4 Best Games to Play While Waiting for Metroid Prime 4

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After a long wait of almost twenty years since *Metroid Prime 3: Corruption*, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* is officially coming out on December 4th! While the updated version of the original *Metroid Prime* kept fans happy for a bit, everyone is excited for a brand new adventure. Until then, players can enjoy other games that capture the same feeling of exploring mysterious worlds, the excitement of discovery, and the rewarding challenge of learning new skills – all hallmarks of the *Metroid Prime* series.

As a huge fan, I’m always looking for games that capture that special *Metroid* feeling – you know, the one where you’re rewarded for exploring, things get tense and mysterious, and the worlds are just totally strange and immersive. That formula’s really popped up in a lot of games over the years! But these four, in particular, really nail what makes *Metroid* so great and will definitely keep us satisfied while we wait (impatiently!) for *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* to finally come out.

4) Control

Though not set in space like *Metroid Prime*, *Control* delivers a similar feeling of mystery, science fiction, and loneliness. Like the *Metroid* games, *Control* is a sprawling adventure where exploration is key. You play as an agent within the Federal Bureau of Control, investigating a strange, ever-changing government building where the laws of reality are falling apart.

Okay, so playing *Control*, I kept getting a major *Metroid* vibe with Jesse Faden. Like Samus, she’s a total badass who can change her weapon’s shape and has these awesome powers – hers are supernatural, Samus’ are more sci-fi, but the feel is super similar. We’re both thrown into these dangerous places – I’m wandering around the crazy Oldest House, while Samus hops between planets – and a big part of the game is finding documents and clues to figure out what the heck is going on. It’s all about uncovering the mystery as you explore.

Both games excel at telling stories through their environments. Every hallway and room feels detailed and immersive, offering hints about the world or challenges to overcome. As players advance, they gain new abilities, some of which help in battles, others which open up previously inaccessible areas, and some that do both. Going back to earlier locations with these new powers is both a treat and a sense of accomplishment.

Like *Metroid Prime*, *Control* creates a feeling of loneliness, immense power, and the fear of what you don’t know. The game encourages exploration and discovery, letting players piece the story together themselves. If you’re excited for *Metroid Prime 4* and looking for something to play in the meantime, *Control* is available on PlayStation, Xbox, PC, and Nintendo Switch (through cloud gaming).

3) Journey to the Savage Planet & Revenge of the Savage Planet

Unlike the dark and serious tone of *Metroid*, *Journey to the Savage Planet* and its sequel, *Revenge of the Savage Planet*, are bright, colorful, and funny. Despite this lighter approach, the first game successfully captures the same feeling of exploring an alien world and making new discoveries. While the sequel changes to a third-person perspective, both games offer a fun experience that fans of *Metroid* are sure to enjoy.

In this funny platformer, you’re a somewhat unlucky employee at Kindred Aerospace, a company that jokingly claims to be the fourth-best at exploring space. You’re sent to check out a mysterious planet, and the game quickly feels like *Metroid Prime*. Expect beautiful environments, scary monsters, and plenty of upgrades that let you move around in new ways – it’s very similar to the classic Nintendo game.

Like *Metroid Prime*, *Journey to the Savage Planet* really makes you want to explore. You’ll scan plants and creatures, gather resources, and earn upgrades that let you reach new areas. This encourages you to revisit old locations and solve puzzles based on the environment – it’s a lot like a ‘Metroidvania’ game.

Though it’s funny and often makes fun of things, the game also feels truly exploratory and is surprisingly deep. It blends adventure, action, and a creative world in a way that’s excellent practice for *Metroid Prime 4*. You can find it on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

2) Outer Wilds

If you enjoyed *Metroid Prime*, you’ll likely love *Outer Wilds*. While *Metroid Prime* focuses on a single planet, *Outer Wilds* lets you explore an entire solar system. The game centers around discovery and trying things out, making it a perfect fit for fans of the classic Nintendo series.

You play as a new astronaut in a young space program investigating a solar system stuck in a repeating time loop. Starting with just your ship and basic tools, your biggest asset is your curiosity. Every discovery helps you solve the mystery of the loop, and each new attempt builds on what you’ve learned, giving you more knowledge for your ongoing journey.

Similar to *Metroid Prime*, this game doesn’t offer much guidance. You’re encouraged to explore the stunning and enigmatic environments and figure things out for yourself. Each attempt reveals more clues, working much like power-ups in *Metroid* – letting you access new areas and overcome previous obstacles. *Outer Wilds* cleverly makes the process of discovery both incredibly exciting and a fundamental part of how the game works.

While *Metroid Prime* focuses on surviving and building tension, *Outer Wilds* creates a sense of wonder and sadness. Starting *Outer Wilds* feels like beginning a profoundly moving journey through space, where discovering new things leads to real understanding. If you enjoy *Metroid*, *Outer Wilds* is a game you shouldn’t miss, and it’s playable on PlayStation, Xbox, Nintendo Switch, and PC.

1) Returnal

Returnal blends the challenging, replayable structure of roguelike games with the exploration and atmosphere of Metroid Prime, creating a fresh experience. While it switches from a first-person view to third-person, the game still focuses on unraveling the secrets of an alien world through exploration, character progression, and unlocking new powers.

The game world’s interconnected design encourages lots of exploration, and the way you repeatedly die and come back to life makes each discovery feel fresh. Learning new skills, finding secret paths, and piecing together the world’s story really captures the spirit of classic Samus adventures. Plus, each area feels like its own little puzzle, similar to the level design in *Metroid Prime*.

Returnal creates a similar feeling to classic games like Metroid, filled with a sense of sci-fi isolation and unsettling mystery. The game’s environments are full of strange energy, the music builds tension, and opening each door could lead to something amazing or dangerous. Players learn more about the world by scanning objects and gradually figuring out the story.

Players familiar with *Metroid Prime* might be surprised by how challenging *Returnal* is at first. However, the difficulty is intentional, as the game is designed as a roguelike. It starts tough, but becomes easier and more satisfying as you learn the mechanics and improve your character. Currently, *Returnal* is only playable on PC and PlayStation, but considering the recent Xbox release of *Helldivers 2*, there’s hope it could come to other platforms down the line.

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2025-10-13 20:15