The next chapter in the Metroid Prime saga is shaping up to be surprising in more ways than one. Metroid Prime 4: Beyond has revealed a fresh trailer that not only introduces new enemies and a rugged planet called Viewros, but also confirms that several NPCs will travel alongside Samus Aran on her mission. This marks a subtle departure from the franchise’s traditional lone-wolf atmosphere.

What caught attention most in the trailer is the character known as Myles MacKenzie, a Federation trooper who appears early and seems destined to be more than just a one-off cameo. The previews note that Myles is chatty and present through large chunks of the opening section—something unusual for a series defined by isolation and solitude. Classic Metroid Prime fans are reacting cautiously, with some expressing concern that the series’ signature aura of lone exploration might be undercut.

Yet the game still delivers on what makes the franchise special: visceral first-person exploration, scanning alien architecture, and tracking monstrous machines across dense ecosystems. Samus has earned new psychic abilities that let her manipulate objects, alter trajectories, and open paths previously unreachable. She also gets a new mount-vehicle called the Vi-O-La that allows her to traverse Viewros’s harsh terrain in style.

The shift toward more human-driven narrative elements and NPC companions doesn’t necessarily mean the series has abandoned its roots. Rather, the team appears ready to blend the familiar Metroid Prime mechanics with broader storytelling. There is still the deep atmospheric tension, the sense of overwhelming odds, and the solitary hunt for answers—but now tempered by moments of interaction and support.

Details emerging from hands-on previews suggest the voice-acting and banter of Myles and other NPCs can be toggled or muted, giving players more control over how much human presence they want in their experience. Developers say the NPCs serve as guides, collaborators, and narrative anchors rather than mere showpieces. The goal is to enhance immersion without sacrificing the core feeling of being a lone hunter in a hostile world.

The trailer ends on a dramatic note: Samus confronting a massive machine underwater, one of the fiercest foes seen in the series to date, with Myles coordinating support from afar. The implication: this will be a Metroid Prime game that still delivers epic fights, mystery-laden environments, and the thrill of discovery—but with an added layer of company.

The game is still scheduled for release on December 4, 2025, for Nintendo Switch and the upcoming Switch 2 edition. Whether the added human element will enhance or detract from the experience remains to be seen, but for now the fresh direction is giving longtime fans—and newcomers—something new to talk about.