Nintendo has not forgotten one of its longest-running franchises: Metroid Ravenous has been revealed as a new 2D adventure following in the footsteps of the excellent Metroid Dread. The Nintendo Switch 2 exclusive launches on January 28, and its first trailer already points to a darker and more aggressive chapter for Samus Aran.
One of the biggest surprises from Nintendo’s latest Direct was the announcement of Metroid Ravenous, which sends Samus Aran back into side-scrolling action. The new game clearly follows the path established by Metroid Dread, developed by Spanish studio Mercury Steam, although Nintendo has not yet revealed which team is actually making this installment. Mercury Steam has naturally become the obvious name among fans, but its involvement has not been officially confirmed. What Nintendo has confirmed is that Ravenous will be exclusive to Nintendo Switch 2 and will launch on January 28.
The trailer sums up one of the game’s central ideas with a particularly blunt phrase: “eat or be eaten.” Samus has a new ability that allows her to absorb energy and then use it for her own purposes, immediately suggesting a meaningful change to the traditional Metroid formula. Based on the reveal, this does not look like just another combat move, but rather one of the systems that will define at least part of the new adventure and the way Samus approaches her enemies.
Storytelling and cinematic sequences also appear to be important again following Metroid Dread. The trailer introduces a new group of villains seemingly determined to make Samus suffer while she explores another dark science-fiction setting. Nintendo has not yet provided detailed story information, and the exact place of Ravenous within the broader Metroid timeline remains unclear, but the tone of the footage suggests that Samus is not heading into an easy mission.
One of Dread‘s key mechanics is returning as well. Parrying will once again allow Samus to defend herself against specific attacks with precise timing before creating an opportunity to strike back. That is an important detail because the counter system was one of the elements that made Metroid Dread‘s combat feel so immediate and aggressive, and the first footage of Ravenous suggests Nintendo has no intention of abandoning a mechanic that already worked extremely well.
The release will also be accompanied by two new Amiibo figures. One features Samus Aran, while the other is based on a Chozo statue. Both figures will go on sale on January 28, the same day as Metroid Ravenous, making it clear that Nintendo is treating Samus’s return as a major first-party Switch 2 release.
Other Major Announcements From the Nintendo Direct
Metroid Ravenous was not the only notable reveal from the event, as third-party companies also had a substantial presence throughout the Direct. Nintendo showcased several Switch 2-specific versions of major upcoming games alongside ports of established titles, including Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2. The presentation reinforced Nintendo’s promise that Switch 2 would receive much stronger third-party support than its predecessor, while Metroid Ravenous also proved that the company has not forgotten the veteran franchises in its own catalog.
Source: 3DJuegos
