Everyone’s heard ofMetroidandCastlevania, the two namesakes of the Metroidvania portmanteau. However, while they’re undoubtedly the two biggest examples, standing alongside the genre’s heavy-weight champions are dozens of games that deserve their time in the spotlight.
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Some debate what truly makes a Metroidvania.Super MetroidandCastlevania: Symphony of the Nightset the bar high by takingaction platformer conceptsand blending them with exploration-based gameplay and roleplaying game elements. In reality, how far the genre can be pushed is up to developers and fans to determine.
10Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Innovation need not only come in the form of photorealistic graphics and bloated features. Some titles use gaming’s roots to garner retro appeal. WhileAstalon: Tears of the Earthmay look like it’s straight out ofthe NES-era, its responsive controls and simple-but-solid mechanics give it modern polish.
Taking control of one of three characters, players have to plan strategically to traverse the tower’s many obstacles. Arias’ tough defenses help him to excel at tanking heavy hits, Algus’ magic activates switches throughout the tower, and Kyuli’s swiftness scales her to greater heights. For those who find the content a tad too challenging, there’s always the option togrind for more upgrades.
9Dandara
Sometimes, all it takes is rethinking one mechanic to make awholly unique game.Dandaratakes walking — something often taken for granted in games — and restricts that freedom for the player. Controlling a character who can only jump and cling to walls, every movement is made all the more strategic.
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While certainlya game that’s tough to master,Dandara’smovement is a speedrunner’s dream. Those who get the hang of the mechanics can blaze through levels at record speeds. better still, the game’s built-in Speed Run Mode helps players race against the clock and keep track of their times.
8Rain World
Given that exploration plays a critical role in Metroidvania games, it’s no surprise thatsurvival mechanicswould also be a great fit. Eerie and atmospheric pixel-based gameRain Worldtakes players through a dilapidated setting where it’s better to skulk in the shadows than tackle enemies head-on.
Players control Slugcat: a protagonist with a lot of competition now thatStrayhas been released. They’ll need to find bugs and bats to snack on and also seek shelter. Unlike most Metroidvania games, though, a scene transition doesn’t always mean safety.
7Monster Sanctuary
Often, Metroidvanias are loose with their interpretation of roleplaying game mechanics.Monster Sanctuarycan’t really be accused of this — being so bold as to incorporateturn-based battlesinto the mix.
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If the spirit of completionism isn’t enough to get players wanting to catch them all, Monster Sanctuary has the player’s companions acting as power-ups to traverse the world. If that didn’t pique the interest of those seeking a grind-heavy game, each monster has its own skill tree, giving an endless amount of options when it comes to team composition.
6Aliens: Infestation
Aliens: Infestationwears its Metroid inspiration on its sleeve. Seeing asSuper Metroid’sart direction drew inspiration from H.R. Giger — the biomechanical artist who won an Academy Award for his work on the movieAlien— it’s perhaps fitting for anAlientie-in game to be inspired byMetroid’sfamous game mechanics.
What makesAliens: Infestationunique is having a squad of characters to command. Players should tread carefully, however, as downed soldiers are downed forever. There are new marines to collect as one progresses, but their unique lines of dialogue are also lost with them.
5Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-
Western TTRPG fans knowDungeons and Dragonswell, but Japan has its own pen and paper game:Sword World RPG. It has spawned several franchises over the years, includingLegend of CrystaniaandRecord of Lodoss War. Along with several anime, manga, and light novels, theRecord of Lodoss Warfranchise has an extensive list of video games, including a Metroidvania title.
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Taking more inspiration from theCastlevaniaside of things with a sprite trail effect reminiscent ofSotN’sAlucard,Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinthis great for fans of the DS-eraCastlevaniagames likePortrait of Ruin. There are a few reasons for this, with the main ones being its power-ups and puzzles.
4Carrion
Instead of something cute and cuddly,Carrionhas players taking control ofa nightmarish mutantas it wreaks havoc on a lab full of researchers. Anyone who has ever playedResident Eviland wondered what it would be like to control the T-Virus now has the perfect game.
Players can absorb new DNA strands to gain abilities and take control of unsuspecting humans to launch their escape. As for what will happen upon completing the game, it’s always interesting to seea villain’s success storyfor a change.
3Strider
Konami may haveCastlevaniaand Nintendo may haveMetroid, but Capcom hasn’t been left out of the Metroidvania craze. Strider Hiryu started out in a manga before he hitthe arcade circuitwith the firstStridergame in 1989. It wasn’t until the 2014 reboot, however, that exploration and power-ups came into play.
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True to itshack-and-slash roots,Striderputs most of its emphasis on plowing through enemies. However, Strider Hiryu’s arsenal of ninja tools helps him to scale walls and traverse battle-torn locations. It’s perhaps the boss fights, though, whereStrider’spower-ups really shine.
2La-Mulana
What doIndiana Jonesand the Belmonts have in common? Besides their signature snap-cracklin’ whip, playing a leading role in a Metroidvania game. Well, technically,La-Mulanadoesn’t officially starIndiana Jones, but the aesthetic can’t be a coincidence.
Instead of combat,La-Mulanaputs more emphasis on puzzle-solving, though that’s not to say that it’s a walk in the park. After finding a fewtruly esoteric clues, one may wish monsters were their greatest foe. Luckily, the sequel,La-Mulana 2, does make combat a larger focus.
1Gato Roboto
Stripping the genre to its core,Metroidvanias are about exploration: traversing a non-linear world and using new power-ups to defeat foes and unlock more of the map.Gato Robotonails this core design perfectly with an extra added bonus: cats.
Just in case the massive success ofStraywasn’t evidence enough,Gato Robotois another exhibit to prove thatcats make games better. Sure, this title doesn’t blend multiple genres or put players through an existential crisis, but it’s plenty cute, and, most importantly, a solid entry in the Metroidvania genre.
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