After an 18-year wait, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond finally launched today on December 4, 2025, but critical reception reveals a deeply divisive title. With a Metacritic score of 81 based on over 75 reviews, it marks the lowest-scoring mainline Metroid game ever recorded. Despite stunning visuals and excellent boss design, the game’s controversial design choices have left reviewers split on its merit.
🔥 Quick Facts
- Metroid Prime 4: Beyond released today as a Nintendo Switch 2 and Switch 1 exclusive
- Current Metacritic score: 81/100 from 75+ critics — the series’ historical low
- Reviews feature a wide range from 10/10 (Giant Bomb) to 3/5 (VGC, Eurogamer)
- Main criticism centers on the open-world desert hub area feeling like unnecessary padding between biomes
18 Years Later: A Series First for Mixed Reception
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The longest gap between Metroid Prime sequels resulted in a product that stands apart from its legacy. Every previous Metroid Prime title scored higher on Metacritic: Prime 1 (97), Prime 2 (84), and Prime 3 (82). This marks a significant departure, even as reviewers acknowledge the game’s impressive technical achievement and gorgeous environments on Nintendo Switch 2.
Nintendo Life gave the game a strong 9/10, calling it “quite possibly the boldest, most well-realised Metroid game to date.” However, this enthusiasm didn’t translate universally. The 85-point spread between highest and lowest scores reflects fundamental disagreements about the design philosophy.
The Divisive Desert: Where Critics Draw the Line
| Outlet | Score | Main Feedback |
| Giant Bomb | 10/10 | “One of Samus’ greatest adventures” |
| Nintendo Life | 9/10 | Magical discovery, bold new direction |
| GameSpot | 8/10 | Excellent atmosphere, annoying save issues |
| VGC | 3/5 | “Game stuck between two worlds” |
| Eurogamer | 3/5 | Disappointing ending, chatty NPCs |
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The core issue: Retro Studios added a massive open-world desert area as a hub connecting all the planet biomes. While the actual biome-specific dungeons draw near-universal praise for their level design and atmosphere, this overworld is where consensus breaks down. GamesRadar+ (3.5/5) noted that “outside of those levels, Metroid Prime 4 is such a drag.” The desert includes tedious fetch quests and a motorcycle traversal mechanic that several reviewers found unnecessary.
“When it’s emulating the series’ past, Beyond is an entertaining, if overly conservative, sequel. However, as the shadowy corridors make way for open-world fetch quests, and Halo-style expeditions with AI companions, it’s left feeling like a diluted experience that doesn’t fully deliver on the spirit of earlier entries.”
— VGC Review, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review
Standout Achievements: Visuals and Boss Battles Shine
Despite the divisive overall reception, several aspects earned unanimous praise. Digital Foundry highlighted that this is “Switch 2’s first true 120Hz 3D showcase,” with nearly locked frame-rates and stunning HDR lighting effects. The gorgeous environments and polished art direction make exploring individual biomes consistently rewarding.
Boss battles represent another high point across reviews. The combat encounters feel challenging and fair, with detailed animations and impactful weapon effects. NPCs and federation soldiers present throughout the adventure add narrative context, though some reviewers found the constant companion commentary annoying, particularly during atmospheric moments. The game also locks hard mode behind completing the main story, a frustration for players who wanted harder difficulty options upfront.
The Open-World Debate: Tradition vs. Innovation
This divisiveness reflects a larger industry tension: should established franchises modernize or preserve their identity? Eurogamer directly compared Prime 4 to Wind Waker’s notoriously padded sailing sections, suggesting the open desert serves similar filler purposes. Kotaku’s review framed it as “fine, but not a masterpiece,” conflicting with Nintendo Life’s boldness assessment.
Some reviewers defend the design. PCMag awarded 5/5 stars, calling Prime 4 “a masterclass in game design—a richly detailed, immersive maze that rewards exploration at every turn.” However, these voices remain minority opinions within the aggregate.
What Does a Metroid Prime 4 with an 81 Metacritic Mean for the Franchise?
An 81 is objectively a “good” score—most games would celebrate hitting that mark. Yet for Metroid Prime specifically, it represents a missed opportunity after eighteen years of development. Fans debated whether the extended development cycle led to a game with conflicting design philosophies, or whether innovation in the series simply alienates traditionalists.
The question now facing Nintendo: Do they view Prime 4’s critical reception as a course correction opportunity, or do they double down on the open-world “bold direction” for potential sequels? Regardless, Metroid Prime 4: Beyond is now playable, and the 81 Metacritic score reflects that it absolutely works for many—just not for everyone who grew up exploring the original GameCube masterpiece.
Annabelle Ink is a gaming journalist and lifelong gamer who lives and breathes video game culture. From console releases to esports tournaments, this dedicated journalist brings insider knowledge and genuine enthusiasm to every review and feature. Her expertise spans multiple gaming platforms, helping readers discover their next favorite game while staying connected to the pulse of the gaming industry.