There are plenty of games on the market that claim to be action-platformers, but only a certain few can lay claim to being Metroidvanias, a subgenre of video games with its roots in 1994's Super Metroid and 1997's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Players have enjoyed titles such as Super Metroid or modern descendants like Dead Cells for almost 30 years now.
There has been a recent renaissance in the Metroidvania genre, and there are many titles that fit the mold. With a little help from Metacritic and its aggregate scoring system, players can easily narrow down their options from an ocean to a secluded oasis of the very best explorative Metroidvania games.
Blasphemous (82)
Blasphemous is a game that doesn't hold back on its grisly and gory visuals, but that's a huge part of its appeal. In this hybrid of Dark Souls and Castlevania, players take up the sword as the penitent one to hack and slash their way through a blighted landscape inspired by renaissance religious artwork.
It's the hack-and-slash nature of the beast that draws many players in. The armored protagonist is certainly one of the most aggressive Metroidvania heroes seen in recent years. His blood-soaked quest to rid the land of monsters and demons would give Kratos some fair competition.
Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night (83)
Designed by Koji Igarashi, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is often considered the spiritual successor to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. Although Miriam might be a far cry away from the saber-wielding Alucard, the exploration, combat, and progression of the experience are certainly similar.
Vampires and monsters are exchanged for alchemists and demons in this deep yet familiar title. Simply put, it's a Metroidvania designed by one of the founders of the genre. It jumps through similar hoops, but it makes enough changes to the formula to stand out from the rest of its competition.
The Messenger (86)
While it takes much more from Ninja Gaiden, The Messenger isn't just a Metroidvania but a carefully crafted tribute to the games of the classic Nintendo era. Like any Metroidvania, progression is measured by the collection of different weapons and upgrades, and getting from A to B can sometimes require the right gadget to beat the level.
It's the platforming that will truly test a player's ninja skills. The traditional platforming elements here are razor-sharp and one wrong step can result in a dead Messenger. Things only get more interesting from there when the game shift from 8-bit to 16-bit in later portions of the title.
Metroid Dread (87)
No collection of Metroidvanias would be complete without at least one Metroid title. Metroid Dread serves as proof that Samus Aran still knows how to bring fans a classic gaming experience. Taking heavy inspiration from her days on the Game Boy as well as the SNES, it's the game brings new life into the series and brings Nintendo's bounty hunter back to her roots.
Along with being a returned form for the character, the game is also a healthy challenge for those who have their teeth on other members of the genre. There's a reason the word dread is in the title.
Axiom Verge (87)
If there was one game that could be considered the true spiritual successor to the original Metroid, it's Axiom Verge. Taking influence from games on the original NES, the game puts the player in a massive alien dimension full of twisted visuals and fearsome foes. It will take more than a blaster to survive this sci-fi nightmare.
Axiom Verge is a game that has a clear respect for its inspiration, and that is represented in its presentation, gameplay, and design. While it might lack a few comforts seen in other titles in the genre, those who grew up exploring maze-like alien planets will be sucked in with little effort.
Iconoclasts (87)
Iconoclasts is a game that could be described as deceptively dark and deep. On the surface, it's a steampunk Metroidvania with a heavy focus on exploration and puzzles. That's all well and good, but there is a seriously stark sci-fi story at its core.
Behind the rich colors and vibrant backdrops, there's a saga of refugees, pirates, and religious cults looking to conquer society all set in an eccentric world. Most Metroidvanias are certainly deep and complex, but this title is definitely going the extra mile in terms of character and story.
Guacamelee!: Super Turbo Championship Edition (88)
On one hand, Guacamelee! is a love letter to classic Metroidvanias of the '90s, particularly Super Metroid. On the other, it's an eclectic and eccentric combination of weird and wild mixed with a spicy Mexican flavor. Then again, not many Metroidvanias feature talking goats and luchadors.
It's this combination of elements that makes the game so unique and enjoyable. The Metroidvania elements are polished and primed to be sure, but the game's eccentric imagery and sense of humor are its biggest selling point. As Juan abandons his agave farm and is turned into a mighty masked wrestler, a comedic and colorful adventure in the land of the dead unfolds.
Hollow Knight (90)
The tiny but mighty masked hero from Hollow Knight could arguably be considered the poster boy for the modern Metroidvania. Like so many titles in the genre, it's the mix of elements that come together to culminate into one glorious experience. Hollownest feels as strange and alien as any faraway planet but maintains a strange and unusual darkness worthy of a Tim Burton movie.
Some call this game a Souls-like but those who have explored the winding pathways of its nooks and crannies know that it takes a lot more from games like Castlevania than anything else. Its mix of weird and whimsical paired with the sprawling world to explore makes it easy for any fan of the genre to get blissfully lost.
Dead Cells (91)
Dead Cells might be considered a Metroidvania, but that's only one part of an elaborate equation that blends together genres, motives, and visuals to create a distinct and difficult gaming experience. This stylish and punishing roguelike checks all the boxes for a traditional entry in the genre, but utilizes death as a mechanic to push the player's limits.
Headless heroes and alchemical experiments are the flavors of the day in this complex and combative title. Unlike in other Metroidvanias, running and gunning isn't always the best strategy, as foolhardy players will find out. Simply put, it's a mixture of classic and modern fans of the genre will greatly enjoy.
Cave Story (93)
If one were to trace the origins of the Metroidvania renaissance, it would arguably begin with the original Cave Story. The game blends many qualities of Mega Man, Metroid, and even Undertale to create its complex world and narrative. With multiple pathways, multiple endings, and a surprisingly dark plot, the game is certainly a cut above the rest.
The graphics are simplistic yet distinctive, and the storyline blends sci-fi, fantasy, and a touch of cosmic horror with cartoon-inspired characters that lend it an eclectic identity. For those looking for a key experience in the genre, they wouldn't be faulted for starting here.