Genre: Action platformer
Developer: Retro Studios
Publisher: Nintendo

Metroid Prime 4 makes this reviewer question what others in the industry-- even within Nintendo itself-- are doing: it runs at 1080p and 120 fps, while looking so full of high resolution textures, ultra detailed player models, and phenomenal lighting that it rivals the work even of id Software and their modern "Doom" releases. While some of the environmental models don't always hold up under scrutiny and betray the fact that this is a cross-generation Switch release, the title is full of modern rendering flourishes and is married to a super polished 3D map and menu system.

If the music in Metroid Prime 4 sounds stylistically similar to prior titles, then you would have guessed it: yes, Kenji Yamamoto and Minako Hamano are still around! Much of the music here is pleasantly synth sounding and is very reminiscent of the previous Prime titles. Very often it leans into suspense as well. Sadly, there is a little to much distasteful Hollywood-style vocals and other elements. The game's sound effects are satisfactory, and the over-the-top companion voice acting more or less works.

The usual Metroid Prime moves are all here: missile plus elemental attacks, the "morph ball" with its ability to jump plus lay bombs, and so on. The "scanner" mode in this title adds a "psychic" component, allowing the player to manipulate certain stage elements, and perform a bullet-time style attack in the vein of the "redeemer" missile from "Unreal Tournament". Everything about the physics and the smoothness of the mechanics feels perfect. Level designs are tight, and there is a middling open-zone desert area bridging the stages together.

Metroid Prime 4 feels like the "Fusion" of the 3D titles: more linear, with more instruction on where to go next. Other reviewers have much-maligned the hub area and its futuristic motorcycle driving-- but it actually improves the game's pacing after a long session spent in the proper, puzzle-like boards. The story isn't much to speak of, and the companions are borderline Marvel-levels of annoying. But between its smooth graphics, its rock solid gameplay mechanics, and its moody music, the game is a worthy follow-up to the prior series entries.