Nintendo has confirmed that Metroid Ravenous, the next 2D entry in the acclaimed Metroid franchise, is slated for release on January 28th, 2027. The announcement was a highlight of a recent Nintendo Direct presentation, bringing a close to a segment that had been met with moderate anticipation.
Metroid Ravenous appears to be a direct continuation of the narrative established in Metroid Dread. Visual cues from trailers show Samus Aran in an upgraded, alien green suit, strongly resembling the final armor she acquired at the conclusion of Dread. This visually distinct suit is characterized by its chitinous, otherworldly appearance.
Further evidence points to Ravenous building upon Dread's storyline. Where Metroid Dread featured the pursuit of EMMI robots, the new game seems to pit Samus against a mysterious organization of hooded extraterrestrials. These adversaries bear a resemblance to characters from tokusatsu, a Japanese genre known for its costumed heroes and monsters.
The gameplay premise places Samus in a subterranean, labyrinthine superstructure. After an initial setback, where she is dropped into a deep chasm, players will guide her through this complex environment. The core gameplay loop will involve navigating the maze-like structure, engaging in one-on-one battles with her pursuers, and facing off against other bosses as she progresses.