Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Review - Prime, But Not Quite Prime Prime

"The massive battle that serves as the opening tutorial is between the Federation and a loose assemblage of Space Pirates, under the leadership of Sylux--a rival of protagonist Samus Aran who has been seen before, but not featured so prominently. Sylux is controlling Metroids somehow, but for the moment, the Federation's main concern is securing an ancient artifact before it's taken by Sylux's forces."

"When things go extremely wrong in that mission, the artifact transports Samus to Viewros--a dying planet whose sentient beings, the Lamorn, passed away untold years ago. Samus quickly finds a Psychic Crystal that imbues her with the ability to interface with Lamorn technology. It becomes apparent that Samus isn't alone--Sylux appears to have been transported here too, along with pieces of Federation tech and personnel. You're all trapped on this dying rock together, unless you find a way out."

"However, recordings reveal that the Lamorn see the bearer of the Psychic Crystal as a "Chosen One," a savior for their people, in a sense. It's too late to rescue the Lamorn, but they wish to preserve their history and culture, and so they've prepared a Memory Fruit for the Chosen One to carry off-planet with the aid of their Master Teleporter. This aspect of the story is appropriately melancholic:"

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond opens with a massive battle as Samus aids Federation troops, establishing a more combat-forward, Federation-focused tone. Sylux leads Space Pirates and manipulates Metroids while the Federation aims to secure an ancient artifact. The artifact transports Samus to Viewros, a dying planet whose Lamorn civilization has passed, and grants her a Psychic Crystal enabling interaction with Lamorn technology. Sylux and fragments of Federation forces are trapped there as well. Recordings reveal the Lamorn view the Psychic Crystal bearer as a "Chosen One" and prepared a Memory Fruit to preserve their culture. The narrative balances melancholic preservation with classic Prime exploration, though experimental elements are inconsistent.

Read at GameSpot