With E3 closing in on us and with us not knowing if we will see anything of Metroid Prime 4, whether that be gameplay/story trailer, a teaser, or any interviews without any true updates on the game.
I've seen some people speculating on the story and the actual game of Prime 4, but I've noticed a lot of people don't do a lot of in-depth research or connecting dots, so I'm deciding to throw my hat in the ring.
Before I start this, let me say, I'm just as much in the dark as an average, un-jurnalistic, hyped person as anyone else here. I have no connections to any game studio or leakers. If anything I say shows up or comes true... It's coincidental, not a game leak in disguise.
Here's a list of each section I will speculate on, sources for any proof will be included at the bottom of the section.
Characters
Minor Gameplay
Mechanics
Minor Story Elements
Major Story Elements
Random Things
Characters
Of course we will play as Samus Aran, the main character as main character as you can get.
We will be going against Sylux as a main antagonist, as proven by MP3 and MPFF as well as Tanabe has confirmed in an interview or two.
Other characters may include Ridley, because it's Ridley, a mention of Dark Samus, and some mention to minor characters in the entire Metroid universe. I highly doubt Adam will be referenced or Anthony. Admiral Dane might make a cameo appearance being in a voice call or on a video call, or being the initiator of the entire mission.
sources
Sylux in MP3 (skip to 10:20)
Sylux Stealing Metroid Egg (MPFF Spoilers)
Tanabe Confirms/Teases Continuation of Prime (In Japanese)
Tanabe Confirms Mystery Ship of MP3 is Sylux's Delano 7
MPFF Artist Confirms Sylux
Minor Gameplay
Due to the Switch's special ability of being a handheld and home console, detachable controllers and such, controlling Samus should seem to be more aligned with how Prime 1&2 Samus was controlled.
But, I do think some type of motion controls will be introduced, or something close to gyroscopic aiming in handheld mode, similar to the 3DS aiming on MPFF, albeit toned down quite a bit.
Sources
This is more speculation and common sense than hard evidence. Motion controls could be dropped entirely or not, Prime 1&2 controls could be dropped for a new control scheme, it really is just a choice by the developers.
Mechanics
All items except specific suits (like the PED suit) will return in Prime 4, a new suit may be introduced that will make gameplay slightly different with a new gimmick.
Also, along with the control possibilities, detached joy-cons might have more of a purpose or extra gimmick in this game.
A possibility of a new weapon system and travel system.
I have a reason to believe that there will be multiple planets in Prime 4, with you visiting each planet multiple times after Sylux has gone and opened a path or your upgrades allow you to move forward.
Scanning will return. It's scanning.
sources
Multiple planets has been based off the fact that the last three prime games (MPFF, MP3, and MPH) has had the ability to travel to multiple planets and MP2 having an alternate world.
Scanning. It's scanning.
Minor Story Elements
The Federation will be commanding Samus on her mission, that being:
Sylux has stolen a newly hatched metroid off of a Federation Ship after the Federation Force had secured it and eliminated the threat of a rogue AI Unit and the Space Pirates. Sylux could have teamed up with the Space Pirates and turned the metroid over, synthesized phazon may be available, leading to a deadly combination.
Or something along those lines. Sylux and the Space Pirates will make multiple appearances through out the game trying to stop the player from continuing forward.
Sources
Sylux Stealing Metroid Egg (MPFF Spoilers)
MPFF Artist Confirms Sylux
Major Story Elements
The first cutscene you see will more than likely be Sylux stealing the metroid egg and him running off.
Through out the game, if we are aboard a Federation ship, story recaps on MPFF and MP3 will be present, recounting Samus' role and might even include info on the Hunters from MPH.
The main focus of the story will be stopping the Space Pirates and Sylux from creating a monster from metroid hatchling. If the game is open world (Mario and Zelda have been, and Pokémon is rumored to be open world) then side missions will be available for the player to take. Side missions could include:
Shutting down Space Pirate facilities
Spying on suspicious figures that could be helping Sylux
Or
Stealth sections similar to Assassin's Creed in following characters listening to a conversation while also be as inconspicuous as possible
If the game is not open world, there will be more "optional" paths option. You can chose to take out research facilities that belong to the Space Pirates to gain info on main bosses.
Final boss may be Sylux or a "reincarnated" Metroid Prime.
Sources
Story is pulled from a possibility of directions, the story is quite litterally a large variable and this is more of a decent chance of happening story idea.
Sylux is not a friend of the Federation.
Random Things
There really is no proof to these items, these are more of a wishlist or extra things. Spoilers for MPFF.
We see how Samus gets captured for mind control and becomes final boss of MPFF. This intrigues me the most. I must know.
There's a multiplayer mode "similar" to hunters.
Travel between planets is like Mass Effect's travel between planets bit fuel is removed for ship upgrades along the way. Also, no mass relays lol
Let me know what you think about this and anything you would want to change or evolve more. This is fairly bare bones and also a safe prediction with a few what elements thrown in.