Nintendo unveiled the initial gameplay elements of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond during today’s Nintendo Treehouse stream. The presentation features the opening cutscene rendered on the Switch 2, showcasing Samus Aran as she engages in a massive space conflict reminiscent of epic battles from Star Wars. This tantalizing view of the wider Metroid universe has reignited my enthusiasm for the long-standing series lore.
The journey begins with a brief introductory text that sets the stage, indicating that Samus is answering a distress signal from Galactic Federation troops under attack by Space Pirates. She arrives amidst a colossal space skirmish, engaging in skirmishes against enemy ships and targeting a large capital vessel with her cannons. Shortly after, she dives into a ground battle teeming with Federation soldiers battling alongside a massive robotic suit that could be taken straight from a mech anime.
This sequence essentially boils down to what can be described as “a really impressive cutscene,” yet witnessing such a grand-scale conflict and extensive world-building in a Metroid title is striking. It flows seamlessly into an exhilarating introductory gameplay segment. While this series has consistently featured solitary exploration in distant alien realms, Metroid Prime 4 maintains this essence, albeit its opening feels reminiscent of the high-action moments typically found in Halo.
If the game strikes a balance between classic exploration and these new intense action sequences, I’m genuinely excited—especially considering the enthusiastic reception from fellow Metroid fans across social media, which indicates I’m not in this alone.
During my teenage years, when the Prime series peaked, I was deeply invested in unraveling the intricate bits of lore hinting at a more extensive universe surrounding Samus and the Metroids. It appears that Metroid Prime 4 is finally granting us a visual representation of that world—likely circumventing the narrative shortcomings of the story-focused title, Other M.
While I approached Prime 4 with a healthy dose of caution, thanks largely to the franchise’s notable history, this latest glimpse has fully captured my interest.
Prime 4 is among the many anticipated titles for the Switch 2.