Summary
One detail seen in the trailer forMetroid Prime 4: Beyondsuggests that the game will be breaking away from a major series tradition. Although not much is known for certain about the nextMetroidgame so far, it is evident that the plot will deal with the return of the bounty hunter Sylux in an antagonistic role. But while little has been directly confirmed about the game’s main storyline, certain elements ofMetroid Prime 4’s trailerstill have deep implications for its narrative, especially in relation to the rest of the franchise.
There are many common threads throughout theMetroidfranchise that help to build its core identity, from Samus’ taciturn nature to Ridley’s persistence in returning time and time again, even after his death. Of course, not every part of the wider franchise is likely to be included inPrime 4, even if it would arguably do very well touse some elements ofMetroid Dreadwhich were then-new additions to the series. But in any case, there is already a strong indication that at least one series tradition will be left behind by the nextMetroidtitle.
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Metroid Prime 4’s Mochtroids Hint At An Unusual Timeline Position
Mochtroids Are Inferior Metroid Clones
When Sylux emerges from the smoke and flame of a destroyed wall inMetroid Prime 4: Beyond, he does so accompanied by what appears to be a pair of Metroids. However, closer examination reveals thatSylux is actually being followed by two Mochtroids, imperfect clones of the alien lifeforms. This is evidenced by the Mochtroid’s singular red nucleus, as opposed to the four nuclei associated with true Metroids (three of which are typically visible from any given angle). Their presence also suggests thatPrime 4may be more distinct from the previousMetroid Primegames than its name may suggest.
The fact thatPrime 4will include Mochtroids suggests that it is separated from the rest of theMetroid Primegameson theMetroidseries’ timeline. The Mochtroids were originally created by the Space Pirates inSuper Metroid, which is itself set afterMetroid 2. Their presence inPrime 4therefore suggests that it takes afterSuper Metroid. In contrast to this, every otherMetroid Primegame in the franchise has been set between the originalMetroidandMetroid 2. As such,Metroid Prime 4will break a strongly established pattern within theMetroidseries as a whole.
It is worth noting that although thePrime 4trailer does give the in-universe date of“Year 20X9”for its events, the franchise’s treatment of its timeline makes this fact far less definitive than it may otherwise be.There have been many vague references to the Cosmic Calendar, but these can be confusing or even contradictory, particularly as it is unclear if the X always represents the same decade. For example,Federation Forcehas been described as taking place“several years”afterPrime 3, despite the games taking place in 20X6 and 20X5 respectively.
Much like Cosmic Years, thePrimegames’ introduction and use of Cycles as a measure of time is highly prone to creating contradictions, likely due to a combined lack of clarity and apparent consistency in how the six-digit time codes actually function.
At Least Two Games Likely Separate Prime 4 From Other Metroid Prime Titles
Metroid 2 & Super Metroid
Regardless of the specific dates of the timeline involved, it is at least very clear thatPrime 4picks up plot threads left unresolved in the endings of previousMetroid Primegames. InMetroid Prime: Federation Force, Sylux breaks into a Federation facility and hatches a Metroid egg held in their custody. Additionally, inMetroid Prime 3: Corruption,the bounty hunter’s ship can be seen tailing Samus’ own. Combined with the presence of Mochtroids, it seems that there is intended to be a significant amount of time betweenPrime 3andMetroid Prime 4to accommodateSuper Metroid.
Until now, the variousMetroid Primegames have occupied an unbroken chain within the widerMetroidtimeline. Considering how the inconsistently Cosmic Calendar is typically treated (to the point that it is unclear when exactly most games are actually set beyond being before or after otherMetroidtitles), this means thatMetroid Prime 4: Beyondcould arguably take place at any point of the timeline afterSuper Metroid. As such, it may even be placed afterMetroid Dread, which would allowPrime 4to explore the after-effects of the incredibly successful game’s events.
It has already been stated thatSamus’ story will not end withMetroid Dread, leaving the idea ofPrime 4being a sequelas an undeniable possibility. But even if Samus’ new adventure does take place earlier on in the timeline, it is clear that the string ofMetroid Primetitles in the chronology may have been irrevocably disrupted. What, specifically, this means forMetroid Prime 4: Beyondis still uncertain, but it will likely feature a galaxy and characters affected by more than the effects of the games in its own subseries alone.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
Metroid Prime 4 is the long-awaited sequel to 2007’s Metroid Prime 3: Corruption. Initially developed by Bandai Namco, the original development studio, Retro Studios, returned to work on the title after Nintendo rebooted development in 2019. The game is still slated for release on the Nintendo Switch.
