Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review on Switch 2 Is Here!

 Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Nintendo Switch 2 Edition

#ad Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has arrived with the weight of sky-high expectations on its shoulders, especially after years of anticipation and a shift to the more powerful Nintendo Switch 2. Fortunately, it doesn’t take long to realise that this latest entry isn’t simply trying to live up to its predecessors—it’s actively pushing the series into fresh, confident territory. This is Metroid at its most ambitious, drawing on everything that worked before while introducing ideas that immediately feel essential.

From the opening sequence, there’s a strong sense of atmosphere and scale. Samus Aran has always been a solitary figure in an unforgiving universe, but the game’s improved visual fidelity and broader environmental detail amplify that feeling. The Switch 2 hardware gives Metroid Prime 4 a level of clarity and richness that the series has never quite managed before. Environments feel alive in subtle ways: vapour drifting through abandoned corridors, alien flora swaying as you pass, and lighting that shifts naturally with your surroundings. It all contributes to a world that feels less like a backdrop and more like a place with history and personality.

The core gameplay remains instantly recognisable, but with several refinements that make it feel more modern without losing the series’ identity. The first-person exploration is as satisfying as ever, rewarding curiosity with hidden pathways, tucked-away upgrades, and the occasional trap for the unwary. What’s particularly impressive is how the game manages to balance freedom with gentle guidance. The map design nudges you in the right direction without being heavy-handed, and there’s rarely a moment where you feel lost in a frustrating way. Instead, you’re encouraged to follow your instincts, poke around corners, and trust that your patience will be rewarded.

Combat has been given a noticeable overhaul, benefiting from smoother controls and more responsive movement. Encounters feel more dynamic, with enemies that adapt to your behaviour rather than simply charging forward. Boss battles, traditionally a series highlight, do not disappoint. They’re challenging without being punishing, and each fight showcases a clever mechanic or visual flourish that makes it distinct. There’s also a sense that the game wants you to experiment, whether through weapon combinations, movement abilities, or environmental tricks.

One of the most welcome additions is the expanded Scan Visor functionality. While scanning has always been a staple of the Metroid Prime experience, here it feels more integrated into the core gameplay loop. Rather than simply reading lore entries, scanning helps you uncover puzzle clues, analyse enemy patterns, and even alter parts of the environment. It gives exploration an extra layer of depth, making every new area feel like a small mystery waiting to be unravelled.

Performance on the Switch 2 is impressively smooth. Load times are minimal, and the game maintains a consistent framerate even during visually busy sequences. Handheld mode, too, feels crisp and surprisingly immersive, though the game truly shines on a larger screen where its environments can stretch out properly.

If there’s a criticism to be made, it’s that the story occasionally takes a backseat to spectacle. While Samus remains a compelling presence, and there are intriguing narrative beats scattered throughout, the pacing can feel uneven. Some quieter moments would benefit from more character-driven context. Still, this is a relatively small complaint in a game that otherwise handles its world-building with confidence.

In the end, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond feels like a triumphant return—one that respects the series’ roots while embracing the possibilities of Nintendo’s new hardware. It’s atmospheric, clever, meticulously crafted, and genuinely exciting to explore. For long-time fans, it’s everything you hoped for; for newcomers, it’s an open invitation into one of gaming’s most iconic universes.

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