Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has finally arrived after a tumultuous development journey, but it falls short of Nintendo’s stellar reputation. And this is the part most people miss: while the game has its moments, it feels like a relic of the past rather than a bold step forward. Let’s dive into why.
Nintendo is renowned for marching to the beat of its own drum, and during the original Switch era—think Super Mario Odyssey in 2017—it successfully infused open-world exploration into its flagship titles. This approach breathed new life into franchises like Donkey Kong, Mario Kart, and The Legend of Zelda. But Metroid Prime 4? It’s a different story. But here’s where it gets controversial: while open-world elements revolutionized other series, they feel out of place here, almost like a forced fit.
Take Breath of the Wild, for instance. Exploring Hyrule was a joy because every corner held a discovery—a shrine, a Korok, or a hidden treasure. It was a fresh take on a familiar world, and it worked. In Beyond, however, exploration feels more like a chore than an adventure. As Andrew Webster noted in his review, the desert hub world is ‘a bare and boring place.’ Sure, there are discoveries to be made, but they’re as uninspiring as mile markers on a deserted highway.
The issue lies in how Metroid’s core design clashes with open-world mechanics. In a Metroidvania game, progression is gated by power-ups, and roadblocks are cues to return later. This works in a confined environment, like the biomes of Viewros, but in an open world, it kills momentum. There’s no guarantee your time will pay off, making the world feel emptier than it did in Breath of the Wild or Super Mario Odyssey. In those games, aimless wandering always led to something rewarding—here, it often feels futile.
And this is the part most people miss: Beyond also suffers from an illusion of choice. Early on, your companion Mackenzie insists you can go anywhere you want. But try it, and you’ll likely hit an impassable wall of fire. It’s as if the developers are saying, ‘We told you the world was open, but we’re still holding your hand.’ Compare that to Tears of the Kingdom, where freedom feels genuine, and the contrast is stark.
Another misstep is the overbearing companions. In games like Horizon Zero Dawn, constant guidance can be helpful, but Metroid’s appeal has always been about solving puzzles and navigating challenges on your own. Samus Aran is a legendary bounty hunter, yet Mackenzie treats her—and by extension, the player—like a novice. ‘I don’t need you to show me how to get back to Fury Green,’ I found myself thinking. ‘I’ve been there multiple times already!’
Nintendo’s biggest blunder, though, is how Beyond leans too heavily on the original Metroid Prime trilogy. Other recent Nintendo titles—like Odyssey with Cappy’s powers or Tears of the Kingdom with Ultrahand—introduced fresh mechanics that made the familiar feel new. Beyond offers psychic powers, but they’re just remixed versions of Samus’s old abilities. A psychic lasso? It’s just a fancier grapple beam.
Don’t get me wrong, Beyond isn’t without its charms. The Prime series’ unique brand of 3D exploration still shines. But after eight years and a development reboot, it’s hard not to expect more. Given how Nintendo has revitalized its other franchises, Metroid Prime 4 feels like a missed opportunity. The old doesn’t feel new, and the new doesn’t feel good.
Controversy & Comment Hooks: Is Metroid Prime 4 a step backward for the series, or is it unfairly judged against Nintendo’s other recent triumphs? Do open-world mechanics truly belong in a Metroid game, or should the series stick to its roots? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
