Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: A visual masterpiece that plays it too safe?

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By Gaming News
11 December 2025 1 comment

Samus Aran finally returns in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, bridging the gap between Switch and Switch 2.

Announced eight years ago, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally landed. Marking Samus Aran’s return to 3D after an 18-year hiatus, it bridges the gap between the Switch and the muscular new Switch 2. But has the bounty hunter evolved, or is she playing it too safe?

Also learn more on the Day One Patch of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond!

 

From Development Hell to Switch 2

It is no exaggeration to say Metroid Prime 4 had a chaotic birth. The original trilogy (2002-2007) was a Retro Studios masterpiece.

However, this fourth installment was initially handed to a different team in 2017. The result? A disaster.

Nintendo scrapped the project in 2019, unsatisfied with the quality. They brought Retro Studios back to start from scratch. Five years later, the result is a cross-gen release that flexes darker, sharper muscles on the Switch 2.

 

Metroid Prime 4 Gameplay: A Classic Formula

Samus is back doing what she does best: hunting Space Pirates. An alien artifact flings our heroine to the planet Viewros.

Here, she uncovers the mystery of the Lamorn, an extinct species that seemed to be waiting for her. Veterans will feel right at home.

The recipe hasn’t changed. It remains a “First-Person Adventure”—exploration, backtracking, and unlocking zones via upgrades. You will shoot, but you will spend just as much time solving puzzles in total isolation.

 

Samus Aran’s “New” Powers

We have to address the elephant in the room. As usual, Samus begins by losing all her powers.

It is a tired narrative trope. It serves as a convenient excuse to tutorialize new players while stripping veterans of their toys.

As you regain abilities, you realize most are just rebranded classics.

  • Grapple Beam? Now the “Psychic Lasso.”
  • Morph Ball? Now the “Psychic Morph Ball.”
 

Honestly, adding “Psychic” to the name doesn’t make it new. We get it—Samus has psychic powers now.

There are novelties, like a steerable slow-motion shot, but they are criminally underused. You use them for specific puzzles, and that’s it.

The rest is the standard missile, ice, and fire combo. It works, and combat is punchy, but it lacks innovation.

 

The Problem with the Desert Hub

Surprisingly, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is extremely linear. The game teases an open structure with a massive central desert zone.

You traverse this by motorcycle, expecting to explore biomes in any order. Instead, the game forces a strict path.

The real issue is the desert hub itself. It is empty. Aside from sand and a few bonus points, there is nothing to see. The motorcycle feels like a gimmick that hurts the pacing.

 

Verdict: Is Samus’s Return Worth It?

Visually, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a triumph. It is arguably the best-looking Nintendo game to date. Exploring Viewros is a joy. The atmosphere is incredible, even if Samus’s silence during NPC monologues feels awkward in 2025.

However, the game is risk-averse. It executes the Prime formula perfectly but refuses to push boundaries. The “new” ideas, like the empty desert hub, don’t land.

What do you think? Did the 8-year wait deliver enough innovation? Let us know in the comments!

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A video game enthusiast ever since I first got my hands on a Game Boy. Over the years, I've played many different games across various genres, discovering hidden gems and niche titles along the way. I'm also passionate about technology, always up-to-date with the latest news and insight in the PC and Console market. Ready to share and bring you the latest news !

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