Metroid Prime 4 excels when it’s actually being Metroid
When Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is good, it's good. The latest in Nintendo's sci-fi exploration franchise, and the first since Metroid Dread in 2021, Beyond captures the moody sense of isolation and discovery that has been so core to Metroid since it debuted in 1986. Those quiet moments truly make you feel all alone on a harsh alien planet, punctuated by intense action set pieces and some incredible boss fights. At its peak, the game is among the best in the series. The problem is that Nintendo added a whole bunch of stuff on top of that - including chatty companion characters and a boring, empty hub world - which gets in the way.
Despite the ...