It’s been 18 years since a Metroid Prime game graced a Nintendo console, and its absence has been felt. Retro Studio’s first-person conversion of the Metroid formula is regarded as one of the greatest trilogies in gaming history, and for good reason. Its atmospheric planetary exploration, satisfying item-based progression, and fun combat are a timeless combination that feels like nothing else in Nintendo’s treasured library.
That’s also why it’s so surprising that we’ve had to wait this long for the fourth game. Thankfully, what I’ve played of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond suggests that the long wait will have been worth it. Nothing I saw during my 90-minute session strayed from what came before. Save for a few new abilities, I was rarely surprised by Beyond, so long-time fans should know exactly what they’re getting. But after nearly two decades between releases, there’s something comforting about returning to Nintendo’s space opera.
