In today’s blog, we shall delve into the rich world of Metroidvania games. This genre is all about polishing your skills and crafting unforgettable experiences. From classic titles that shaped this genre to new games, let’s talk about our favorite Metroidvania games.
What are Metroidvania games?
Metroidvania games are a genre of action-adventure video games that combine elements of platforming and exploration. They are characterized by their interconnected worlds, which players must navigate by gaining new abilities and items. Metroidvania games are known for their nonlinear gameplay, which allows players to explore the world at their own pace and discover secrets.
The genre is named after two of its most influential early examples: Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Metroid was released in 1986 and introduced the genre’s core mechanics of exploration and backtracking. Symphony of the Night was released in 1997 and added new elements to the genre, such as role-playing elements and a more interconnected world.
Blasphemous 2
Blasphemous 2 is a side-scrolling Metroidvania action game developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17. It was released on August 24, 2023 for Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, Windows, and Xbox Series X/S. It is a sequel to the 2019 game Blasphemous.
The game is set in the dark and twisted world of Cvstodia, a land that is cursed by a mysterious plague known as the Miracle. The player controls the Penitent One, a lone pilgrim who must travel through the world and defeat the Miracle’s Twisted Apostles in order to break the curse. The Penitent One’s abilities can be used to solve puzzles and progress through the game in new ways. Blasphemous 2 features a large and interconnected world to explore, challenging combat, and a deep and rewarding gameplay experience. The game has been praised for its dark and atmospheric visuals, its challenging but fair gameplay, and its unique religious setting.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a Metroidvania action role-playing game developed and published by Konami for the PlayStation and Sega Saturn. It was released in Japan on March 20, 1997, and in North America and Europe on September 22, 1997. The player controls Alucard, the son of Dracula, who awakens from a long slumber to find his father’s castle once again in ruins. Alucard must explore the castle and defeat Richter Belmont, the vampire hunter who sealed Dracula away four years earlier.
Symphony of the Night was a critical and commercial success, selling over two million copies worldwide. It is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time and is credited with popularizing the Metroidvania genre.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania action-adventure video game developed and published by Team Cherry. It was released for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS in 2017, for Nintendo Switch in 2018, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2019, and for iOS and Android in 2021. A sequel, Hollow Knight: Silksong, is currently in development.
Hollow Knight is set in the ruins of the fallen kingdom of Hallownest, where the player controls an insectoid warrior known as the Knight. The Knight must explore the kingdom’s labyrinthine passages, battle corrupted creatures, and uncover its secrets. The game has received acclaim for its exquisite hand-drawn art style, captivating atmospheric soundtrack, challenging gameplay, and rich lore. It has been honored with several prestigious awards, including the coveted Best Metroidvania title at The Game Awards 2017.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a Metroidvania action-roguelike video game developed and published by Motion Twin. It was released for Microsoft Windows and Linux in 2017, for Nintendo Switch in 2018, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2019, and for iOS and Android in 2020. Dead Cells is all about experimenting with different weapons and abilities. There are a variety of weapons and abilities to collect in Dead Cells, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses.
In Dead Cells, the player controls a faceless prisoner who must explore a procedurally generated dungeon in order to escape. The game features permadeath, meaning that the player must start over from the beginning if they die. However, the player can collect permanent upgrades and unlock new weapons and abilities as they progress.
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
It’s a platform-adventure Metroidvania video game developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios. It was released in March 2020 for Windows and Xbox One and ported to the Nintendo Switch in September 2020.
The game is a sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest and follows the titular character Ori as they embark on a journey to save their adopted owl sister Ku. The game features a vast interconnected world to explore, challenging platforming and combat, and a heartwarming story. Ori and the Will of the Wisps was praised for its stunning visuals, emotional story, and challenging gameplay. It was nominated for several awards, including Best Action/Adventure Game at the Game Awards 2020.
Sundered
Sundered is a procedurally generated Metroidvania game developed and published by Canadian studio Thunder Lotus Games. It was released for Windows, Mac OS, Linux, and PlayStation 4 in 2017.
The game is set in a dark and twisted world, where the player controls Eshe, a wanderer who is trapped in ever-changing caverns filled with hordes of terrifying enemies. Eshe must use corrupted relics to defeat gigantic bosses but at the cost of her humanity. Sundered has garnered renown for its formidable gameplay, distinctive artistry, and contemplative narrative. It has received acclaim for generating an atmosphere of unease and apprehension, while also delivering a fulfilling sense of advancement and accomplishment.
Enter the Gungeon
Enter the Gungeon is a top-down dungeon crawler action roguelike video game developed by Dodge Roll and published by Devolver Digital. It was released for Microsoft Windows, Linux, and macOS in 2016, for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One in 2017, and for Nintendo Switch in 2018.
Enter the Gungeon is set in a dungeon called the Gungeon, which is full of deadly traps, enemies, and powerful weapons. The player controls one of four Gungeoneers, each with their own unique abilities and playstyle. The goal of the game is to reach the bottom of the Gungeon and defeat the Lich, a powerful boss who is guarding the ultimate gun. Enter the Gungeon has been praised for its challenging gameplay, variety of weapons and abilities, and unique art style.
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Skul: The Hero Slayer is a 2D side-scrolling action platformer with roguelike elements. The player controls a living skeleton named Skul, who serves as a soldier in the Demon King’s army. After the Demon King is defeated by the Hero and his army, Skul is the only demon to survive. He must now find a way to revive the Demon King and defeat the Hero once and for all.
Skul: The Hero Slayer features a unique skull-swapping mechanic. Skul can collect and equip different skulls, each with its own unique abilities. This allows the player to customize their playstyle and adapt to different challenges. The game also features a variety of weapons and items to collect, as well as challenging boss battles. Skul: The Hero Slayer is a fast-paced and action-packed game that will test the player’s skills and reflexes.
Super Metroid
Super Metroid is a 1994 action-adventure Metroidvania video game developed and published by Nintendo for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System. It is the third game in the Metroid series and the sequel to Metroid II: Return of Samus.
The game follows Samus Aran, a bounty hunter who is tasked with retrieving a stolen Metroid larva from the space pirate Ridley. Samus must travel to the planet Zebes, where the Metroids were originally discovered, and explore the labyrinthine Zebes Space Station in order to defeat Ridley and retrieve the larva.
Super Metroid is known for its vast and interconnected world, its challenging combat, and its non-linear gameplay. The game was a critical and commercial success, selling over 3.8 million copies worldwide. It is considered to be one of the greatest video games of all time and one of the best Metroidvania games ever made.
Death’s Door
Death’s Door is a 2021 action-adventure game developed by Acid Nerve and published by Devolver Digital. It was released for Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S on July 20, 2021, and for the Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and PlayStation 5 on November 23, 2021.
The player controls a crow who is a Reaper, tasked with collecting the souls of the dead. However, when one of their assigned souls is stolen, they must track down the thief to a realm untouched by death. Death’s Door has been praised for its challenging gameplay, charming art style, and dark humor. It has won numerous awards, including Best Metroidvania at The Game Awards 2021.
Guacamelee!
Guacamelee! is a Metroidvania-style action platformer developed by DrinkBox Studios and published by DrinkBox Studios and Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was released for Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 3, and PlayStation Vita in 2013, and for Xbox One and macOS in 2014. A sequel, Guacamelee! 2, was released in 2018.
The player controls Juan Aguacate, a Mexican luchador who is transformed into a powerful hero after he dons a legendary luchador mask. Juan must set out to rescue his beloved, Tostada, from the evil Carlos Calaca, who plans to sacrifice her in order to merge the worlds of the living and the dead.
Guacamelee! is renowned for its vivid and lively art style, captivating narrative, and the perfect blend of challenging gameplay and satisfying rewards. With an array of melee and ranged attacks at your disposal, as well as the power to shape-shift into various animals, players are tasked with seamlessly defeating foes, unraveling intricate puzzles, and delving into the intricately interconnected world of the game.
Rogue Legacy
In Rogue Legacy, the player controls a knight who must explore a procedurally generated castle and defeat the bosses that reside within. The knight is equipped with a variety of weapons and armor, which can be upgraded as the player progresses. If the knight dies, they are succeeded by their child, who inherits some of their parent’s stats and abilities.
Rogue Legacy captivates with its challenging gameplay, distinctive artistry, and delightful wit. The game skillfully instills a sense of advancement, despite the player’s frequent failures.
TUNIC
TUNIC is a 2022 action-adventure game developed by Isometricorp Games and published by Finji. It is set in a ruined fantasy world, where the player controls an anthropomorphic fox on a journey to free a fox spirit trapped in a crystal.
The game is presented from an isometric perspective and features a mix of exploration, combat, and puzzle-solving. The player must explore the world to find new items and abilities, defeat enemies, and solve puzzles in order to progress. The game also features a unique hand-drawn art style and a minimalist soundtrack. TUNIC has been praised for its challenging gameplay, beautiful art style, and atmospheric soundtrack. It has won numerous awards, including Best Action/Adventure Game at The Game Awards 2022.
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