaposed with the not-quite-massive but not-necessarily-small open world of Sol Valley, makes it feel like Metroid Prime 4 couldn't commit to a lane.

It's not hard to sit and wonder if Nintendo is looking to cash in on the open world trend, given the direction of its flagship games over time. I won't sit here and say that Metroid Prime 4 feels like a half-baked Breath of the Wild, but look at some of its other franchises.

Super Mario Odyssey's stages are open-world. Mario Kart is literally called "Mario Kart World" and takes place in an open world. Donkey Kong Bananza is an open-world platforming wonderland. Metroid Prime 4's "open world" is quite simply nothing like any of those, not even Mario Kart World's disappointing open world.

Metroid Prime 4 feels like two games in one, both of which could have been great, but can't pick a lane and stick with it.

If Retro were to fully commit to either direction, I have no doubt that Metroid Prime 4 would have come out as a better game. Say what you want about the current state of the Zelda franchise, but it works wonders: you have an open world to explore, a strong narrative, and a silent protagonist that works within its narrative structure. Just make sure Samus doesn't have to constantly re-craft her suits and abilities, and we're in business. I've had more fun in Sol Valley than I ever thought because handling the Vi-O-La Bike is just that much fun; I just wish there was more of a reason to explore the desert.

At the same time, Metroid Prime Remastered is a great game that holds up to any Metroidvania, so going with a more focused, sprawling map would also have worked extremely well. Spoiler alert: that's the case here in Metroid Prime 4! Nothing puts a smile on my face like solving these puzzles, discovering secrets, and engaging in combat.

It's clear that these two lines of thought are present in the final product, and they show glimpses of their full potential. It's just never fully realized, and the game suffers for it.

The Gameplay Loop Remains As Fun As Ever

If anything, I wish they ventured more into expanding Sol Valley and its "shrines."

The puzzles that exist not just there, but throughout the game, are as clever as ever, and it definitely scratches my adventure and exploration itch. Metroid Prime 4 is also clearly proud of one of its newest features: the Psychic Visor, never afraid to utilize all of its related abilities. Thankfully, they're all done in such a creative and genius way that I'm perfectly okay with Retro taking a victory lap here; it's one that's well deserved. The real highlight, though, is the game's combat, particularly the boss battles.

Metroid Prime 4's gameplay is as fluid as ever, thanks in part to utilizing a modern control scheme. There's even the ability to take advantage of the gyro controls to enjoy some free aiming, which is one of the highlights of the Nintendo Wii's Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. The result is some of the best combat and gameplay Metroid Prime has ever seen, and it's on full display with its boss battles. These are fast, frantic, and sometimes tense affairs that deliver every single time. Every time I enter a large arena and see a cutscene, I get excited.

This is what makes reviewing Metroid Prime 4 so confounding. If it were a game by any other name, I feel like it would have been far better received. Sure, it has its faults, but what game doesn't these days? Yet we're comparing it to some of the best games ever made on a Nintendo console, and for that, Metroid Prime 4 fails to live up to the legacy.

Looks Great On Switch 2, But Could Have Been So Much Better

The biggest knock on Metroid Prime 4's graphics is that it is very clear this is a game that was, for the most part, developed for the Nintendo Switch hardware. The limitations are on full display; there are times that Metroid Prime 4 looks as beautiful as we all hoped, but at the same time, it's clear that Retro took some shortcuts to get the most juice out of the system they can.

There is an option to choose between a quality mode, with the game running at 1080p and 60 FPS, and a performance mode that offers 120 FPS but at a lower 720p resolution. I spent most of my time in the former, and the game ran buttery smooth. One thing I do want to praise is the cinematic look and feel: it delivers on this front, which makes the game's sometimes frustrating visuals even more disappointing.

Thankfully, Metroid Prime 4's score is as good as you could hope for. If there's one thing we can count on with a Metroid game, it's that score, and Metroid Prime 4 understood the assignment. It helps deliver an immersive, atmospheric experience that does an excellent job of making you forget about the game's flaws.

Until you enter Sol Valley and experience its complete lack of music. That's the story here: two steps forward, one step back. Metroid Prime 4 can build momentum, but more often than not, it fails to capitalize on it.

At the end of the day, a bad Metroid Prime game is still a good game and one that I'll happily play any day of the week. As frustrating as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can be, it's still worth playing and a solid way for Nintendo to end 2025. Is it a must-own Nintendo Switch 2 game? That's something I'm honestly not sure about. On the one hand, I can see it being a great way to introduce people to the Metroid genre in a way that's more accessible than, say, Metroid Dread. On the other hand, Metroid Prime Remastered is right there. Ultimately, Metroid Prime 4 is a game that's worth playing, but it could be so much better.

Systems

Released December 4, 2025

ESRB Teen / Animated Blood, Violence

Publisher(s) Nintendo

Pros & Cons

Some of the best boss battles in the series
Does an excellent job of nailing the moodiness Metroid is known for
It's still a Metroid Prime game, so it has that going for it, which is nice

The NPC characters aren't as bad as its made out to be, but I'd still prefer they weren't a thing
Does a lot of things good, but can't live up to the franchise's expectations and legacy
Sol Valley's "open world" is a major disappointment

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