wait about twenty years for Metroid Prime 4: Beyond It has been, without exaggerating, a true test of patience and trust. After spending several hours on the new Nintendo Switch 2, the reward feels immediate. Retro Studios He has achieved a remarkable technical feat: the game not only looks spectacular, but is played with impeccable fluidity. Its performance in 4K at 60 frames per second is not a simple technical data, but a clear demonstration of the generational jump that completely justifies the arrival of the new console.
The open world: a desert that redefines the rhythm
A more striking bet, and also the most risky, is in the structure of the map. Instead of the classic “swiss cheese” interconnected design, this delivery opts for more traditional regions, united by a vast desert that is traveled on board a motorcycle.
On paper, the idea of a Samus Motorized is attractive and, in practice, the handling of the motorcycle is solid and pleasant. The desert functions as a large transition space that separates each area and offers a different scale to the trip, reinforcing the feeling of adventure and displacement. Although these paths may feel more calm and contemplative, they also serve as a pause that contrasts with the intensity of the main areas.
And it is precisely when leaving the motorcycle and entering the dungeons where the game displays its full potential. there the essence of Metroid Prime It shines brightly, an intelligent level design, well-integrated environmental puzzles, and memorable boss clashes that reward observation and strategic thinking. The path until reaching these moments may be more restful, but the reward in reaching them confirms that the magic of the saga is still intact.
Goodbye to loneliness: Does Samus need a babysitter?
Another point of friction is the narrative. Metroid It has always been about isolation, you against a hostile planet. On BeyondYou are almost never alone. The members of theto Galactic Federation They accompany you, they talk to you and, worst of all, They tell you where to go.
This constant “help” feels like retro I was afraid that the modern player will be lost. Break the dive see Samus, the deadliest bounty hunter in the galaxy, receiving orders from generic NPCs or having to save them in the middle of a shooting. Although the story meets (with the return of Sylux and a plot about the ancient Lamorns), the constant chatter in the background makes us miss the oppressive silence of Tallon IV.
Technically flawless: Switch 2 draws muscle
The technical section is indisputable. play in Performance mode (1080p/120fps) It is a delight for those looking for precision in the target, especially if you use the Mouse mode With the Joy-Con right (which emulates the precision of a PC).
The lighting effects, the HDR and the textures in the closed areas are the best we have seen in the console. see the reflection of the eyes Samus in the viewfinder or how the rain interacts with the canyon shows that Retro Studios He is still the king of attention to detail. the soundtrack of Kenji Yamamoto It is again atmospheric and perfect, saving the furniture when the narrative falters.
Verdict: A masterpiece trapped in modernity
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond It is an essential title for holders of switch 2, but it is not the perfect sequel that we idealized for 18 years. when you want to be Metroid Prime, is the best of the saga: dense, intelligent and atmospheric. But when he tries to be a “modern open world” with NPCs and vehicles, he loses his identity.
the best: The design of classic dungeons and bosses. Graphically it is a wonder. The mouse control is exquisite.
