Metroid Prime 4: Beyond - Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is, without a doubt, the return that fans of the saga have been waiting for almost a decade. Retro Studios has perfectly balanced the classic essence of Metroid Prime with innovations that revitalize the experience, delivering an adventure that, while accessible to new players, maintains the challenge and depth that defines the franchise. The game's unique atmosphere, the richness of its world, and its gameplay, deeply integrated with exploration and combat mechanics, make this installment something truly special.

Gorgeous, highly entertaining, and a thrill to unravel, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond on Switch 2 is the best single-player shooter in years and a triumph for gaming's coolest heroine.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks a triumphant return for Retro Studios delivering a masterfully crafted Metroidvania that captures the atmospheric tension and immersive world design that defined the original trilogy. With intelligent level design, fluid controls, striking art direction, and a strong sense of discovery, the game blends elements from past entries to produce a dynamic emotional experience. Although its slow opening and certain open-area sections slightly hold it back, Beyond ultimately proves that the long wait was worth it.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers the kind of return the series deserved. Retro Studios stays true to the original formula while adding fresh ideas, stronger storytelling, and a smarter world design. It’s not a revolution and some technical limits show through, but in all essentials it excels — it’s tense, clever, atmospheric, and consistently fun. A confident proof that Metroid Prime still has plenty to say.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a worthy successor to the original trilogy, fully optimized on Nintendo Switch 2 to take full advantage of its control capabilities. There aren’t many 3D action-adventure experiences like this, and Retro Studios has managed to balance the Metroid Prime formula which, despite innovations you may like more or less, ultimately becomes a memorable space epic.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an impressive experience that will stay with you for a very long time. As you gradually unwrap its intricate game world that's packed with some of the best stage designs ever, the sense of accomplishment is simply unmatched.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is a worthwhile return to form for the first-person Samus Aran titles. Viewros is beautifully designed, the combat is quick and intense, and yes, the Galactic Federation soldiers absolutely add to the story. Ignore the hate posts online and enjoy the ride.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers on all counts with stunning visuals, an outstanding soundtrack, and solid exploration. While not everyone will agree, at face value this is a wonderfully constructed game that has been worth the wait. If you’re on the fence, do yourself a favor and jump into Samus’ latest adventure.

It can be difficult to describe how comforting it was to simply go back and have another adventure without the need to reinvent. It's not that Metroid Prime 4 is exactly like any of the other Metroid Primes. Honestly, taken individually none of them are all that similar. Rather, Metroid Prime 4 just feels like another one. It doesn’t expect you to point and clap when Samus walks on screen. Metroid Prime 4 presents a world in which Samus never left.

When the credits finally rolled, I found myself wanting not just to play the game again, but with the desire to play through more entries in the franchise. I’ve officially fallen in love with the Metroid franchise, and regardless of what the future brings, whether it’s a new 2D game or a new entry in the Prime series, I will be there no matter what. Regardless of whether you’re a fan or on the fence about the new additions to the Prime formula, or if you’ve never played a Metroid game before, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an absolute must-play.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks a spectacular return for the series. With memorable biomes, fluid 60fps combat, impeccable metroidvania exploration, and a melancholic narrative, it delivers some of the strongest moments in the franchise. Despite a few stumbles in its new ideas, its core Prime identity shines brightly, solidifying Samus in one of her best modern adventures.

I can't even begin to imagine if this is truly the game that the most loyal fans were expecting after so many years, since that ends up being something much more personal than objective. From my perspective, I can say that I had a lot of fun and I'm eager to go back and finish exploring everything that was left behind in Viewros.

I’ll admit I was hesitant at first, but I ended up liking Metroid Prime 4: Beyond more than I expected. It carries a density and maturity that the series deserves and that’s increasingly rare to find, especially within its genre. It’s a deliberate continuation, built with care and respect for its own legacy, a design that favors subtlety over forced innovation, and a story about returns, about the weight of waiting, and about how the past, when properly unearthed, can still cast light on the future.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond reaffirms that, even almost 20 years after the third game, the Metroid Prime series remains a one-of-a-kind experience in the medium. Its striking art direction elevates the entire adventure without relying on photorealism, while the sense of isolation, exploration, discovery, and environmental adversity, all supported by excellent audio design, delivers a superb return for Samus Aran that is guaranteed to excite longtime fans.

While it might only be an iterative sequel there really isn’t much like it, and when it forgets this and tries to ape other shooters is when it loses some of its luster, but is otherwise an experience like no other.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond isn't a reinvention, but instead a pleasant reminder of all the things that made Metroid Prime back over the last few decades. It's a satisfying return to the formula that made Prime so strong many years ago - including some great boss encounters, rewarding and satisfying exploration and presentation that is quite frankly Nintendo's best. While the story doesn't quite land, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a stellar sc-fi adventure for Samus and more than worthy of the Prime name.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the best Switch 2 game to date and seems perfectly designed to take advantage of the console's features. It returns to its roots but takes things in a new direction. It's a visual spectacle with incredibly detailed and sharp graphics.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is worth the wait. The new story characters are not in any way overly chatty, and this is still the mysterious and moody alien treasure hunt Metroid fans have come to love, but now with a funky alien bike. I still rate the original Prime trilogy over this, but those games were pretty much faultless, whereas this is just thoroughly excellent.

After 18 years of waiting, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond manages to replicate that magical sense of discovery from the GameCube original while pushing the series in some incredible new directions. Separating the main biomes with a vast open world sounds ridiculous on paper, but the slick traversal provided by Vi-O-La makes exploration more satisfying than ever…Combine this with the stunning art direction, ferocious new boss characters, and a surprisingly endearing squad of Federation troopers, and Beyond is quite possibly the boldest, most well-realised Metroid game to date. Make no mistake, the long wait has been more than worth it. Welcome back, Samus.

Despite the fact that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is also launching on the original Switch, it truly feels like the proper showpiece for the Switch 2. The supreme gameplay design is beautifully complemented by the different input options, all of which are suitable ways to play through this adventure. The experience is bolstered by gorgeous visuals and spectacular performance regardless of how you choose to play.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond proves that Nintendo did a good job returning the series to Retro Studios. And they, in turn, claim to know exactly what they're doing. Capture a bit of the magic of the past, borrow lessons from previous installments here and there, and—unfortunately—never add anything new worth mentioning. But just as Metroid is a relatively small series for Nintendo alone, a relatively "regular" Metroid Prime game is still a fantastic title.

It took Metroid Prime 4: Beyond eight years to crawl out of its 2017 announcement, but the wait didn’t strip away what makes the series work. Some of its new ideas feel a little undercooked, yet the critically-acclaimed formula of the original Prime game remains intact, now bolstered by fun additions to Samus’ arsenal. There are some fumbles that will get fans scratching their heads, but if you spend enough time with it, you will feel the old Prime magic humming again, steady and unmistakable.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond marks a strong return for Samus, delivering atmospheric exploration, tight combat and polished visuals that honor the classic trilogy. The new psychic abilities and refresh the formula, even if some additions - like talkative NPCs and the open-hub area - dilute the pure Metroid feel. A confident, modern comeback that largely sticks the landing.

My annoyances with Beyond are vastly overshadowed by a pristine, rock-solid science-fiction exploration experience. Discovering all Viewros has to offer is incredibly rewarding and delivers an unmatched sense of alien ambiance. The wait for a new Metroid Prime has been long, but it only takes a few minutes in Beyond to remember why we have been so eager to re-enter this universe for the past 18 years.

Retro Studios opts for a game that looks back to the classics, understanding that the saga’s greatest virtue lies within its own legacy. This fourth installment of the franchise will be remembered for years as the one that survived nearly a decade of uncertainty and ultimately became the best thing Nintendo could give us: a good old-fashioned Metroid Prime.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond truly shines when it embraces its classic Metroid Prime foundations, featuring brilliant level design, inventive bosses, and a potent sense of isolation. Yet, the ambitious, often empty open-world desert, combined with tedious mechanics and frequent NPC companions, detracts from the essential solitary exploration, occasionally feeling too much like a conventional shooter.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may not have made the leap everyone was hoping for, but it's still a game worthy of the series' name. It's a lot of fun to play, and the sense of discovery is still top-notch. However, the half-baked open world, unnecessarily drawn-out missions, and characters who talk too much at times do disrupt the game's rhythm a bit. But these flaws certainly don't overshadow the game's strengths.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, a complete Prime experience that'll provide an enjoyable time for its long-time fans. However, they won't be deterred by some of the less successful new additions, such as the Central Desert part of the game.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond didn’t revolutionize the series the same way the first Metroid Prime did. It introduces new ideas, but doesn’t fully explore their potential. That being said, this new first-person action-adventure starring Samus Aran is a worthy entry in the Metroid universe, featuring the most challenging and engaging battles in the Prime series, an epic narrative with memorable boss fights, charismatic characters, and a more fluid exploration experience (backtracking included) than its predecessors. Add to that beautifully crafted graphics and arguably one of the best original soundtracks the Prime series has ever offered.

Metroid Prime 4 isn’t the perfect answer to 18 years of anticipation, nor does it always match the brilliance of the earlier entries often hailed as masterpieces. Still, that doesn’t mean it falls short where it counts. It may not hit every note fans hoped for, but both longtime players and newcomers will find plenty to enjoy—and enough moments that remind them why this series endured in the first place.

Samus' return couldn't have been better. Those who loved the old chapters of the Metroid Prime saga will find everything they loved in the past, with interesting new features and stunning new graphics. It's a shame about the sections with the new bike, which are the least successful part of the game.

Thanks to its intricate and well-crafted level design, intelligent implementation of new mechanics, great pacing, an interesting story that significantly expands the series' lore, spectacular technical department, and of course, great respect for what this series has always been, we can tell you that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is that long-awaited return we've been waiting for. Of course, there are the NPCs that are completely unnecessary and that, in reality, we would have liked them to take more risks, but at the end of the day, Retro Studios knew how to save this project that we're sure, on more than one occasion, was on the verge of disappearing. Switch 2 closes its first semester of life with a gold standard.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers exactly what it needed to: a strong and worthy sequel to a trilogy that ended eighteen years ago. Its gameplay innovations and dungeon-level design shine, but the open-map sections and some late-game pacing issues hold it back. Retro Studios’ attempt to go beyond a ‘safe’ sequel leads to a game that’s excellent, yet unlikely to astonish modern players the way the original did in 2002.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond clearly follows in the footsteps of the original trilogy: a solid, immersive adventure, driven by a strong atmosphere, more interesting combat than expected, and truly memorable bosses. It could be criticized for its somewhat predictable exploration, a very linear structure, and a few underutilized powers, but the gameplay loop remains enjoyable once it gets going. On the Switch 2, the game serves as a true technical showcase, with convincing display modes and a wide range of control options, including a surprisingly successful mouse mode. Without revolutionizing the formula or the genre, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond reminds us why 3D Metroid remains unique and stands out as one of the most important titles in Nintendo's 2025 catalog, if not the most important. That is, provided you accept that it prioritizes mastery over risk-taking.

It’s so good to know that the long wait for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was worth it. Retro Studios knows what’s important to their flagship series and sticks to it, bringing us a classic Metroid adventure featuring fantastical alien worlds full of creatures to fight and upgrades to find. The combat is tight, the bosses are epic, and the Galactic Federation characters are only mildly annoying. It’s been a long time coming, but our favourite bounty hunter is back just how we remember her, and better than ever.

The hub connecting the main locations does more harm than good, but it can’t stop the triumphant return of Samus Aran. Beyond that, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a game that only honors its predecessors.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond stands to Metroid Prime as James Cameron’s Aliens stands to Ridley Scott’s Alien: a fine sequel that, while staying true to the original spirit, shifts it toward a more action-oriented and spectacular dimension. Despite the ugly desert area, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a great game – a worthy successor to a historic saga. Given its long and difficult development, this was anything but guaranteed.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a worthy successor to the classic first-person adventures of Samus Aran. The blend of shooter, puzzles, platforming, and exploration works well, although the core gameplay is somewhat linear. What most of the regular combat lacks in style, the superbly designed bosses more than make up for.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond may not reinvent the formula or challenge the legacy of the original and Echoes, but it delivers an excellent adventure that every Switch and Switch 2 owner should experience. Retro Studios proves the series still has plenty to offer in 2025, with refined gameplay, strong atmosphere, and smart evolution of the classic Prime structure. Some narrative shortcomings and a few rough edges hold it back from absolute greatness, but they never undermine a first-rate journey that’s engaging from start to finish. Here’s hoping we won’t have to wait another era for the next chapter.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is a familiar return for the series and a soft reboot that introduces a new story and revisits the best parts of the original game that dazzled us two decades ago.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond ascends to higher peaks than any previous Prime entry, delivering an impressive sense of scale, breathtaking visuals, and classic Metroid level design at its most immersive and riveting, but a few missteps, including an unengaging story and flat final act, may exclude it from best-of-series conversations. That said, those who have been waiting for this game for nearly two decades needn’t worry too much, as Metroid Prime 4 largely locks onto the core of what made this series great.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond risks missteps in its attempt to modernise a cherished formula, but for the most part it all coalesces into an entry more than worthy of the series. Even the most vocal diehard fans should be pleased by the fundamentals, and for those willing to accept them, the new wrinkles iron out nicely.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is a solid, well-rounded game, well-executed in (almost) every way. Despite a difficult development cycle and a few poor design decisions, Samus Aran's return is a title that does justice to the saga's dazzling past and sheds new light on the future of Prime and the Metroid franchise as a whole. Eight years since that infamous logo was revealed during a Nintendo Direct over the summer; more than eighteen since the series' last iteration: the wait has been worth it.

A slow start to Samus's latest adventure is overcome while learning about an extinct alien race that welcomed her as savior.

Despite its flaws, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond stands as a worthy entry in the series, with solid systems and mechanics that still hold up today. Its gameplay is intuitive and fun, though it sometimes guides the player a bit too much. Retro Studios isn’t trying to redefine the genre and instead plays it safe, but the result is still a highly recommendable title—as long as you know what to expect from it.

While Metroid Prime 4 suffers from some poorly implemented hub-region design, and a grating Myles MacKenzie, every other part sings, and Nintendo fans should celebrate the return of this video game icon.

Metroid Prime 4 delivers polished combat and stunning visuals, but its linear open structure, diluted atmosphere and lack of bold innovation will probably disappoint long-time fans after a long wait.

Enjoyable combat and puzzles, memorable bosses, and a hard-to-replicate sense of mystery make Metroid Prime 4: Beyond a real treat - not just for fans of Samus Aran’s first-person adventures, but for all Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2 owners.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a return to the classic series with great atmosphere, exploration, and artistic vision. However, the desert world reveals the limitations of the level design, causing the game to lose its rhythm at times.

With aspects to fix and ideas that didn't quite work out, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is extremely enjoyable, entertaining, and a worthy successor to a historic franchise.

Eighteen (!) years after its predecessor, Metroid Prime 3, and a console generation later, we can finally play Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. This game is once again brimming with the sci-fi, spooky, space shooter action that gave this iconic series its status, but where the developers try to innovate, they fall short.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a hugely entertaining experience with a gorgeous atmospheric world, but it just doesn't quite feel enough like Metroid.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond successfully captures the essence of classic puzzle FPS games with unique combat-puzzle mechanics and accessible systems, effectively welcoming newcomers to the series. However, the experience is slightly marred by a linear progression structure disguised as open exploration and repetitive backtracking that dilutes the density of the world. Despite these flaws, it remains a worthy title that delivers a satisfying and refined puzzle experience for both nostalgic fans and beginners alike.

After an eight-year wait, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers a return worthy of the series with its strong atmosphere and fluid gameplay, while also introducing some debatable design choices.

The long-awaited sequel may not bring major innovations to the series, but its refined design and technical polish, now fully realized on the Switch 2, come together to create an outstanding experience. Whether you’re a longtime fan or stepping into Samus Aran’s 3D adventures for the first time, this is one journey you shouldn’t skip.

For those with open mind, the long-awaited return of Metroid Prime offers a successful package of action, light puzzle-solving, and above all, a lot of excitement.

A compelling adventure with an unfortunate case of the Wheaton's that often undermines its more pensive moments.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond gets a lot right with tight action, clever puzzles, and enjoyable new abilities, all wrapped in a gorgeous and smooth-playing experience. Unfortunately, weaker NPCs and a questionable amiibo decision hurt the atmosphere. A great game, but one that doesn’t quite reach the legendary status of its predecessors.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a nostalgic-filled romp with a lot of heart. It features a decently sized campaign filled with well-designed areas, metroidvania mechanics and compelling boss encounters. It helps that the presentation is beautifully done, with the score having rocking tracks and the visuals being some of the best on the Nintendo Switch 2. With that said, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond does have strange design decisions. For starters, having a rather empty and lifeless open world that mainly just facilitates the need for the motorcycle. It wouldn’t have been so bad if there was teleportation, but even then, the open world feels unnecessary. On top of that, scanning objects in the world breaks up the gameplay and the controls can be finicky at times. Even with these faults, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond remains a memorable and highly engaging entry that will leave its mark on new and hardcore fans alike.

At the end of the day, a bad Metroid Prime game is still a good game and one that I'll happily play any day of the week. As frustrating as Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can be, it's still worth playing and a solid way for Nintendo to end 2025. Is it a must-own Nintendo Switch 2 game? That's something I'm honestly not sure about. On the one hand, I can see it being a great way to introduce people to the Metroid genre in a way that's more accessible than, say, Metroid Dread. On the other hand, Metroid Prime Remastered is right there. Ultimately, Metroid Prime 4 is a game that's worth playing, but it could be so much better.

This fourth chapter features an exquisite art style which benefits greatly from a fantastic performance on the Nintendo Switch 2, that omnipresent atmosphere of solitude that goes with every Metroid game, and a jaw-dropping soundtrack. The attempts at an open world are not as fulfilling, however, and the backtracking can feel like a chore, while its plot sometimes breaks the game's momentum, but the core of the Metroid Prime series is all here, and the action and exploration still hit all the right spots.

First hours with Metroid Prime 4 were overshadowed by getting to know the controls, the gameplay, the puzzles (I got frustrated!). But after a while everything clicked and all that was left was enjoyment. A lengthy development cycle must have taken its toll on the final game, but if you’re a fan of unique games, Beyond is an interesting, rare genre-bender.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond took years to arrive, and what we get is a game that remembers the series’ strengths while trying to push into new territory. It may not be the series’ best, but it’s a worthy return—and a promising glimpse of where Metroid Prime can go next.

The worst offender among your soldier pals is an overly chatty sidekick who regularly prods you over the radio to re-explore old areas. Part of Metroid’s appeal has always lain in getting lost in its creepy caverns but Retro clearly wants no newcomer to be in doubt for long about where to go next. Despite all that, Beyond emerges from development purgatory in better shape than could be expected. Some of its innovations may not gel with the core Metroid principle of a lone woman versus a planet of hostiles. Yet the classic design ensures the Samus suit never goes out of fashion.

Even with its faults, Metroid Prime 4 still has a lot to like. Many of the game’s newer elements fall flat and don’t help push this series forward in the way that I’d prefer, but the most vital aspects that have allowed this franchise to become one of the most acclaimed in video game history are still very much present here in this long-awaited sequel. Metroid Prime 4 may not have warranted all of the hype and attention that has been placed on it for the better part of the past decade, but at the end of the day, it’s still good to have Samus back in another new adventure.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers a solid adventure faithful to the series' legacy, combining good exploration and puzzles that carry the essence of the saga. The game, however, suffers in portable mode, featuring somewhat dated graphics unworthy of such a highly anticipated release, but shines when docked and played on a good TV. The presence of AI-controlled allies is more charming than useful, and although the Vi-O-La motorcycle helps make the journey through Viewros less tiring, it works more as a remedy for a pacing problem than a genuinely exciting element. The price differences between Switch and Switch 2 also raise the question of whether the improvements justify the additional cost, especially when some of them seem to merely mitigate technical limitations.

Same Samus, different world means Beyond is a fine combination between everything that makes Metroid games great, with some much needed additions. The open world addition isn't really that great, but the play with new psi-powers and bike keep the gameplay fresh.

Forget about the chatty characters, those are fine. But a lifeless open desert in which you'll spend most of your time driving through green crystal formations? That is something no Metroid fan has asked for, ever. But when Metroid Prime 4 stays close to its roots, it is still a great action-adventure game, with tons of atmosphere, style and exploration, despite the somewhat linear level design.

I might have been disappointed by Metroid Prime 4 if it had come out in 2010. But now, after such a long break, I’m happy to return to this anachronistic way of playing: slow, laborious, sometimes annoying. It’s a reunion tour rather than a revival for the Metroid Prime series: some of the new material doesn’t hit but the classic stuff is still just as great as ever.

Overall, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a much-needed bold and beautiful shooter game for the new Switch console. It’s familiar to players of the past titles in the series while also more modern thanks to the extra power under the hood of our fancy new machine. While there are better FPS titles out there on other consoles, this is among the best on any iteration of the Switch.

It doesn't take psychic powers to see the ideal vision Metroid Prime 4: Beyond was aiming for: it tries to mix the excellent Prime formula with a character-focused story and a large hub world to explore. It doesn't quite reach that ambitious goal, with an outdated open desert area that mostly feels like padding and a cast of characters that provide both a handful of memorable moments and too much chatter at times. But none of its issues come close to ruining Prime 4, which is still an excellent comeback thanks to incredible peaks that are almost entirely self-contained from its stumbles. It mostly knows when to leave Samus alone, and a significant chunk of this 15-hour adventure is spent in delightfully atmospheric solitude. It nails the essential elements of a Prime game that remain special decades later: tense exploration through haunting locations highlighted by amazing worldbuilding, breathtaking art direction, new twists on classic abilities, and flawless technical performance. Even though a few underdeveloped elements keep it from feeling as cohesive as its predecessors, Prime 4 reaches heights worthy of the Metroid name.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a game that exists in constant tension between what it is and what it could have been. It has moments where it recaptures the rarefied atmosphere of its predecessors, recovering that sense of isolation, wonder, and discovery that defined the series, but it quickly stumbles over choices that dilute its rhythm and identity. It's a chapter that's enjoyable to play and, in more than one instance, truly shines. Yet it never quite manages to shake off the feeling of having been held back, polished, and constrained by timid decisions, perhaps a legacy of an overly complicated development process. It's not the chapter that will mark a new direction, but neither is it a bitter disappointment. It's a game suspended between ambition and caution, imperfect but sincere, that deserves a chance: when Beyond finds its voice, even if only for a moment, it still reminds us why Metroid is Metroid.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond plays it far too safe for a game with almost two decades of anticipation behind it. A beautiful-looking game and a run through of Metroid's greatest hits just isn’t quite enough for the hungry fan base that is here to devour everything on offer, and leaves you wanting more.

I love how Metroid Prime 4: Beyond looks and plays, but it doesn’t feel as narratively satisfying or mentally stimulating as the original trilogy.

The good news is that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Nintendo Switch 2 Edition’s strengths far outweigh its grumble-inducing weaknesses. The classic gameplay loop that remains at its core has received playful reinvention through the addition of Psychic powers, while combat encounters, whether against grunts or the game’s gargantuan bosses, show why the series’ gunplay remains best in class. The game’s climactic conclusion is worth the price of admission alone, and I won’t be the only one hoping that this could be the start of Samus Aran’s next trilogy of adventures. This was worth the wait, at least.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond sometimes feels like a product of its notoriously long and troubled development. At moments it serves as a time capsule for gaming trends that have come and gone over the last decade, like a sparse open world and a squad shooter with AI teammates. Those elements are decently made, but not as expertly crafted as the more traditional Metroid Prime exploration and storytelling. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is uneven and messy in some respects, but at its best it meets or exceeds the best moments the series has to offer.

Metroid Prime 4 is a small miracle and could have turned out much worse after such a complicated development. Even so, the problems take their toll in several areas and prevent it from reaching the level of its predecessors.

Samus Aran makes a strong comeback: Metroid Prime 4 is not only a great game on the Nintendo Switch 2 but also looks fantastic. The only things it really didn't need were the open world section and a few mission types that seem stuck in time.

While Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is incredibly fun as a straightforward shooter, its more guided nature and excessive handholding may deter hardcore fans of the series and genre.

Once you strip away the needless open-world padding, there's an excellent game underneath. The world is engrossing and beautiful, the boss fights are clever, and the new controls are seamlessly integrated into the rest of the game. There are some breathtaking sights to see, and Samus is sporting some awesome new armour. All the superior design choices make the baffling ones stand out even more, however. I can't comprehend why this game was made open-world. The backtracking you have to do is downright offensive. Otherwise, this is a fantastic entry in the Metroid Prime series.

Though Metroid Prime 4 doesn’t quite surpass its predecessors, it offers solid, old-school puzzle exploration, while suffering from a few pacing issues in the later chapters.

In Metroid Prime 4: Beyond lies a great game, buried beneath a layer of highly questionable decisions. Like Samus herself, you’ll have to scan every stone to find it.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition is a stunning showcase for the Switch 2 and a consistently entertaining action-adventure game that delivers a polished experience, but dedicated fans may find it doesn’t live up to the wait and the series name attached to it. For steps taken forward in specs, production, and quality-of-life, there are others taken backward through strange quirks in story and gameplay. Despite its failure to meet the moment, however, it remains to be one of the most exciting games to grace the system so far, and a worthy addition to any Switch 2 library.

Metroid Prime 4 dips and dives so often you won't be stuck in a section you aren't enjoying for long.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can't possibly live up to years and years of anticipation, but that's not to say it's a disappointment. Drop-dead gorgeous visuals pair with stunning environments and a uniquely alien atmosphere. Its massive open desert is a slog to get through, however - even on Samus's new bike - but Beyond is nonetheless an adventure that's tough to put down, flaws and all.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the game I wanted it to be, but I can’t say the same for anyone else. It’s a series that has been on hiatus for so long that fans have likely built up impossible expectations inside their heads that are never going to be met, or an ignorant form this new game needs to take at all costs.

Metroid Prime 4 is a great return and new beginning for a series which has spent far too many years away. It's not the strongest in terms of narrative, but the new psychic powers add a refreshing layer alongside familiar abilities and the general feel and tone that makes this series so beloved.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond delivers three-quarters of a great Metroid Prime game. It captures so much of what makes the series so fondly remembered by fans. I would hate for people to miss the opportunity to experience it, but it's a shame that some parts don't feel like they respect the player's time. For all my grumblings, I was still on board for most of this intergalactic adventure, though some late-game obstacles bring you to the finish line with a little less of a smile. Beyond gives the world more Metroid Prime, for better and for worse, but there is still plenty here that makes the journey worthwhile.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond shines with atmospheric levels and outstanding bosses, yet its open world often feels empty and slows the pacing. A strong game overall — but it could have been greater.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond isn't the best Metroid game around, it has a lot of issues, mostly coming from weird design choices that impact badly on the whole expereicne, but where these choices don't exist? It's a treat.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond presents an unusually wide gap between its highs and lows. Its music and visual concepts reach an impressive standard, and parts of its labyrinth design offer genuinely great exploration. Unfortunately, those bright moments are quickly overshadowed by rough execution. In both design philosophy and production values, the game feels behind the times.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond features good battles, solid visuals, and well-executed action moments, but it loses the classic essence of the series. Exploration is simplified, the excessive dialogue breaks the atmosphere, and the new mechanics add little to the gameplay. The result is a competent game, but far from the long-awaited return fans were hoping for.

First announced all the way back in 2017, Samus Aran's latest FPS adventure is finally here, and it is, for the most part, worth the wait. And while several nagging issues prevent it from true greatness, it's a fun and exciting new chapter in Metroid that no fan will want to miss.

After all these years of waiting, it's hard not to consider Metroid Prime 4 a bit of a disappointment. While the core gameplay is still as good as ever and there are still some flashes of brilliance in the level design, it's impossible to ignore the scars of what we can only guess was a tortuous development process. Sumptuous on Nintendo Switch 2, Retro Studios' latest title is perfectly acceptable, but it fails to make a lasting mark on the history of the famous franchise.

An atmospheric sci-fi adventure that suffers massively from questionable design decisions.

Overall, I think there is fun to be had with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, but the lack of meaningful exploration and the meandering desert stretches from one zone to the next really drag down what should have been an amazing return to form for the series. How much of this came from the prior development issues the game faced I’m not sure, but something about Prime 4 feels really disjointed and not nearly as polished as the original trilogy. I hope Nintendo does give the Prime series another chance, maybe this time without all the starts and stops that Prime 4’s development had, which will ideally give us the next-gen Metroid Prime game I was hoping this one would be.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond feels torn between old and new. After nearly twenty years of waiting, you’d expect a bold comeback, but the game never fully commits to its ideas. It tries to modernize (more action, more dialogue, a wider world), yet keeps clinging to old habits, resulting in something unsure of itself. The empty desert hub, the awkward motorbike, and the constant over-explaining don’t help. There are good moments, and you can see the potential, but they get buried under technical compromises and repetitive design. In the end, it’s not a bad game, just a disappointing one ; fine for newcomers, but far from the glorious return fans hoped for.

Whether it is to try to appeal to a broader audience or to bolster a game whose level design doesn’t match up to the original trilogy, the focus on elements that are unusual for the series leaves Metroid Prime 4: Beyond in the awkward position of being an enjoyable adventure that doesn’t stack up as a top Metroid game. There are the makings of a solid title featuring classic Prime traits, and for that reason alone Beyond can be worth experiencing, but longtime fans may need to brace themselves…and then wash away the taste by replaying Metroid Prime Remastered while praying for the same treatment for Prime 2 and 3.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, shines in sound, visuals, controls, and performance, but level design is flat and NPC chatter nags.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond arrives as an ambitious title that attempts to reinterpret what a Metroid game means in 2025. At its core, when it sticks to exploration and environmental design, it's brilliant. But when it tries to take the game into open structures, chatty companions, and unpolished new mechanics, it loses a lot of its power.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond does not seek to innovate. It is a remarkable entry on a technical, visual, and audio level, but it has some rough edges in terms of difficulty, puzzles, and the very backtracking that defines the Metroidvania genre. At times it holds the player’s hand and tries to connect its world through a somewhat sparse and linear desert, even if it delivers solid technical performance. It may not be a complete package within the genre, but it will still manage to move and excite fans of the saga.

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is undeniably a strong entry in the series. It captures the core elements that made the franchise a classic 18 years ago, while adding a few new twists. The joy of revisiting those nostalgic sensations in a fresh adventure is undeniable, but it also works against the game. Unlike Metroid Dread, which successfully modernized the series' formula, Metroid Prime 4 Beyond plays it safe, sticking to the familiar without taking bold risks. Beyond a few new abilities, features like the desert setting and the motorcycle feel lackluster, and its more linear, guided design feels like a step back compared to previous titles. However, Metroid Prime 4 still stands out as a highly enjoyable adventure, and arguably one of the most visually impressive games on the Nintendo Switch 2. Its stunning visuals and hauntingly beautiful soundtrack are sure to leave a lasting impression.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a meticulously crafted sequel with a fantastic soundtrack, excellent boss fights, and impressive enclosed locations that prove Retro Studios has not lost its craftsmanship. However, just as strongly as the game can amaze, it can also disappoint: the open desert with the motorcycle stretches the pacing in an unwelcome way, backtracking feels more exhausting than it used to, and after a seventeen-year wait, the amount of new ideas is noticeably smaller than the series deserves. Beyond therefore remains most appealing to long-time fans.

Almost exactly what fans didn’t want from a new Metroid Prime but while it is widely inconsistent the majority of the game is undeniably entertaining.

Metroid Prime 4 is a fun mix of action and puzzles, but it is severely hampered by some modern design decisions.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally here after an 18 year wait. At its best moments, it feels like no time has passed at all, as I'm awed by the melancholy and mysterious vibes of this exploration-focused FPS. But, at many other moments, it's bogged down by odd new features that detract from what's almost one of Samus' best. Being so close to greatness can sometimes be the bitterest feeling of all.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is just fine—a whiplash of an experience that has some really memorable moments and others that are just grating.

Everything good in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is inherited from its illustrious predecessors, while everything bad stems from futile attempts to tamper with the familiar gameplay formula in pursuit of vague, ill-defined trends. Thanks to its finely tuned optimization, the fourth entry may appeal to a less demanding audience, but the obvious lack of fresh ideas and the absence of a clear creative vision lead to a sobering conclusion: the greatness of Metroid Prime seems to have been left far behind in the past.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is half the classic adventure we love and partly a step into the next evolution of the franchise. Sadly, it refuses to fully commit to either one, leaving this adventure halfway between the two.

Make no mistake: this isn’t the triumphant return of Metroid Prime in the same way that Dread was for the 2D series. But most of Metroid Prime 4’s issues feel rooted in a lack of focus, rather than a lack of talent. In fact, the first half of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond makes it clear that Retro Studios still has everything it takes to make a spectacular Metroid Prime game, and moments of sheer brilliance occasionally shine and sparkle in its eerie corridors until the final couple of hours. But once things went south, there was no going back. Still, I’d like to see Retro take another crack now that the burden of expectation has been lifted.

The core exploration and combat mechanics of the Metroid Prime franchise are fun and engaging. Unfortunately, the rest of the experience is marred with bizarre story beats, awkward character moments, and forced interaction with an empty, boring open world. Metroid Prime 4 had all the elements to be a slick, cohesive experience, but the game feels like the dev team maliciously complied with a mandate to make the game open-world. It’s still a Metroid Prime game, and there’s fun to be had, but go into this knowing it won't likely live up to what you were hoping for.

This is a Metroid game infected with elements from modern open-world titles, and every single one is a poor fit.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond aims for modernity but falls into the traps of modern games. The result is a shallow, mixed experience, far from the quality of the first two games in the Prime series.

Metroid Prime fans have been waiting 18 years for Beyond but it doesn’t quite live up to the hype. Sure, blasting aliens and exploring sci-fi ruins is as thrilling as ever – but zipping about the deserted world of Viewros on your new motorbike is nowhere near as fun as it should be. A lot of the puzzles are similarly underdeveloped. There are flickers of greatness during this perilous mission of survival but more often than not, it all feels a bit pedestrian. It’s not really what anybody wanted from swaggering intergalactic hero Samus Aran’s grand return.

Eighteen years after the last installment, Samus Aran finds herself lost in her most linear, easiest game yet. Nevertheless, the unique atmosphere, solid foundations, excellent visuals, and several neat dungeon ideas make Viewros well worth a visit.

Metroid Prime 4 has occasional moments of brilliance, especially when it approaches the original trilogy, but the Metroidvania design seems to have been oversimplified, the open world does not work, and parts of the progression involve bizarre decisions.

As the biggest Metroid Prime game to date yet it’s fallen into the trap that many open-world games succumb to, an overwhelmingly feeling of emptiness. The actual levels themselves are good, look great, but are dragged down by interfering NPCs and linear layouts that defeat the point of a metroidvania entirely.

Ultimately, much of Metroid Prime 4 feels like a failed experiment. As great as it is to explore the lightning-struck Volt Forge or pick through the haunted remains of the Ice Belt facility, the game’s standout moments are buried in drudgery.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is enjoyable enough, and has glimpses of vintage Metroid shining through, but this game could and should have been so much more.

It’s obvious: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is the weakest entry in the Prime series. Is the full restart from scratch to blame? We will probably never know, but this central desert that impoverishes the overall level design is a major flaw one simply cannot overlook, as its harmful influence can be felt throughout the entire game. Add to that an omnipresent and irritating hand-holding, a story that handles its antagonist and secondary characters very clumsily — not outright terrible, but of questionable interest — and we end up with an experience that does not live up to our high expectations… Even so, it’s hard not to enjoy a proposal that is technically very solid, with a dynamism and freedom in combat that feel genuinely pleasant and are supported by plenty of good little ideas.

With severe pacing issues in the first and third quarter, with frequent let-downs, and with a lukewarm ending, only fans like me will want to complete it, and even if there's some great talent involved here, the best news is that the technology is now ready to maintain more, and hopefully much better, games in the future.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond feels like a game stuck between two worlds. When it’s emulating previous entries, Beyond is a blast, with excellent boss battles, and some truly gorgeous environments to explore. But this is eventually bogged down by out-of-place additions, awkward storytelling, and overly aggressive hand-holding that spoils the discovery.

Metroid Prime 4 is an ambitious yet uneven installment that struggles to balance its legacy with experimental design. While the game introduces bold ideas like open-world segments and vehicle traversal, its execution often undercuts the core strengths that define the Prime series. Longtime fans may enjoy moments of classic exploration and well-designed boss battles, but weak character integration and unmemorable environments drag the experience down.

Despite the fumble here, I think that an open world Metroid Prime game can work, but it can't be a half-measure like Beyond is. Beyond could have been a revolutionary step forward like Breath of the Wild was for Zelda, but instead it's a weird in-between that is only fun when it is recycling its old ideas and everything new it tries falls flat on its face. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has an identity crisis and the result is a baffling open world surrounded by solid dungeons that still fall short of what came before.