I Played Metroid Prime 4, and I’m Not Worried About Samus’ ‘Annoying’ Sidekick

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Now that the game is officially available to discuss, I can share my thoughts on Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, which I’ve been thinking about constantly since playing it last week. I traveled to New York to try it out on both the Nintendo Switch handheld and docked, and as you may have read in Game Rant’s preview, I really loved what I experienced.

I was surprised to see that other early reviews of the game were somewhat divided. A lot of the current discussion actually centers around a single character, Myles Mackenzie, who provides voice-over dialogue. For example, IGN’s preview of Metroid Prime 4 focused heavily on Mackenzie, suggesting his inclusion is a bad sign. Video Games Chronicle agreed, publishing an article claiming Metroid Prime 4 doesn’t feel like a traditional Metroid game, and they blamed Mackenzie for this. This seems to have resonated with players, who are expressing strong disapproval on social media about having a voiced character in a Metroid game. While I respect the opinions of other reviewers and players, I’m surprised by the amount of negativity towards Mackenzie and I don’t feel the same way.

Why I Don’t Think Metroid Prime 4’s Companions Are a Big Deal

Metroid Prime 4’s Mackenzie Isn’t as Game-Ruining as Some Claim

It’s easy to see why some players find Myles Mackenzie irritating. He’s basically a standard Galactic Federation soldier who happens to be good with computers, and he feels out of place alongside a skilled and solitary bounty hunter like Samus Aran. Traditionally, Metroid Prime games focus on a sense of loneliness and fear as you explore a dangerous galaxy. A chatty companion doesn’t really fit that atmosphere.

To be blunt, I really dislike the snappy, overly clever dialogue that’s become popular in things like Marvel movies. I’ve always been bothered by this kind of casual, out-of-place writing, and it’s kept me from enjoying many games – including Dragon Age: The Veilguard, Forspoken, and even otherwise good games like Remnant 2. Even games I generally like, such as God of War Ragnarok, are negatively affected by this tendency towards constant, quippy banter – it feels like it’s inspired by the style of Joss Whedon.

Okay, so everyone’s been talking about this character, Mackenzie, in Metroid Prime 4. Honestly, he’s not nearly as memorable as the companions in games like Portal or Mass Effect. People are saying he’s constantly chatting, but that’s just not true – he’s only in parts of the demo, and Samus spends a lot of time off on her own, solving puzzles. I wouldn’t say he ruined the experience, but his dialogue didn’t really add much, either. If I’m being honest, when I think about playing Metroid Prime 4, he barely registers. He just doesn’t leave a big impression. The good stuff – the combat, the atmosphere, the music – is still incredibly strong, and one forgettable side character doesn’t change that for me.

It’s worth pointing out that Mackenzie appears early in Metroid Prime 4, right at the start of the first proper chapter. This likely explains why he talks so much initially – he’s there to help guide players and teach them the basics.

I’m not worried about the companion character, Mackenzie, in Metroid Prime 4 either. The only time you have to directly help him is when crossing a bridge about halfway through the demo. You need to protect him and revive him once, but it wasn’t frustrating or a major problem. Actually, I liked that it changed up the usual action – having to balance fighting enemies with keeping Mackenzie safe was a simple but effective way to make the combat more interesting at that point in the game.

Ultimately, I’m not very concerned about the character Mackenzie. While the Metroid Prime 4 preview wasn’t perfect – I thought the optional Switch 2 controls felt forced and clumsy, for instance – I was generally impressed. I suspect my overall positive impression of the game overshadowed my annoyance with Mackenzie’s dialogue. I usually dislike this type of awkward, movie-like conversation, so the fact that I can overlook it suggests others will too. If players were able to accept similar dialogue in games like God of War Ragnarok, Horizon Forbidden West, and Avowed, I don’t think they’ll have an issue here.

Being Fair: How Mackenzie and Company Could Negatively Impact Metroid Prime 4

Mackenzie didn’t stand out much in the preview, but if he becomes a major character in Metroid Prime 4, it might clash with the game’s overall mood. The latest trailer also hints at other companions, which could take away from the feeling of isolation that’s so central to the Prime series. Whether these companions help or hurt the game will depend on how they’re integrated into the story and gameplay.

It’s important to remember that the success of Metroid Prime 4 will depend on the finer points of its execution. It’s possible that characters like Mackenzie could actually enhance the story and gameplay with clever writing and design. New elements aren’t necessarily a bad thing – the Metroid Prime series needs to grow, and Metroid Prime 4 shouldn’t just be a graphical update of the older games. While adding talking companions could ultimately hurt the game, the strong negative reaction to a single character so early in development seems a bit excessive.

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2025-11-15 22:37