Thus the Metroidvania genre was born.
Several new Metroidvania titles are released every year.
But which Metroidvanias are the best?
Here are the games we think serve as the best example of what it means to be a Metroidvania.
15.Shadow Complex
Most mMetroidvanias take place on a 2D plane.
Shadow Complextakes place in the world of Orson Scott CardsEmpireseries.
InDeedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, players control the titular Deedlit as she ventures through a, well, labyrinth.
13.Cave Story
Usually, the story is secondary in a Metroidvania game.
Cave Storyis a challenging adventure that emphasizes run-and-gun gameplay.
The game tells a tragic and emotional narrative without any voice acting or pre-rendered cutscenes.
Oh, andCave Storywas the product of a lone indie developer, which makes these accomplishments even more impressive.
12.Yokus Island Express
Almost all Metroidvanias feature platforming to some degree.
so that progress, the main character needs to fight as well as they jump.
But what happens when a Metroidvania protagonist cant jump?
According toYokus Island Express,its a great excuse to start hybridizing genres.
Yokus Island Expressis a colorful game where players control a mail-delivering dung beetle.
The art style and soundscape are downright beautiful, yet they pale in comparison to the gameplay.
If anything,Yokus Island Express pinball mechanics set it apart from other Metroidvanias.
11.Shantae and the Pirates Curse
TheShantaeseries is Wayforwards contribution to the Metroidvania genre.
Most if not allShantaegames are worth playing, butShantae and the Pirates Cursestands above the rest.
This change speeds up the action significantly.
10.Blasphemous 2
Soulslikeschanged the faceof the video game industry.
Blasphemous 2, and, by extensionBlasphemous, channels medieval Spanish iconography to create a bloody good experience.
WhileBlasphemousandBlasphemous 2are both challenging titles,Blasphemous 2edges out its predecessor thanks to additional weapons and abilities.
2
Beat em up video games used to be everywhere but have fallen out of fashion.
Nowadays, gamers and studios are primarily interested in open-world titles, battle royales, and Metroidvanias.
In their own ways, theGuacamelee!games remind players why beat em ups were once highly regarded.
Combat revolves around punching and grappling, and many unlockable attacks double as mobility skills, increasing their utility.
BothGuacamelee!games are exciting titles with an excellent sense of humor, butGuacamelee!
2is slightly better since it lets you suplex skeletons as a chicken.
However, some borrow more from those titles precursors, specifically the originalMetroid.
That isnt a criticism, mind you.
Giger andContra.Axiom Verges levels are gloriously disgusting, and players have plenty of weapons that fit different playstyles.
The game wowed audiences with tight controls, glorious visuals, and flawless presentation.
Players wondered what the studio would do for an encore.
The answer was to improve upon near-perfection.
6.Super Metroid
TheMetroidseries has long been consideredthe metricby which all other Metroidvania games are measured.
Not surprising since the franchise helped birth the genre, but which one is the best?
Almost allMetroidgames are worth your time and money, butSuper Metroidarguably still stands as the series masterpiece.
Super Metroidintroduced many gamers to the Metroidvania genres core tenets.
Not evenMetroid Primemanaged to surpassSuper Metroid, and that game was out of this world.
Symphony of the Nighttook theCastlevaniablueprint, polished it to a mirror sheen, and added RPG elements.
4.The Messenger
Many video games pay homage to console generations that came before.
Well…at least thats what it wants you to believe.
This change gives players yet another reason to stick around.
The other two are a killer soundtrack and witty dialogue that brings the narrative to life.
3.Dead Cells
Metroidvanias primarily focus on backtracking and utilizing special abilities to access new areas.
Meanwhile, roguelikes are all about dying and trying again.
These design philosophies sound like they should be at odds, butDead Cellsfound a way to combine them.
InDead Cells, players control an immortal blob that can possess bodies.
Each time it dies, it revives, controls a new headless host, and starts all over again.
And since death comes easily, they will constantly find new and exciting secrets and weapons.
When he left Konami to create his own company, audiences expected a lot from his next game.
Thankfully, they were correct, asBloodstained: Ritual of the Nightdelivered on its promises.
Hollow Knight
Aesthetics usually control a games tone.
Hollow Knightis another modern title that combines Metroidvania platforming and exploration with Soulslike difficulty and mystery.
