Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – 10 New Things We’ve Learned About It

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We’ve been eagerly awaiting the release of “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond” for quite some time now. It’s been nearly two decades since we last saw “Metroid Prime 3: Corruption,” and “Prime 4” was first announced back in 2017, only to be delayed and then completely reworked by Retro Studios a couple of years later. However, it seems like the long wait for this game may soon come to an end.

After waiting an entire console generation since its initial announcement, I’m thrilled to finally see the release of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond coming closer. The last few weeks have been particularly exciting as we’ve gotten new insights and gameplay snippets for this first-person action adventure game. To fuel the anticipation even more, here are some key updates on Nintendo’s upcoming masterpiece. Let’s jump right in by discussing the fundamental aspects first.

STORY DETAILS

Following the occurrences depicted in Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, the next installment, tentatively titled Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, will find our heroine and renowned bounty hunter Samus Aran embarking on another perilous journey to an unspecified alien world. In a recent Treehouse Live demonstration, we caught a glimpse of this planet, Tenmaar, which was also hinted at during the re-reveal of Metroid Prime 4 in June last year. As Samus arrives on Tenmaar, she discovers it under siege by powerful Space Pirate forces, who have formed an unexpected alliance with the mysterious bounty hunter Sylux. For those unfamiliar with this character, Sylux has made a few appearances in the past but remains largely enigmatic. However, Retro Studios and Nintendo have confirmed that Sylux will play a significant part in the forthcoming sequel.

SETTING

The action for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will unfold on an uncharted planet named Viewros, contrary to expectations that it would be the perilous alien world previously mentioned as the primary setting. As disclosed in a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, this new planet serves as the game’s backdrop. Details about Viewros and its potential attractions remain scarce, except for the revelation of a massive, towering tree at its core, which appears to play a crucial role in the planet’s lore. Given that it is a Metroid game, players can anticipate exploring the planet, delving into its history, uncovering its mysteries, and encountering numerous formidable inhabitants throughout their journey.

CLASSIC METROID PRIME GAMEPLAY RETURNS

So far, what we’ve seen of Metroid Prime 4’s gameplay strongly suggests that longtime fans of the series will find themselves right at home. Familiar aspects like lock-on targeting during shooting, scanning objects, energy tanks and missiles, transforming into a morph ball for maneuverability, and using bombs are all part of the experience, just as you’d expect in a Metroid Prime game.

PSYCHIC ABILITIES

Although Metroid Prime 4 might seem like it’s offering more of the same, it’s actually doing much more than that. Retro Studios is revamping the traditional gameplay mechanics by introducing fresh concepts, such as Samus’ new Psychic Powers. The specifics of how these powers will intertwine with the narrative are yet to be revealed, but we do have a sneak peek into Samus gaining new telekinetic abilities in Prime 4. These abilities allow her to move and manipulate objects using her mind, alter the path of fired projectiles, open doors that were previously unreachable, and more. It’s expected that these powers will play a substantial role not only in combat but also in exploration and traversal.

ABERAX

In a recent Treehouse Live demo, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond unveiled its initial gameplay minutes, concluding with an impressive boss battle against a massive alien beast called Aberax. As the first opponent in the game, Aberax appears challenging but not overwhelmingly difficult based on the demonstration. The boss encounter requires players to concentrate on vulnerable spots on Aberax’s chest, which it tries to defend using its shielded arms. Throughout the fight, players must dodge Aberax’s attacks, including large circular waves, jetpack-assisted movements, and fierce melee strikes aimed at Samus.

NEW SUIT

In most instances, a new Metroid game doesn’t launch without Samus discovering a fresh suit to wear, and following this pattern, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond won’t be an exception. A sneak peek of a red suit was shown in its Nintendo Switch Direct trailer at the end of March, but since then, Retro Studios and Nintendo have remained tight-lipped about details such as where it fits into the storyline, or if it grants Samus any new abilities.

LAUNCH DETAILS

At the latest reveal event for the Switch 2, Nintendo confirmed, as anticipated, that “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond” is indeed a cross-generational game. This means it will be playable not only on the current Switch console but also on the forthcoming Switch 2 at its launch. While the exact release date remains unknown, with Nintendo keeping tight-lipped about this detail so far, we do know that it’s set to arrive sometime in this year.

NINTENDO SWITCH 2 EDITION

The upgraded version of Metroid Prime 4 for the Nintendo Switch 2, also known as its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition, will boast several enhancements. This includes faster load times, higher resolution and frame rate targets (details to follow), HDR support for screens that are compatible with it, and additional features.

GRAPHICS MODES

The Metroid Prime series is known for being visually stunning given the hardware they are running on, and Beyond continues this trend. On the Switch 2, it will undeniably showcase some impressive technical feats. In Quality Mode, the game will run at 4K resolution and 60 frames per second, while a Performance Mode will also be offered for players who prefer to play it at 1080p resolution and 120 frames per second.

GAMEPLAY MODES

The upgraded version of Metroid Prime 4 on Switch 2 offers unique gameplay elements. This game can be played using various methods, taking advantage of the console’s flexible hardware. You can opt for traditional controller play, or leverage the gyro controls for smoother aiming. Although the robust lock-on system in Metroid Prime makes targeting manageable, this feature is designed to make things even easier for you. Moreover, you can rotate a Joy-Con sideways and use it like a mouse for an engaging gaming experience, especially appealing for first-person shooters. As demonstrated in the latest gameplay demonstration, transitioning between different playstyles will be swift and effortless.

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2025-04-07 15:42