Ah, Metroid Prime 4, the much-anticipated game that, for years now, has eluded the grasp of eager Nintendo fans.
Announced all the way back in 2017 for the Nintendo Switch and then, in a plot twist worthy of its own game storyline, having its development restarted in 2019, it has indeed been a roller coaster ride for Samus Aran aficionados. And just when fans thought they could no longer be kept in suspense, recent murmurs and whispers have have left with a palette of emotions ranging from ecstatic to puzzled and excited yet again.
Nick Baker, a luminary in the gaming industry known for his Xbox intel but occasionally branching out to occasionally share Nintendo tidbits, made waves on the Xbox Era podcast, mentioning that someone had reached out to him after laying eyes on the game. This unnamed source hailed the game as “visually unbelievable.”
While this comment is perhaps not shocking for anyone who remembers how Metroid Prime was the benchmark of game visuals during its release, what’s intriguing is how this visual marvel will manifest itself on Nintendo’s hardware. But given Retro’s reputation, our expectations are sky-high.
Now, while the graphics tidbit certainly intrigued many, what piqued interest was the mention of “big, massive areas.”
It’s amusing when you think about it. The entire concept of Metroid is centered around corridors. Prime 3 deviated from this design a little, but it was still largely bound to small chambers within a broader area. One can’t help but compare it to Mario Odyssey’s expansive realms. But does Metroid really need to venture into vast terrains? After a 15-year hiatus since the last Prime release (and no, we’re not talking about Fed Force), maybe the wheel doesn’t need reinvention. Or does it?
Yet, these descriptions inevitably remind us of a word we’ve been hearing a lot these days: open-world. Now, for all you Metroid purists, I know what you’re thinking. “Metroid, by its very nature, isn’t open world.” It’s a sentiment echoed by many. All previous Metroid games have been essentially “open world,” albeit segmented by doors and lifts.
These recent leaks align with this sentiment, suggesting that while Prime 4 might boast expansive environments, it isn’t even going to even attempt to emulate the uninterrupted vastness of modern open-world games.
Then again, we can’t say for sure. After all, Nintendo found much success with The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom.
This entire conversation inevitably takes us to Nintendo’s habit of announcing a game for one console only to release it on its successor. So, does this mean Metroid Prime 4 might become a launch title for the speculated Switch 2? After all, comments on its stunning graphics might suggest the game is better suited for next-gen hardware rather than being limited by the capabilities of the original Switch.
Not to mention, with Nintendo having an entire slate of new Mario games, including Super Mario Bros. Wonder and a Super Mario RPG remake, and the recent run of successful Zelda titles, it’s high time that Samus Aran deserves a chance to shine.
If nothing else, releasing Metroid Prime 4 could certainly take advantage of the hype generated by Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered in recent years.
Nintendo has always been tight-lipped about its projects, especially when they’re in the limelight. The defeaning silence surrounding Metroid Prime 4 doesn’t necessarily spell doom. In fact, considering Nintendo’s history of surprise drops, especially at Gamescom and The Game Awards, we might be in for an announcement sooner rather than later.
Till then, while official information is scanty, the whispers and speculations add an exciting layer of mystique.
Whether Metroid Prime 4 remains true to its corridor-driven charm or decides to go the “massive area” route remains to be seen. One thing’s for sure: the next installment will undoubtedly be a pivotal chapter in the Metroid saga, one that could either revolutionize its essence or remind fans of its roots.
