As the countdown to Metroid Prime 4: Beyond’s launch continues, it’s looking even less likely that Nintendo will host a dedicated Direct. Thankfully, it’s not oblivious to the need for more details, as a new overview trailer is out, detailing much of what you need to know for Samus’s new adventure.
The action unfolds on Viewros, where Samus mysteriously arrives after an encounter with rival Sylux. Little is known about the planet, besides that it was home to the Lamorn, and you’ll need to scan and investigate to find a way off of it. Four regions are detailed, each with “maze-like layouts,” and Samus can rely on new Psychic Abilities, whether it’s manually controlled shots or Morph Balling in mid-air, to traverse them.
Of course, there’s also the open desert, which is where the bike, Vi-O-La, comes in. Along with shooting down enemies and sliding into them, Akira-style, it can also destroy resource nodes for energy. You can even summon Vi-O-La in other areas, though how extensive this will be remains to be seen (and hopefully, it’s not too prominent like Batman: Arkham Knight’s Batmobile).
Perhaps the most surprising part, however, is the AI companions that Samus can encounter throughout Viewros. These are Galactic Federation soldiers who were also dragged into this mess. Rescuing them can net upgrades and even allow them to fight alongside you. They’re an interesting addition, but it’s a big shift from the usual isolationist nature of Metroid’s gameplay.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond launches on December 4th for Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Check out some more extensive gameplay here.
