Metroid Dread Studio MercurySteam Appears to Confirm Metroid Ravenous Development

The Spanish studio MercurySteam, responsible for the acclaimed Metroid Dread, seems to be the developer behind Metroid Ravenous, a title that captured attention during yesterday's Nintendo Direct. This confirmation addresses lingering questions arising from the Direct presentation.

Following the Nintendo Direct, there was confusion because, despite striking visual parallels between Metroid Dread and Ravenous, MercurySteam's involvement was not mentioned in the Ravenous trailer or associated promotional materials. The studio's social media channels also remained silent after the event.

While attempts were made to seek clarification from Nintendo and MercurySteam, no immediate response was received. This is not uncommon, as Nintendo often withholds developer details until closer to a game's release.

However, MercurySteam has seemingly put an end to speculation by retweeting the Metroid Ravenous trailer adorned with a ninja emoji and a heart emoji. This action is interpreted as a subtle acknowledgment of a stealth development process. The company also shared the same trailer on LinkedIn shortly thereafter.

Metroid Ravenous appears to follow a similar formula to Metroid Dread, offering a side-scrolling Metroid experience that plays with perspective. Compared to Dread, Ravenous seems to be more vibrant and less foreboding, with its dynamic gameplay showcased during the Nintendo Direct generating significant excitement.

Metroid Dread, released in 2021, received critical acclaim, earning an "Essential" rating from Eurogamer and being lauded as a triumphant return for 2D Metroid. This latest installment is described as a stylish and visually rich adventure that stands among the series' best.

Since Metroid Dread, MercurySteam, also known for the Castlevania Lords of Shadow series, worked on an original game titled Blades of Fire. Although well-received critically, the game underperformed commercially, leading to financial pressures that necessitated restructuring and layoffs within the company a few months ago. The studio's return to developing a Metroid title is a welcome development.

Metroid Ravenous is slated for exclusive release on the Nintendo Switch 2 on January 28, 2027.

English Translation:

The Spanish studio MercurySteam, the developer behind Metroid Dread, appears to be the studio behind yesterday's Nintendo Direct showcase stopper, Metroid Ravenous. Questions were raised after the Direct showcase because, despite the obvious visual similarities between Metroid Dread and Ravenous, MercurySteam's name did not appear in the Ravenous trailer or on any associated press materials. MercurySteam's social accounts were also quiet following the event. Attempts to seek clarification from Nintendo and MercurySteam were made, but no response was received, though this silence is not unusual for Nintendo, which often doesn't disclose developers until close to a game's release. Nonetheless, MercurySteam appears to have ended speculation today by retweeting yesterday's Metroid Ravenous trailer with a ninja emoji and a heart emoji, presumably signaling some kind of stealth development situation. The same trailer was shared on LinkedIn by the company moments ago as well. Metroid Ravenous seems to closely follow the Metroid Dread template, offering a side-on Metroid adventure, albeit one that plays with perspective a lot. Ravenous appears more colorful and less oppressive than Dread, and its montage of energetic gameplay lit-up Nintendo's Direct yesterday afternoon. 2021's Metroid Dread scored a golden Essential badge in Eurogamer's review, with Martin Robinson calling it 'a stylish, visually sumptuous return for 2D Metroid, and an adventure that proudly sits alongside the series' best'. Since then, MercurySteam - known for the Castlevania Lords of Shadow games - worked on an original game idea called Blades of Fire, which reviewed pretty well, but ultimately 'underperformed', putting financial pressure on the company that forced restructuring and layoffs a couple of months ago. It's good to see the studio back in action again. Metroid Ravenous is being released exclusively for Switch 2 on January 28, 2027.