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Metroid Prime 4: Beyond

Hard Mode Guide and How to Unlock

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★ Story Walkthrough | Upgrades and Abilities
☆ Characters | Bosses | Puzzles
★ Viewros Map: Energy Tank | Missile Expansion | Shot Expansion
★ Game Details: amiibo Unlocks | How Long to Beat | Switch Edition Differences

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Hard Mode Guide
Hard Mode in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond can be unlocked by completing the game once in Normal difficulty. See a guide on Hard Mode, tips to defeat it, and how to unlock it here!

List of Contents

Hard Mode Guide

Hard Mode offers a challenge for players who want to experience Metroid Prime 4 in its hardest difficulty. See the different tips you need to beat it!

  1. Avoid Direct Confrontation with Hordes
  2. Maximize Strafe and Dash Mechanics
  3. Avoid Wasting Unnecessary Ammo
  4. Target Enemy Weakspots
  5. Use Elemental Advantages on Enemies
  6. Collect Orbs and Heal When You Can
  7. Save as Much as Possible

Avoid Direct Confrontation with Hordes

Avoid Direct Confrontation
In Hard Mode, combat becomes a lot more difficult as enemies hit harder and can soak up more damage. To avoid dying, especially in hordes, try to use the terrain to your advantage and pick out enemies from the group.

Use obstacles, such as large rocks, walls, and platforms to block projectiles from ranged enemies.

Maximize Strafe and Dash Mechanics

Practice strafing and dashing in Hard Mode, as a lot of the enemies can whittle down your HP quickly. Lock on to enemies and maneuver around them to continuosuly deal damage while avoiding taking some of your own.

List of Controls (Dual Stick, Gyro Motion, and Mouse)

Avoid Wasting Unnecessary Ammo

Ammo
Ammo is a lot more scarce in Hard Mode, as Save Stations only replenish energy. Try to make use of your Arm Cannon when possible and only use elemental shots or missiles as needed.

The primary way to get ammo in Hard Mode is by getting expansion items and collecting random ammo drops from enemies and containers.

List of Collectible Items

Collectibles and 100% Completion Guides
Shot Expansion Missile Expansion
Psychic Power Bomb Expansion Energy Tank
Mech Parts Scout Bots

There are collectible items in game that provide Samus with additional upgrades to her weapons. Collect items, such as Shot Expansions and Missile Expansions, to increase the maximum capacity you can hold.

Target Enemy Weakspots

Freeze Mouth with Ice Shot

Enemies have weakspots on them that you can use to your advantage to take them down in the least amount of shots. To know what an enemy's weak point is, you will hear a unique sound indicating a critical hit. For most enemies, the head is their main weak point.

Use Elemental Advantages on Enemies

Enemy Type Weakness
Plant / Jungle Enemies Fire Shot
Mechanical Enemies Thunder Shot
Flying Enemies Ice Shot

Enemies have varying weaknesses which you can target via your elemental shots.

Try freezing enemies with the Ice Shot and follow it up with the Missile Launcher to deal even more damage!

List of All Chip Upgrades

Collect Orbs and Heal When You Can

Orb Type Energy Restored
Energy Small OrbPurple
Energy (Small)		 10 Points
Energy Medium OrbRed
Energy (Medium)		 20 Points
Energy Large OrbBlue
Energy (Large)		 50 Points
Energy Huge OrbYellow
Energy (Huge)		 100 Points

Healing is a major factor in surviving Hard Mode. Enemies and containers randomly drop orbs and ammo which you can use to continue your journey.

How to Heal

Save as Much as Possible

In Hard Mode, combat is a lot more difficult and might lead to untimely deaths. Save your game as much as possible to avoid backtracking multiple times in a playthrough.

How to Save Your Game

Different Save Station Locations

All Viewros Maps
Sol Valley Fury Green Volt Forge
Ice Belt Flare Pool Great Mines

Check out the different Save Station locations with our maps here!

How to Unlock Hard Mode

Finish the Game in Normal Difficulty

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond - Hard Difficulty Missable

To unlock Hard Mode, you must complete the game in Normal Difficulty.

While the game leaves you the option to change modes during a playthrough, we recommend you do not do so. Switching from Casual to Normal just before the point-of-no-return will not unlock Hard Mode.

All Missables and Points of No Return

Hard Mode Differences

Hard Mode • Combat Difficulty is increased.
• Save Stations only restore Energy, not ammo.
• Cutscenes can be skipped.
• Requires clearing the game in Normal Mode.
Normal Mode • Default Difficulty level.
• All Energy and Ammo are refilled at the Save Stations.
Casual Mode • Combat Difficulty is reduced.
• All Energy and Ammo are refilled at Save Stations.

Hard Mode is a lot more challenging, as the Combat Difficulty is increased. Enemies take a lot more hits than usual and deal more damage to Samus. Save Stations also only replenish Energy, so ammo is a lot more difficult to earn.

To unlock Hard Mode, you must first complete the game once in Normal Difficulty. Given that this also is also at least your second playthrough, cutscenes become skippable.

Difficulty Differences and Best Difficulty Settings

Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Related Guides

Metroid Prime 4 Beyond Tips and Tricks

Beginner's Guide: Tips and Tricks to Get Started

All Tips and Tricks

Beginner Guides
List of Controls How to Skip Cutscenes
How to Save Your Game How to Heal
How to Lock On to Targets amiibo Unlocks and Functionality
How to Use Mouse Mode How to Farm Green Crystals
What Happens When You Die Combat Guide and Advanced Tips
Exploration Guides
What to Do When Stuck In An Area How to Open All Door Types
Where to Find Tokabi All Missables and Points of No Return
100% Completion Guide -
Story Guides
Story and Plot Explained Endings Explained
Game Settings
Best Settings Best Difficulty Settings
Quality and Performance Mode Differences Best Controller and Scheme to Use
Is There New Game Plus? Hard Mode Guide and How to Unlock

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    Metroid Prime 4: Beyond Walkthrough & Guides Wiki

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