If you follow news about Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, chances are you’ve encountered Myles MacKenzie. He dominated conversation after early previews and not in a flattering way — many players found his constant wisecracks at odds with Metroid’s usually hushed, atmospheric tone. Fans worried that adding boisterous personalities like his would dilute the series’ trademark solitude and tension.
With the game now released, those concerns have some weight. Myles remains the most grating presence in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, and a parade of thinly sketched Federation soldiers leaves the narrative littered with clichéd military beats and heavy-handed directional cues. Still, there’s a welcome exception among the ranks: Nora Armstrong.
Throughout the game, Samus encounters Federation detachments stranded across Viewros. The design pairs her with a different companion in each biome, a character who typically shepherds her through the area’s opening sections. Armstrong shows up in Flare Pool after Samus and the gruff Sergeant Ezra Duke cross paths; once she joins their group, the tone immediately lightens.
Armstrong shares some surface traits with Myles — she’s earnest, science-minded and a bit clumsy — but she’s infinitely more appealing. Her chatter lands because Duke’s irritable, straight-faced presence gives her lines context and contrast. Her logbook reveals she’s a seasoned pilot who doubles as the squad’s mechanic, and she’s constantly volunteering to help with doors, puzzles, and anything that looks like it needs tinkering.
She’s also a genuine Samus fan. Meeting the bounty hunter leaves Armstrong marveling like someone who just spotted a pop superstar.
Across the Flare Pool sequence, Armstrong’s delight isn’t just cute — it’s useful. Many Federation soldiers in the game bluntly steer players toward objectives, which can feel intrusive; Armstrong’s hints, by contrast, are consistent with who she is, so they read as natural reactions rather than tutorial hand-holding. When she blurts out “morph ball!” at the sight of a round hole, it feels like an excited fan recognizing Samus’ tools, not an obvious prompt. In that sense, she complements Samus in a way that enriches both character and gameplay.
Omg it’s Samus Aran
— Andy Robinson (@andyrobinson.bsky.social) 2025-12-02T17:56:42.813Z
What might have felt cloying instead becomes one of the game’s smarter touches: Metroid Prime 4 acknowledges Samus as a recognizable figure rather than a perpetual lone wolf. Portraying her as someone the Federation already knows reframes later conflicts and deepens continuity with earlier entries where her relationship with the organization is strained.
And yes — Armstrong is written in a way that practically begs to be shipped with Samus. Her infatuation is obvious and endearing; whether it stems from technical curiosity or genuine romantic interest, it reads like a crush. Fans will no doubt celebrate the chemistry in fan art and online posts for a long time.
Do I expect that flirtation to become a major canonical thread? Probably not, given where the wider Metroid narrative is headed and Samus’ responsibilities. But if rumor mills about a potential Universal Metroid adaptation ever prove true, I’d happily support exploring Armstrong as a legitimate love interest. Let the two share a moment — they deserve it.
For reference on the film speculation, see this rumored post: X post reporting Universal interest.
Source: Polygon
