Metroid Prime 4: Beyond – Complete Beginner’s Guide and Survival Tips

The Metroid Prime series is rightfully considered a classic, but 18 years have passed since the release of the last game. Therefore, many players will approach Metroid Prime 4: Beyond either having forgotten the mechanics or having no experience with the series at all. This guide is designed for both newcomers and veterans and contains the most useful tips for those just beginning their journey through Metroid Prime 4 .

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Tips and Tricks

Just the main points:

While a lot has changed in the fourth installment compared to previous games, this guide will focus on basic topics for beginners and will not go into detail on all weapons and upgrades.

How to save in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

The save mechanics remain largely unchanged. As before, Samus must manually locate Save Stations , which are located at key points throughout the dungeons, as well as in special underground hideouts in the open, sandy Sol Valley.

Most save stations are conveniently located at the beginning of new dungeons or before challenging boss battles. They all look the same: a circular platform in the ground with an orange glow emanating from its center. To save your progress and replenish your ammo, simply stand in this glow.

Save as often as possible, because if you die, the game will return you to your last save. Loading a previous save or manipulating saves is impossible.

How to use the scanner in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

The scanning mechanics found in all previous games in the series work slightly differently in Metroid Prime 4. The scanner is no longer one of the four visors, but is instead bound to a dedicated button. To scan an object in the environment, simply press the X button to enter Psi Visor mode . This mode not only allows you to scan objects but is also the key to using many of Samus’s new psionic abilities.

When you activate Psi-Visor, the colors of the surrounding area will change. Any object that can be scanned will be highlighted in green. A green highlight indicates that the object has not yet been scanned. After a successful scan, the object will be outlined in white.

To scan an object, switch to Psi-Visor mode, then hold down the ZL button —the same button used to lock onto a target in combat. A progress bar will appear on the screen, and once the scan is complete, you’ll receive a notification confirming the scan was successful. A text box with a description will appear below the object.

With enemies or special objects, scanning often reveals important information about their vulnerabilities or how to overcome them. For example, scanning a fire blocker on a door will reveal that it requires a high-temperature weapon to destroy. This suggests that a Fire Shot is required .

How to fast travel in Metroid Prime 4

It won’t come as a surprise to fans of the series that Metroid Prime 4: Beyond doesn’t feature a traditional fast travel system. Instead, there are ways to travel long distances within a single dungeon or biome, but not between different locations. For example, at the end of the first major dungeon, Violent Green , you’ll be ejected into the desert via a cargo launcher.

When you return here later, you can use the same cargo catapult to quickly travel to the opposite end of the dungeon, where an important NPC is located.

The next most convenient fast-travel-like mechanism is the Vi-O-La motorcycle in Metroid Prime 4. While it’s useless in most dungeons (with the partial exception of the Voltaic Forge), it can be used to traverse Sol Valley , the vast open area that serves as the game’s “overworld.” It’s easily the fastest mode of travel in the Metroid series, aside from the teleporters and trams that served as fast travel in previous games.

How to Heal and Replenish Ammo in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

If you’ve played other Metroid games, you know how to heal and replenish ammo in Beyond—it works exactly the same here. If you’re new to the series, don’t worry: healing is one of the simplest actions.

If your energy or missile supply is low, look for two types of objects. The first is enemies. Killing enemies in Metroid Prime 4 is one of the best ways to collect health packs and ammo, which appear as floating objects after an enemy’s body disappears.

Health is restored by spheres of different colors. Each color corresponds to a certain amount of energy restored: purple restores 10 units, while other colors restore more. Ammo depends on the type. Missiles appear as yellow projectiles with wings. Elemental charges appear as blue objects with three pointed ends.

The second important object is crates. They are scattered throughout the dungeons. Destroying them has a chance to drop the same items as enemies.

To quickly collect all nearby health packs and ammo, charge the Charged Beam .

This action will attract all visible objects, as long as they are not too far away.

How to Increase Maximum Health and Ammo in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Players begin Metroid Prime 4 with very limited energy (health) and missiles, and increasing these stats is one of the primary research goals. Each system in the game has its own type of upgrade:

• Energy/Health – Energy Tanks
• Rocket Launcher – Rocket Extensions
• Elemental Weapons – Charge Extensions

These items are usually hidden behind obstacles that require a specific weapon or tool to destroy. Be sure to read the descriptions of these obstacles—they often reveal exactly what you need to remove them. As you progress through the game, you’ll learn to immediately recognize which item will help you reach an upgrade.

General Exploration Tips – Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

These tips will help you get started exploring the world of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond .

• Only begin actively exploring once you’ve acquired a few elemental weapons. While exploring within early dungeons is permitted, don’t try to venture beyond them too early. You’ll likely simply run into an obstacle you don’t have the upgrades to overcome.
• Scan everything: For the most part, you should play with your Psi-Vision activated . Not only will this provide incredible insight into the world’s lore, but it’s also the best way to discover a huge number of secrets. Be sure to read the scan descriptions —they often contain solutions to almost every puzzle.

 

• Try everything you have: Before giving up, make sure you’ve exhausted all available options. While this may not help much at first, once you’ve acquired basic psionic abilities and a flare gun, you’ll often find you already have the tools you need. But remember, use common sense. If something requires an icy solution and you don’t yet have an icy shot, nothing you try will work.
• Don’t forget about your psi abilities: This is incredibly important for returning players, as they may forget about a completely new set of tools. Check every puzzle through your Psi-Visor .
• Freedom and choice are a bit deceptive: While Metroid Prime 4 gives the impression of a wide range of choices, there’s actually a fairly clear path to progress. After completing the Furious Green and the Voltaic Forge, it may seem like you have several options for where to go next. In reality, you’ll need to head to the Blazing Pool to obtain the Fire Shot . We won’t reveal the entire path, but keep in mind that you’ll have to backtrack several times to collect all the necessary tools.
• Listen to Miles: This may be unpopular advice, but if you’re stuck, don’t be afraid to listen to Miles’ suggestions. While the Metroid series is built on players finding their own solutions, ultimately the choice is yours. If you call Miles on the radio when you’re lost, he’ll point you in the right direction.

 

These tips will help you get started. Since the game is still new, we’re still finding the best solutions ourselves. If you’re still stuck, check back often—we’ll be adding new ideas as we progress.