Poll: What Review Score Would You Give Metroid Prime 4: Beyond?

Love to see the love! Can't wait to play it myself!

I haven't beat it yet, probably a little over halfway through. But I'm extremely disappointed in it so far. Ridiculous levels of handholding. Dungeons that basically just go in a straight line and aren't connected in any way aside from the desert. And the desert is horribly boring. The random shrine to find here and there, sure, but those green crystal deposits are so out of place.

Feeling a 5/10 or 6/10 right now

5h in I'm absolutely loving it Let's see how it goes from here.

I don't agree there's too much handholding and the desert kinda reminds me of Shadow of Colossus traversing. Sparse and eerie.

Love the design of the levels until now and it's visually stunning

I‘m not that far into the game yet, but I‘m surprised how unremarkable many aspects are. The „rooms“ in the jungle and the towers are pretty big, empty and samey. MP1 in comparison had a MUCH wider variety.

I‘m a big disappointed so far, to be honest.

I really love the Metroid series, but in all honesty, prime 4 is not on the same level as it's predecessors. I'm surprised it's getting voted that high here as its kinda insulting to the other much better entries in the prime series.
I can't give it anything higher than a 7. At first I couldn't believe the critics, but having played it myself I can confirm it's underwhelming unfortunately.
Something u can't say anything bad about is the presentation, graphics and performance are excellent and the soundtrack is amazing!
I'm curious about the future of the 3d Metroid titles, I hope this one sells very well so they get the chance to make a much better prime 5.

I shoot Myles in the face at every opportunity and the desert open world is boring, but other than that and the chattering humans this game is excellent. Solid 7 if not higher. It would be 8 if I could turn off Myles’ “HEY HAVE YOU CHECKED PLACED YOUVE ALREADY BEEN!?!!?!?!?” annoyances.

Haven't beat it yet, but I've played close to 5 hours. It's a good game, but not great. The first few areas are fairly linear and the desert area is pretty boring and doesn't really fit a Metroid game. That said, visually it's stunning and runs great. Atmosphere is also pretty strong. Love the bosses as well, they're well designed.

Maybe a 7/10 then.

After something like 6h in I must say I am very disappointed. It is just 'ok'. Extremely linear with no feeling of getting lost or discovering hidden paths. The structure with 6 keys just tells you in advance how predictable it's going to be (I have 2 keys already). The save akd checkpoint system is from another age. Then the shooting is fine. Bosses are fun so far. But really far worse than the previous ones event Prime 1.

10 for the sound design, visuals and sense of discovery that reminds me of the original trilogy. Atmospheric first-person adventures from Nintendo need celebrating, and I truly hope there'll be more in the series.

Only past the first few areas but so far I think like an 8? It’s absolutely stunning aesthetically speaking. And for the most part very polished gameplay wise.

Gotta say though, that desert is a total momentum killer. Really comes across as being shoved in because they couldn’t have this game in development another year or two. I fear it’s going to drag this game down even further later on.

I don’t even mind the npc’s! Thought they would ruin it, but it’s that desert. Psychic stuff feels a little clunky but not too bad.

I'm really not trying to be a hater here, but... It's just alright. A solid 7, maybe a 6 on Switch 2 only cause I would expect more visually from a $70 Switch 2 version. Though I will say the game graphically on the base Switch is genuinely impressive given the hardware. Though that shouldn't have surprised me as much as it did, considering how much the Prime 1 Remaster blew me away too.
Prime 4 is good, it really is. There's just some stuff that really holds it back from being on the same level or even near the same level as the previous entries. A lot of people excuse the desert area, but I genuinely cant stand it. It just feels so tacked on, like it only exists to pad the runtime and make you think the game is longer and bigger than it actually is. (Which it really didnt even need. Without the desert the game would be admittedly pretty short, but that isn't always a bad thing)
Myles knocks an entire point off for me. I know he's not as prevalent as I initially feared, but his existence is so aggravating, I stop having fun when he's talking.

It’s a 9/10 for me so far, just past the Ice Belt. I’ve honestly enjoyed every minute I’ve spent with it, Sol Valley included.

Just beat it last night. Solid game, great music, graphics and boss fights. Didn't mind the side characters beyond Myles early on. Desert area and crystal collecting bring it down a bit, if that was tightened up or removed it'd be an easy 9/10 for me. Story was also just a bit. nothing. Also really short.

I'll be playing Switch 2, but so pleased the Switch 1 version came out looking so well as that was the initial target console for it and deserves a great version

Im only a few hours in, and it feels fine to me. I'd probably give it an 8 from what ive played thus far.

@GgGames Yeh snap, I don't want to sound like a hater either - but I am genuinely amazed to see so many 9s and 10s...

I'm delighted that it is landing well with so many people, but personally for me it is a 'solid 7/10' game - and sadly a disappointment vs expectation.

I appreciate it is the love-child of a troubled production cycle, multi developers etc.... but so much of this game misses the mark for me. Whilst it looks and plays gorgeously (4K 60fps in handheld is wonderful) I feel the whole project should have taken a different approach.

If it was down to me, I would have curbed BC with Switch1 completely - and really lean into the superior S2 technology in earnest. Maybe also a shift to 3rd-person, ramp up the combat encounters (similar to Returnal perhaps? 3rd person / bullet hell) and then also made it much more open ended. The linearity and hand-holding is perhaps Prime 4s biggest weakness.

Don't get me started on the bike and desert...!

But yeah, I don't buy into the completely toxicity of negativity in some corners of the internet. This game is far from a trash fire, and perhaps one of the most buttery smooth things I have ever played on a handheld in my life...a real benchmark setter. I just wish the actual 'game' was more engaging and less regressive. A lot has changed (in a good way) in the MV genre since Prime4 began development, would have been nice to see some of it implemented here

**EDIT - above is purely my subjective opinion, no more right/wrong than anyone else on this site. I am honestly pleased to see so many people enjoying it, and am sad I am not one of them! I hope this entry doesn't condemn Metroid to the same coffin as Starfox/FZero... bring on Dread 2 by Mercury Steam Team (fingers crossed)

@JohnnyMind

And now imagine, it is really not as good as you thought and wished. Impossible?

It’s an 8 for me. So far it’s a solid game, but there are enough questionable choices to keep it from being a 9 or 10. I also haven’t been blown away by anything yet.

A solid 9/10. It has a few things they could fix- the Vi-O-La segment could be polished more, the physics and collision detection felt a bit half baked and the desert felt a little flat. Other than that- it was great. Also it was rather short compared to other chapters in the earlier trilogy and a little too easy. Hard Mode is great and offers more of a challenge, I think. Definitely worth playing and well worth the wait. Hope we get further chapters and adventures in the days or years ahead.

@John_Deacon

Exactly! You can’t please everyone with a Metroidvania game. Team Cherry knew it and made straight Metroidvanias. The same holds true for the Ori games, Prince of Persia, Metroid Dread.

What we got with MP4 is, judging based on my small progress so far, a very linear game with long hallways and unmissable „secrets“. And a Myles on the radio telling you where to go next. It’s worse than with Aloy and Atreus!

9 so far for me. I love it so much. 3 keys down.

I own it, it's in my desk drawer right next to me. It's my Xmas present to myself so I'm saving it until the big day. Hopefully I'll have finished Prime Remastered by then!

Waiting to play this over the Christmas holidays. Cant wait to dive into this world

I find Prime 4 to be on par with the previous entries. So for me it is a awesome 8,5/10 game.

7. After the excellent Dread I expected more. This game is okay but it clearly has issues that speaks of a troubled/misguided development.

Everyone complaining that Prime 4 was influenced by BotW seems to have forgotten the structure of Ocarina...while simultaneously begging for a new game in the OoT format. Its literally Hyrule Field, surrounded by forest, lightning, lava, and ice temples!

I reckon I must be almost finished (4 keys so far). I do understand much of the criticism, and I also agree with folks that say these are some of the best elements we’ve seen in a MP game. It’s not a masterpiece, or without flaws, but it has the elements of being utterly incredible. Maybe MP5? As it is, I am having such a good time with it overall, and an easy 9/10 for me.

@Bootlicker333 I think an 8 year old would make a comment like that… 🧐

I'm enjoying it so far. Obviously the desert was a mistake. It's too big. We didn't need a gigantic, even emptier Hyrule Field in Prime 4. There's also qol stuff like scans taking forever again, no color differentiation for things that you scan, etc. But overall, it looks gorgeous, plays very well, I love the dungeon theming, etc. Tentative 8 or 9 out of 10 for me, although I have to beat it before I finalize my thoughts.

@CJD87

"I would have curbed BC with Switch1 completely - and really lean into the superior S2 technology in earnest. Maybe also a shift to 3rd-person, ramp up the combat encounters (similar to Returnal perhaps? 3rd person / bullet hell) and then also made it much more open ended."

No offense, but the game you're describing doesn't sound like Metroid Prime to me. Maybe a separate subseries, although I feel like Metroid has never and will never be at its best when it's leaning into constant combat like in Returnal.

That's not to say more of a combat focus couldn't work (arguably that's what Dread did for 2D Metroid), but it would need to be careful not to overshadow the exploratory nature of the experience.

@Bootlicker333 Bold words considering the childish comment and the cringy wojack pfp, my friend.

I'd give it an 8. I think it's better than Corruption, but the linearity and central desert hub definitely knock it below the original and Echoes.

I like Viola, I don't mind the companions and I think the idea of Sol Valley is actually great; it just lacks in execution. If the five areas and Sol Valley would have been one big, interconnected world it would have made this game on par or better than the original.

It’s undeniably a great looking, well made game, with tons of details, stuff to scan. My only criticism (at maybe 6 hours in) is that it’s very linear. Any time I see a “side door”, I expect it to be a save room, and it almost always is. Would be nice if the maps had a few more paths to explore. Maybe they open up eventually?

8.5-9 for me so far. At the beginning I wasn't jiving too much with Volt Forge. I dunno, it felt very linear and that I wasn't really "understanding" the layout, just kinda surging forward. Also, I have seen nothing but praise for the music but in this early part of the game I was finding the music overly loud and grating and "busy". I turned it down to like 70%. haha. Personally, I prefer music in these sorts of immersive games to be a bit more in the background and subtle. Like, if I was really in this world exploring I wouldnt have this music blaring in my ears. haha. Again, my preference. In fact I often turn down or even turn off music in immersive game experiences.

The desert is just fine so far. The bike doesn't feel very Metroid to me but it's fun enough.

Now, I know "it's a video game" but one sort of cognitive dissonance thing that has always kind of bugged me about Metroid is this: here is Samus thrown into this alien world and somehow she finds all these gadgets and bikes and morph ball passageways perfectly tailored to her. haha. This has always been a thing with Metroid but I feel like it's becoming a little more difficult to ignore for me. I know IT'S A VIDEO GAME but this is something I can't help but think about and I can't say I'm sure what a solution would be.

Anyways, the game is gorgeous and oozes quality. Really enjoying it.

I'm not far enough in to give a rating but I want Myles in future games. The idea that an adult human should have zero contact with other people like some fans want is goofy to me

It'll get reevaluated in later years.

So far, it's an excellent game. (I'm about halfway through it.) Most of the problems aren't that serious.

The desert is a vast, empty wasteland that's supposed to convey a sense of size, scale, and distance — and that's exactly how it feels. You just speed through it, crash into a few crystals, and enter the next area. (I do wish it were smaller, though. Hyrule Field gets thrown around as a reference, for good reason, but that was a more manageable, concise play space. Also, Ocarina of Time still interconnects the different biomes through waterways, such as rivers and canals, and the Lost Woods as a sort of magical underground railroad.)

As for the NPC chatter, it's surprisingly minimal. (Although it's badly written, I agree.) You spend most of your time alone. I haven't met all of the NPCs, though, so we'll see. (I'm not expecting anything on the level of, say, Half Life 2. Nothing has been like Half Life 2, in terms of companion animations and dialogue, for over 20 years. With the possible exceptions of, I don't know, The Last of Us and God of War.)

Sure, the game would be better off without either of these additions, but the internet has, definitely, blown the matter out of proportion.

I think the real question, for Metroid fans, is whether or not you accept the linear Fusion-style progression and dungeon design. I — quite obviously, given my avatar — prefer the maze-like, intertwined approach of Super and Prime 1, but I can appreciate the curated corridor style, too. (Fusion is nearly on par with Super for me, even though or precisely because it's so different from it.)

For the most part, Beyond simply nails the Prime vibe. The environments are gorgeous and immersive. The music is memorable. The ambiance is on point. The boss fights, wonderfully set up and paced (and, frankly, an area that definitely improves on the original). The set pieces and dungeon layouts, almost Zelda-like (in a good way). The lore is engrossing and well-told. I'm really enjoying it.

Haven’t even had a chance to open my copy yet… Am I officially a ‘casual’ now because I didn’t finish the entire game the first weekend it came out? 🥳

Game is a lot of fun.

The occasional companions showing up isn't that bad and doesn't take away from the isolation since they are almost never around and rarely of help in a fight. Really their presence is overall a good thing as they help build out the story and make the universe feel less dead. They can get a LITTLE handholding at times. But they don't pester you every 10 minutes or anything like that.

Samus is still mostly on her own.

The desert is fine. People saying it's "boring" are acting like it's a separate level when it's a hub. I don't think these people know what a hub is. Overall it doesn't take too much time to get between actual locations and the desert itself has a few upgrades and mini dungeons hidden in it to give some light exploration some value.

Honestly as a whole I feel a lot of criticism is simply because people waited so long for prime 4 that anything less than their perfect ideal was never going to be considered good enough. Like people complaining about it being too linear when multiple maps loop ans branch. Yes it's not all one massive interconnected network. But the level structure still offers a fair bit of exploration.

I'm only about halfway through so far but I'm liking it. The story is also interesting so far.

@Apebitmusic I get you but it’s just Metroid doing Metroid things. There has to be tunnels for Samus to roll through, coloured doors, missile expansions and energy tanks conveniently sprawled around for Samus to find and technology that just so happens to work with her suit whether it was designed for it or not. I’m glad they don’t think too much about the absurdity of it- it’s an absurd series!

@larryisaman this time around they do have a mechanic actually adapt some of the tech to her suit.

But the where number of things designed specifically for morph balls is just silly ... Like power switches you need to roll as a ball inside to activate... How did the creators even use them?

Still if you just overlook that, the morph ball puzzles are pretty good overall.

It’s an 8.5, any other reviews are just being petty. It’s got a couple issues, but it’s a great game overall and there is no way it would live up to the hype was it had, which is why half life 3 won’t ever come out. Prime 4 is hopefully just retro getting started. I hope the took some criticism and mp5 would be even better.

Well my copy is set to arrive today so I haven’t tried this out just yet but I’ve loved the prime games of old for the most part, echoes was good but I didn’t love it. I will say the hand holding and linearity could be an issue with me but I’ll just have to see for myself. I did really like fusion after all, it was linear but being a 2d gba game it was snappy and just a joy to explore through the different environments.

Overall really enjoying it and while I’m not a fan of the hand holding npc’s they’re not as intrusive as I first imagined. It’s my favourite Metroid since prime 1 and I don’t even mind the desert section, the bike’s quite fun.

Shout out absolutely needs to go to the music devs as the audio is superb! Also the hdr implementation at 120fps is gorgeous.

Edit: my only slight gripe is the super slow scanning reticule. Wish it was faster and hope they’ll speed it up in an update. Is only a minor thing but when you’ve got lots to scan it can be a bit tiresome. Maybe I’m just too impatient.

It pains me to say this given that I've personally been waiting 15 years for a new 3D Metroid, but it's deeply underwhelming and feels... kind of vapid. The great aesthetics are masking a watered down design structure that removes most player agency... the NPCs just being a symptom of a larger problem. And the whole effort just feels... kind of lazy and incoherent. Look at the names (ex: "Green Energy", "Fire Shot", "Ice Belt"... really?). There are good elements, for sure, but it's a far cry from Prime 1 and 2 for me.

There's a lot to this kind of game and people come to it wanting very different things from each other, so it'll probably always be divisive. The criticism I think is most valid is the level design and lack of puzzles & navigation. I'm reminded of how 3D Zelda fans haven't gotten dungeons like OoT through Skyward Sword again, where puzzles are integrated in the map layout. It's like everyone at Nintendo who likes that kind of design has moved on. Critic reviews, also, didn't articulate this issue well and I'm seeing it much more from fans.

It's the first Metroid Prime I've sat down with myself and I was mostly excited for the art & sound direction, sense of immersion, and reading all the scans. I'm happy as punch with all those elements and it's a solid 9/10 for me. Maybe I'll get to the original Prime after this so I can better appreciate the game design difference.

Also: it's a Switch 1 game, and I think it gets done a disservice being talked about like it's not. For Switch 1 it's a real technical marvel, and the S2 edition only adds 1440p or 120fps. I have friends who don't have Switch 2s yet who didn't even know they could play this game, that's how poor the marketing has been.

Only a few hours in but am quite enjoying it. I’d give it a solid 7/10, but that could change. There is one thing I hope they fix - I always have to invert Y axis controls in games, which you can do in MP4 - but it doesn’t let you invert Y axis when using the lock-on. This means my up/down controls keep changing when toggling the lock-on, which is especially annoying in boss battles or when surrounded by multiple enemies.

Have done 2 main areas so maybe a bit early to judge.
So far being honest as I have a switch 2 and series x
It reminds of a good 8/10 Xbox studio game like Outerworlds 2 in terms of quality and overall experience.
Pretty dam good but not the old MP quality it should have been.
It’s definitely not that top AAA Nintendo I’m used to like DKB, now that’s real AAA Big N game.

@dskatter That's the equivalent of a classified ad reading: "Sofa for sale: mould on the cushions, cigarette burns on the armrests and smells a bit funky, otherwise in excellent condition."

@Ralizah Perhaps the Returnal comparison was maybe a step too far, but I still think a switch to 3rd person might have really changed things up - for the better. Or at the very least, show some kind of formula evolution….
Glad the game is landing for you though, but I can’t help think ‘what could have been’ without the troubled development cycle and if this has been a Sw2 exclusive.

To be positive though- the wealth of control options is maybe the best I’ve ever seen. I tested them all out of curiosity and they all work incredibly well! Arguably mouse-mode offers a level of precision unnecessary in a FPS game with lock-on, but it still feels really quite good

Honestly it definitely feels like a good game that could be much more. In a world where exists Silksong, Baldur's Gate, Expedition 33 and Elden Ring and many others, I think Metroid Prime could be so much more.

Prime 4 it's a solid good enough game, that doesn't tarnish the name of the franchise by any means, but it's does nothing more than that for what I've played.
Hope it becomes better.

100%’d the game this weekend and it’s a 9/10 for me. The areas are amazing. If they trimmed the fat of the dessert or added more to do in there and made the ***** writing better it would be a 10/10

I feel a little sheepish for giving a score at 7 hours into the game, but I’m pretty sure I’ve experienced a fair amount of what the game has to offer, and it is very good. Definitely agree with the 9/10 score given by this site. I’ve read some criticism that it feels very linear - which it does. However, I saw on article on Polygon that compares the game progression to a traditional 3D Zelda rather than a metroidvania, and that helped my gameplay experience - like, the most recent upgrade becomes the key to solving the puzzles of the next area rather than a heavy focus on backtracking.

I actually really like the desert, it’s a good palate cleanser between missions. I miss the classic Metroidvania world design but the game is still a lot of fun. The vibes and gameplay are nailing it for me, and the bike is cool AF.

Can't really say right now. Just got past the Ice Belt, highlight of the game to this point but I also have some complaints like the open world, it does detract from things a bit. Still, with where I am at I'd say the game is good, weakest Prime entry, imo, but still good.

@SpinEnDash Good to know, thanks! Will have a look later.

so far i give it a solid 9 this game just blows me away especially how beautiful this game looks on switch 2 and the soundtrack as well.

There is a confusion on certain websites. When they talk about the Switch version, they say "there is lowe resolution, etc...." and put an inferior score.
But Metroid Prime 4 Beyond is a Switch, in regard of Switch 1, not compared to an upgrade version on Switch 2. It's as impressive on Switch 1, and totally adapted for me, even technically. It's one of the best realisation of Nintendo on Switch. Switch 2 version may be scored lloking at tis own Switch 2 hardware if you want, but even that is not really important, because it's a Switch game. Models, animation, textures. It's PS3 era, just next after GameCube. It's nice, even it's in 2025. The game itself is excellent, it's just released a bit late, in 2025.
I score 9/10 for each version, becasue it's an excellent game. Super feeling, good ambiance and musics, beautiful esthetics. The Vi-O-La is very cool to play. I have a ton of ideas for making it more than just excellent, and that's what I was expecting for surprising me. The only thing I can be deceived is that this game doesn't surprise me. Good psychic ability, but not enough different from past games for the main gameplay. It's a bit stuck in the past, and too safe, but it did it with excellence. Sorry, I'm not fluent, just French XD

Just got the game today will play it after I'm done work. I'm excited to give it a go.

So far it's a solid 9 though I'm still in the pre desert stage belive im just about finished the first area as done the boss and returned to base camp.

I know the desert is the big gripe most have.

@Ralizah the pfp may be childish, but the comment is not. all facts. But this will not be recognized in this echo chamber. It funny that everybody only hates me for the pfp, and cant defend the comment with actual information. I guess ill change the pfp to see if this happens

I'm pretty early in - just beat the Volt Towers or whatever it's called - and while I don't think it's as good as the previous Prime games, I'm still having a GREAT time with it. I gave it a 9.

7/10. It's a good game, but not a good Metroid Prime game. It is way too linear, and it has the worst endgame key hunt of the series in the form of the green crystals. The chip system is really bad too.

@DreadfulDragon This article isn’t about Veilguard. Prime 4 is actually a GOOD game.

I wish the music was better. Some of it actually gets pretty annoying, with bad rock guitar rifts on repeat. I had to turn it off completely for the towers level. The music in Dread and many previous Metroid games is much better. I would prefer something more dark and electronic, instead of the weak cinematic movie score it currently has.

@Bootlicker333 Your PFP is fine, man. And different opinions are good. Some of this crowd have really drank the kool-aid. Nintendo are my favourite video game company - but they are not beyond reproach.

@LikelySatan Exactly. Apart from having the temples in the desert, it is much more influenced by an older type of game than by BOTW.

Seems like Nintendo first party games are divisive since the release of the Switch 2. Despite a lot of players loving their big releases, MKW has harsh critics for its lack of 3 lap races/boring intermissions/empty open world (I hate it). DK Bananza was very well received…until the DLC dropped (I loved all of it…DLC included). Kirby Air Riders seemed highly polished, but it didn’t click with many players (myself included). Metroid IV looks stunning, but criticized annoying NPCs, empty open world, amiibo paywall, short game (I have yet to get into Metroid, so I have no opinion). Generally, First party Nintendo games are knocked out of the park, but not so much recently (especially at the higher price point). I am starting to get concerned. Nintendo needs a game with Universal Acclaim (ideally a Mario or Zelda mainline game).

So, as I have to wait till Christmas as I stated previously (really regretting doing that). sounds like it continues from Corruption. Corruption was very linear with plenty of NPCs and very hand holdy, but I enjoyed it a lot despite the changes and have played through it a good number of times. Seems like my only real concern with this is the dialogue writing and desert area, but as long as bike is fun to ride it will only be annoyance. Look forward to getting this and seeing for myself

I'll rate it when I've finished it. Maybe after I've finished it twice. Usually takes at least a couple playthroughs before I can evaluate a Prime sequel, given how high my expectations always are.

I can say the boss fights are among the very best of the series.

Beautiful art direction. Abysmal, boringly overly linear level design. Annoying characters that break immersion and direct you were to go. Fantastic sound design and solid music. Green crystal padding and an awful, empty desert. 4 or 5 out of 10.

@Apebitmusic They kind of addressed that for the shot upgrades, with Myles modifying the chips for your cannon. So the obvious solution is to include Myles in EVERY game going forward.

I'm nearing the end of the lava facility whose name escapes me so I can only judge on what I've played so far.

It's a good game, I had good fun with it so far. It looks and plays amazingly good for the most part but I can't shake that pang of disappointment as the game obviously went through a difficult development and some very questionable design decisions.

It will not set a new standard for action adventure games or even the Prime series, and I can only hope it will do well enough to warrant a new entry in the series, hopefully before the turn of the decade.

I haven't beat it yet. I find the switching between the scanner and baster kinda difficult. Maybe even sluggish? If I have to scan to control a blaster shot, it should be immediate? And switching back to just standard blaster- it's a psychic ability, it should have to switch modes. There have been times when I think I'm out of scan mode, and I'm not. Times when I'm in scan mode and I'm trying to shoot but it's just here hand sticking out. Maybe just a remapping option would help. And the environments, while nice looking, feel empty. I think Nintendo should have just kept this exclusive to the switch 2. Or sold it as a switch game with FREE update to better resolution on switch 2. It's enjoyable enough, but I wouldn't use it as a showcase for the switch 2's power. It's obvious it's a switch game ported to the switch 2, and that's what they should have sold it as. It's not worth the extra money to market as a switch 2 game. Sorry, it's just my opinion.

I’m loving the game so far. 6 hours in. I’ve just left the ice zone. That ascent was awesome with the powered-on aesthetics and, wow, the music.

Just finished it and I'm at 7/10. It's fine for the most part, but please let me get lost in a Metroid game. Navi was annoying in Zelda, so why you felt the need to add one to Metroid is beyond me.

@Elock If I go wandering deep into the Saharan desert or Amazon rainforest, I wouldn't expect to bump into anyone with a similar cultural background to myself. Expand that concept to entire planets spread across an entire galaxy and the likelihood of bumping into friendly faces is even less likely.

The reason so many people like games like Metroid and the early Tomb Raiders where you're a lone adventurer in the middle of nowhere is because they're power fantasies that tap into a primal urge to be an apex predator in a socially acceptable and risk-free manner.

The moment you throw The Power of Friendship into the mix, the allure is gone, the power fantasy is broken and the games are no longer as fun.

And when you're constantly surrounded by people and generally feel powerless over your own life in real life( like most most mature adults with friends and jobs are) you don't want friends chattering in your ear and helping you out every few minutes, you want that sense isolation of being far from civilisation and the sense of power that comes from overcoming challenges through nothing but you're own wits and resources.

A solid 8 for me. I say this while being unable to find any real faults. Its an extremely polished game as far as I can tell(5+ hours in on s2 version)

It just lacks that special "it" factor to raise it higher for me. I am enjoying it a lot and do recommend it to anyone who likes fps games.

It's a nine for me.

It has some flaws, some design choices that are questionable, but the level of polish, the artistry in the world design, the atmosphere that is provided when the game is allowed to breath takes me right back to playing Prime when it first launched on the Gamecube. It's entirely possible I'll like it less on my second run, but while it's weaker than the other entries what it does well is so good that it's deserving of the score. There was nothing, at least in my experience that was ever as egregious as the key hunt in Echoes.

At the very least, there is a lot of promise here so I hope we don't have to wait too long for the next entry.

I'm still pretty early on-there's a lot of game left, and especially a lot of "open world"/motorcycle stuff, so who knows, but so far, I've gotta say, this is the most fun I've had with a game in a long time. Metroid Prime is my favorite game of all time, and I'm getting a lot of the same feelings from this one (more so than I ever did from 2 or 3, even). Too soon for me to give an official rating, but if it continues to be this enjoyable, it's at least a 9.

I'm at a 10. Oh my gosh! The boss battles, gameplay, combat, story, characters and art style are keeping me busy.

It's my favorite prime game since the first one! I'm gonna replay this over and over.

I'm about 6 hours in and love most of it, but the desert is very boring and I really don't see the added value of an open world element to a Metroid game. But when the game is what Metroid Prime is known for, it does it really well. I love scanning every little tidbit. For me its about a 9/10 so far. But I have to say that Metroid Dread is much, much better.

@StarPoint
Couldn't agree more! You put it well, so I don't have to try to explain my disappointment. I was so excited for the next Metroid Prime, but I've been let down, perhaps because of my high expectations after such a long wait. I think it's a good game, but not much Metroid in it. Oh well. I haven't finished it either and I may end up liking it more by the end, but really annoyed with the handholding right now and the completely linear nature of the game. Even when the game tells you to "go wherever you want," you can't do it, and marking the map for the next location is not a Metroid thing. There's not much sense of exploration or isolation, not much discovery, and the disconnected areas are annoying.

Good to see that 66% rate Metroid Prime 4 a 9 or above, including 23% rating it a 10. On Switch, 26% rated it 10. From my time with it, and I'm loving every moment, especially the interaction with the Federation Force, the new psychic abilities, and the mistery surrounding them. It's pure Metroid Prime. I immediately felt attached to it, much like seeing a dear friend after so many years. I rate it 10. I'm rapt that we're seeing the broader context of Samus. She's not roving the galaxy and acting completely in isolation, and seems to be quite the celebrity. Her situation reminds me a lot of Batman.

Yes, I would agree with many people that the desert parts aren't the greatest addition. Would I dock points for that? No. They're fine, and don't detract much from the rest of the game.

Inferior to the first 3 games in every imaginable way except graphically. Massive disappointment. 6/10

I've just been given access to the open world desert, so I'm can't judge the entire game yet. That being said, the game so far has been very linear and boring compared to the earlier games. I so badly want this to be good, so I'm hoping it livens up as I progress further. Myles hasn't been as annoying as I expected, but I don't need the handholding. I'll figure it out.

@cagriggs I spent 2 Hours trying to explore the world after they said that. I absolutely hate how they made you think it was non linear.

Anyway this is a nice game but it ends there, I have no idea where all those 9 and 10 are coming from.

@Dr_Corndog I love the Boss Fights, they're only downside is that sometimes they really are far too generous with the HP drops.

But they're good and not too Easy.

Honestly, it's probably an 8 for me. I was so excited for this game, but i don't love it so far. It seems very linear, and I have almost no desire to explore or backtrack. The desert is boring, so going from one area to another, especially when item hunting seems like a chore. I also find it difficult with an unnecessary lack of save stations. The game is beautiful and I love Metroid, so I'm still enjoying it, but overall I'm disappointed.

It's Nintendo's Duke Nukem Forever....but its not bad (6/10)

I am loving it so far, but I'm not that deep into it - I tend to be slow with games. I just got the bike.

@Bootlicker333 Fair enough. Let's address the content of your post.

Putting aside the childish ad hom at the end of your post, your assertions were:

"A decade of waiting and it does 0 innovation and still plays like Prime 1."

It doesn't play like Prime 1. This is part of the ongoing narrative about how the series have evolved from 1 - 4. Most of the people hating on it are doing so because of how much it deviates from Prime 1.

"Marvel voice over direction, no imagination, useless sandbox (because BOTW), items are useless outside of dungeons ect."

There's no "Marvel voice over direction" so far; just one nerdy scientist character making a few mostly nervous jokes around a person he clearly idolizes and is intimidated by. The game, whatever its faults, is INCREDIBLY imaginative throughout, with some truly incredible art direction. The desert isn't really a sandbox and has nothing to do with BotW (games have had large, empty spaces separating dungeons or bosses since long before that game). Powerups being useless outside of the dungeons doesn't really matter because the desert is mostly just a large, empty area you drive through to get to the areas that comprise the actual content of the game, where you would actually use your equipment (if this was like Prime 1, these dungeons would all be interconnected).

Almost everyone I know who enjoys the game enjoys it for its merits and can admit its faults. It's folks like yourself who are lacking in any sense of perspective about the game, since you're so invested in the internet's negative messaging about it, along with, I'm guessing, most things involving Nintendo since the reveal of the Switch 2.

@CJD87 Yeah, it is a little weird how the first major game to properly demo mouse mode arguably doesn't need it, with the lock-on system and all.

The thing about Metroid Prime is that it didn't really need some big shake-up, since it's been so long since an entry came out. A shake-up would've been the wrong choice, and almost all of the negative attention it has received has been about how it has deviated from the atmosphere and level design of the previous games. Things that, by the way, wouldn't have been improved with a move to current gen exclusivity.

This game restarted development around 2020, I believe, which was half a decade ago, and the game was promised as a Switch 1 title, so Switch 2 exclusivity would've never been on the table regardless.

If there's a Prime 5 any time in the next several years, that one will probably be the game you're looking for, because it'll almost certainly be Switch 2 exclusive, there probably won't be an expensive re-development process since Nintendo will go with Retro from the start, and they'll likely want to differentiate it from the other games in even more meaningful ways.

I haven’t played too much so far (just finished the area where you get the bike and headed into the desert) so I am trying to reserve judgement. So far the first two areas feel like distinct areas and are not as interconnected as Metroid Prime was. Now that I am out of what felt like the tutorial I’ll see how the rest of it is. Mouse controls are nice (although strange when on the bike where I seem to always end up with the camera in a strange position)

Edit: I guess I have not played Prime 2 and not enough of Prime 3, but it sounds from other comments like 3 is also disconnected as well.

I'm getting to the final area, the game does slow a bit during the ice section, but then improves again. I think there are many highs. People seem to be forgetting about about what Metroid Prime was, many of the "criticisms" were always there on metroid prime games

> Visually - way above the other entries
> Combat - metroid prime has NEVER had good combat, and for some reason we give it a pass on that, lets be real - in this game it is way better than on previous ones, specially bosses
> Storytelling - the NPCs get in the way, but the areas make a great job of telling the story without saying anything. The ice area does a nice job of telling the story of what happened. I particularly like the fact that I have no idea what is going on
> Music - excellent on the dungeons and bosses, but they could have done something better on the desert area. Its boring sensation is very amplified by the lack of music
> NPCs - well, these guys were here on metroid prime 3, and there they were dumber, uglier, and with worse voice-acting. But they didn't follow us around. The game always feels better when they're gone.
> Exploration: In the dungeons this is more or less on the vein of Prime 1/3. Prime 1 was interconnected, 2 was kinda, 3 was not. The desert was added I guess to fill that never ending teleportation on Prime 3 - but the lack of music brings it down, a lot.

With that in mind I think the game is more or less a 9 for me so far - people have graduation googles, to me it is impossible to defend that Prime 3 was better

7
It's a good game that should have been great.
Some incredible moments dragged down by bafflingly bad decisions and half baked ideas.
Somehow, after all this time, it's clear that Retro needed WAY more time with this one.

5.5/10

It’s painfully clear the game spent a long time in development hell.

Gone is the series beloved sense of isolation, suspense and discovery. It feels like Marvel pulp aimed at teens.

The desert is such a bad idea. Why does everything need to be an open world? It adds nothing to Metroid gameplay, it’s completely empty, traversing it is just waste of time.

The NPCs are truly annoying, they ruin the complete immersion. Such cringy dialogues...

And what’s with all the hand holding? Can’t we discover things on our own anymore?

Truly heartbreaking after waiting nearly two decades.

For me, its a solid 8, Metroid really shines on its own genre (see the far superior game Matroid Dread, even thou that game was rushed too) anyone thinking this was gonna be superior to the OG prime was setting him/her self to disappointment. The game is on para with prime 2 and/or 3, another fine adventure from the best bad-ass bounty hunter of the whole galaxy.

I have no idea why people are so down on the game. Also McKenzie is great and everyone harassing the writers because of him are crazy as hell.

Disappointing. I mean, it would have been impossible to not have some degree of disappointment after 8 years of waiting, but I really thought that Retro Studios could have done better. Even if you removed the annoying NPCs and the pointless desert exploration, it would still be linear, easy (Thanks Retro for locking Hard mode. Very cool.) and uninspired (Was it really necessary to have the Volt Forge repeat itself thrice? Was it really necessary to have all those stupid double doors in Flare Pool? And what's with the names of those locations? Ice Belt? Really? Couldn't you have gone for something more exotic sounding?) I have enjoyed it somewhat so far, but no way it gets higher than 6.

I haven't finished it yet, just beat the second boss. But I would say it's a strong 8, perhaps a 9. We'll see in the end. I'm having a good time with it.

@Theghostofkeithmoon The problem is not with having a different opinion, and it certainly is not with their pfp.

The problem is when you create an account solely to troll people based on what video games they like, then call them children

I haven't played it myself, so I'm reserving judgement. But based on that user's comments, I am betting they've not played it, either, since the only things they have to say are parroted from Reddit snark. I know it's popular to feel the rush of being an edge lord, but it's gotten very old for the rest of us to wade through this garbage every. single. time. Nintendo. release. anything.

Editing to add: they've updated their profile to say "ban me if you hate criticism." So that should tell you everything you need to know about this reviewer.

It's not a horrible game but definitely was expecting more. This would have been a good blockbuster video rental game back in the day

@Bootlicker333 echochamber?? About half of these comments are people taking issue with the game, including the things you mentioned, lol

Its not an echchamber at all

@GiantEnemyCrab I hear what you're saying - if they have created an account to specifically troll people then that's not cool.

I won't be using anything on here to tell me everything I need to know about them, or anyone else. Not that I need to know anything.

9/10

@SuperWeird yup, I agree on the music, at least early on. In Volt Forge it was really grating on me

@Lumbins there is a remap option! Or at least swap. I swapped so that L1 is the scanner… so much better than having to reach up to that face button, IMO.

Been thinking about the issues MP4 has with linearity and hand holding. I'm wondering if it's intentional. MP3 came out 18 years ago. Many current gamers weren't even born yet. MP4 could be their first exposure to the series. Maybe Nintendo wanted to simplify it to make it more accessible to newcomers.

As for me, I'm enjoying it in spite of itself. There's hints of a good MP game here, but the designers didn't fully understand the assignment. 7/10. (Though I just finished the 4th biome and the boss fight was AMAZING. Easily one of the best in the entire series. I'd rank it up there with Kraid from Dread.)

Can’t speak for switch 1 version, but I’m feeling similar to prime remastered. Although I’m maybe 30% in and haven’t really unlocked much yet.

Game is beautiful. It’s fun and compelling exploring an alien world. I found the early game controls a bit too much and I would make controller input errors in hectic boss fights, especially with trying to use some of the psychic skills.

The world feels immense. It does have enough difference to not just feel like a repeat of previous primes. I can’t comment on graphics too much because I’m playing on a rubbish old TV.

I would probably give an 8-9 out of 10. Probably leaning towards the 8 more than 9. I think Doom 2016 is still my bench mark for an atmospheric (admittedly combat driven) FPS and if you added in serious exploration to that game, that would be my 10/10 for this genre.

So yeah that’s how I justify my I guess 8.5 out of 10 vibes. Don’t think it deserves a 9 but probably doesn’t deserve an 8 either.

@StarPoint Dungeons? Since when does Metroid have dungeons?

@Corvus96 lmao look at the poll. 80% >= 8. this game is 7 at best

@Theghostofkeithmoon I'm glad you are willing to keep an open mind about someone calling other users in this comment section "ret,,,ded".

Enjoy the company you keep.

@Bootlicker333 Well that's ok, because no one, anywhere, will remember you.

I'm between a 9 and 10, on the lower side so put a 9. I've adored my first play through and currently going though on hard mode. Obviously is a visual showcase and the soundtrack really hits. The G-Feds don't bother me. Seen all the complaints about hand holding but for me this the interaction is barely different to the "hints" given in Prime Remaster - despite b-lining straight to Hive Mecha at the start of the game I can't get there before the suit is trying to tell me to go there - and its akin to what the AU's in Prime 3 were like. I actually enjoyed the desert, I was sceptical at first when I saw the bike, but it felt great to drive and I enjoyed the puzzel shrines, and I appreciate how it makes the world feel larger and more real. The piece that is maybe missing for missing for me abit is that the locations feel a bit small, it may be perception thing because of the structure where you explore 90%+ on your first visit, but I was missing the feeling of finding an upgrade a revisiting a location to access a whole new part of it that was previously unaccessible. One of the areas had a bit of it but I'd have liked more. That and maybe more large puzzles akin to the plasma beam puzzle in 1. But my ultimate feel was gratitude to Nintendo & Retro (& others) making this, this has bern my number 1 game series since the original came out and this really scratched an itch for me. Thanks.

@vio The main areas of the game are basically just Zelda dungeons. They don't connect to each other and are solved linearly. Much different from how Metroid usually is.

@GiantEnemyCrab i bet you will. Everytime you play music on the bike, and remember that you paid 30 dollars for it, you will remember me. Nintendo hates you, and you keep defending it.

@GiantEnemyCrab I'll just keep my mind open and enjoy my dinner. Peace ✌🏻

I absolutely love (almost) everything about this game (so far, I'm nearing the final section of the game and have been doing item cleanup). My only genuine complaint is the one annoying engineer NPC. He's been a nuisance the entire game. I'll be out gathering green crystals in the valley and it's like a constant reminder every 4 or 5 minutes that I could be heading to the next objective. I would score the game a perfect 10 if he was either kept quiet during everything but the parts of the story that actually pertain to him or if he was just removed outright. I'm still willing to give it a 9 because, otherwise, it genuinely is the Prime sequel I've waited years and years to get my hands on. I just preferred in the old games where the UI would suggests every once in a while where to go if you spent too long running around instead of heading to the objective. But if I'm doing something that is actively helping my 100% progress, the game shouldn't continually bother me. I can only imagine what 100% speedruns are going to look like.

Really enjoying the game. Looking forward to unlocking hard mode. Please Nintendo release Remasters of Metroid Prime 2, Metroid Prime 3 and 3DS Metroid Samus Returns for Switch 2.

9 so far.

I was waiting for this game for ages and didnt exactly temper my expectations, so to be enjoying it this much is great.

I can't understand the kiddies that say it looks like a PS3 game etc, most of the time it looks absolutely stunning and I've found myself just staring out into the biome, wondering around taking screenshots etc. Somehow the HDR is so good it even looks amazing on my QLED TV that has really almost no HDR ability (only 350 nits). I can only imagine how good it looks on a proper HDR, OLED TV.

I'd give it a 7 so far, maybe an 8 at times. It's good!

It isn't remotely in the same league as Prime 1, but I'm enjoying it much more than Prime 2 and 3 which never clicked with me.

My only real gripe so far is the vacant expanse of Desert. They could have omitted that with something akin to samus jumping in a ship and traversing from place to place, or even the transport "bullets" they already have. It feels emptier in the desert than the very empty "open areas" in PL: Arceus.

Honestly, I don't have any complaints about the comms "interruptions" from the NPCs, but then again I enjoyed Other M so, I'm really enjoying this. It probably Should have just been called Metroid Prime: Beyond and left the "4" in the dirt.

I think the game is good but has lots of issues. The lock on is now messed up by motion aiming, with the gun moving away from the target it is locked to. Lots of bosses are floating spheres of some sort, which shows a lack of effort or a rushed production. Lack of enemy variety. The desert looking so very empty. Looks like a game that went through some kind of production hell or someone made them release it before it was finished. I like Metroid though, and this is Metroid. At times the game looks terrible but other times it looks great, possibly in comparison to the last one, which is very, very old. Certainly better graphics than corruption. I doubt it will have the replay value of the original. So it is a 'good' from me, close to 'not bad'.

I loved the first three Prime games but feel that Prime 4 is one of the weakest Metroid games in the series. I honestly don't even know if I'd rank it above or below Other M. Prime 4 is a beautiful game with great music; but it's also frustrating, boring, and repetitive. I haven't beaten it yet but am pretty close and so far feel that it's a retread of Prime 1 gameplay-wise but with far less variety, less interesting scans and contexts, and far worse pacing. So much of the game is spent wondering where to go next, going from point A to point B hoping point B actually has something new I can access, exploring the same areas over and over again, and reading the same kinds of generic scans about equipment being made and moved and stuff being offline. Basic QoL features such as fast travel and deadzone options are missing. I don't even mind the NPCs much; I'm much more concerned about the game's soulless and possibly intentionally tedious design. For such a short game, there's so much padding and aimless backtracking. I like a quote I read somewhere that it has some great things, but it's not a great game. There are a few moments of genuine fun and interest that I've had, but unfortunately they're far outnumbered by feeling frustrated and underwhelmed.

Prime 1 was a 6.5/10 at best for me personally back on GameCube, and MP3 for Wii was an easy 10/10. Loved that game, even more than Super Metroid. Call me crazy I know. Won't be getting around to playing MP4: Beyond probably some time later next year. Still chipping away at my NS1 backlog.

But based on what I've seen, it's obviously the most visually impressive Prime entry to date and the soundtrack is pure atmospheric heavingly bliss, and I'm really loving some of the newer locations based on what little I've seen. I just wish i could play it with a Wii Remote, Nunchuck(+ Sensor Bar) Sigh, I'll just have to settle with Pro 2 controller Gyro+Stick controls.

Honestly, it left a bit of its identity on the table. When I play Mortal Kombat, I expect blood and gore. When playing Metroid I expect isolation, "dread" (pun intended) and exploration. It has a lot of handholding and chitchat by annoying NPCs. Also the NPCs look almost like "real humans" whereas Samus and Metroid in general always was more "stylized" leaning more into the comic/anime corner of things. Having both styles in one game irks me a bit.

Then. The desert. Empty. Barren. Boring. And the game forces you to traverse it all. the. time. It's to pad out gametime? And no music, but unlocking music with Amiibo or with full playthrough, at which point who cares for music anymore after spending hours in the desert in silence?

Hohum.

This is my honest opinion. Worth the wait? No.
Good game? Yes.
Core Metroid experiences? Hohum.

To be honest, it feels a bit too "modern western dumb audience" and "Halo" to me. Not terrible. But not what I came for.
7/10.

I finished it today. This game looks like Metroid Prime, but it doesn’t act like it. Feels more like a Zelda game & while I love my Zelda & love my Metroid, I don’t love it when one tries to be the other. There’s some good, even some great moments here but it’s overshadowed by characters that won’t shut up, extremely lineair gameplay & a lack of character identity. I’m just not feeling it like I did with the other Prime games. I can’t give it more than a high 6.

@Jintendo Yeah my thoughts exactly. Nintendo jumped onto the bandwagon of Ubisoft and Co. and "open world the sh*t out of everything".

It's no good fit for Metroid and it was no good fit for Mario Kart world.

Did you play Sonic Racing Crossworlds yet?
Oh boy. Love it.

And yes. I am biased.

@Bootlicker333 You seem to get a lot of hate. Coming with criticism to a Nintendofansite that is expected. That said, I agree with you.

I'm glad people are enjoying it, but I really, sincerely hope Retro doesn't take these polls into account. The game is a 7. It's okay. It's not excellent or amazing and I really hope they understand this.

@Bootlicker333
The only thing Nintendo cares about is what's in your wallet. lol
I can't wrap my head around 'team taking' or fanboyism. It doesn't matter in the end. These companies don't care about you. you're just another number, a dollar sign. Be real, open and call it like it is instead of being some hyperbolic glorified brand devotee that spews dellusional toxic positivity.

nobody is getting a shiny medalian in the afterlife for being a devoted fanboy.

I can't speak for Prime 4, but I love what I see, minus the overly large Hub dessert. My Prime 1 experience back on GameCube was like a 6.5/10, where as MP3 for Wii was an easy 10/10. Didn't care for MP Remastered on Switch either. Prime 1 never clicked for me, yet MP3 remains as one of my favourite games of all time, with those incredible VR-like Wii Remote, Nunchuck & SB controls on a TV. back in the late 2000's, that sh** was revolutionary. As long as you had the right TV. Like a big Sony WEGA Trinitron CRT using component cables. Zero motion blur, and no latency made a world of a difference compared to those god awful LCD & LED's at the time.

I'm getting towards the end of the game- and somehow it did a massive flip on my opinion when I first started playing. When I first started playing I really really liked what I was playing, but after around the third area the game started falling apart heavily. It felt like the area design got worse after that, and the backtracking didn't feel great either. The story isn't well handled nor told, and the part I'm at right now is literally just driving around an empty hub area trying to collect crystals aptly named "Green Crystals."

I've never played the other Prime games, but from what little digging I've done, this game is more like a traditional 3D Zelda wearing the skin of Metroid. It genuinely doesn't feel like it was worth the 70 USD that I paid for it.. and while it got me interested in the other Metroid Prime titles, I just don't think this one is going to hold up well when the hype around it ends up dying.

I haven't played it yet, but all the reviews I've seen for this game have left me disappointed.

When you end up waiting so long for another game, you want something that can rise above simply another Metroid Prime game.

@ShonenJump121
My YT wall keeps getting flooded with all of those click baiting fake exagerated doom and gloom MP4 videos and I'm not even searching for MP4 after I've cleared my search history. lol

Bulging Eye'd tongue waggling mouth gaping thumb nails galore, backed by toobers with zero integradity, lame Video titles riding off the latest gaming trend just for those precious clicks & hits. So annoying.

@electrolite77 then we will never agree. Enjoy your evening

@Scollurio I had a bad day. I know it not a terrible game and the sypporters arent evil. I just hate that "good enough" and "not terrible, as expected" is all nintendo is these days. I'm playing a lot of older games for the first time (all metroids) and there is so much more soul.

@Bootlicker333 Starting your reply with a slur is not doing you any favors.

"its insane that this is the direction you want the series to go in. Its not just Myles, its all the characters. It was cringe but okay in MP3. They want to appeal to a broad audience = marvel dialogue. compare this to SM or MZM."

You've provided no evidence of this so-called "Marvel dialogue," and I imagine if you do, it'll just be one of a handful of lines from Myles from the start of the game. Most likely because your only exposure to the game is youtube grifters farming hate for views.

This isn't trying to be a totally isolated adventure in the vein of Super or Zero Mission, so why would I compare them?

"because of this game, im selling my switch and will stick to my hacked wii and ps3. spend my time doing something fun"

I mean, if that's what'll make you happy, go for it! I never understood people who spend their free time fixating on games and companies they profess to hate. No shame in being a retro gamer.

@Ralizah you are right. It isn't trying to be a metroid game. Just a zelda version of prime 1. I have played the game, im just done being pandered. I don't get how any adult doesn't feel like that. Nintendo makes enough money to take a risk and have a unique and niche vision for a game. they did it with dread, which was great, but not my game. "Good enough" and "return of investment" is what nintendo has become. Look at their ceo

So now we have Prime 1&4 on switch does that mean we’ll get the rumoured 2&3 remasters too? Rumours say they were finished ages ago and tbh I was half expecting them before 4 came out. You know for continuity etc…

Polls like this are silly on a fansite.
You might as well ask this lot if they enjoy breathing air or eating food. They'll give it a 10/10 before they've reached the title screen.

@SuperWeird I haven't played MP4 yet, but I'm shocked to see any praise for Dread's music. It was the one part of that game that I found to be at best intensely forgettable and in some places actively bad (similar to Fusion).

I've been buoyed by seeing some praise for MP4's music as I'm really on the fence about the game and music is very important to me. Would you say it's similar in style to the earlier Prime games (which I loved... MP1 especially), or did they try something new?

@VoidofLight Exactly my thoughts too.

@WaveBoy They may exaggerate for clicks, but they are not inherently wrong. MP4's development was a mess. Many course corrections, identity crisis and more. And it shows. Sadly.

@Bootlicker333 I get it. I've opted out of "modern gaming" a few years ago. Enjoying proper retro titles, got to enjoy 30 years of videogames, I really don't need to wait for the new slop coming out, biting my nails. I did have Metroid on my radar though.

What I got and really enjoy is Sonic Racing Crossworlds though. It has all the crazy SEGA energy and feels more like a traditional game, not a storefront to sell you stuff. It's well balanced and feels like a real effort by the devs.

Other than that, the next modern thing I play is dreamcast/gamecube era and from there on, backwards.

@Dinky91 I love that you criticized the game, but were unable to provide anything concrete LOL

@Dinky91 The game selling good is a double edge sword. It means we probably get another metroid rather sooner than later but it also might mean it's more of what prime 4 is. I'd actually like retro to make another donkey kong.

@Ichiban I gave it a 7/10

@Bootlicker333 It sounds like even you acknowledge this is breaking from the Prime formula, insofar as, design-wise, it perhaps resembles something like a classic 3D Zelda game a bit more than previous Metroid adventures. I can understand if this isn't your cup of tea, but it's also not anything that could really be construed as being 'trendy.' It's absolutely a risk, and Nintendo is almost always taking risks with their properties (oftentimes to the chagrin of fans who don't enjoy change).

Personally, I'm a 2D Metroid fan. Zero Mission, Dread, and Fusion are more my jam than the Prime games. But I enjoy what Retro is attempting with this game, personally, even if it's not a 10/10 experience.

Sheesh, the bigger Nintendo gets, the more edge lords try to chime in to get their 5 minutes of clout.

I was going to drag my feet for a while before getting it, but I booted up the playlist on Nintendo Music; 15 minutes later I'm making a pit stop at my local store to pick up a copy. Something about the first few songs really nail that vintage Metroid Prime vibe, as well as Zero Mission.

Really enjoying my time with the game! Graphics are gorgeous, locales are interesting, and even the desert pulls off a nice atmosphere thanks to the Lamorn architecture. Performance is amazing; the devs really made the most of this dev time to deliver a stellar technical performance.

So far the story is a bit iffy, being the Chosen One and all, but I don't put too much stock in a Metroid story anyway. The gameplay and sound effects look and sound like quintessential Metroid Prime, which is really all that matters to me.

One thing I really hope a Metroid Prime game explores in the future is incorporating more acrobatics like Mirror's Edge. Imagine wall jumping and screw attack flying, but in first person!

@Gaviin The music in Prime 1 is better than Prime 4, it’s more iconic, but it’s similar. Some of the music in 4 is good, but overall it just feels kind of underwhelming and generic. First time I’ve ever turned the music down in a Metroid game.

And the reason the soundtrack to Dread is so good is because it’s based heavily on Super Metroid remixes, which is arguably the best music and atmosphere of any Metroid game.

@Apebitmusic I will definitely check that out. I thought I checked all the options, I must have missed it. Thanks!

I didn’t vote because I’m not a fan of FPS Metroid. I mean, I am, but I’m a massively more enthusiastic fan of the 2D variant/timeline. I really just enjoy the Dread style more and always have.
I’m the same with Sonic games: 2D all the way.

Metroid Prime 4 is a very beautiful game but very psychedelic and strange.

The world feels not as a new exciting planet to explore but different gimick-areas clearly divided and do not feel part of the same world. In addition, the game is very playful with gimmics that take you out of the experience and remind you that you are sitting and playing a game right now.

Positively, it is very beautiful and graphically well made. The negative is that the atmosphere is completely missing and it is a video game.

For a 10hr game, at $109RRP AUD - it can't get a score higher than "Good". What's the bet Nintendo announce a DLC than includes the cut content...

So far it's a 7. It's well-made, but uninspired. One example is the trope of having an "abandoned" location come alive after turning on the power switch. They deploy that cliché twice in a row, in Volt Forge and Ice Belt, making it feel like they had no ideas of their own. Everything this game does well, the previous entries did better. And the new elements, like the desert area, drag it down.

I'm forcing myself to play it, just to see it through.

I finished the game with 25 hours on the clock, and overall, I would give it an 8/10.

Pros

• Great visuals, performance and world design
• Interesting use of upgrade mechanics
• Nice linear zone sequences with decent puzzles to solve
• Interesting and varied boss fights
• Sound design was decent
• Nice use of the haptics and controls for the Joy-Cons and Pro Controller

Cons

• The dessert section is pretty bland and an excuse for the Motorbike
• Collecting the green crystals can feel grindy if you don't keep on top of smashing them during the game
• There were way too many prompts on where to go when they were not needed, with no way to turn them off
• Story and characters were meh, more of an excuse for the gameplay
• The main antagonist was not very present or interesting

The fun gameplay, game performance and environments are what really did the heavy lifting for me. I did not care enough about the characters to be disappointed by the story.

I only have the first key, so I can't place my vote yet. However, I have a pretty good feel for how the rest of the game will progress, and I'm not all that pleased. Granted, it's kind of what I expected, but disappointing to be sure, at least thus far.

Prime 4 is more Prime 2 & 3 than Prime 1. That is, more action and story than exploration. The voice work, my biggest fear leading up to the game, was easily made moot and mute by simply turning off the voice sounds. Sadly, however, Samus' extremely jarring and annoying screams when hit, can't be adjusted without turning down/off the sound effects. And speaking of sound effects, another reviewer noted this, I initially brushed it off, but now totally get it... Samus' arm cannon needs more oomph and pizzazz in the sound department; seems very muted and gimped for what it is. Granted, it takes way too many shots to fell a foe, so maybe it's on point. And speaking of foes...

My biggest gripe with Prime 4 is similar to what I experienced with Prime 2, 3, and even Dread, where it seems like every single room you enter the doors seal shut, the music ramps up, and you're left to face a fleet of foes. Over and over and over again. With gimped cannon in hand, the battles drag out and aren't all that interesting, rewarding, or fun. I'd much rather it be another environment to explore with smaller baddies to blast or perplexing puzzles to solve. It just gets old, tiresome, and numbing.

Don't get me started on Metroid Kart Zero Riders Grand Prix, or whatever the point was in showing me how to use the Tron-mobile. It's like Nintendo wanted to add more racing to Switch 2's launch year. It didn't bother me that much, and certainly wouldn't affect my scoring of the game, and didn't last long, but just seemed so silly for Samus, and so pointless given the barren wasteland I'd soon be exploring. And speaking of silly things, Prime 4 seems to really want to be this cinematic experience, yet the title screen has "Nintendo Switch 2 Edition" in nearly the size and boldness of the game's title. It just kinda cheapens it. Though, given the "Beyond" gimmicks, it kinda fits.

I will say, the game looks great, though a bit too polished (literally) and sounds great (though a bit too chorally). The controls I'm struggling with for some reason, but aren't a deal breaker. I appreciate the motion control options; I just wish Nintendo would give us a proper accessory/controller for such. There were times I wanted to shut the game off and be done with it, and did the first day and left it sit for a few days, but it's Metroid so I want to give it a chance, and went back to it. Dread I played until the boss' 99th phase and then I was like, nope, I'm out. Done. Never ever going back (and didn't). I'm hoping Prime 4 doesn't feature similarly exhausting banal boss flights.

So, for me, at this juncture, I'd rate the game 6/10. If it wasn't Metroid, it might even be a little lower. Fewer locked in, pointless battles, and it'd be a good bit higher. It's a game I don't necessarily want to play, but feel I have to because it's Metroid (and because I want it to get better). I'm pessimistic about how the game will progress, but hopeful all the same.

Theres a problem with Nintendo fans hating games because they aren't the exact same thing they've already played but if Nintendo made the game too similar to what came before they'd just get upset that the devs didn't innovate. You don't have to like everything but at least be open to something new

@SamSt565 Dread didn't try to reinvent the wheel and hardly anyone complained about that game, so I don't think that's an accurate assessment of what's going on here.

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond just isn't that great of Metroid Prime game for many reasons. My biggest issue with it is the padding.

"Oh, you found a chip, bring it over to me so I can make it compatible with your suit". Sure, all the way to the opposite side of the map, across a dull desert hub, on a bike which is totally unnecessary (and just plain silly in a Metroid game). But hey, let's dedicate a 6th of the game to Samus acquiring said bike from a bike factory.

I like this game for 2 reasons.
First because it's great (I gave it a 9) and second because these days it's rare to see Nintendo releasing a game that is not just aimed at casual audiences / party game / Mario sports / Pokemon etc.
Now if only we could have a new F-Zero, Starfox, Wave Race, Eternal Darkness that would be great.

This is not a Metroid game, it is just an average 1st adventure game.

I think that this game will kill the chances of a new Metroid Prime.

@BaldB3lper78
I really hope it does well, I think the primary markets for this game will be Europe and North America, Metroid prime has never been that popular in Japan, they prefer the 2d entries.
It will probably sell 20-30k first week in Japan, we'll see in the next days

@Retrodouche
Haven't thought about it yet, but you might be right. Otherwise...Nintendo seems to care about what the consumers/fans think and want, so maybe they will fix the "issues" with prime 5.
Oh and I love tropical freeze so much, but I think from now on, Nintendo will handle all DK mainline games, which is a very good thing. I just hope they can make an excellent 2d sequel (and please bring back David Wise!!!).

@VoidofLight I'm at the mines right now and I'm completely at a loss for words for how bad this part is.

There's nothing going on. Barely any enemies, you just go in a straight lines until you get to the next part.

I'm so confused.

@Johnion
I don't like it's linearity, none of the "dungeons" so far have been memorable to me personally, even Ice Belt (which almost everyone is saying is peak) didn't impress me that much.
Sol Valley is boring and Viola feels kinda clunky to use.
I also don't like that Samus doesn't talk, I mean everyone was critical of her depiction in other m, but I'd rather prefer her having an actual personality.
The psychic abilities could've been implemented better to be more meaningful or impactful.
All in all I feel like it's just not on the same level as the others.
I still like though and I'm enjoying it but at the same time I just want to finish it so I can focus on Kirby air riders again!

@SpinEnDash I did some digging in the menus and was able to find the options to invert Y axis on the lock-on and for when using the control beam. It’s a bit annoying that there isn’t just one blanket option to invert Y, but at least I’ve done it now. Thanks again! 👍😀

@DreadfulDragon a much more apt comparison would be if you heard Russia figured out a way to weaponize something in Cuba and you went there to stop them. The odds of you coming across others similar to you would be pretty high probably. You think of space as some big place but in the Metroid universe it is able to be traversed in the same way we can travel between countries. Samus is not out in a galaxy by herself

Seems like the reaction is very mixed! How disappointing. I will probably play this eventually because I love Metroid but since the comments here aren't too glowing I'm not in any hurry.

The opening year in Switch 2 has been disappointing.
A near full on drought of third parties even entertaining releasing actual physical games and all giving us cheap key cards that nobody wants.
Then is first party world it’s been underwhelming

Mario kart world…. Was not Mario kart. Gone was the GP competition format with podium ranking and a faux open world aimless racer with far too many weapons going on during multi player to even have a chance of leaving it feeling anything like remotely like a racer. 6/10 and one of the weaker Mario kart showings…… ever.

Donkey Kong Bananza, nice game, but majorly repetitive and NOT. A Donkey Kong game at all. 6/10

Metroid 4. The strongest showing from Nintendo first party efforts this year, but nothing stand out about it all, but a solid performance with quality throughout. 7/10.

This year has shown the top level talent in the Nintendo teams that we’ve been used to in the 80’s 90’s and 00’s have now really taken a step back, and not really involved today and letting the younger teams push forward. And the lack of experience is showing.

Video games in general are waning in true quality and originality. But seeing it happening from Nintendo, is a real displacement and painful to see.

Where are the AAA, system selling, instant greatest of all time contender flagship titles that Nintendo used to be known for?

@Elock Except that's not true. In almost every adventure, Samus has been exploring planets devoid of human life and where the galactic federation don't have an active presence.

And even if there were humans to bump into, there's no narrative reason for them to latch on to Samus like they do in this game.

Truthfully, I doubt anyone has issues with there being NPCs knocking around in the game but rather how they're implemented.

I'm currently working my way through Silksong: a game where there are NPCs you befriend all over the place and yet throughout, there is a sense of distance from the friendly inhabitants of Pharloom and it provides the best of both worlds. Same thing with the likes of Elden Ring and the other Fromsoft games.

You can have NPCs around who push the narrative forwards and provide hints but in games like Metroid, they're best kept in the background: inconsequential to the meat of the game and silent unless you choose to interact with them.

People talking about games being short as a negative is weird to me.

It feels like an old-school The Legend of Zelda game in terms of dungeons/keys. I’m personally enjoying it quite a bit. I’d rank it an 8/10, with the 1st Prime game being the pinnacle of the series. However, MP4 is nowhere near a bad game.

@larryisaman too much had holding in this game, 1-3 were better

@StarPoint I genuinely believe people in love with this game have never played a proper Metroid, and are having fun with its new trappings. That's great, but it's not what people have been waiting for.

@9_10DOH64 Completely agree with everything you've said. Crazy to think that the Switch 2's 'best' new first-party game in 2025 is a Switch release with a Switch 2 'upgrade'.

@Jack_Goetz been hugely disappointing. Can only hope the Switch 2 actually starts never year.

We are in a repeating pattern of how pointless the PS5 was in its first 2 years of release, it was all PS4 games for 24 months

@DreadfulDragon you're entitled to your opinion. I think the Hollow Knight series is ok at best and bad at it's worst and would prefer Metroid be nothing like it

I beat the game on Saturday, and it was amazing!
My only complaint is that the desert doesn't have ANY music!? Nintendo really created the problem for the solution with the Samus and Vi-O-La Amiibo.

It was definitely worth the wait. The perfect successor to Corruption

Its just not 8 years of work. That's all I say. It does not show for it

Sadly it's a 7/10 for me. It was a strong 9/10 but the ending sucked to hard it's even robbed me of wanting to replay the game this weekend. Oh well.

Nintendo will take your comments and then release Metroid Prime Racing. All the characters ride Vi-O-Las and Myles MacKenzie provides constant commentary.