During today's Nintendo Switch Direct, fans were treated to a fresh glimpse of *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond*, showcasing new psychic-infused gameplay and a striking red-and-purple suit for Samus Aran. The showcased footage delved into a variety of psychic abilities that Samus will harness to navigate the game's world upon its release later this year. The gameplay has a distinct *BioShock*-like feel as Samus scans ancient stone figures and engages new adversaries on the mysterious planet Viewros, using her newfound purple energy which she masterfully controls with her free hand. This jungle planet, to which Samus has been unexpectedly transported, centers around a colossal tree that has evidently been a hub of intelligent life for centuries.
While Nintendo remains somewhat secretive about the exact launch date of *Metroid Prime 4*—only promising a 2025 release window—the gameplay revealed today sheds light on the functionality of Samus's new powers. These abilities will not only allow players to interact with enigmatic mechanisms but also guide energy shots through the planet's indigenous wildlife.
The journey of *Metroid Prime 4: Beyond* has been a rollercoaster, with its initial announcement at E3 2017 featuring merely a title logo, followed by years of silence, a change in developers, and finally, a reemergence last year with our first look at gameplay. With today's Direct centered entirely on the current Nintendo Switch, questions linger about whether *Metroid Prime 4* will see any enhanced features on the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2. However, it has been confirmed that the game will be playable across both platforms.
To stay updated on all the announcements from today's Nintendo Switch Direct, you can find more details right here.
