Originally announced at E3 2017 (remember E3?), Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is finally launching in mere weeks on December 4 for Switch and Switch 2 systems. Over the last year, we’ve seen short trailers for the game, some of which were whelming, but Nintendo has finally given us our best look yet. Along with several previews from major media outlets, today’s overview trailer shares more than seven minutes of information about Samus Aran’s new adventure. At least on Switch 2, the game looks visually stunning and players will be able to choose between 4K at 60 FPS with HDR in Quality Mode or 1080p at 120 FPS with HDR when docked. In handheld mode, the game runs at 1080p at 60 FPS with HDR on Quality Mode and 720p at 120 FPS with HDR on Performance Mode. No word yet on how the game runs or looks on the original Switch.
The trailer sets the premise of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s story, with Samus dealing with archrival Sylux. The ensuing battle results in Samus waking up on the unknown planet of Viewros, setting her off on a journey to find a way home. We get a look at some of the biomes on Viewros, including the overgrown jungle Fury Green, the thunderous factory called Volt Forge, the frozen laboratory of Ice Belt, and a molten facility called Flare Pool. The trailer also shows some of the game’s features, including the Scan Visor we’ve already seen, as well as the psychic abilities Samus will get.
Other powers and abilities will be familiar to anyone who has experienced a Metroid game, such as the Power Beam, Missiles, and the iconic Morph Ball. Players might be most excited to hear, though, that Samus can jump in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Some of the psychic abilities we’ll get to play with include Control Beam and Psychic Glove. Today’s trailer also adds more context for why Samus now has Vi-O-La, a bike revealed in the game’s release date trailer from September. The most surprising reveal, though, was that Samus will be joined by other Galactic Troopers on this journey who also ended up on Viewros. Part of the experience will be following distress signals to round up these lost troopers, some of whom will fight side by side with Samus. It’s an interesting gamble that I’ll have to play to judge, considering much of Metroid’s appeal has always been that sense of solitude.
It’s been an interesting ride with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and some fans have been concerned about how quiet Nintendo has been with the game’s marketing leading up to its release. Then again, it’s had a pretty stacked schedule since the Switch 2’s release, with Pokémon Legends: Z-A the focus in October, and this month we’re getting Kirby Air Riders on November 20.
