So what is Metroidvania?
Metroidvania is a sub-genre of the action-adventure genre. It is a genre mostly seen in 2D platform games. But we can also come across the features of this genre in some third-person or FPS games, albeit rare. The most characteristic feature of Metroidvania games is that they have a very large map with different regions connected to each other. Most of the time we start the game in the middle of the map and we are told to go somewhere on the map because of the story. We encounter obstacles on the way to where we need to go, and in order to overcome these obstacles, we need a certain ability, item, or we need to talk to an NPC. When we get what we need, the obstacle disappears or we can easily overcome the obstacle with our new ability. As you progress, interconnected paths will take you to places you’ve already explored. You’ll be able to move around the map more easily with new shortcuts, shortcuts and teleportation points. As you play the game, the number of obstacles you encounter increases as you progress through the map, and the number of abilities you need to acquire also increases. So even in the middle of the game you can use a new mechanic or ability for the first time. After unlocking all the abilities or mechanics, we finish the game by facing the boss (the game also includes many small bosses)
Metroidvania History:
So where does the name Metroidvania come from? As I said above, when 2 different game series use similar game mechanics in different periods, people start calling these games similar games, Metroidvania-like, and over time, when too many Metroidvania genre games come out, it takes its place as a subcategory of the Action-adventure genre. Without going into the names of Metroidvania, there are games that have the characteristics of this genre before the concept of Metroidvania emerged in history. We call these games proto-Metroidvania. These games are Brain Breaker (1985) and Xanadu (1985) which came out the same year. They didn’t become the pioneers of the genre because they were not branded studios and they didn’t use certain features in a very clear way.
Okay, let’s go back to the names of Metroidvania. The first game of the “Metroid (1986)” series, which came out a year after the Proto-Metroidvania games, forms the beginning of our name. The end of our name is the 13th game of the Castilvania series, “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997)”, and with the combination of the “Vania” part, the Metroid — Vania genre emerges. I don’t know why they waited 10 years and 12 games to name a genre, but at the end of the day, they set certain rules by creating my favorite game genre.
Characteristics of the Metroidvania genre:
- Open World Exploration: Features large, open world maps for players to explore. The map contains numerous paths, secret passages and areas for players to progress through.
- Gaining Abilities: Players gain new abilities as the game progresses. These abilities allow access to previously unreachable locations or secret areas. For example, abilities to climb walls, double jump, or break certain obstacles.
- Real-Time Combat: Battles in “Metroidvania” games are real-time combat mechanics. Players progress by fighting various enemies. Combat abilities and strategies evolve and change as the game progresses
- Challenge and Puzzles: These types of games often confront players with challenging enemies and puzzles. They can test players’ ability to think logically and use strategy.
- Evolving Characters: Players develop their characters as the game progresses (Health, Attack power, armor…). This can include new abilities as well as the use of more powerful weapons or equipment.
- Return Mechanic: Players return to previously visited areas as they gain new abilities. This allows them to access previously unreachable places and brings out the exploration aspect of the game.
- Hidden Passages and Items: Encourages you to discover hidden passages and items to move quickly around the map. Hidden rooms, hidden items or secret passages require players to be careful when moving around the map.
- Story Driven: Deep and story-driven. Players engage in quests and interactions to advance the game’s story and explore the backstory of the characters.
- Atmospheric Design: One of the most important things in “Metroidvania” games is to have an atmospheric design. The game world and character designs draw players into the atmosphere of the game.
Game Recommendations:
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps (2020):
Ori, the second game in the series, contains more Metroidvania elements than the first game (I also recommend the first game “Ori and the blind frost” to everyone). It is a great game that connects players to its world with its visuals and atmosphere. A series that warms our hearts with its story and satisfies all players in the end. Players explore a magical world with Ori as they move across platforms. They get lost in the story with challenging enemies and puzzles.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Xbox X ve S Serisi, Microsoft Windows, Xbox Cloud Gaming
Studio: Moon Studios
2. Hollow Knight (2017):
Hollow Knight is a metroidvania game set in a magical underworld where players dive underground and solve various puzzles. Players control a small insect named Hollow Knight and develop their abilities as they fight enemies. With its dark theme and unique drawing style, this series is one of the pioneers of the genre.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Linux, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, Klasik Mac OS
Studio: Team Cherry
3. Dead Cells (2017) :
Dead Cells is a great combination of roguelike elements and metroidvania style. Players choose different abilities and weapons at the beginning of each game, as they try to survive in fast-paced fights.
Platforms: Windows, Linux, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, iOS, Android, PlayStation 5
Studio: Motion Twin, Playdigious, Motion Twin Scop ARL
4. Guacamelle (2013):
Reviving the metroidvania genre, Guacamelle is a fun game where we delve deep into Mexican culture, a metroidvania genre game with a high level of humor, which manages to keep the action and comedy in a dynamic way. Juan Aguacate, an American fighter, is on a quest to rescue the kidnapped daughter of El Presidente. A bizarre adventure where we switch between the “Living World” and the “Dead World” awaits you!
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 3, Microsoft Windows, Xbox 360, MacOS, Wii U, PlayStation Vita
Studio: Drinkbox Studios, Broken Rules
5. Salt and Sanctuary (2016):
A challenging metroidvania game in a Souls-like style. Players can customize their characters and use different weapons to fight dangerous enemies. The game’s difficulty level and atmosphere are particularly similar to Souls-like games.
Platforms: PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Linux, Microsoft Windows, MacOS, PlayStation Vita
Studio: Ska Studios
6. Blasphemous (2019):
Blasphemous, which takes its subject from the Old Testament, has an interesting subject. According to some, the story is a bit difficult to follow, but it comes to the forefront with the difficulty of the fights. One of the best productions with pixel graphics, Blasphemous also has a heavy language. Blasphemous, which has metroidvania and Souls-like elements, is a difficult metroidvania game.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Linux, macOS, Amazon Luna
Studio: The Game Kitchen, The Game Kitchen S.L.
7. GRIME(2021):
Grime is a game that offers an unusual metroidvania experience. Players progress through an organic world using their character’s weapons, which can grow and change. The game’s visuals may seem different at first and this makes it difficult to get into the atmosphere of the game. But after playing for a while, you get used to the graphics and get immersed in the mesmerizing atmosphere. The game offers us a fun gameplay with a unique art style and gameplay mechanics.
Platforms: Microsoft Windows, Google Stadia, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Studio: Clover Bite
8. Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth(2020):
A Metroidvania type game that I am playing while writing this article. It is a great game with high quality pixel visuals and very well designed levels. It offers us a great story by understanding the Metroidvania genre very well. I recommend it to everyone to play.
Platforms: PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Microsoft Windows, Xbox X ve S Serisi
Studio: Team Ladybug, WSS playground
9. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night (2019):
This game was developed by Koji Igarashi, the creator of the Castlevania series, and pays homage to Metroidvania’s namesake “Castlevania Symphony of the Night” with its title. It is a modern interpretation of the Metroidvania genre. Players control a character named Miriam and explore an evil castle that turns into a castle. If you can get used to the JRPG visuals, it is a very high quality crafted game.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Android, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, iOS, Xbox One, Amazon Luna, Stadia
Studio: ArtPlay, Inti Creates, WayForward, NetEase Games, DICO Co. Ltd, Monobit
10. Moonscars (2022):
The newest game on my list. It is a very advanced game with a very good blend of Souls-like and Metroidvania genre with very advanced battle mechanics. It is a game where we fight in different ways with many different weapons, where we get lost many times on the complex map where we open different features by strengthening our character. You can easily adapt to the atmosphere of the game with its high quality pixel visuals. It was a game that fascinated me with its story and sound effects.
Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Cloud Gaming, Microsoft Windows, Xbox X ve S Serisi
Studio: Black Mermaid
If you are interested, you can also check our article “What is RougeLike?”
Thanks for reading !!
