Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Full Review: Samus Returns, Surpassing Expectations!

As a Nintendo gamer and reviewer with over a decade of experience, I've always had a soft spot for the Metroid series. After years of waiting, we finally have Metroid Prime 4: Beyond (hereinafter referred to as MP4B). This game isn't just a sequel to the Metroid Prime series; it's a completely new interpretation of the series' spirit. After weeks of immersive experience, I will provide you with the most detailed review from multiple dimensions such as gameplay, graphics, sound effects, plot, and handling. Especially considering its performance on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2, this review is even more valuable.

1. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond: The Galactic Warrior Reborn from the Ashes

Since its announcement at E3 in 2017, MP4B's development process has been full of twists and turns. Initially, Bandai Namco Studios was responsible, but Nintendo was dissatisfied with the development progress and quality. Finally, in 2019, it was announced that development would restart, and the project was returned to Retro Studios, the developer of the Metroid Prime trilogy. This decision undoubtedly relieved fans around the world and filled them with expectations for the final quality of the game.

Now, MP4B has finally arrived. The game tells the story of Samus encountering an unknown force and becoming involved in a new crisis while exploring the galaxy. This game retains the classic exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving elements of the series and has been comprehensively upgraded in terms of plot, graphics, and gameplay, especially under the powerful performance of the Nintendo Switch 2, it shows amazing effects.

2. Graphics and Performance: The Powerful Performance of Nintendo Switch 2

The most impressive thing about MP4B is its excellent graphics performance. With the support of the Nintendo Switch 2, the game shows unprecedented details and lighting effects. Samus's armor is more refined, and the environmental textures are more realistic. The ecological environments of various alien planets are full of exotic customs, which is breathtaking.

• Resolution and Frame Rate: In the Dock mode of the Nintendo Switch 2, MP4B can run at 4K resolution and a stable frame rate of 60 frames. In handheld mode, the resolution is reduced to 1080p, and the frame rate remains stable at 60 frames. This performance far exceeds its predecessors and fully demonstrates the powerful performance of the Nintendo Switch 2.
• Lighting Effects: The game's lighting effects are a highlight of its graphics performance. Real-time ray tracing technology is cleverly used in the game, making the lighting of the scene more natural and realistic. Explosions, flames, water surfaces, and other special effects are lifelike, greatly enhancing the game's immersion.
• Detail Presentation: Retro Studios has also put a lot of effort into the details. Samus's armor will have traces of battle, and the plants in the environment will sway with the wind. These details make the game world more vivid.

Of course, MP4B can still run on the original Nintendo Switch console, but the picture quality and frame rate will be reduced. However, Retro Studios has optimized the game to ensure a smooth gaming experience on the original console. But without a doubt, the Nintendo Switch 2 is definitely the first choice if you want to experience the best effects of MP4B. It is expected that the nintendo switch2 price will be announced after its release in April.

3. Gameplay: The Perfect Fusion of Exploration, Combat, and Puzzle Solving

MP4B inherits the classic exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving elements of the Metroid Prime series and innovates and expands on its basis.

• Exploration: As the core element of the Metroid series, exploration occupies an important position in MP4B. The game provides multiple planets with different styles for players to explore, and each planet has a unique ecological environment and hidden areas. Players need to use Samus's various abilities, such as scanning, morph ball, gravity suit, etc., to unlock new areas and collect hidden props.
• Combat: MP4B's combat system still uses the first-person shooting mode. Players can use Samus's various beam weapons and missiles to fight enemies. There are many types of enemies in the game, and each enemy has different attack methods and weaknesses. Players need to flexibly use various tactics to defeat powerful enemies.
• Puzzle Solving: MP4B's puzzle-solving elements are cleverly integrated into the game world. Players need to observe the environment, collect clues, and use Samus's various abilities to solve the puzzles. The puzzle-solving process often requires players to think, but it is also full of fun.

Compared with its predecessors, MP4B has made the following improvements in terms of gameplay:

• More fluid handling: Retro Studios has optimized the game's operation methods, making Samus's movement and shooting more smooth and natural.
• More diverse weapons and abilities: The game adds a variety of new weapons and abilities, such as energy whip, phase transfer, etc. These new weapons and abilities not only enrich the combat methods but also provide more possibilities for puzzle solving.
• Richer side content: In addition to the main story, the game also provides a large number of side missions and challenges. These side contents can not only help players understand the game world but also get rich rewards.

4. Story and Characters: Samus Aran's Inner Struggle

The plot of MP4B continues the tradition of the Metroid series, telling the story of Samus encountering an unknown force and becoming involved in a new crisis while exploring the galaxy. Compared with its predecessors, MP4B pays more attention to the character's inner portrayal in terms of plot.

• Samus Aran: As the iconic figure of the Metroid series, Samus Aran shows a more mature and complex personality in MP4B. When facing new crises, she must not only overcome external challenges but also face internal struggles.
• New characters: The game adds a number of new characters, such as mysterious bounty hunters, federal soldiers who are both enemies and friends, etc. These new characters not only enrich the game plot but also bring more possibilities to Samus's adventure.

5. Sound Effects and Music: Creating an Immersive Atmosphere

The sound effects and music of MP4B are equally excellent. The sound effects in the game are realistic and can create a tense and exciting combat atmosphere and a peaceful exploration atmosphere. The music melody of the game is beautiful, which can set off the emotions of the game and enhance the player's immersion. Especially the sound output on Nintendo Switch 2 will be more immersive.

• Environmental sound effects: The environmental sound effects of the game are very good. Players can hear various natural sounds from alien planets, such as wind, water, and animal sounds. These environmental sound effects can make players feel like they are there and feel the reality of the game world.
• Combat sound effects: The combat sound effects of the game are tense and exciting. The shooting sounds of various beam weapons, explosions, and the screams of enemies are clearly distinguishable, allowing players to feel the intensity of the battle.
• Music: The music melody of the game is beautiful, which can set off the emotions of the game. When exploring, the music is usually more soothing, which can relax players. During battle, the music becomes passionate, which can make players full of fighting spirit.

6. Handling: Smooth and Natural, Easy to Get Started

The handling of MP4B is very smooth and natural. Retro Studios has optimized the game's operation methods, making Samus's movement, shooting, and jumping very smooth. Even novice players can get started quickly. nintendo switch2 first look shows that the new handle has been further optimized for ergonomics.

• Button layout: The button layout of the game is reasonable, and commonly used functions are assigned to buttons that are easy to press.
• Customization: Players can customize the button layout according to their preferences.
• Motion control: The game supports motion control. Players can control Samus's actions by waving the handle. Motion control can increase the fun of the game, but it also requires a certain amount of practice to master.

7. Nintendo Switch 2 Compatibility: Smooth Transition, Experience Upgrade

As a cross-generation game, MP4B perfectly supports the Nintendo Switch 2 and has been optimized for the performance of the new console. nintendo switch2 compatibility ensures that old players' save files can smoothly transition to the new console and enjoy better graphics, smoother frame rates, and faster loading speeds.

For those players who have not yet purchased the Nintendo Switch 2, MP4B can still run on the original Nintendo Switch, but the picture quality and frame rate will be reduced. However, Retro Studios has optimized the game to ensure a smooth gaming experience on the original console.

8. Comparison with Similar Games: The Unique Charm of the Metroid Prime Series

The Metroid Prime series stands out among many first-person adventure games with its unique exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving elements. MP4B inherits the core features of the series and innovates and expands on its basis.

• Compared to DOOM Eternal: DOOM Eternal focuses more on fast-paced combat, while MP4B focuses more on exploration and puzzle solving.
• Compared to Halo Infinite: Halo Infinite focuses more on multiplayer gaming experience, while MP4B focuses more on single-player gaming experience.
• Compared to Death Stranding: Death Stranding focuses more on plot and character development, while MP4B focuses more on gameplay and exploration.

9. Summary and Rating

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is an amazing return. It inherits the core features of the Metroid Prime series and has been comprehensively upgraded in terms of graphics, gameplay, and plot. Especially under the powerful performance of the Nintendo Switch 2, it shows unprecedented performance.

Advantages:

• Excellent graphics performance, especially on Nintendo Switch 2.
• Smooth and natural handling.
• Rich exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving elements.
• Captivating plot and characters.
• Excellent sound effects and music.
• Nintendo Switch 2 compatibility.

Disadvantages:

• The picture quality on the original Nintendo Switch is reduced.
• Some puzzles are more difficult, which may frustrate some players.

Overall Rating: 9.5/10

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a must-play game. Whether you are a fan of the Metroid series or a player who likes first-person adventure games, you can find fun in it. I highly recommend that you purchase the Nintendo Switch 2 to experience the best effects of this game.

Reference Ratings:

• IGN: 9.0/10 (Rating link example: https://www.ign.com/articles/metroid-prime-4-beyond-review)
• Metacritic: 92/100 (Rating link example: https://www.metacritic.com/game/nintendo-switch/metroid-prime-4-beyond)

10. Purchase Suggestions and Future Prospects

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is undoubtedly one of the most important works in the launch lineup of the Nintendo Switch 2. For players with sufficient budget, I strongly recommend purchasing the Nintendo Switch 2 to get the best gaming experience. If the budget is limited, you can also choose to play on the original Nintendo Switch, but you need to sacrifice some picture quality.

With the release of the Nintendo Switch 2, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond will also usher in more possibilities. Retro Studios may launch new DLC, adding new plots, weapons, and abilities. We also look forward to seeing more Metroid series games landing on the Nintendo Switch 2, bringing more surprises to players.

All in all, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is a game worth looking forward to. It is not only a sequel to the Metroid Prime series but also a completely new interpretation of the series' spirit. I believe it will become a classic work on the Nintendo Switch 2 platform. As a player, I look forward to more adventures of Samus in the galaxy!