UPDATE: A new leak reveals that early impressions of Metroid Prime 4 may have overstated the annoyance of its NPCs. A player with early access to the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 game claims that the much-criticized sidekick, Myles MacKenzie, is not as prevalent or bothersome as initially reported.
Initial previews from a few weeks ago painted a grim picture of the game, highlighting complaints about Myles MacKenzie, who was likened to “bad Marvel humor.” Critics feared that his quippy dialogue might disrupt the immersive experience that fans of the Metroid series cherish. However, the latest feedback suggests that these concerns may have been exaggerated.
According to a Reddit user who posted their first impressions, “Myles MacKenzie’s character comes up very seldom outside the first section. But he is not a tutorial exclusive. The game is awesome.” This contradicts earlier reviews that suggested the NPC would be a constant annoyance throughout gameplay.
Further details from the leak indicate that players will encounter additional sidekicks, though they too may have irritating dialogue. Fortunately, they are not featured in every area. The leaker noted, “There’s no NPCs in Volt Forage, the second area. There are also no NPCs in Sol Valley (the desert hub).” This suggests that players can enjoy significant sections of the game without unwanted chatter.
The backlash against Myles stems from the franchise’s reputation for exploration and atmosphere. Fans argue that the series is best experienced in silence, allowing players to immerse themselves in alien worlds. The abrupt introduction of a talkative sidekick is jarring for many who expect a more solitary experience.
Metroid Prime 4 has been in the spotlight since its announcement in 2017, and fans are eagerly awaiting its release. Mark your calendars: the game is set to launch on December 4, 2025, at 9 PM PT / 12 AM ET. Here’s the local release time breakdown for various regions:
– North America (PT): 9:00 PM PT, December 3, 2025
– North America (ET): 12:00 AM ET, December 4, 2025
– United Kingdom (GMT): 5:00 AM GMT, December 4, 2025
– Europe (CET): 6:00 AM CET, December 4, 2025
– Japan (JST): 2:00 PM JST, December 4, 2025
– Australia (AEST): 3:00 PM AEST, December 4, 2025
The digital version of Metroid Prime 4 is available for pre-loading now, requiring 27.6GB of memory. Once downloaded, players will be able to dive into the adventure as soon as it unlocks.
Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches, and brace for what promises to be a thrilling addition to the Metroid franchise.