Knowing full well that it would leave fans wondering what's to come, Nintendo's E3 2017 reveal that Metroid Prime 4 is in development was short but sweet. All we got was a logo, and Bill Trinen's word that it is due to ship sometime "beyond 2017." We are well into 2018 now and there's still nary a word about what the game will look like, let alone what studio is currently piecing it together. Assuming that Nintendo makes a big show at this year's E3, here's what we hope to find out about the secretive sequel.
What We Know So Far
Nintendo has been pretty quiet about Metroid Prime 4 since the announcement. It was confirmed that Retro Studios, the team behind every other mainline Metroid Prime game to date, will not be developing the fourth entry. Trinen has said that longtime Nintendo producer Kensuke Tanabe will lead development with a team of talented individuals, but their identity thus far remains a mystery.
Inquisitive fans have discovered hints online, however, and the current theory is that a Bandai Namco team may be involved with development. Nintendo has of course remained silent in the face of these rumors. At the least, Tanabe has said that Prime 4 "returns to the first-person adventure roots of the original Metroid Prime game and introduces a new storyline that ties together the events of the Metroid Prime universe and takes the storyline in new directions."
Nintendo found great success collaborating with a third-party team for Metroid: Samus Returns on 3DS last year, so despite Retro Studios' absence, we're willing to keep our hopes up for the time being.
What's Confirmed For E3?
Nintendo hasn't announced anything regarding Metroid Prime 4 appearing at E3 this year, but there's a strong chance it will be a part of the publisher's annual showcase.
What We Hope To See At E3
Given that Metroid Prime 4 is such a highly anticipated game and that very little is known about it, we'd honestly love it if Nintendo would open the floodgates and answer the basic questions we all have. Gameplay footage is probably at the top of everyone's list. With Retro Studios out of the picture, it's anyone's guess as to what the game will look and feel like. Most fans would agree that the series' previous path worked well and that they'd like to see it return in similar shape, but it's been almost 10 years since Metroid Prime 3: Corruption came out, so I don't think anyone would complain if Nintendo evolved the game in some ways to defy our expectations.
We'd also like to learn more about the story and whether or not the rumored involvement of the little-known character Sylux will come to fruition. He appeared at the end of the last two Prime games (Metroid Prime 3 and Metroid Prime: Federation Force) so it would stand to reason that all of those teases were leading to something new and exciting, but only time will tell.
Finally, we want to know who exactly is developing Metroid Prime 4, and when we can expect to play it. It's nice to know that the game is coming, but a solid release date would be most appreciated at this stage. Metroid is a beloved, though somewhat niche series, but its fans are incredibly dedicated and passionate about seeing it continue. The least Nintendo could do is tell us all when we can expect to step into Samus' space boots for her next adventure.
