The long wait for a new, retro-inspired Metroidvania on Switch is over. Alruna and the Necro-Industrialists, a compact, puzzle-driven platformer set in a mechanical wasteland, officially arrives on the Nintendo Switch today. This pixel-art side-scroller, developed solely by Niklas Hallin, invites you to delve deep into a dying world where skeleton laborers toil under the watchful eyes of the Necro-Industrialists—and a lone dryad hopes to restore life.

Diving Into a Land of the Dead

Playing as Alruna, a forest-nymph and spirit of life, you’ll journey beneath the rusted wastelands in search of salvation—or at least answers. The harsh, drained environment known as The Sprawl offers a labyrinth of over 200 interconnected rooms, each with hidden passages, puzzling traps, and monstrous guardians. Despite the skeleton armies populating this forlorn territory, the real question is whether they’re truly your enemies—or fellow victims bound to their labors.

“The Switch is great—especially in handheld mode,” says Hallin. “It’s such a perfect way to play pixel-art sidescrollers. I’m always looking for new pixel platformers on the Switch, and Alruna is just such a game! It feels like holding an old Game Boy in your hands.”

Metroidvania Reinvented

Alruna and the Necro-Industrialists prides itself on a square aspect ratio that neatly packs each handcrafted screen, encouraging players to look for shortcuts, secret passages, and new approaches to each obstacle. Some highlights include:

• An Interconnected Overworld
  Traverse an overworld that not only connects four major “temples,” but also teases a rumored fifth secret templehidden in the east.

• Non-Linear Boss Battles
  Tackle the story’s formidable guardians in any order you please—or skip them altogether if you’re cunning enough.

• Climbing Vines & Other Powers
  Alruna can sprout vines to navigate tricky vertical puzzles or bypass entire rooms. Different abilities encourage players to experiment with sequence-breaking and unorthodox routes.

• Surprises Around Every Corner
  From hidden mini-games and special power-ups to alternative routes that allow for non-combat solutions, this pixel adventure embraces the unknown.

A World on the Brink

In Alruna’s universe, mechanical greed has sapped the land’s vitality, leaving only a barren Wasteland inhabited by zombie-like skele-men. But the story runs deeper: is it the skele-men who pose the greatest threat, or the shadowy Necro-Industrialists who exploit them? The game’s storyline touches on the plight of the undead—exploited laborers yearning for deliverance—and the dryads, an endangered race clinging to what little life remains.

Multiple Endings reflect the paths you choose. One route may see you cleaving through every metallic foe with raw power, while another route emphasizes stealth, exploration, and a more empathetic way forward. Listen carefully to the rumors: a star-crossed romance, a hidden temple, and cryptic corners of The Sprawl might reveal unexpected secrets.

No Shortage of Secrets

Niklas Hallin describes his creation as a tightly packed puzzle-box. Each screen is designed for layered exploration, meaning you might find a new route on your second or third pass. Vertical leaps, secret exit points, and cryptic messages written into the walls keep the environment brimming with discovery. True to the Metroidvania spirit, Alruna’s journey progresses less in a straight line and more in zigzags, backtracking, and delightfully hidden challenges.

Available Now on Nintendo Switch

For handheld platformer fans—particularly those nostalgic for the Game Boy era—Alruna and the Necro-Industrialists seeks to scratch that classic itch with a gritty edge. As of March 5, 2025, you can find this indie gem on the Nintendo eShop, ready to delight puzzle aficionados and Metroidvania enthusiasts alike.

Key Features at a Glance

• Retro Pixel Aesthetic with a tight, square aspect ratio.
• Sprawling Subterranean World featuring 200+ single-screen rooms.
• Multiple Bosses and Endings for diverse playstyles.
• Hidden Mini-Games, Romance Subplots, and Plenty of Sequence-Breaking for the dedicated.
• An Existential Confrontation with the Necro-Industrialists—exploring issues of greed, exploitation, and hope in a fallen land.

With heaps of secrets tucked beneath the Wasteland, Alruna’s story extends far beyond a linear path. Take up your vine-wielding, platform-leaping journey on the Nintendo Switch, and prepare to unearth the darkest mysteries of a realm consumed by necro-industrial tyranny.