Compare Metroid Prime 4: Beyond vs Tales of Xillia Remastered

Environmental detail was praised for making Viewros feel rich, alien, and visually meaningful.

Environmental detail is a recurring weakness: fields, caves, ports, and connecting areas are often described as bare, repetitive, or low-detail. Strong color and occasional attractive locations soften the criticism but do not erase it.

Facial work earned praise in one review as an unexpectedly strong visual element for Nintendo.

Facial animation still looks stiff and dated in the remaster, limiting how modern the presentation feels.

The lack of fast travel frustrated one reviewer who otherwise accepted revisiting environments as part of Metroid.

Fast travel is a useful convenience that cuts down on manual backtracking once locations have been discovered.

Lore through scanning and Lamorn history was a clear positive for reviewers who valued environmental storytelling.

One reviewer wanted the game's interesting ideas and lore explored more deeply, finding too much of the world-building left at a surface level.

Writing was among the weaker elements, criticized for clichés, awkward jokes, and underdeveloped storytelling.

Character-focused writing is a major strength, with reviewers praising expressive interactions, themes, and emotional arcs. Even more critical takes usually reserve their complaints for familiar tropes or underdeveloped larger ideas rather than the cast writing.

Innovation was viewed as conservative: some refinements worked, but many reviewers felt the game did not push the genre forward.

The dual-protagonist structure and combat ideas are credited as meaningful innovations for the series, even though later reviewers debate how fully those ideas were realized.

Handheld and docked play were generally viable, though Switch 1 presentation was less crisp and some preferred a full controller setup.

Portable play is possible, but one detailed comparison recommends Steam Deck or ROG Ally over the Switch versions because of image quality and performance compromises.

One review found scan-log clarity weakened by indistinct highlighting, making completion tracking more of a hassle than it needed to be.

Clearer directional and objective information makes navigation easier to understand at a glance.

Dialogue was a common weak spot, with several reviewers calling the chatter irritating, clichéd, or out of place for Metroid.

Skits and party banter are repeatedly praised for humor, chemistry, and characterization. Repeated lines and occasional slow or awkward exchanges are the main drawbacks.

Companion behavior was a repeat complaint when allies caused game overs, needed reviving, or disrupted the usual solo Metroid flow.

Linked companions are usually helpful and automate partner abilities smoothly, but one reviewer reports allies wasting resources or positioning poorly against tougher enemies.

Guidance split reviewers; some appreciated direction, but many disliked hand-holding, repeated hints, or tutorialization.

Tutorials are consistently regarded as helpful, making layered combat mechanics understandable as they are introduced.

Enemy variety was criticized where repeated bugs, bots, or lightly modified foes made combat feel less dynamic.

Enemy variety receives mixed feedback: some reviewers enjoy the range of encounters and memorable foes, while others feel the regular enemy pool becomes repetitive.

Moment-to-moment mechanics were often praised, but psychic powers, open-zone structure, and companion sections made the package uneven.

The underlying gameplay hooked the reviewer quickly, with its systems feeling immediately engaging rather than merely functional.

Atmosphere drew broad praise, especially in the Prime-style facilities where reviewers felt loneliness, dread, and alien mood were strongest.

The world's mood is split between cozy, colorful charm and criticism that repetitive spaces fail to captivate. Atmosphere depends heavily on how much the art style and cast carry the environment for the player.

Upgrades were fun and familiar for some, but others felt certain powers were underused or too lock-and-key.

Upgrade systems are mixed: character and replay modifiers can be useful and flexible, but immediate Grade Shop access can undermine the intended progression and sense of earning upgrades.

Narrative reception was mixed-to-negative: Lamorn lore intrigued some reviewers, but the ending, Sylux, and character use often disappointed.

The story is generally liked for its emotional themes, political conflict, and character focus, but opinion is not unanimous. Some reviewers find it layered and gripping, while others call parts predictable, underdeveloped, or weaker than the cast.

Combat was generally seen as satisfying and polished, but some reviewers criticized repeated waves, limited enemy interplay, or mixed encounter pacing.

Combat is the clearest strength across the reviews. Linked Artes, character swapping, fast real-time attacks, and build experimentation are repeatedly described as fluid, deep, and fun, though a few reviewers find regular encounters repetitive or simpler than other Tales entries.

Reviewers split on franchise faithfulness: many felt the fundamentals remained Prime, while others felt the hub, companions, or linearity diluted Metroid.

The remaster is praised for faithfully preserving what worked in the original while smoothing rough edges rather than rewriting the game.

The Federation cast landed unevenly: some reviewers grew attached, while others felt characterization stayed broad or underdeveloped.

Character growth is one of the strongest narrative qualities. Reviewers repeatedly praise the way Jude, Milla, Alvin, and the wider party evolve through personal struggles and relationships.

The core Prime loop still worked for supportive reviewers, but some felt it was familiar rather than transformative.

The main loop can be engaging when combat and progression are clicking, but repetition becomes noticeable over longer sessions.

Difficulty was mixed: bosses and set pieces could be satisfyingly challenging, but spikes and hand-cramping moments frustrated some players.

Several reviewers call out difficulty spikes around the middle of the game. The challenge can be managed, but the curve is not always as smooth as the otherwise approachable systems suggest.

Overall enjoyment ranged from enthusiastic recommendations to sharp disappointment, with most positive reactions tied to classic Prime sections.

The game is widely described as enjoyable, charming, and easy to keep playing, with combat and party chemistry doing most of the work. Even more critical reviews usually still regard the core game as fun.

Frame rate was consistently praised across Switch 2 coverage, including smooth 60fps and 120fps options.

PS5 and PC are repeatedly praised for smooth, stable frame rates, often at 60 FPS or better. Switch impressions are substantially weaker, with a 30 FPS cap and dips in busier areas.

Graphics were one of the strongest consensus positives, frequently described as gorgeous, stunning, or among Nintendo's best-looking work.

Sharper resolution, stronger color, and cleaner presentation make the remaster look noticeably better, especially on PS5 and PC. Reviewers still see dated models, sparse assets, and notably softer image quality on Switch.

The green-crystal requirement was one of the most repeated pain points, often described as filler, tedious, or poorly paced.

Grinding is highly context-dependent. Grade Shop modifiers can dramatically reduce repetitive leveling, while achievements, trophies, shop leveling, and some midgame progression can still demand busywork.

One review found the companion relationships strengthened the closing moments, though emotional delivery was not a universal focus.

The cast and story land emotionally for many reviewers, with heartfelt character moments, sacrifice, and relationship arcs giving the adventure lasting warmth despite structural weaknesses.

Load screens were rarely a major complaint, and one review praised the minimal loading between areas.

Loading is dramatically improved on faster platforms and often described as nearly instant. The base Switch version is the main outlier, where longer loads contribute to a slower overall feel.

Immersion was strong when the game leaned into alien solitude, but hints, companions, and roadblocks could break that feeling.

Crisp effects and environmental audio help one reviewer feel more immersed in the world and battles.

Progression was praised when upgrades opened new routes and improved movement, though some disliked overly linear or lock-and-key usage.

The Lilium Orb progression system is widely praised for being flexible, rewarding, and constantly engaging. Reviewers like choosing stat, skill, and Arte growth instead of following a rigid path.

Exploration was strongest in the dungeon-like zones and weakest when the desert hub or heavy guidance interrupted discovery.

Exploration benefits from faster movement, marked objectives, treasure indicators, and optional detours, but repetitive fields and backtracking keep it from being a universal strength.

Art direction was one of the clearest strengths, with reviewers repeatedly calling the environments, lighting, and visual identity gorgeous or striking.

The colorful anime-inspired art direction has aged well and helps the game retain charm even when individual models, textures, and environments reveal their PS3 origins.

Polish was mostly solid, but one review noted rough spots and visible Switch 1 roots.

The remaster adds welcome polish and refinement, but reviewers still see visible PS3-era rough edges. The overall presentation is cleaner without feeling rebuilt from the ground up.

Pacing suffered whenever desert traversal, crystal collection, or upgrade trips slowed the stronger dungeon rhythm.

Pacing is a recurring concern, especially through the middle of the game where cutscenes, formulaic progression, or repeated structure can slow momentum. A few reviewers still find the overall story flow strong.

Visual effects and spectacular sights were praised as part of the game's high-end presentation.

Battle effects are praised for looking dramatic and lively, helping combat pop visually.

Save design and autosaving drew criticism when point-of-no-return or optional cleanup setbacks undermined late-game play.

Autosave is one of the most consistently appreciated additions, reducing the risk of lost progress and making long stretches between manual saves far less stressful.

Value was mixed, with some reviewers satisfied and others warning about price, length, or waiting for a sale.

Value is positive for many reviewers who see a strong JRPG and useful upgrades at a mid-range price. Others think the package asks too much for such a conservative remaster, and premium-edition value draws additional criticism.

Switch 2 options, HDR, and mouse controls were notable, but mouse comfort and Switch 1 compromises made this mixed.

Platform parity is a weak point. Switch and Switch 2 users do not receive the same frame-rate and visual experience available on PS5 and PC, and reviewers wanted a more capable native Switch 2 version.

Samus's silence hurt protagonist appeal for some reviewers when cutscenes and direct questions made her seem oddly passive.

Jude and Milla are both regarded as compelling leads, with reviewers especially responding to Milla's unusual perspective and the contrast between the two protagonists.

Controls were a major positive overall, with tight movement, responsive shooting, strong gyro support, and multiple schemes; mouse ergonomics were more divisive.

Controls are generally responsive and flexible once learned, especially in combat, but a few reviewers still find the older control and camera conventions clunky.

Voice acting was mixed: some reviewers liked the performances, while others found the comedic or companion delivery uneven.

Voice performances are mostly well received, especially the ensemble cast, but audio quality creates a persistent caveat. Milla's English delivery and compressed or muffled voice recordings are singled out more than once.

Sol Valley was the most consistent criticism, described by many reviewers as empty, barren, padded, or less interesting than the dungeons.

One reviewer specifically enjoyed the open map structure, side quests, and tucked-away areas, finding that they add to the sense of adventure.

Sound design was praised for supporting atmosphere, alien spaces, and the Prime identity.

Sound design is uneven. Effects and music can be crisp and immersive, but English voice compression, muffled clips, and occasional mixing problems are repeated complaints.

The main facilities drew praise for set-piece design and atmosphere, while linearity and the connective hub lowered scores for some critics.

Level design is one of the most consistent weak points. Reviewers repeatedly call dungeons and field areas linear, samey, or visually repetitive, even when individual locations or gimmicks work well.

Navigation was approachable and sometimes praised, but aggressive guidance and logbook tracking issues split opinion.

New objective, event, and treasure markers are broadly useful, but the map itself can become confusing in multi-level areas where icons overlap or elevation is awkward to read.

Bosses were widely praised as memorable, cinematic, puzzle-like, and challenging, though a few reviews found them too weak-point-driven or uneven.

Bosses are often a combat highlight and can be memorable, but their quality is uneven; some rely on inflated health, stun-heavy behavior, or disruptive armor mechanics.

Puzzles were generally satisfying and boss-like, though psychic mechanics were sometimes called familiar or clunky.

Puzzle and dungeon interactions draw mixed reactions: some reviewers appreciate the occasional environmental tasks, while others criticize the game for lacking substantial traditional puzzles.

World-building was a strength in reviews that praised scanning, Lamorn history, and the way environments explained Viewros.

One reviewer strongly praises the way political context and skits make Rieze Maxia feel lived-in rather than merely decorative.

Technical performance was a standout strength, with reviewers praising stable modes, HDR, and smooth operation on Switch 2.

Performance is strong on PS5 and PC in most reviews, with smooth play and responsive combat. Switch is the clear exception, where lower image quality, frame-rate limits, and sluggishness receive criticism.

The soundtrack was a strong positive, often described as excellent, memorable, atmospheric, or among the best parts of the game.

The soundtrack is one of the most dependable audiovisual strengths, with energetic battle themes, melodic town music, and orchestral pieces repeatedly singled out for praise.

Modern convenience and accessibility additions are broadly praised, including difficulty settings, remapping, encounter toggles, subtitles, autosave, and clearer navigation. The suite is helpful rather than exhaustive, with at least one reviewer wishing for options such as colorblind modes.

One reviewer finds enemy AI too passive, reducing the pressure and tactical demand of some fights.

Aiming earned praise when using Switch 2 mouse-style controls, though some reviewers found that setup awkward in normal couch play.

Animation quality is mixed. Combat can look fluid and energetic, but stiff cutscenes, older facial movement, and dated character animation repeatedly reveal the game's age.

Technical issues vary by platform and reviewer. Most are minor or non-game-breaking, but reported problems include subtitle behavior, audio drops, visual glitches, high-frame-rate bugs, and severe pop-in in older-source impressions.

Camera behavior remains somewhat dated, with occasional clunky movement or obstructed views in combat, though not every reviewer finds it troublesome.

The party is one of the most consistently praised parts of the game. Reviewers love the colorful personalities, chemistry, distinct combat roles, and character arcs, with very few complaints about the core cast.

Checkpointing drew criticism when boss retries or long optional stretches sent players farther back than expected.

The dual-protagonist choice sounds more consequential than it often feels. Some reviewers enjoy the different viewpoints and replay motivation, but many say Jude and Milla share too much of the same story for the choice to transform the campaign.

One reviewer highlights the game's co-op capability as a meaningful way to share battles with other players.

The remaster loses some original crossover or licensed content, which contributes to the feeling that the package is less complete than it could have been.

Vi-O-La itself often controlled well and could be fun, but its role was tied to the more divisive desert hub.

The shop-leveling economy is distinctive and can make gathering materials feel purposeful, but some reviewers think universal shop inventories and donation requirements overstreamline shopping or encourage unnecessary grind.

A first run generally lands around the mid-30-hour range, which some find comfortable and others find daunting when considering a second protagonist playthrough.

Combat has a learning curve, but reviewers repeatedly say it becomes intuitive with practice and rewards players who keep experimenting.

The added dash and faster traversal noticeably improve movement, making the older world quicker and more pleasant to navigate.

Newcomers generally get a friendly entry point through clearer systems and quality-of-life changes, though the Grade Shop appearing immediately can be confusing or overly front-loaded.

One retrospective view treats Xillia as an unusually distinctive step for the series, crediting it with an identity that stood out in its era.

Pausing cutscenes has a specific technical flaw in one review: resuming can cause the voice audio to drop out.

Most reviewers consider this the definitive or easiest modern way to play Xillia thanks to autosave, markers, faster movement, smoother performance, and bundled extras. The central criticism is ambition: several call it barebones, conservative, or essentially an upscaled port, and the absence of Xillia 2 is repeatedly lamented.

Side characters were divisive: some reviewers warmed to them, while others found them annoying, tropey, or poorly matched to Metroid.

The skill-tree-style Lilium Orb offers meaningful build freedom and depth for most reviewers, although one critique finds parts of the progression less satisfying than they first appear.

Only Vi-O-La drew meaningful opinion, and the reviewer who scored it saw future potential for the bike.

Build customization is a standout strength. The Lilium Orb, Artes, skills, equipment, and party-link choices let players shape characters into distinct roles without making the system inaccessible.

One reviewer specifically praises the character menu as organized and easy to return to between fights.

Bundled costumes and legacy DLC are viewed as a welcome bonus, especially when included without extra cost, although some licensed items could not return.

Two protagonists, New Game+, and Grade Shop modifiers give the game real replay potential. The tradeoff is that several reviewers feel Jude and Milla's routes overlap too heavily to justify another full-length run.

Side quests are commonly described as basic, repetitive, or fetch-heavy. A few have worthwhile narrative context, but their structure rarely matches the quality of the main cast and combat.

The interface is cleaner and more usable for some reviewers, while others still find portions dated or awkward, particularly settings buried too deeply in menus.