Summary
- Metroidvanias fuse intricate exploration, challenging combat, and moody storytelling.
- Games here range from precise Taopunk swordplay to grotesque soulslike brutality and surreal puzzle worlds.
- Whether fast roguelike runs or lyrical platforming, each title rewards mastery and curiosity.
The Metroidvania genre has long been a breeding ground for innovation, blending intricate level design, challenging combat, and atmospheric storytelling. While Hollow Knight is often considered the modern pinnacle of the genre, it is far from the only title delivering a captivating experience.
Best Metroidvania Games That Are Immediately Fun
Players don't have to wait long at all for these Metroidvania games to rev up. Here's which ones are fun from the get-go.
Several other releases offer equally rich worlds, each with its own distinct flair, from hauntingly beautiful settings to mechanically inventive gameplay. They captivate with their artistry, surprise with their systems, and many provide something truly memorable, proving that Hollow Knight stands among giants rather than alone at the top.
Nine Sols
Precise Combat In A Unique Technological World
Nine Sols
- Released
- May 29, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- Teen / Blood and Gore, Language, Use of Alcohol, Violence
- Developer(s)
- RedCandleGames
- Genre(s)
- Action, Platformer, Metroidvania, Soulslike
- Platform(s)
- PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, PC
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Combining fast-paced swordplay with a deeply atmospheric world, Nine Sols offers a fresh interpretation of the Metroidvania formula. Set in a hand-drawn, Taopunk-inspired realm, its combat emphasizes precise parries and calculated strikes, rewarding mastery with a flow that feels both punishing and exhilarating.
The world’s cryptic storytelling and richly detailed environments build a mythology that rivals the genre’s best, and the balance between intense action and exploration makes it stand out in a big way. With its unique aesthetic and satisfying combat philosophy, Nine Sols embodies the sense of discovery and danger that defines Metroidvania greatness.
Blasphemous 2
Undying Faith Meets Brutal Combat
Blasphemous 2
- Released
- August 24, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- The Game Kitchen
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Metroidvania, Platformer
- Platform(s)
- PC, PS5, Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Blasphemous 2 expands on the grim vision of its predecessor, weaving religious iconography, grotesque landscapes, and punishing combat into a cohesive whole that feels just as horrifying as it does exciting. Its combat system has been refined with multiple weapon types, each offering unique movement options and strategies for a range of playstyles.
Best Metroidvania Games That Deserved Better
These Metroidvanias didn't get much attention from the community, but they deserved to.
The exploration intertwines seamlessly with lore, rewarding curiosity with revelations about its bleak yet fascinating world. The brutal difficulty mirrors its themes of penance and redemption, demanding persistence but offering a deep sense of reward, beautifully pairing gameplay with story in a way few games in the genre can compete with.
Animal Well
A Surreal Puzzle Box Of Secrets
Animal Well
- Released
- May 9, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone Due To Mild Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Shared Memory
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania, Puzzle
- Platform(s)
- PS5, PC, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Animal Well trades combat-heavy design for dense exploration and environmental puzzle-solving. Its world is packed with interconnected secrets, where progress feels less about brute force and more about observation, experimentation, and creative thinking, in an atmosphere that is equal parts mysterious and unsettling.
Every discovery feels hard-earned, as mechanics unfold naturally through play rather than overt instruction. This design philosophy makes its labyrinthine world feel alive and unpredictable, and by prioritizing curiosity and cleverness over combat, it stands out for offering players a cerebral challenge cloaked in wonder and strangeness.
Ori And The Will Of The Wisps
The Embodiment Of Elegance In Motion
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Released
- March 11, 2020
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E For Everyone due to Mild Fantasy, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Moon Studios
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Adventure
- Platform(s)
- Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Xbox Series S, Switch, PC
Ori and the Will of the Wisps does everything a sequel should, refining existing features while introducing deeper systems and enhanced immersion. Its platforming is fluid and expressive, transforming traversal into a graceful dance of momentum and precision, and the vibrant visuals only help to amplify the player's every move.
Alongside its artistry, the game incorporates a more intricate combat system, balancing delicate platforming with encounters that demand skill and adaptability. The emotional resonance of its story, paired with its kinetic brilliance, makes it one of the most visually stunning and heartfelt experiences in the genre.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus Of The Knights
Beauty In The Midst Of Ruin
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
- Released
- January 21, 2021
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Live Wire, Adglobe
- Platform(s)
- Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights draws players into a sorrowful world drenched in haunting beauty. Its protagonist, a fragile priestess, contrasts with the spectral warriors she summons, weaving combat around graceful evasion and borrowed strength.
The ethereal art style and atmospheric score heighten its sense of melancholy, turning every ruined chapel and flooded corridor into a story of loss. Overall, the game perfectly demonstrates how sorrow and resilience can merge to create a somber yet intriguing experience from start to finish.
Dead Cells
Rougelike Ferocity Meets Metroidvania Exploration
Dead Cells
- Released
- August 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Motion Twin
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
- Platform(s)
- Android, iOS, Nintendo Switch, PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One
- OpenCritic Rating
- Mighty
Dead Cells offers players fast-paced combat, fluid movement, and a staggering variety of weapons right from the start, blending the addictive nature of the roguelike genre with the intrigue of a Metroidvania. Its interconnected levels gradually reveal new routes and shortcuts, and the balance of randomness and permanence gives it remarkable replayability.
8 Best Metroidvania Games With Co-Op
Grab a buddy or two, a few snacks, and settle in, because these Metroidvania games offer a variety of co-op options.
Beyond its kinetic action, the rewards are persistence with tangible progression, keeping its challenge exhilarating without becoming discouraging. The constant sense of discovery ensures each session feels meaningful, and it really feels like there is always more to see, no matter how many runs the player makes.
Axiom Verge
Ushering In A New Age For The Genre
Axiom Verge
- Released
- March 31, 2015
WHERE TO PLAY
Axion Verge embraces the alien aesthetics and cryptic storytelling of classic Metroid titles while introducing modern innovations. Its labyrinthine world is teeming with unsettling creatures and strange technologies, each pushing deeper into its surreal atmosphere, and the arsenal of experimental weapons and tools allows for creative combat solutions and inventive traversal.
The narrative unfolds through fragments and discoveries, inviting speculation while maintaining an air of mystery. With mechanics that twist traditional expectations and an aesthetic that feels heavily inspired by the classics, Axiom Verge delivers both a homage to the genre’s roots and a bold step into new territory.
Guacamelee!
Lively Humor That Extends To The Action
Guacamelee!
- Released
- April 9, 2013
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Developer(s)
- DrinkBox Studios
- Genre(s)
- Platformer, Beat 'Em Up
Guacamelee! Infuses the Metroidvania structure with vibrant energy that lends it a unique, playful feel that doesn't really exist anywhere else in the genre. Its combat system centers on wrestling-inspired moves, combining flair with functionality as enemies are slammed, grappled, and launched in dazzling fashion.
Platforming challenges are equally creative, incorporating dimension-shifting mechanics that add variety and puzzle-like depth. Its story leans into absurdity without losing heart, offering levity alongside challenge, and by blending sharp design with a spirited tone, Guacamelee! Stands as one of the most inventive and entertaining takes on the Metroidvania tradition.
8 Metroidvania Games With the Best Combat, Ranked
Metroidvanias often pair exploration and discovery with brutal combat to challenge players. These titles have some of the best combat in the genre.