Best Of
Metroidvania is quite a common and increasingly popular style of platformer.
Its design makes it feel more challenging, rewarding, and engaging.
The genre was born in 1986 and has inspired dozens of the best overall games since then.
It is easy to confuse a platformer with a Metroidvania game.
This article defines the genre and covers five of the best Metroidvania games.
What is Metroidvania?
Metroidvania is a unique style of platformer that is a sub of the action-adventure genre.
Interestingly, it is inspired by two games, both of which launched in 1986:MetroidandCastlevania.
Metroidvania gamesare based on two important characteristics.
Second, you unlock new items and abilities along the way, such as weapons and powers.
Interestingly, the Metroidvania and platformer genres share many similarities, making them easy to confuse.
For example, players can unlock new abilities and go back and forth in both games.
Metroidvania Gameplay
The gameplay style inMetroidvania gamesis quite unique and enjoyable.
It blends several concepts, including exploration, upgrade systems, and elaborate storytelling.
Exploration is one of the main aspects of Metroidvania gameplay.
Games are set in one huge open world that players can explore however they wish.
They can go back and forth in any direction without the absolute limitations you would encounter in linear games.
However, some parts of the open world are usually locked and require specific items or abilities to unlock.
Collecting items is also a major aspect of the Metroidvania gameplay.
You move around the games world as you look for items like weapons and keys.
Notably, some items you collect enable you to access locked parts of the open world.
Moreover, some items can help you upgrade your character or weapons, enabling you to do more.
Interestingly,Metroidvania gamesare like one big puzzle based on an intriguing story that unfolds as you keep going.
They feel more engaging than most other genres.
Best Metroidvania Games
PlayingMetroidvania gamesis the best way to understand the genre.
Fortunately, the genre boasts dozens of impressive games, including the following five:
5.
Monster Sanctuary
Monster Sanctuaryis an adventurous, action-packed game inspired by the Pokemon concept.
The game involves capturing monsters, taming them, and then using their skills to your advantage.
Moreover, you might combine certain monsters to harness their synergy skills.
You mostly use your monsters in fights against AI-controlled enemies or other real-life players in the PvP mode.
you might also use them to solve environmental puzzles as you explore the beautiful world.
However, she discovers a bigger problem, one that threatens the entire forest.
The story is intriguing and emotional, making the gameplay feel more engaging.
Moreover, Ori faces dangerous enemies.
Fortunately, the brave spirit has new abilities that can get him through any situation.
The game features sharp graphics and beautiful environments for stunning visuals.
Moreover, it adds some humor and reference to the gameplay, making it more entertaining and immersive.
Notably, the game is developed by Koji Igarashi, the mind behindCastlevania.
Interestingly, it utilizes cutting-edge 2.5D graphics and features 3D models cast in a 2D environment.
Dead Cells
Dead Cellscombines the core concepts of Metroidvania and roguelike games.
Moreover, you’ve got the option to die and resurrect over and over again.
The game is about a blob of cells that can inhabit bodies and move through them.
Dying is not an issue, as the blob simply possesses another body.
Interestingly, the level layout changes every time your body dies.
Hollow Knight
Games with cute characters are usually lighthearted and have positive stories.
However,Hollow Knightcombines cute characters and a depressing setting with great results.
The 2D environments are hand-drawn and sharp, but the atmosphere feels depressing to make the story more immersive.
Moreover, the controls are tight for a smooth gameplay experience.
Cynthia Wambui is a gamer who has a knack for writing video gaming content.
Blending words to express one of my biggest interests keeps me in the loop on trendy gaming topics.
Aside from gaming and writing, Cynthia is a tech nerd and coding enthusiast.
