After an agonising 18-year hiatus, the iconic first-person adventure series finally returns with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, launching on 4th December 2025 for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2. The long-awaited sequel from developer Retro Studios has finally emerged, but our review finds it to be a profoundly contradictory experience that is almost certain to polarise its dedicated fanbase.
A Legacy of Excellence and a Troubled Development
The shadow of the original Metroid Prime looms large. Released in 2023, the Metroid Prime Remastered edition served as a potent reminder of a game many consider near-perfect. This legacy, coupled with the recent critical and commercial success of the superb 2D entry Metroid Dread, set expectations sky-high for Beyond. The game's development, infamously restarted from scratch in 2019, appears to have left its mark on the final product, which often feels like a patchwork of disparate ideas.
Initially, Beyond seems to follow a familiar, comforting pattern. An introductory level leads into a forest area heavily reminiscent of the opening of the first Metroid Prime, suggesting a nostalgic retread. You acquire new tools, including early psychic powers, but these largely amount to familiar abilities with the word 'psychic' tacked on. The new control beam, which allows remote projectile guidance, is an interesting idea introduced early on but is then bizarrely underutilised.
Baffling Design Choices and a Shattered Sense of Isolation
Where Beyond truly confounds is in its core design philosophy. The Metroidvania genre, named in part for this very franchise, is built on intricate exploration, backtracking, and using new abilities to unlock previously inaccessible paths. Beyond frequently abandons this ethos. Puzzles are simplistic, exploration is often straightforward, and the game features several sections that are almost entirely linear.
The most controversial departure is the game's deliberate dismantling of the series' signature atmosphere of melancholic isolation. Throughout the adventure, Samus is accompanied by a rotating cast of allies, most notably the chatty Myles MacKenzie. These characters constantly chatter over the radio, offering unsolicited advice and shattering any sense of solitude. One entire area sees Samus escorted by a pair of soldiers, leaving no room for mystery or discovery.
The plot is strikingly simple: collect five keys to escape a planet. The much-hyped rival Sylux makes only fleeting appearances, uttering a handful of lines that explain nothing. Samus herself remains mute throughout, a decision that feels awkward and makes her seem rude rather than stoic.
Glimmers of Brilliance Amidst the Confusion
Despite its perplexing direction, Beyond is not without merit. When it focuses on action, it can be genuinely entertaining. The boss battles are a highlight, and one lengthy linear section late in the game adopts an effective, almost horror-movie tone as you're pursued by hordes of enemies. The core action is enjoyable, and the levels are well-designed, even if your path through them is too clear.
Visually, the game is a triumph for the hardware. The Nintendo Switch 2 version looks excellent, and the original Switch holds up remarkably well. The optional mouse-style aiming controls are a welcome addition, proving particularly useful in tougher fights. The soundtrack is also effective in setting the scene.
Yet, these positives are constantly undermined by strange inconsistencies. A vast open desert area is filled with almost nothing, making the fun-to-ride motorcycle feel pointless. The game lacks fast travel, and checkpointing is unforgiving, potentially costing players 30 minutes of progress. Enemy variety is poor, with one aggressively persistent creature reused constantly.
The final verdict is one of profound frustration. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond feels like a competent action game awkwardly wearing the skin of a Metroid Prime title. It makes a case for a more action-oriented spin-off series but fails as a numbered sequel to a legendary franchise. It is, as our review concludes, almost exactly what fans didn't want, yet remains undeniably entertaining in stretches. The fallout from its release is likely to be far less enjoyable than the game itself.
Score: 7/10
Pros: Excellent graphics and clever level design; good boss battles; effective use of optional mouse controls; entertaining linear sections and soundtrack.
Cons: Frequently abandons Metroidvania principles; simplistic puzzles; few new ideas; basic characterisation and voice acting; poor enemy variety and inconsistent design.
