Top Metroidvania Games: Must-Play Adventures

Imagine exploring vast worlds, finding hidden secrets, and getting new abilities. All while enjoying exciting action-platforming. Welcome to Metroidvania games, where exploration, combat, and progress come together perfectly. From classic to modern games, we'll show you the best Metroidvania games that have made a big impact.

Key Takeaways

• Metroidvania games are a special type of action-adventure game that focus on exploring and getting new abilities.
• Indie developers have made the genre popular again with their amazing games.
• This article will cover a mix of classic and new Metroidvania games.
• Games like Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow, Hollow Knight, and Ori and the Will of the Wisps show how deep and versatile the genre is.
• Find out about the top Metroidvania games that have great stories, tough gameplay, and a sense of discovery.

Introduction to Metroidvania Games

The Metroidvania genre has been a hit with gamers for years. It combines the classic side-scrolling action of Metroid with the gothic exploration of Castlevania¹. These games are known for their maze-like levels, ability-based progress, and the joy of backtracking and finding new things¹.

Defining the Metroidvania Genre

Metroidvania games focus on exploring freely. Players move through big, connected worlds, unlocking new paths and abilities. This lets them get to places they couldn't reach before². This makes players want to go back to old areas with their new skills¹. The genre has influenced many 2D action-adventure games, from indie hits to big-name titles.

The Origins of Metroidvania Games

The name "Metroidvania" comes from the Metroid and Castlevania series³. The first Metroid game in 1986 set the stage with its vast world and growing abilities³. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night in 1997 perfected the Metroidvania style with its smooth movement, RPG-like progress, and huge, complex castle to explore².

Since then, Metroidvania games have grown and inspired new games. They keep players hooked with their atmospheric side-scrolling, tough fights, and the joy of discovery¹.

Axiom Verge: A Modern Metroidvania Masterpiece

Almost a decade after its release, Axiom Verge is still a top choice in the Metroidvania genre⁴. Thomas Happ made this game, giving it a unique, lo-fi look and a great soundtrack. Players can try out many interesting abilities⁴.

In Axiom Verge, you play as Trace, a lab assistant trying to save an alien world. You'll explore a big world, unlocking new areas as you get new abilities⁴. One early power is the Address Disruptor, which changes enemies and the environment⁴.

Axiom Verge is more than just about exploring. It has a randomizer mode that creates a new world each time you play⁴. This means you'll face a different map and challenges, but the bosses and abilities stay the same⁴. This makes the game more fun to play over and over again.

This game has a cool lo-fi look, an amazing soundtrack, and new abilities to try out⁴. Check it out and see what secrets you can find in this alien world⁴.

Blasphemous: A Hauntingly Beautiful Metroidvania

Blasphemous is a standout in modern metroidvania games. The Game Kitchen's team poured their heart into it. This game mixes dark Spanish Catholic themes with the fluid combat and exploration of the genre⁵.

Blasphemous' Unique Art Style and Lore

The game's art style is both hauntingly beautiful and grotesque, critics say⁵. Its pixelated visuals show the developer's hard work, with details that catch the eye on closer look⁵. The world of Cvstodia is a dark, moody place, mirroring the game's themes and deep religious roots⁵.

The lore of Blasphemous is just as captivating, drawing from old European Catholic traditions⁵. Critics love its unique take on religion and its dark nature. They praise the storytelling and the atmosphere it creates⁶.

Challenging Combat and Exploration

Blasphemous offers a tough yet rewarding gameplay. The combat is intense, similar to Souls-like games, requiring precise timing and a lot of practice⁶. But, those who stick with it find a combat system that's both satisfying and challenging. The game also has platforming challenges and boss battles that test your skills⁶.

Exploration is key in Blasphemous, with a map that encourages players to explore more of its dark world⁷. As you go on, you'll unlock new abilities and mechanics. This lets you access new areas, making the game feel constantly fresh and exciting⁶.

Blasphemous shows what indie developers can achieve in the metroidvania genre. It combines dark themes, tough combat, and rewarding exploration. This makes it a memorable and impactful game⁵.

Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow - A Genre-Defining Classic

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night gets a lot of praise for starting the Metroidvania style. But Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow really took it to the next level⁸. It mixed in capturable souls, many abilities, and amazing 2D pixel art. This made Aria of Sorrow a top example of the Metroidvania genre⁹.

The soul system was a big change, letting players use the powers of defeated enemies¹⁰. This meant every fight could give you new ways to play¹⁰. With lots of spells, abilities, and perks to find, the game was full of surprises¹⁰. Plus, its controls were smooth, and the story was full of twists and turns⁹.

Players loved it, giving it a nearly perfect score of 97/100⁹. They praised the level design, map clarity, and visuals. These made the game a great adventure⁹. The soul system and many combat options also made it fun to play over and over⁹.

If you want a top Metroidvania game, Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow is the one¹⁰. It changed the Metroidvania genre and is known as one of the best 2D pixel art games⁹.

The story goes on in Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow, but Aria of Sorrow is the top pick for Metroidvania fans⁸. It's a must-play for anyone who loves the genre⁹⁸¹⁰.

Cave Story: The Indie Metroidvania Phenomenon

Daisuke "Pixel" Amaya worked on this game for five years. It became a big hit in the indie gaming world. It made the Metroidvania genre popular again with its engaging levels, lovable characters, and cool upgrade system¹¹. You play as an amnesiac robot in a huge floating island. Your goal is to find out what's going on and save the island's people from danger¹¹.

Cave Story's Charming World and Characters

On your journey, you'll meet interesting characters like Curly Brace and the big boss Balrog¹¹. The world of Cave Story is charmingly crafted. It invites you to explore and solve its secrets¹¹.

Innovative Weapon Upgrade System

The game's weapon system is unique. You collect orange triangular crystals to upgrade or change your weapons. This system, along with the catchy chiptune music, makes it a classic Metroidvania game¹¹. The innovative weapon upgrade system and captivating soundtrack have made it a favorite among indie Metroidvania fans¹¹.

"Cave Story's weapon system, which relies on players collecting orange triangular crystals to strategically upgrade and degrade their firearms to unlock abilities, and its infectious chiptune soundtrack make it a bona fide Metroidvania classic."

Game	Metacritic Score
Hollow Knight	9012
Salt and Sanctuary	8412
Axiom Verge	8412
Blasphemous	7712
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown	8612
Shadow Complex	8812
Guacamelee	8812
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night	8912

Cave Story is a big hit in the Metroidvania genre. It shows how engaging levels, lovable characters, and a cool upgrade system can capture players' hearts¹¹. Made by one dedicated creator, it has become a classic. It inspires new players and developers to explore these exciting worlds¹¹¹³¹².

Dead Cells: Blending Roguelike and Metroidvania

In the indie gaming world, Dead Cells stands out. It's made by Motion Twin and combines roguelike challenges with Metroidvania exploration and progress¹⁴.

Challenging Roguelike Gameplay

When you enter the castle, survival is tough. You must beat tough bosses in one go¹⁴. But don't worry, each death teaches you something new for the next try¹⁴.

The game's controls are precise, helping you dodge enemies and their complex behaviors¹⁴. After dying, you learn more about enemies, finding new paths and rewards¹⁴.

Metroidvania-Style Progression and Exploration

Dead Cells has roguelike roots but also offers Metroidvania-style progress and exploration. As you get new abilities, you can access more of the castle¹⁴. This keeps the game exciting, with upgrades and changes between runs¹⁴.

With five DLCs, including one inspired by Castlevania, Dead Cells keeps growing and winning over fans¹⁵. It's great for both Metroidvania fans and newcomers, offering a thrilling experience¹⁴.

Dead Cells perfectly mixes roguelike and Metroidvania elements for a unique game¹⁴. It has tough combat, well-designed levels, and lots of post-launch content. This indie game is a must-play for fans of challenging action games¹⁵.

Best Of Metroidvania Games: Hollow Knight

It's been over seven years since Team Cherry's 2D side-scrolling debut was released, and fans are still eagerly awaiting official word on the game's follow-up, Hollow Knight: Silksong¹⁶. Hollow Knight is one of the greatest Metroidvania games of the 2010s. It takes players into a world full of danger, deep storytelling, and a sense of sadness that rivals FromSoftware games¹⁶.

Hollow Knight's Atmospheric World-Building

Players dive into a subterranean kingdom hit by a supernatural disease. They must fight off insect enemies and tough bosses as they get new skills and ways to move around¹⁷. The game's world is vast, with lots of side quests and things to find. This makes exploring and finding new abilities or story bits exciting¹⁷.

Rewarding Exploration and Abilities

Hollow Knight's art is hand-drawn in 2D, standing out from the usual 16-bit look¹⁷. The game offers 30 to 60 hours of main campaign play, with over 100 hours including free DLC¹⁷. Boss fights and platforming are tough, making you learn and plan your moves. The charm system lets you mix abilities for smart combat¹⁷.

The game's design lets you explore freely and get upgrades early, encouraging curiosity and hard work¹⁷.

Hollow Knightis a top pick for Metroidvania games on the Nintendo Switch. It's known for its stunning 2D world, engaging combat, and hidden secrets¹⁶. With its deep world, rewarding exploration, and tough yet fulfilling gameplay, fans are eagerly waiting for Silksong.

Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered

The Metroid franchise is a favorite in the gaming world. It stars Samus Aran and focuses on exploration¹⁸. Metroid Dread, released in 2021, was a long-awaited sequel. The Metroid Prime Remastered version of the 2002 game came to the Nintendo Switch¹⁸. These games offer the best of both 2D and 3D Metroid experiences for fans of the classic series.

Metroid Dread: A Modern 2D Metroid Masterpiece

Metroid Dread is a hit for 2D Metroid fans. It combines classic puzzle-solving, a spooky atmosphere, and intense battles¹⁹. Critics praise its level design, world-building, and horror elements¹⁹. It's great for new players and fans alike, offering a fresh take on the series.

Metroid Prime Remastered: Reviving the 3D Metroid Experience

Metroid Prime Remastered brings the 3D Metroid experience to the Nintendo Switch¹⁸. It keeps the original's tough save points and clever puzzles¹⁸. The updated visuals make the classic game look new again²⁰. Critics love it, giving it a 94 on Metacritic²⁰.

Together, Metroid Dread and Metroid Prime Remastered show off the best of Metroid. They offer both the classic 2D and 3D experiences fans love¹⁸. These games highlight the series' lasting appeal and set the stage for the Metroid franchise's future on the Nintendo Switch¹⁸.

Metroid Prime Remastered,Metroid Dread, andMetroid Dreadare must-play games for Metroidvania fans.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps: A Breathtaking Metroidvania

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a standout in Metroidvania games. It's a visual and narrative masterpiece²¹. Moon Studios created this platform-adventure game. It combines the magic of Studio Ghibli with the tough challenges and rewarding exploration of Metroidvania²¹.

Gorgeous Visuals and Emotional Storytelling

The game's visuals are stunning, like Studio Ghibli's work²². Players will see different worlds, from Kwolok's Hollow's greenery to Mouldwood Depths' darkness²². The story follows Ori, a forest spirit, and their quest to save a baby owl. It's full of emotions, blending well with the game's challenges²¹.

Challenging and Rewarding Platforming

This game is not easy²². It has tough platforming and gets harder as you go, with new challenges in each area²². But overcoming these challenges feels great, making the game rewarding²². The game's beautiful worlds and the joy of finding secrets and new abilities make it a great Metroidvania game²².

Critics love Ori and the Will of the Wisps for its story, characters, visuals, and more²³. The team grew from 20 to 80 members, making the game bigger and better²¹. They listened to fans and added more to the game²¹.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a top pick for Metroidvania fans. It's a breathtaking and challenging game with gorgeous visuals, an emotional story, and rewarding exploration²²²³.

Conclusion

The Metroid franchise started the Metroidvania genre in 1986²⁴. It has grown into a world of must-play adventures. These games are perfect for fans of exploration and those looking for thrilling platforming challenges.

Games like Hollow Knight²⁵ offer deep world-building and rewarding exploration. Blasphemous²⁵ stands out with its beautiful pixel art and tough combat. These games show how the genre has changed and grown.

With the Ori series²⁵ and Blasphemous 2²⁵ on the horizon, the Metroidvania genre is still thriving. These iconic games are a must for action-adventure fans.

Looking for classic Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow²⁴ or indie hits like The Messenger and The Knight Witch²⁵? This list of top Metroidvania games has something for everyone. These legendary games will keep pushing the genre forward.

FAQ

What is a Metroidvania game?

Metroidvanias are side-scrolling action-adventure games. They focus on exploring and getting better as you go. They take inspiration from Metroid and Castlevania.

What are some classic Metroidvania games?

Classic Metroidvanias include Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Metroid Prime. Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow and Hollow Knight are also classics.

What are some modern standout Metroidvania titles?

Modern hits are Axiom Verge, Blasphemous, and Dead Cells. Ori and the Will of the Wisps and Metroid Dread are also top picks.

How do Metroidvania games encourage exploration?

These games have levels that connect like a maze. As you get new abilities, you can go places you couldn't before. This lets you find secrets you missed.

What makes the Metroidvania genre unique?

They mix platforming, fighting, and puzzles. The focus is on exploring freely and finding power-ups to boost your skills.

Why are Metroidvania games so beloved by fans?

Fans love the tough gameplay, immersive worlds, and the joy of exploring. They also enjoy the feeling of getting stronger as they play.

Source Links

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