The Best Indie Sci-Fi Metroidvanias

The Metroidvania genre gets its name from a combination of both Metroid and Castlevania, both of which pioneered the genre's non-linear level design and exploration-focused gameplay. The formula for this genre was then further solidified with Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night. There have been a wide variety of Metroidvanias released since the genre's conception, and while many of them have been entries in the Metroid franchise (such as Metroid Dread), many of these titles have been independently developed.

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By  Maddie Fisher

Metroidvanias have become increasingly popular over the years, especially among indie developers, thanks to the success stories of games such as Axiom Verge, and the smash-hit, Hollow Knight. These games challenge players with difficult boss fights and offer intricate, labyrinthine worlds to spend hours exploring. Many developers, especially indie developers, have imbued sci-fi tropes into their Metroidvania games, and have found success in doing so.

7 Environmental Station Alpha

A Minimalist Metroidvania With A Mysterious Atmosphere

• Platform(s): PC
• Released: 2015
• Developer(s): Arvi Teikari, Roope Makinen
• Genre: Metroidvania

Environmental Station Alpha is a minimalist Metroidvania with classic gameplay and retro, pixel-art visuals. The game's minimalism may not appeal to every Metroidvania fan, but it offers an accessible entry point to the genre.

Some of Environmental Station Alpha's puzzles, on the other hand, are far from standard. This, along with the game's uniquely minimal aesthetic, help set it apart from its peers. The evocative sci-fi setting, music, and sound effects are also strengths of the game, providing a mysterious atmosphere throughout the journey.

6 Gato Roboto

A Light-Hearted Side-Scroller Set In Deep Space

• Platform(s): PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox
• Released: 2019
• Developer(s): doinksoft
• Genre: Metroidvania

Published by Devolver Digital, this light-hearted Metroidvania puts players in the role of a cat in an armored mech suit. If the concept alone wasn't enough to make it stand out, Gato Roboto also features a stark black-and-white aesthetic that makes its visuals appear both clean and easy to read.

Gato Roboto tasks players with exploring the maze-like underground of a deep space outpost, battling a variety of enemies along the way while utilizing the power of their mech suit. Gato Roboto's greatest strengths are its light-hearted tone and crunchy, satisfying gameplay, which make it a remarkably accessible Metroidvania.

5 Rusted Moss

A Melancholic Metroidvania With A Grappling Hook

Set in a desolate wasteland on the brink of invasion, Rusted Moss manages to capture a melancholic atmosphere akin to other Metroidvanias such as Hollow Knight. The game's story combines elements of both science-fiction and fantasy, with a variety of weapons, enemies, and boss fights that fit its unique theme.

The greatest strength of Rusted Moss, however, is its fluid movement. Most notably, players are given an intuitive grapple hook to swing about the game's environments, providing them with a quick and fun way to explore while also offering unique platforming challenges that will test their skills. Rusted Moss is a fairly straightforward Metroidvania, but the addition of the grappling hook and the well-crafted atmosphere make it a worthwhile adventure.

4 Axiom Verge

A Love Letter To Old-School Metroid

This vibrant, pixel-art adventure takes abundant influence from games such as Metroid and is set in a wholly bizarre alien world full of otherworldly visuals. One of Axiom Verge's greatest strengths is its variety of distinct weapons, which add plenty of depth to the game's action.

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Axiom Verge features a strong biomechanical aesthetic, and its science-fiction narrative manages to provide solid context for the action. Axiom Verge may be a love letter to old-school Metroid, but its unique setting and variety of weapons allow it to stand out in an increasingly saturated genre.

3 Unsighted

A Wholly Unique Action-Packed Metroidvania

Taking place in a remarkably unique setting, Unsighted is a wonderfully distinct Metroidvania that puts players in the shoes of a sentient android. The androids of this world, however, are losing their sentience and becoming crazed, maniacal killers. This is the dilemma that Unsighted's plot centers around; the life of every character in the game, including the player themselves, is on a relentless timer. When it runs out, they become "unsighted", losing their sentience, and their minds.

This timer provides an entirely unique emotional context, drawing players into the narrative and dramatically raising the stakes. Unsighted's unique world, satisfying top-down combat, and brilliant visual style make it one of the best sci-fi Metroidvanias available. Furthermore, the game features multiple endings, co-op, and a boss-rush mode, offering heaps of replay value even after the credits roll.

2 Nine Sols

Cyberpunk Meets Taoism For A Unique Setting

Nine Sols takes place in a "Taopunk" setting, which combines elements of science-fiction with the iconic cyberpunk subgenre and the tradition of Taoism. This setting alone makes Nine Sols stand out, but its stylish hand-drawn visuals bring its premise to life with expert craftsmanship.

Fluid platforming makes exploration in Nine Sols a breeze. However, it's the game's satisfying Sekiro-inspired combat that keeps it consistently engaging. This combat centers around a parry mechanic and chi-powered attacks that shine especially bright in the game's many boss fights. For fans of Metroidvanias and the parry-focused combat found in games such as Sekiro, Nine Sols is certainly worth checking out.

1 Haiku, The Robot

An Intensely Charming Metroidvania Set In A Mechanical World

Featuring a wonderfully minimalist pixel-art style that's reminiscent of a Game Boy title, Haiku, The Robot is a charming, retro Metroidvania through-and-through. Haiku, The Robot takes place in a mechanical sci-fi world full of quirky robotic characters, both friend and foe. This setting is consistently intriguing, atmospheric, and rewarding to explore, providing much of Haiku, The Robot's appeal.

Haiku, The Robot also features a variety of fun and interesting bosses, though the game's combat is fairly simple overall. However, the game also features an array of upgrades themed around computer chips, which help to add a little depth to the combat.

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