Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Switch 2 Review: A Journey Through the Stars
Samus, the legendary bounty hunter, embarks on a new adventure in the latest installment of the beloved Metroid Prime series. After a long wait, the game finally arrives, and it's a thrilling ride through the galaxy. But did it really need to take eight years to develop?
The story picks up where the previous trilogy left off. Phazon, once a galactic threat, is now under control, but Sylux, a former Space Pirate, has taken over and harnessed the power of the Metroids. He's on a destructive path, destroying Galactic Federation research outposts. Samus, our hero, finds herself on the alien planet Viewros, a place with a troubled past.
The original inhabitants, the psychic Lamorn, are no longer around, and Samus is destined to preserve their legacy. To do so, she must teleport back home, but she needs five teleportation keys. The game takes players on a journey through five distinct areas on Viewros, each filled with the usual Metroid backtracking and exploration.
One of the game's standout features is the introduction of Vi-O-La, a new bike that adds a fun twist to the gameplay. Players can traverse the massive desert, Sol Valley, on this bike, and it's a great way to explore the open world. However, some players might feel that the open-world design is a bit unnecessary, as the areas could have been more directly connected, similar to the earlier Prime games.
The game's progression system is inspired by Corruption, where players can upgrade their arm cannon with various weapon chips. These chips unlock three shot types: fire, ice, and electricity, each with its own ammo and upgrade options. The new robot enemies pose a surprising challenge with their potent beam attacks.
The Lamorn, despite being chattier about their history, are not as intrusive as some players might have expected. The dialogue feels similar to Adam in Fusion, which is a positive comparison. The game's progression involves exploring five areas, each with its own unique challenges and secrets.
One interesting aspect is the semi-post-game, where the game transforms into a treasure hunt, a feature that fans will surely appreciate. The game's art direction is breathtaking, and the new psychic abilities add a fresh layer of gameplay.
However, the game's design choices could have been better. The different jumping button controls in human and morph ball mode might be confusing for some players, although it's easily remappable. The game's open-world design might have been rushed, as it feels like it could have been released four years earlier if not for the massive art overhead.
Despite some minor quibbles, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a thoroughly excellent addition to the series. It retains the series' mysterious and moody atmosphere, and the new bike adds a fun twist. While it might not be as flawless as the original Prime trilogy, it's still a must-play for fans of the genre.
Platform: Switch 2 (Reviewed), Switch
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo
Release Date: December 4, 2025
Price: $69.99
Score: 9/10
Disclosure: Nintendo provided a copy of the game for review purposes.
