If you’ve been exploring Fury Green in Metroid Prime 4 Beyond and keep running into those annoying yellow Viewros Amber barriers, you’re probably wondering how to blow them up. The answer? You need explosive force — and that means getting your hands back on Samus’ trusty Missile Launcher.
True to franchise tradition, Samus loses most of her gear right after the opening sequence, leaving you scrambling to reclaim your arsenal piece by piece. This guide will walk you through exactly how to recover the Missile Launcher so you can start blasting through obstacles and uncovering those sweet secret upgrades.
For more tips and strategies, check out our complete Metroid Prime 4 Beyond gameplay guide.
What Is Explosive Force in Metroid Prime 4?
When the game tells you that certain barriers or objects require “explosive force,” it’s basically saying you need missiles. Your standard Power Beam won’t cut it against Viewros Amber walls or certain destructible objects scattered throughout the environment. The Missile Launcher is your go-to tool for demolition work in Metroid Prime 4.
You actually start the game with missiles equipped, but — classic Metroid move — they get stripped away pretty quickly. Once you land on Fury Green, you’ll encounter your first real roadblock and realize it’s time to track down this essential upgrade.
How to Unlock Explosive Force: Recovering the Missile Launcher
Step 1: Reach the Grove of the Sacred Tree
As you progress through Fury Green (the first major exploration area), you’ll eventually make your way to a location called the Grove of the Sacred Tree. This is a story checkpoint, so you can’t really miss it if you’re following the main path.
Step 2: Respond to the Distress Beacon
Shortly after arriving at the Grove, you’ll receive a notification about a distress beacon. This is your cue that someone needs help — specifically, a Galactic Federation member named Myles who’s in a bit of trouble.
Open your map and look for the objective marker that appears in the Sinkhole area. That’s your destination.
Step 3: Navigate to the Sinkhole
From the Grove of the Sacred Tree, head toward the southwest corner of the area. You’re looking for a small opening that’s perfectly sized for Morph Ball mode.
- Roll into Morph Ball form
- Enter the hole and follow the linear tunnel path
- Keep rolling until the path opens up
The route is pretty straightforward — just stick to the tunnel and you’ll emerge where you need to be.
Step 4: Rescue Myles
When you arrive at the Sinkhole, you’ll find Myles stuck on top of a crashed ship, held in place by some aggressive alien vegetation. Here’s what to do:
- Shoot the plants holding the ship suspended in the air
- Prepare for combat — enemies will spawn as soon as you start freeing the ship
- Clear out the hostiles before continuing your rescue operation
- Finish destroying the plants until Myles and the ship are safely on the ground
It’s a pretty straightforward encounter, but don’t get too distracted by the enemies. Focus on eliminating threats first, then return to shooting plants.
Step 5: Claim Your Missile Launcher
Once Myles is safe, the rear cargo bay of his ship will open up. Head inside and grab the Missile Launcher power-up sitting near some storage boxes. Boom — explosive force unlocked!
How to Use the Missile Launcher in Metroid Prime 4
Using your newly recovered Missile Launcher is simple:
- Press R to fire a missile
- Missiles feature automatic target tracking, making them easier to aim than you might expect
- Each missile consumes ammunition, so you can’t spam them endlessly
- Keep an eye out for Missile Expansion pickups throughout your journey to increase your capacity
The target-tracking is especially handy during combat encounters against faster enemies or when you’re trying to hit specific weak points.
What Can You Destroy with Explosive Force?
Now that you’ve got your missiles back, here’s what you can finally tackle:
- Viewros Amber barriers — those yellowish walls blocking passages throughout Fury Green
- Destructible walls and floors — often hiding secret passages and upgrade rooms
- Armored enemies — some tougher foes require explosive force to take down efficiently
- Environmental hazards — certain obstacles and mechanisms respond only to missile impacts
Essentially, if something looks suspiciously destructible but won’t break from regular shots, try a missile.
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I miss the Missile Launcher in Metroid Prime 4?
No, recovering the Missile Launcher is a mandatory story objective. The distress beacon from Myles will automatically trigger as you progress through Fury Green, and the objective marker will guide you directly to his location. You can’t accidentally skip this upgrade.
How do I get more missiles after unlocking the launcher?
Defeated enemies frequently drop missile refills, and you’ll find Missile Expansion upgrades hidden throughout the game world. These permanent expansions increase your maximum missile capacity, so explore thoroughly and check behind every Viewros Amber barrier you can break.
What’s the difference between charged shots and missiles?
Charged shots from your Power Beam deal more damage than uncharged shots but don’t count as “explosive force.” Only missiles (and later, certain other weapon types) can destroy Viewros Amber and other objects specifically requiring explosive damage. Think of it this way: charged shots are for combat efficiency, missiles are for demolition.
Should I conserve missiles or use them freely?
Early on, be somewhat conservative since your capacity is limited and you’re still learning where refills spawn. However, don’t hoard them to the point where you’re not using them at all — they’re meant to be used! As you collect Missile Expansions, you’ll be able to use them more liberally. When exploring, definitely use missiles on any suspicious walls or barriers, as they often hide valuable upgrades that make the investment worthwhile.
Now get out there and start blowing stuff up! Those Viewros Amber barriers won’t know what hit them. Happy hunting, bounty hunters!
