Thoughts on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

I think I enjoyed this game. It was one that I was looking forward to. Both because of my affection for the series of Metroid games, but also because this game had a curious time in development. What were they going to do different from the previous games? What would it feel like to step back into this first-person world after nearly two decades?

I could tell a lot of heart and artistry went into the game. I could also tell a lot of corners were cut and things were not fully fleshed out. I enjoyed my time exploring the world of Viewros – and the story – and I can’t wait to see what they do next. I’m hoping that they can expand upon what they’ve learned here and we won’t have an 18 year gap and an 8 year development turnaround. Here’s a few of my collected thoughts as I played through the game and afterwards upon reflection.

  • Why green crystals? It wasn’t clear what they were for or how many I needed. Suddenly, at the end, I need a bunch? Tell me these are important so I can be mindful as I go along.
  • The desert area needed more landmarks, maybe twice as many. I also would’ve loved to see more enemy variety when out riding around.
  • How was I suppose to know to go back to Flare Pool for the last robot part? It want highlighted on the map like every other thing!
  • Tokabi out in the desert was weird. Felt very “Native American wiseman”. He also showed up randomly. The map would say I have an undiscovered item where he was, but he wasn’t there to receive it on that loading of the desert. So confusing.
  • Also getting a missile expansion from him was kind of weird. I think it’s the first time in a Metroid game that a living creature just gave me a power up. How does he hold it? :p
  • Can’t turn off Myles’ hints. 😐
  • Got the robot friend very late in the narrative. I found him, then went to home base once, then to the mines. Very short time to get to know him. He was great!
  • A robot driving a robot is a lovely trope.
  • More of them talking and fleshing out their story would have been nice. Give me a personal mission for each person or something.
  • Nobody commented on my new Legacy suit! What!?
  • The hotrod suit was cooler than the silver Legacy suit.
  • The final boss not being a Metroid hybrid – or in any way Metroid-related – was a letdown. Why does Sylus have these powers? Who gave them to him? Is it the Lumon saw Samus as the chosen one or can anyone grab the power?
  • Every boss has the same “jump over this expanding ring/wave” move. Really felt overused.

Addendum

In reflecting on this post, I went through my collection (thanks to DekuDeals.com for this feature) and was able to create a list of the games I finished in 2025.

  • 1000xRESIST
  • Ridge Racer 2 (PSP version on PS5)
  • BLADECHIMERA
  • Xenoblade Chronicles X: Definitive
  • FANTASY LIFE I: The Girl Who Steals Time
  • Nintendo Switch 2 Welcome Tour (It counts!)
  • Donkey Kong Bananza
  • Caravan SandWitch
  • Sword of the Sea
  • Absolum
  • BALL x PIT
  • Yakuza 0 Director’s Cut
  • Yakuza Kiwami
  • Thank Goodness You’re Here!
  • Fire Emblem Engage (Started in 2023 and finally wrapped it up!)

I played numerous others here and there, but either I have not finished them1 or they do not have an “end”; such as Fortnite, Forza Horizon 5, WARRIORS: Abyss, UFO 50, Genshin Impact, and other games where getting 100% is not the reason I’m playing them. 🙂

Footnotes

  1. “Yet” in some cases, others I have dropped, others I have yet to get to!