Metroid Prime 4was first unveiled back in 2017. At every Nintendo Direct, E3, and other big gaming event since then, fans have been hoping to hear more about the next entry in theMetroidseries. While fans have been growing less patient with the development saga aroundMetroid Prime 4, Nintendo has attempted to tide fans over by updatingMetroid Dread,which has returned players to Samus' iconic suit and the side-scrolling style reminiscent of the first entries in the series. Only releasing in late 2021,Metroid Dreadhas rapidly become the best-selling entry in the series.
With it being so long sinceMetroid Prime 4was first announced, some fans believe that the game could be on its way fairly shortly. However, recent job listings at Retro Studios, the company that took over the development ofMetroid Prime 4after Bandai Namco, may suggest otherwise. The developer is hiring for both a Senior Concept Artist and an Environmental Designer. The Senior Concept artist is tasked with designing worlds and characters, while the Environmental Designer will have responsibilities revolving around implementing “proxy environments that accurately communicate intent.”
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Both of these listing imply thatMetroid Prime 4is a long way off, with worlds and characters being things that are often designed early on in the development cycle of a title. Considering Retro Studios is currently not working on any other titles, it seems unlikely that these listings will not be focused on the creation ofMetroid Prime 4. The last releaseRetro Studios had wasDonkey Kong Country: Tropical Freezewhich came to the Switch in 2018.
Back in February, fans were already coming to terms with the likelihood thatMetroid Prime 4was still a long way from completion. Some fans even think that whenever the game is ready, it should be re-revealed, as it has likely changed from the initial vision Bandai Namco had when it was working on the game. New job listings for Retro Studios have been popping up since the beginning of 2022, meaning that while work is still ongoing forMetroid Prime 4, it’s likely still in its early stages.
Some fans even think thatMetroid Prime 4should ditch its original title and market itself similarly to thenewWitchergame. While being referred to asThe Witcher 4, the next entry in the saga will seemingly be disconnected from the original trilogy of games. Considering the decisive ending ofMetroid Prime 3, many fans are considering why the next game would aim for a direct continuation.
