10 Games That Will Make You...

There was a time when the only games I played were platformers. I grew up with Mario and Mega Man, and so I naturally assumed that those were the best sorts of games.

And while I still love platformers, I’ve grown to adore a variety of other genres, but most especially the Metroidvania.

Not only are they story-rich, but they usually feature tight mechanics, challenging bosses, and a satisfying progression loop.

The games on this list are all titles I adore, but they’re also critical darlings. Most importantly, they’re all fun and not oppressively hard to get into and start playing.

Perhaps you haven’t played that many Metroidvanias. But I’d wager that after playing this handful, you’ll be a Metroidvania fan for life!

10

Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-

Down the Rabbit Hole

I took my sweet time getting into Record of Lodoss War -Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth-. Not only did I wait for it to come to the original Switch, but I also waited for a sale to bring the price down. By that point, the game had been on the market for a couple of years. But it was so worth the wait.

Not only is this a gorgeous Metroidvania, but it’s one that has light Bullet Hell features, dodging wind and fire projectiles. You’ll also alternate between sword attacks and bow and arrow, not just during combat but also to solve tricky puzzles.

While the adventure does take a bit of time to get going, it’s a stunning and complex Metroidvania with a mysterious plot that slowly unravels.

9

Guacamelee! 2

Lucha Libre Forever

I’ll admit, I don’t pay much attention to either American wrestling or lucha libre. But I appreciate the over-the-top spectacle of the latter, most especially when it’s mixed thoroughly into a game like Guacamelee! 2.

The Mexiverse (actual name) has never been more gorgeous than in this sequel, full of bright colors and crazy villains. Guacamelee! 2 has you alternating between the worlds of the living and the dead while helping Juan Aguacate somehow beat the odds to save the day.

What’s especially neat is how you’ll learn new wrestling moves that can provide a means to explore further and further, as well as help you contend with devious bosses.

8

Iconoclasts

Takes a Mechanic to Fix the World

Even though I’m a huge Metroidvania fan now, I still sometimes get surprised by games–ones that aren’t on my radar until suddenly I can’t stop thinking about them. One such game was Iconoclasts.

I should mention, I’m not even a huge Joakim Sandberg devotee, but this game put the developer firmly on my radar.

Like Guacamelee! 2, Iconoclasts is very colorful. But it’s also a game with a more robust and emotional story.

When I played it on my Vita, I couldn’t put the adventure down. Not only was I captivated by the story, but the puzzle-solving and seemingly insurmountable boss battles kept me riveted.

My favorite thing about Iconoclasts is how it has a punchy, SNES or GBA visual style and almost plays like a more expansive Shantae adventure.

7

Hollow Knight

Huge Adventure in a Miniature World

While the majority of the games on this list aren’t overly difficult, there are a few that are pretty tough. But they’re all included because they’re fair and worth your time, just like Hollow Knight.

The reason this game won’t let me go is in part because of the masterful visual design. Yes, it’s primarily black and white, but it’s also fluid and full of gorgeous (and sometimes horrifying) details.

Though the adventure can be demanding, you have a bunch of tools at your disposal to make it fairer. Most notable are the Charms you’ll discover.

Once you have the basics down, you’ll revel in this insectoid world of wonders. Just be prepared, because if you think the main quest is challenging, you don’t even want to think about the optional DLC or other side quests.

Still, it’s an incredible Metroidvania that shows what the genre is capable of.

6

Blasphemous

No Repentance

Since we’re already talking about challenging yet worthy Metroidvanias, we might as well move on to Blasphemous.

I’ll admit, it took a while to finally play the game, since I’m not that confident in my Soulslike gamer skills. But thankfully, this proved to be a fierce yet utterly fair Metroidvania adventure.

The best Metroidvanias captivate me with their world-building, and this is something Blasphemous does perfectly.

The world of Cvstodia is wondrous and monstrous in equal measure. It’s a sort of dark, supernatural mirror held up to our own beliefs, which is part of why I love the game.

Mix in brutal combat, dark secrets, and secrets hidden behind every corner, and you’ll see why this is on this list.

5

Ori and the Blind Forest

From Orphan to Hero

One thing that I don’t think about enough is the natural world we live in. Not because I don’t care about flora and fauna, just because it’s hard to enjoy games while being stung by insects.

Thankfully, games like Ori and the Blind Forest impart a sense of natural wonder upon us.

The Forest of Nibel is dying, and you’ll care about the lives of every creature within it. Largely thanks to the lush visual style, but also due to the emotional score.

Ori might seem like a small thing to stand against such destruction, but they will gradually gain the means to stand a fighting chance.

While there’s perhaps less open exploration than some other Metroidvanias, the puzzle-solving in Ori and the Blind Forest helps it stand its ground.

4

Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse

One Plucky Genie

I’ve enjoyed the Shantae series since I played Risky’s Revenge. But I wasn’t truly a fan until I played Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse. Suddenly, our favorite genie finds herself without her magical powers. What’s a girl to do to save the day?

Lucky for her, frenemy Risky Boots needs help, and along the way, Shantae will get access to magical pirate relics that provide new abilities.

This is not only a very competent, colorful, and fun Metroidvania, but it’s honestly my favorite game in the entire series. Sure, it’s a quick burn, like many in the genre. But you’ll find yourself so captivated that, like me, you’ll probably find yourself playing it again and again.

3

Axiom Verge

Ghost in the Machine

Axiom Verge is a special Metroidvania. Not only was it the work of one developer, but it’s an adventure that feels unique and original.

The game has you intentionally glitch out your environment to proceed, and also raises terrible questions about the nature of this strange, alien world you find yourself in.

The biomechanical vibe of Axiom Verge is perhaps my favorite part, other than the moody, tense music design.

While the game’s controls can be a hassle occasionally, none of that holds back this atmospheric Metroidvania with mature, dark themes.

2

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

What Is a Man?

With Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse, I talked about Metroidvanias you’ll want to play again and again. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is one of those games.

Not only was this one of the games that first made me a Metroidvania fan, but it also made me a Castlevania fan. I later went back and played all the original console adventures.

Alucard’s tale of woe and path to success is one littered with the bodies of many monsters, and even some bloodied former friends.

While you’re exploring, you’ll get entranced by the unforgettable soundtrack of this exceptional game.

While the adventure does feature many Gothic creatures, it’s also not an especially difficult game. Especially once you find the right equipment and master the right magical attacks.

1

Super Metroid

Can’t Spell Metroidvania Without Metroid

Back in the day, I rented a copy of Super Metroid from Hollywood Video. I didn’t know much about the game, other than I liked the visual style. Little did I know that afterward I would be magnetically drawn to this genre.

Super Metroid is a game where every element of the adventure comes together so well that it feels seamless. There’s no hand-holding here, other than some visual cues to help players learn the ropes.

The world of Zebes feels so real and urgent, with every zone unique and full of different alien threats. Each new weapon Samus acquires makes her that much more powerful, but also means the next threat will be that much worse.

It’s not enough that the bosses in the game are epic, or that exploring the world is engaging. The soundtrack is so memorable that I can still hear the music from the game in my head years and years later.

Super Metroid isn’t just a wonderful Metroidvania; it’s one of the best games ever made. And it blazed the trail that many other amazing adventures have followed.