Metroid Prime 4 Is a Solid Return, But Not Everyone Loves Its Modern Twists

Nintendo is wrapping up its annual lineup with a major release on December 4: the long-awaited *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*. This first-person shooter will be playable across both Switch and the new Switch 2 consoles, and ahead of its official debut, the title has already undergone thorough evaluations from gaming’s specialist media outlets.

Critical Scores: Switch 2 Leads with Solid Ratings

Over on Metacritic, *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* currently holds an average score of 80% for the Switch 2 edition, calculated from a total of 55 critic reviews. It’s worth highlighting that the standard Switch version has not yet received enough reviews to earn an aggregated score. Meanwhile, OpenCritic data paints a slightly more favorable picture, with the game securing an 82% average rating based on 32 separate assessments.

Standout Strengths Praised by Critics

Reviewers have singled out several standout elements of the game. The intense and memorable boss battles, immersive atmospheric design, and the polished technical performance on Switch 2 have all earned widespread acclaim. Additionally, the title’s masterful art direction and the smooth, enjoyable feel of its motorcycle gameplay controls are frequently cited as key highlights.

Key Shortcomings That Divided Opinions

On the flip side, the game isn’t without its flaws. Critics note a noticeable lack of narrative and gameplay surprises throughout the adventure, paired with a restrictive level of player freedom. The desert-themed game area and its associated missions have also been criticized for feeling uninspired at times. Compounding these issues, some core mechanics—most notably Samus’ psychic abilities—are widely regarded as underdeveloped and underutilized in the final release.

Roundup of Major Critic Scores

- Giant Bomb: 5/5

- Nintendo Life: 9/10

- Shacknews: 9/10

- Wccftech: 8.5/10

- IGN: 8/10

- GameSpot: 8/10

- TheGamer: 4/5

- GamesRadar+: 3.5/5

- Eurogamer: 3/5

- VGC: 3/5