Metroidhas seen something of a renaissance in the past couple of years.Metroid Dreadin 2021 finally brought back the glory of classic 2DMetroidand in 2023 the Nintendo Switch received aMetroid Primeremaster andMetroid Fusionwas released on the console’s retro catalog. Of course, fans are still waiting forMetroid Prime 4, which was announced all the way back in 2017.
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Production shake-ups have led some fans to worry about its state, but Nintendo continuously reassures players that it is still in development. When it does come out, there are a few things the developers should include to make it the next step forward both for thePrimegames and theMetroidseries as a whole. As fantastic as the oldMetroid Primegames are, some things have to happen to update the mechanics and ease of access.
8Marking The Map
This is not to sayMetroid Prime 4needs waypoints. After all, part of the magic ofMetroidis the slow familiarity players build up through the hours of exploring and trekking through the environment.
It would still be nice, however, if players could simply mark the 3D map so they can look back on the map and know their final destination.Grand Theft Auto: San Andreashad a similar system where players could mark the map but the game did not give them directions or trace a line to the point.
7Dual-Analog Control
Metroid Prime Remasteredlets players choose between two main control styles; the classic configuration or modern dual-analog controls. As nice as it is to have the options, the game was obviously designed around one control scheme. Even if players go with the latter, they will still be auto-locking onto enemies and strafing around them.
WhileMetroid Prime 4should not feel like any other FPSand exploration should take priority, the combat should still be designed around dual-analog controls for more varied and interesting combat.
6More Ways To Interact With The Environment
Scanning things inMetroid Primenever gets old. It is an ingenious way to expose bits of the story and build up the world without taking control away from the players since too many cutscenes would make it feel like less of aMetroidgame.
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The fourth game in the series should similarly include the ability to scan the environment, but it also needs to add new ways for players to explore the world.It does not need to be a fully immersive sim, of course, but a mechanic that feels like a natural evolution of the scanning system would be welcome.
5Melee Combat
Going back toMetroid Primeshows just how incredible of a game it is. Only a few things hamper the enjoyment or show where a new game could improve.
For one, it is annoying when enemies get really close and get Samus into a corner. Players just wait for the weapons to charge up while eating up damage. Maybe the next game can add a nice melee attack as an upgrade to find to help Samus out when she gets overrun with her back to the wall.
4Multiplayer
Metroid Primehas dived into multiplayer a couple of times before; first inMetroid Prime 2and then inMetroid Primehunters. The latter was a curious choicebecause it was a Nintendo DSgame which maybe was not the best choice for a multiplayer-focused game.
While these did not make a splash likeGoldenEyeorHalo’smultiplayer, it feels like there is a good opportunity forMetroid Prime 4to make a mark as a premiere Nintendo Switch multiplayer title. Fans would not want it to take away from the single-player, but it could make for a game on par withSplatoonin terms of multiplayer popularity if done right.
3Hidden Bosses
Given the amount of exploration and secret areas that these games are filled with, it feels like the older games already should have a lot of hidden bosses.
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Metroid Prime4should add some hidden bosses for players to both give people the joy of discovery and a new challenge harder than anything the main game provides. Hidden bosses are a good way to give experts a run for their money while leaving the main story easier and more accessible to an average skill level.
2E.M.M.I. From Metroid Dread
Metroid Dreaddid so much topush the 2DMetroidgames forward. The E.M.M.I. robots who hunt Samus bring a new level of tension to the isolation for which the games are known.
Players have to sneak around these enemies and eventually get the power to take them out one by one. If they are spotted, they have to frantically run away or else get a game over. Putting a similar mechanic in a 3D space would be similarly scary. Adding stealth to the game would also add gameplay variety.
1More Optional Challenges Around The Map
Metroidgames are not long once players know what to do. The sense of accomplishment players get from beating the game quickly once they are familiar with the map should remain intact. Another way to add replay value is to add in-world challenges for players to complete.
An apt comparison would be the riddler challenges fromBatman: Arkham Asylumthat add value and sidequests while still taking place in the closed Arkham Asylum environment.
