Soapbox: Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Won't Be The Franchise's 'BOTW Moment', And That's Okay
Why did some fans feel disappointed with Metroid Prime 4's similarities to previous entries in the series?
Some fans felt disappointed with Metroid Prime 4's similarities to previous entries in the series because they were expecting a significant evolution in the gameplay and visuals, given the long development time and the recent innovations in other Nintendo titles like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild and Super Mario Bros. Wonder. The high expectations and anticipation built up over the years since its announcement in 2017 contributed to the feeling of disappointment for some fans.
What significant change occurred in the development process of Metroid Prime 4 in 2019?
In 2019, the development process of Metroid Prime 4 underwent a significant change when Nintendo announced that the game's development would be restarted from scratch. This decision was made because the progress at that time did not meet the standards Nintendo sought in a sequel to the Metroid Prime series. The development was handed over to Retro Studios, the creators of the original Metroid Prime trilogy, to ensure the game would meet fan expectations.
How has the development timeline of Metroid Prime 4 compared to typical first-party Nintendo games released in recent years?
The development timeline of Metroid Prime 4 has been longer compared to typical first-party Nintendo games released in recent years. While many Nintendo games are revealed and released within just a few months, Metroid Prime 4 was announced in 2017, and its development was restarted in 2019. This has resulted in a development period of roughly five years so far, which is considered the norm for big-budget titles in the 8th and 9th generation of consoles.