Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Description

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition sees Samus Aran unexpectedly transported to Viewros, a remote planet containing dense jungle, ancient ruins, dangerous wildlife, and the remains of the Lamorn civilisation. To return home, Samus must investigate the extinction of the Lamorn, recover her lost equipment, and master mysterious psychic powers granted after her arrival. Although the story follows unresolved elements from Metroid Prime 3: Corruption, its new planet, civilisation, and central mystery allow it to function without detailed knowledge of the previous trilogy.

The gameplay retains the established Metroid Prime structure, with Samus exploring interconnected environments, scanning creatures and ruins, solving spatial puzzles, acquiring equipment, and revisiting inaccessible areas after gaining new abilities. Her arm cannon provides beam weapons, missiles, and charge attacks, while the Morph Ball allows entry into narrow passages and introduces self-contained rolling puzzles. Psychic abilities can manipulate mechanisms and guide projectiles through the environment, adding another layer to combat and exploration. Regions are connected through a large open area crossed using Vi-O-La, an advanced motorcycle that can also attack enemies while travelling. Galactic Federation personnel appear during parts of the adventure, giving Samus more direct interaction with supporting characters than in the original Metroid Prime. The expanded hub and companion sequences alter the series’ traditional isolation and proved more divisive than the enclosed ruins, detailed scanning, and methodical ability-based progression.

The Nintendo Switch 2 Edition provides several enhancements over the base version, including higher resolution rendering, improved frame rates, HDR colour, shorter loading times, and optional mouse aiming with the right Joy-Con 2. It features a Quality Mode for up to 4K output, while Performance Mode supports gameplay up to 120 frames per second. The game’s strengths are its detailed environments, atmosphere, combat, controls, and bringing back the discovery associated with the original trilogy. However, the game has been a hit-or-miss for many. Regions seemed wholly unconnected, yet the Galactic Federation personnel take away the feeling of isolation. Vi-O-La handles well but was under-utilised, one of many ideas seemingly under-developed. Overall this game had a long development period, possibly too long, weakening its focus and ultimately, appeal.