Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Review – First Impressions, Gameplay, and Verdict

Introduction

After years of anticipation, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally arrived on Nintendo’s latest hardware. With a legacy that stretches back to the original Metroid Prime on GameCube, expectations were sky‑high. This article provides a concise first‑impression review, covering gameplay, world design, performance, and whether the title lives up to the long‑standing hype.

Overview

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond follows the classic formula that defined the series: a solitary bounty hunter, Samus Aran, explores an alien world, uncovers hidden technologies, and battles formidable foes. The game retains the familiar first‑person Metroid experience while introducing a few new mechanics, most notably a set of psychic abilities that augment Samus’s traditional arsenal.

Gameplay & Mechanics

Core Loop

The core loop remains true to its roots—explore, acquire upgrades, and backtrack to previously inaccessible areas. Players start on an uncharted planet where Samus loses her powers and must regain them through progression.

New Psychic Powers

• Psychic Beam – a controllable projectile that can be steered in mid‑air, reminiscent of the rocket‑guided missiles from Metal Gear Solid.
• Psychic Pull – replaces the classic morph ball grapple, allowing Samus to pull objects toward her.
• Psychic Boots – grant enhanced mobility, adding a fresh layer to traversal.

These abilities feel like a modest twist on the classic formula, offering new ways to solve puzzles without overhauling the series’ core design.

Exploration Structure

The game is divided into five themed dungeons, each guarded by a unique key. Between dungeons lies a sprawling desert hub that players traverse on a sleek motorcycle named Viola. While the motorcycle looks impressive, the desert stretches feel underutilized, offering limited activities beyond occasional crystal collection and minor platforming moments.

World Design & Exploration

The desert hub serves as a connective tissue between the dungeons but suffers from a lack of meaningful content. Large, empty expanses and repetitive loading tunnels make backtracking feel tedious, especially when revisiting earlier zones with new powers.

In contrast, the individual dungeons excel at delivering the classic Metroid Prime feel:

• Intricate level layouts that reward careful observation.
• Locked doors and environmental barriers that require specific upgrades.
• Optional secrets that grant extra health, ammunition, or upgrades.

The game successfully balances linear progression with optional exploration, though the desert hub’s design detracts from the overall pacing.

Visuals & Performance

Running on the Nintendo Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond showcases impressive technical achievements:

• Resolution: 4K at 60 fps on docked mode, with crisp textures and vibrant colors.
• HDR: Enhances atmospheric lighting and environmental depth.
• Handheld Mode: Maintains a stable frame rate without noticeable drops.

While the game occasionally reveals its generation‑spanning development through dated loading tunnels, the overall visual fidelity feels like a genuine next‑generation upgrade for the series.

Audio, Atmosphere & Boss Battles

The soundtrack excels at reinforcing the game’s sci‑fi ambience, delivering memorable motifs that heighten tension during exploration and combat. Boss encounters are particularly well‑designed, often requiring the newly introduced psychic abilities to succeed. However, enemy variety is limited; many foes share similar designs with only minor visual tweaks.

Narrative & NPC Integration

Metroid Prime 4 departs from the series’ traditional solitude by introducing several NPCs, most notably the comic‑relief scientist Miles McKenzie. While the intention appears to be adding narrative depth, the characters feel generic and largely serve as background chatter rather than integral story drivers. Long‑time fans accustomed to Samus’s lone‑wolf experience may find these additions unnecessary.

Pros and Cons

Pros

• Faithful adherence to classic Metroid Prime gameplay.
• Innovative psychic abilities provide fresh puzzle solutions.
• Stunning visuals and smooth performance on Switch 2.
• Engaging boss battles with well‑crafted arenas.
• Rich atmospheric sound design.

Cons

• Desert hub feels barren and underutilized.
• Frequent loading tunnels make backtracking tedious.
• Limited enemy variety reduces combat diversity.
• NPCs add little narrative value and break immersion.
• No major evolution of the core Metroid formula.

Verdict

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers a solid, familiar experience that will satisfy players seeking Metroid Prime comfort food. It does not reinvent the wheel, nor does it fully capitalize on the capabilities of modern hardware. For fans eager for a new entry that respects the series’ legacy, the game is a worthwhile purchase. However, those expecting a groundbreaking evolution may feel let down.

If you value polished visuals, a polished core loop, and memorable boss encounters, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond earns its place in the franchise’s catalog—just don’t expect it to surpass the iconic status of its predecessors.