Being and Becoming: Atmospheric Metroidvania Coming to Nintendo Switch in 2027

10 November 2026
Nintendo Switch
6 min.
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Being and Becoming: Atmospheric Metroidvania Coming to Nintendo Switch in 2027

Summary:

Being and Becoming arrives as a striking pixel-art Metroidvania from developer Ichthys and publisher CRITICAL REFLEX, set to reach Nintendo Switch in 2027. You play as a lucid Dreamer navigating a corrupted Collective Dream that holds a dying kingdom together, hunting holy artifacts and wielding weapons made from trapped spirits. Expect layered combat, traversal tools tied to each weapon, relic upgrades, and a story built around prophecy, martyrdom and the creeping influence of The Word. The game already has a public demo and an official trailer, giving a solid taste of the world, bosses, and atmospheric soundtrack. If you love exploration-focused 2D action with a haunting mood and handcrafted pixel backdrops, this one is worth adding to your wishlist and watching closely as release details firm up.

Being and Becoming Announcement Overview

The official reveal from publisher CRITICAL REFLEX and developer Ichthys confirmed Being and Becoming for Nintendo Switch with a 2027 release window, and the news came alongside demo and trailer drops that let players sample the game early. The reveal positions this as a focused, genre-savvy Metroidvania that mixes classic exploration loops with modern touches like weapon-based traversal and relic upgrades. From the announcement we know the setting, some core systems, and the teams behind the project, so fans can already form a picture of tone and ambition. For Nintendo fans who prefer dedicated coverage, NintendoReporters will keep an eye on launch updates, platform specifics, and any Switch-related optimizations that matter to players who want the best handheld or docked experience.

Setting and Story

Being and Becoming drops you into a dying kingdom propped up by the Collective Dream, a shared slumber that conceals both beauty and rot. The narrative leans heavily on religious and prophetic imagery – martyrs, a binding prophecy called The Word, and the idea that previous Dreamers left traces you will inherit or destroy. Rather than throw a generic fantasy at you, the game uses the dream-lore to layer mystery into exploration, making map progression feel meaningful because every new area reveals more about who the kingdom was and why it is failing. Expect environmental storytelling, cryptic voice lines, and boss encounters that double as dramatic story beats, all designed to make each discovery feel like peeling back another layer of the dream’s hold.

Gameplay and Combat

Combat in Being and Becoming combines fast, deliberate strikes with weapon-specific mechanics that double as traversal tools, so every new armament changes how you fight and move. You’ll swap between weapons wielded by noble spirits trapped in the Collective Dream, chaining attacks, and experimenting with combinations to outmaneuver nightmarish foes. Relics act like modifiers, empowering weapons or granting new movement options, which encourages backtracking and creative problem solving. The demo already shows encounters that reward timing and positioning, along with encounters that demand using the environment to survive. If you enjoy Metroidvanias where skill, gear choice, and exploration all matter, this game aims to keep each hour engaging rather than repetitive.

Weapons, Relics and Dreamer Powers

One of the more intriguing systems is how weapons are described as bound to spirits, and relics can then alter those weapons in powerful ways. That means progression isn’t just a matter of new health or stat increases – it’s about changing the toolkit available to you. Want a weapon that launches a spectral grappling effect? Or one that explodes in a controlled shockwave to open a new path? Those possibilities make both combat and traversal feel like a single, interconnected design. Collecting holy artifacts from fallen martyrs is framed as a way to expand your potential, so exploration will be rewarded with new strategic options. Expect the map to hide tools behind optional challenges, and for the best player moments to come from clever relic synergies.

Enemies, Bosses and The Word

Enemies range from corrupted, dream-bound grunts to grotesque, memorable bosses animated with dozens of distinct frames and environment-driven interactions. Bosses appear to be storytelling anchors as much as gameplay tests – each has a theme, a role in the dream’s mythology, and unique attack patterns that push you to use the gear at hand intelligently. The idea of The Word as an in-world prophecy adds stakes: it’s not only about beating the monsters but about how those fights affect the Collective Dream’s narrative thread. That framing makes combat feel meaningful, since defeating certain foes may change sections of the world or unlock new story beats rather than just opening a door to the next region.

Visuals – Pixel Art and Animations

The visual direction balances picturesque moments with grotesque setpieces, using handcrafted pixel backdrops that sell both wonder and decay. Every area is given its own atmosphere through detailed layering, color palettes, and foreground elements that make small screens feel cinematic. Bosses get extra attention with dozens of unique animations and interactive environments that shift during fights. This approach gives each location a strong identity – a cathedral will feel utterly different from a blighted forest or an abandoned town – and it helps the game stand out among modern pixel Metroidvanias. If you’re picky about aesthetics, the art direction suggests a game that treats every screen like a painting you can walk through.

Audio – Voice Acting and Soundtrack

Audio plays a big role in setting tone: Being and Becoming features fully voiced characters and bosses, paired with an atmospheric soundtrack that reacts to gameplay. Dialogue snippets and voice lines help sell the dreamlike mood and bring characters to life, while the OST provides rhythmic cues that heighten encounters and exploration. That dynamic approach to audio can make battles feel more cinematic and discovery moments more affecting, especially when music swells or shifts as you cross thresholds or trigger events. For players who appreciate sound design, the combination of voice work and a reactive score promises a richer, more memorable experience than pixel visuals alone.

Release Information and Playtesting

The official messaging sets a 2027 release window for Nintendo Switch, and a public demo and trailers are already available so players can test the core systems early. Publisher CRITICAL REFLEX showed the game during their showcase, and the developer has run playtests on Steam to gather feedback. That means the final Switch version has time to benefit from community input and performance tuning. If you want to follow platform-specific updates or find out when a Switch release date is locked, keep an eye on NintendoReporters and the Nintendo Switch hub for future notices. Demos are an excellent way to judge if the weapon-relay systems and bosses align with your preferred playstyle before committing to a wishlist or purchase.

Conclusion

Being and Becoming looks like a deliberate, atmospheric Metroidvania that pairs haunting dream lore with weapon-driven gameplay and handcrafted pixel presentation. The existing demo and trailer give a robust sense of the world, systems, and mood, and the promised Switch release in 2027 means fans have time to follow updates and improvements. If you enjoy exploration, meaningful upgrades, and encounters that tie into narrative beats, add this one to your watchlist and test the demo when you can. NintendoReporters will track formal launch details, patches, and Switch-specific info so you won’t miss any important updates.

FAQs
  • When will Being and Becoming launch on Nintendo Switch?
    • The publisher lists a 2027 release window for Nintendo Switch; exact date has not been announced yet and will be shared when confirmed.
  • Can I try the game before launch?
    • Yes, a public demo and official trailers have been released so you can sample gameplay, bosses, and systems ahead of launch.
  • What platforms besides Switch is the game coming to?
    • Publisher announcements and press releases indicate plans for PC and current consoles in addition to Nintendo Switch; final platform list will be updated as details emerge.
  • Does the game have voice acting and an original soundtrack?
    • Yes, characters and bosses are fully voiced and the game features an atmospheric soundtrack that interacts with gameplay moments.
  • Where can I follow updates about the Switch release?
    • Follow NintendoReporters for regular updates, and check the Nintendo Switch hub for platform-specific news and launch information.
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