As Metroid Prime 4: Beyond's 'Annoying' Initial Sidekick is Revealed, A Fresh Trailer Confirms Other NPCs Will Join Samus Throughout The Game

GAMING NEWS

Early hands-on impressions of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond have surfaced online, and much of the criticism centers on an unexpected addition: a chatty human sidekick. A new overview trailer from Nintendo now confirms that Samus will cross paths with several human characters throughout the adventure.

In IGN’s preview, Galactic Federation soldier Myles MacKenzie — who accompanies Samus for a large portion of the opening zone — is described as “mildly irritating to flat-out exasperating,” thanks to constant commentary and awkward dialogue that interrupts gameplay.

Nintendo’s newly released seven-minute Overview Trailer also highlights three additional Federation troopers appearing later in the story. They seem tied to Beyond’s main regions, each accessible through the game’s desert-themed hub world. The four major biomes include a forest region (where Myles appears), an energy facility, an icy research complex, and a volcanic stronghold.

The trailer explains: “Like Samus, several Galactic Federation troopers were pulled to Viewros. Track distress signals to support stranded soldiers, and occasionally fight alongside them. Troopers can offer valuable upgrades. Working together may be the only way off this planet.”

The footage shows troopers speaking about missing their families, using mech suits to break obstacles, and even forcing open doors — actions long associated with Samus’ own upgrades, raising questions about whether these helpers undermine the series’ classic lone-explorer tone.

While Metroid games have included human characters before, Samus’ adventures traditionally emphasize isolation. The concern among fans is less about their presence and more about how intrusive — or unlikable — these companions might become.

During the preview session, Myles prompts escort sequences and moments where Samus must protect him while he hides behind cover. If he falls in battle, players must revive him using Samus’ psychic abilities. Ignoring him results in a Game Over.

As IGN notes: “Of all the directions Metroid Prime 4 could have taken, old-school escort missions with a nonstop-​talking companion were not on the bingo card.” For deeper impressions on how NPC partners affect exploration and pacing, you can read the full hands-on preview.

By Tom Phillips

3 min read · Nov 2025