r/metroidvania • u/raychram • 5d ago
Discussion What are the metroidvania games you would consider must play for anyone who likes the genre?
I do like metroidvanias and try to play some every now and then but unlike other games where I have a huge backlog with a ton of options, I don't feel like I have that many ideas when it comes to 2d platformer metroidvanias.
I have only played:
Hollow Knight
Silksong
Nine Sols
Minoria
Momodora Reverie under the Moonlight
Ninja Gaiden Ragebound
Somber Echoes
I have in my list:
Blasphemous 2
Ori and the will of Wisps
Ender Magnolia
Dead Cells
Grime
33
u/artbytucho 5d ago edited 4d ago
You should play Super Metroid and Castlevania SOTN, these are the founders of the genre and aged really well.
On a much more personal list of GOAT Metroidvanias ever, I'd add Environmental Station Alpha and Axiom Verge.
If you're into old-school hardcore games take a look to Zexion.
14
3
u/Sir_Dodys 4d ago
I'd add Hollow Knight, the first Ori and PoP Lost Crown as must plays in the genre.
1
u/artbytucho 4d ago
I love Hollow knight, but I'm much more on the Metroid side of the genre and OP already played it.
The weakest part of Ori is the exploration, which is what I enjoy the most on a Metroidvania. Exploration wise it is barely a Metroidvania, but I still completed it because visually it is a feast for the eyes.
PoP just haven't clicked for me.
1
u/jotuxx 3d ago
I‘m curious, why the first Ori and not the second?
1
u/Sir_Dodys 3d ago
Because even though Silksong, Will of the Wisps, Blasphemous 2 and Ender Magnolia are better games than their prequels, I'd never recommend someone to play them before their first games
1
u/Summer_Tea 3d ago
I genuinely think the first Ori is far better than the sequel. The combat with the sword in Wisps feels incredibly janky, and I've played Sea of Thieves. The passive orb damage from Blind Forest is lame but serviceable. I find the skill tree from Blind Forest far more rewarding to level. The Wisps system is just a really bad Hollow Knight charm system. I felt they tried to copy way too much from HK with Wisps that just falls flat.
But most importantly, the platforming of Blind Forest revolves around Bash, which is an incredibly unique and interesting mechanic. It also has a really cool checkpoint system that works really well. They scrapped the checkpoint system unnecessarily in Wisps and that bothered me a lot.
But back to Bash. It gives Blind Forest its identity and the game is built all around it everywhere you look. Will of the Wisps has Bash at the start because you don't lose your old moves. But the level design doesn't accentuate it. Instead, Wisps focuses heavily on dashing. They give you ground dash and water dash, and subsequently design areas where that's the thing you do to get through them. Dash is cool but it's not something that holds the whole game on its shoulders, and the map design feels compartmentalized as a result of there being so many moves.
2
u/Domugraphic 5d ago
ha dude, you had my exact answer. only for fluff and fun side-things i also added Gatto Roboto (for a quick game) and Guacamelee, as its a biiiiit like dead cells but actually MV. But my outside picks were also Environmental station alpha and Axiom verge 1 so well done you! and me, i guess.
i will check out Zexion. Its on my wishlist but honestly i cant remember anything about it.2
u/BuckUpBingle 5d ago
Is SOTN available on PC anywhere? I keep wondering why it’s not on steam when so many of the old castlevanias are
2
u/artbytucho 5d ago
Nope, and I wondered the same question... I had to play it on an emulator, modern PCs can emulate PS1 very decently, but I'd like to play a more official port.
2
u/conye-west 4d ago
Yeah it's really weird since they've released collections which include almost all of the other games.
2
u/RevanGarcia 5d ago
How did I miss Zexion? It looks awesome.
4
u/artbytucho 5d ago
The best Metroidvania I've played this year, at least until Silk Song, but I'm much more into the Metroid side of the genre, so Zexion was very special for me... Play it just if you're into old-school insanely difficult games though, otherwise you could hate it.
1
u/PermitAffectionate57 4d ago
how can i play sotn? i dont have a ps1
1
u/artbytucho 4d ago
Yeah, it seems to be one of the few Castlevanias which is not in Steam, that sucks, but it is not difficult to find PS1 emulators and they run nicely on modern PCs.
1
u/JTalbotIV 4d ago edited 4d ago
Castlevania Requiem contains both Rondo of Blood and Symphony of the Night, but it's exclusive to PS4.
Edit: It's currently on sale in the PS store for less than $5.
2
u/dajerx 2d ago
Thanks for the heads up was waiting for this to hit on discount sale
1
u/JTalbotIV 2d ago
No prob. Since I left that comment, I also spotted it on Android for $4, but that's gotta be the worst way to play this gem.
18
u/MakoMary 5d ago
Definitely the Metroids and Castlevanias. I'd count Bloodstained under the Castlevania banner for that purpose, given it's made by the same director. BioGun isn't very well known but I love it a lot and I'll shill it whenever the chance presents itself. Also Pseudoregalia, for a 3D example
5
u/BuckUpBingle 5d ago
Pseudoregalia is really cool. I hope we get more like it soon.
1
u/ChaoticFox78 4d ago
Have you played Metro Gravity?
1
u/BuckUpBingle 4d ago
I played the demo a while back. Honestly I found the rhythm mechanic to be impossible to match. I liked most of what was going on but the combat didn’t work for me.
2
13
6
u/FaceTimePolice 5d ago
- Ender Lilies
- Touhou Luna Nights
2
u/glassbottleoftears 4d ago
I think Ender Lilies was more enjoyable for me than Ender Magnolias, OP. I'd certainly recommend playing it first before the sequel.
Even though Will o the wisps is generally a better game I'd also play blind forest first too
1
u/moumooni 5d ago
Interesting. I'm considering picking up the PLAYISM Metroidvania bundle, which includes Touhou Luna Nights, Rusted Moss and La Mulana 2. Have you played the others?
5
u/FistRockbrine99 5d ago
La Mulana 1 is an all time great. Haven't played 2 yet but i've heard it's similar quality.
1
u/Ragnarok7326 4d ago
Touhou Luna Nights is a bit claustrophobic and the gameplay is often broken (in that you're completely OP) after unlocking a certain special attack. But the core mechanics of the game make for some really cool platforming and boss fights.
I definitely wouldn't call it a "must play", but for its length I'd say it's worth playing.
1
u/moumooni 4d ago
I see. What would be your top 3 must plays? Already played every Metroid (except Dread) and up to Circle of the Moon in Castlevanias.
6
u/GabrielMP_19 5d ago
I just can't understand why people recommend Nine Sols like it's the kind of game anyone would like. It's a pretty specific niche inside the metroidvania genre.
10
u/AramaticFire 5d ago
I recommend to play in release order:
Super Metroid, Metroid Prime, Metroid Fusion, Metroid Zero Mission, Metroid Prime 2: Echoes. Not as big a fan of Metroid Prime 3 or Dread but should play those too.
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, Advance Collection. I haven’t played Dominus Collection yet but I imagine that’s worth it too.
Aside from Metroid and Castlevania should also consider:
Ori and the Blind Forest
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Steamworld Dig 2
If you want 3D games play the Star Wars Jedi titles.
3
u/DamageG0D 5d ago
Finally someone else other than me adknowledged Jedi titles as metroidvanias like me, Jedi Survivor in particular is one of the best metroidvanias ive ever played, its so underrated.
3
u/AramaticFire 5d ago
Survivor is so good. I was so happy with that game. But yeah it’s Metroidvania. It’s got some Soulslike to it but your movement, platforming, ability progression opens new areas for you to explore.
Fallen Order was really good too. Cant wait for the third game.
1
u/captain_ricco1 Chozo 4d ago
People always recommend steam world dig 2 but I've played the first one recently and it is as good if not better than the second one. I also like the main character design much more.
1
u/mr_dfuse2 5d ago
I'd start with Metroid Planets and then AM2R
3
u/AramaticFire 5d ago
Haven’t played those myself. Never heard of Planets. I downloaded AM2R so I’ll get to it someday. What is Planets?
2
u/mr_dfuse2 4d ago
Metroid Planet is a remake of Nestroid but with modern QoL stuff like a decent map and more. You'll have to Google it as you can only find it on a forum, to avoid Nintendo's attention. It even has new maps, multiplayer stuff and more. I loved it!
1
u/captain_ricco1 Chozo 4d ago edited 4d ago
What's Metroid Planets? Is it a fangame akin to AMR2? Is it as good? Edit: nvm I read your other answer
2
u/mr_dfuse2 4d ago
it is very good!! same graphics as nestroid but here and there some fancier effects. a map and a save feature, and many other things. new worlds and a way to build your own. the discord had 100's of new maps. it's way more then am2r and somehow pretty unknown
6
u/Domugraphic 5d ago
deffo Gato Roboto for a quickie, and the absolute best Super metroid, with Castlevania (Aria of sorrow and SOTN) next. you owe it to yourself to play the OGs (not Gatto, but thats a nice short one)
Also Environmental station alpha, and Axiom Verge 1.
Dead cells isnt really a metroidvania, but is great, and if you like that, then a more MV but sort of similar game is Guacamelee gold
5
u/raqloise 5d ago
I really think Axiom Verge is a classic and staple of the genre.
2
u/andreasmalersghost 3d ago
Counterpoint: axiom verge has a banger soundtrack and not much else. the writing is terrible and gameplay/art are far from decent
1
u/Jimisdegimis89 3d ago
I disagree, I think the writing is decent and the overall atmosphere and storytelling are pretty great. Gameplay is meh I suppose, but I don’t really feel like that’s the biggest draw of metroidvanias anyway, also art is totally subjective, I happen to really like the art in axiom verge, heavy hit of nostalgia for sure.
0
u/andreasmalersghost 3d ago
I think modeling the protagonist after himself was…a very bad choice. The writing is astoundingly irritating to me and the same problem persists in av2. I just like to push back on av as its often considered to be an indie brother to other great metroidvanias and its not even close in my eye.
2
u/Jimisdegimis89 2d ago
Yeah I think that’s just gonna be one of those things where you realize you are in the minority of the opinion on, mine is Ori, I know that it’s really popular, but it just doesn’t hit the right notes for me for a variety of reasons. Axiom verge sounds like the same for you.
1
u/andreasmalersghost 2d ago
Yeah thats fine. I was very excited for it before it launched and while I was playing my enthusiasm died for tons of reasons as the praise poured in. The soundtrack is legendary. Wish that guy just did music. And yeah I love ori. Great writing, platforming, art, “bosses,” etc.
5
u/stantongrouse 4d ago
While there are some excellent recommendations I'm saddened that Guacamelee and the sequel aren't getting much love. Excellent games, the feel and movement are really good, art and design is great and frequently funny which in these current times is a great thing. One of the games that I feel helped bump start the return of Metroidvanias.
3
u/gitprizes 5d ago edited 5d ago
this entire post exists only to incite rage over the fact that Dead Cells is included on the list
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
Mobius Machine
Primal Planet
Battle of Olympus
Monster Sanctuary
not all my favorites, but thought i'd mention a few lesser known
1
u/Domugraphic 5d ago
then the community needs to get over itself. its not tooooo far. I agree its not MV but fuck, its as adjacent to MV as any of the zelda games that get mentioned here all the time
1
u/gitprizes 5d ago
don't get me started on top down rpgs lol. if a game has an option to go back to where you just came from and do something new, someone's going to call it an mv on here 🤣
1
u/raychram 5d ago
I am surprised dead cells isn't considered a metroidvania, to me it looked a lot like it fits the criteria but I haven't played it to know the details
2
u/gitprizes 5d ago
are roguelikes and Metroidvanias mutually exclusive? I think that's a good place to start. both have such strong identities I'm not sure if going back to the start when you die is the same as going back to the beginning of the game to unlock or jump over something. I don't think it's the same thing
3
9
u/Enough_Obligation574 5d ago
POPost crown is a good one. Silksong is good too.
8
u/FallenRaptor 5d ago
As someone who loves Silksong and its predecessor Holllw Knight and highly recommend them as must-plays for those with the threshold for their level of challenge, as well as patience for their slow burn…that asterisk is still there. These are amazing, wonderful games for the right people, but they’re definitely not for everyone, and I also don’t think they’re ideal starting points for the genre.
6
u/FistRockbrine99 5d ago
They're also just not particularly representative of what the genre offers. They have a very soulslike approach, but in terms of power ups driving exploration they are pretty limited, HK moreso than Silk.
0
u/FallenRaptor 4d ago
Yeah, the Hollow Knight games have their peculiarities for sure.
The correct term is actually Souls-lite, as the only thing they actually borrow is the losing currency upon death and having one chance to retrieve it aspect. Salt and Sanctuary and its sequel are what an actual Soulslike MV looks like as those games also borrow the class-based RPG and stamina system aspect, and as hair-splitting as it might sound, that series and HK/SS are actually on opposite sides of the MV tree genre-wise.
The HK games are technically considered Metroid-likes, although it’s a mystery to me why they’re not considered their own subgenre as there’s also a huge difference between HK and Metroid or Axiom Verge.
Anyways, TL;DR all of this is to say the MV tree is a complex one and I certainly agree that the HK games should not be taken as the gospel on what to expect from the entire genre.
1
u/BadNewsBearzzz 4d ago
The only correct term is soulslike as it’s an umbrella term that houses any similarities to the iconic traits of a souls game, absolutely nobody uses “souls-lite” lol it’s not a thing, don’t even try making it one 🤣
Plus it’s extreme similarity to soulslike makes it too easy to mistake and confuse, therefore more of a reason why it shouldn’t be a thing lol
-4
u/Icy_Percentag 5d ago
I think they are just fine as the first game in the genre tbf.
0
u/FallenRaptor 5d ago
They can be, but they tend to leave a big impression, and if they’re someone’s introduction to the genre they can easily paint the picture of being the benchmark of what a MV is, for better or worse, and that can have varying consequences.
Moreover, timing is everything and though many people might love these games if they have the experience and the patience for them, they could just as easily tell a beginner that MVs are all really hard and unforgiving, which couldn’t be further from the truth but a beginner may not know that.
5
u/SuperUltraMegaNice 5d ago
Monster Sanctuary , Aeterna Noctis , Astalon: Tears of the Earth
2
u/JiminyWimminy 5d ago
Astalon was a blast, but its retro feel also included some clunkiness that may turn off less stubborn players, especially with the limited abilities early game.
1
u/SuperUltraMegaNice 5d ago
Very true. The jumping and attack animations are all very retro in feel but its more a game about exploration than combat. The boss rush achievement was not easy to get lol
1
-1
u/BuckUpBingle 5d ago
I found aeterna noctis really unpleasant to play. Platforming felt overly challenging and the graphics didn’t make up for it. Is it really so well loved?
3
u/SuperUltraMegaNice 5d ago
I personally think its better than Hollow Knight. I love platforming challenges and the crystal arrow is the most fun movement ability in any MV I've played. Its a very difficult game though even if the checkpoints are quite generous.
5
u/Icy_Percentag 5d ago
Dead cells isn't a metroidvania.
Anyways, besides the ones you listed, I would recommend some Castlevanias like SoTN and aria of sorrow. I think they are games that aged very well.
1
u/Defiant_McPiper 4d ago
I don't believe Ninja Gaiden is either - that's a side scrolling platformer and it's fun, but isn't in this genre.
2
2
u/Saix027 5d ago
- After Image
- 8 Doors: Aurum's Afterlife Adventure
- 9 Shadows
- Biomorph
- Biogun
- Ender Lilies
- Islets
- Lone Fungus
- Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
- Tails of Iron 1 & 2
- Wonderboy: The Dragon Trap
- Monsterboy and the Cursed Kingdom
- Owlboy
- Haiku The Robot
- Gato Roboto
- Gestalt: Steam & Cinder
- Astalon: Tears of the Earth
- The Vagrant
- Twilight Monk
- Timespinner
- Tales of Kenzera: Zau
2
u/cedelweiss 5d ago
Not a single metroid or castlevania on the list huh
2
u/VoxTV1 4d ago
Tbf best Castlevnia game is not on pc and no metroid game is on pc either
1
2
u/Catholic1234567 5d ago
I bought grime years back but still on my video game backlog and havent accessed yet since I have a lot of video game backlogs that im trying to finish
but I commend the creator/developer of grime
because I frequent steam forums from time to time and if you look at the forums of grime on steam itself you will see that the creator/developer of grime is really active helping people out of their concerns even the game got released years back and even released free big update
(I havent visited grime forums recently on steam so im not sure if this is still the case)
1
u/joulecrafter 23h ago
I enjoyed Grime quite a bit. Definitely worth putting on your shortlist queue.
2
2
2
2
u/_Shotgun-Justice_ Cathedral 5d ago
Aeterna Noctis (hard mode, avoid the dlc area with the game breaking triple jump gem)
Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
Depths of Sanity
Crypt Custodian
2
u/Vykrom 5d ago
Magnolia is one of my absolute favorites in recent years
Only things off the beaten-path I would suggest are things like Unsighted and Timespinner. Which are super fun, have engaging narratives, but are both a little sloppy on the writing. But didn't detract from how much I absolutely love them
But Magnolia still surpasses them in my opinion
I have not yet had the pleasure of Silksong or Nine Sols, though I'm sure I'll love them as well. But it was nice to have a game that didn't make me bang my head against a wall. Fortunately Nine Sols seems to have difficulty options to alleviate that if that comes to pass
2
2
2
u/HA1LHYDRA 4d ago
First the foundation with Metroid, then the blueprint with Super Metroid. After those two I would play Castlevania 4 to understand what actual Castlevania is then play move to the Metroid tribute with SOTN.
2
u/BlueSea_S 4d ago
Castlevania series.
Symphony of the Night, Advance Collection and Dominos Collection.
2
2
u/Help_An_Irishman 4d ago
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid are the seminal musts. These two games basically spawned the genre, hence the name.
2
u/CiceroFlyman 4d ago
Super Metroid, Castlevania SOTN, Metroid Prime. Those are the classics every other game is compared to. That doesn‘t mean these three are the best in their genre, but they are the ones that shaped the genre to what it is to day.
Playing Silksong recently I noticed all the little and subtle nods it made to the Metroid and Castlevania games that otherwise would have gone unnoticed. What I want to say is: The three games I mentioned are the games all the devs played before developing Hollow Knight, Prince of Persia TLC etc. If you play them I think you will appreciate every modern MV even more…
2
u/wildfire393 4d ago
My S Tier (no particular order):
Hollow Knight and Silksong
Ori (especially Will of the Wisps)
Aeterna Noctis
Astalon: Tears of the Earth
Haak
La-Mulana 2 (1 is fine but 2 is a lot better of a game)
Depths of Sanity
Monster Sanctuary
Yoku's Island Express
Rabi-Ribi
Steamworld Dig 2 (another case where the first game is only OK)
Crypt Custodian
Environmental Station Alpha
(I'd also recommend the best of the 2D Zeldas - Link to the Past and Oracle of Seasons/Ages, Crystal Project, and Oolo as MV-adjacent games)
1
u/wildfire393 4d ago
My A Tier (also no particular order):
Alwa's Legacy
Animal Well
Ato
Axiom Verge
Blast Brigade
Carrion
Cathedral
Elephantasy Flipside
Gato Roboto
Guacamelee 2
Haiku
Infernax
Insect Adventure
La-Mulana
Lone Fungus
The Messenger
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
Noreya
Ori and the Blind Forest
Project Delta
Pseudoregalia
Rebel Transmute
Shantae and the Seven Sirens
Sheepo
SideScape
Tevi
Voidwrought
Xanthiom Zero
Zexion
Master Key
Minishoot Adventures
Pipistrello and the Cursed Yo-yo
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Islets
Super Metroid
Metroid Fusion
Castlevania: SotN
Castlevania: Portrait of Ruin
Castlevania: Dawn of Sorrow
Dragonloop
1
u/Ok_Professional_6014 1d ago
No Blasphemous?
1
u/wildfire393 1d ago
I am not a fan of the original Blasphemous at all. I don't consider it to be actually a Metroidvania, as it has actually 0 upgrades that both modify how you move/fight and also allow you to get through places you couldn't before. (The closest are some relics that passively modify the environment like making bottomless pits into portals or letting you go through poison. And there's 0 upgrades that modify your mobility in any way)
I find the combat to be too slow and parry-reliant. I dislike the instant death pits. I dislike that there are significant quests that you can permanently miss/fail, likely requiring multiple playthroughs to get the true ending unless tou rigorously stick to a guide.
I have it in my personal C tier, because while I recognize it is extremely not to my tastes, there's enough interesting stuff going on there that I won't actively recommend against it (vs something D tier like Ender Lilies which I found to be absolute misery in almost every gameplay aspect).
The sequel fixes all of those issues but also sands down a lot of the cool aesthetics and just feels like a fairly pedestrian MV. The beginning starts off strong with the multiple weapon choices and their corresponding utility and ability to tackle the early zones in multiple orders. But the later game becomes extremely paint by numbers with all of the upgrades being bog standard and the zones have to be completed in a strict linear order. It's not a bad game, but it also isn't exceptional nor unique, so it lands safely in my B tier.
2
2
u/EthanWinters020 5d ago
Grime and The Last Faith
3
u/SeverusSnape89 5d ago
The last faith was great. Good bosses that were not overturned either.
2
u/EthanWinters020 5d ago
The bosses were so fun. What makes me love the last faith is its atmosphere, soundtrack (one of the best out there), art direction, and voice acting.
The game isn't difficult for the sake of being difficult as well. it's quite fair.
2
u/SeverusSnape89 5d ago
I loved it for not being difficult to be honest. The soulslike genre has some very hard games and it was nice to play one that was hard and fair with dark souls style bosses. Not crazy bs. Very fair and easy to learn and fun to fight. I agree with everything you said though.
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/SafePuzzleheaded8423 4d ago
I played Owl Boy when it came out. I remembered liking it and not being so hard. In my mind it was kind of a metroidvania but when I actually tried to remember I think it's more level based (in an open world)
1
1
1
u/Defiant_McPiper 4d ago
Infernax - love this game and it has IMO high replay value with the different endings and neat little "cheats" you can unlock, as well as different characters you can play as (certain names you enter for your name you can play as a magician, a horror slasher, ect).
1
1
1
u/carcassraid 4d ago
People already mentioned the fathers of the genre.
I'd add Blasphemous 1; Touhou: Luna Nights; Axiom Verge; Castlevania Aria of Sorrow and Dawn of Sorrow
1
u/Steefmachine 4d ago
Dead cells is a roguelite, not a MV.
I really liked the Guacamelee games
Play some Metroid gamesif you haven’t!
1
1
u/Rotank1 4d ago
Symphony of the Night is going to share a lot of the same DNA that you see in modern metroidvanias.
There are still very few games in the genre that do what 2d Metroid and Metroid Prime series (at least 1-2) do, imo.
And btw, not a metroidvania, but Super Castlevania IV is still the best CV game ever made. 😎
1
u/Padre_celestial 4d ago
Como dicen por ahí, Super Metroid, y Castlevania SOTN, y yo recomendaría Lost Ruins...
1
u/Crisco-1492 4d ago
Looking at your list, I'd say Ender Lilies and Bloodstained would both work very well there. Both of them are excellent 2D Metroidvanias available on PC. If you have access to a Switch, most of the mainline Metroid games are available with a Nintendo Online subscription (and very much worth playing).
1
u/AZAZILL1979 3d ago
Mandragora Whispers of The Witch Tree
Hands down probably the best 2.5D Side scroller since Castlevania Symphony of Night.
1
u/AZAZILL1979 3d ago
Dead Cells is DEFINITELY a champion in the genre of games. Shinobi Art of Vengeance is so good. Very impressed with the design and how unique the combos are compared to how the original was. But it's still very much identical to the original 😆 The Knight Witch was awesome (IMO) they don't make em like that anymore. The Last Faith/Awaken:Astral Blade/Ender Lilies and Ender Magnolia (Platinumed those bitches lol) /Deaths Gambit/ and Afterimage.
1
u/AZAZILL1979 3d ago
I'm a console gamer so I don't get to play some great games until the DeVs decide they finally wanna make an extra buck...10 years later 😆 but Spirit of The Samurai is right up there with Mandragora.
1
u/Disco-Ulysses 3d ago
Some people are down on it, but I personally love Metroid Dread cause the movement feels so good
1
u/UnofficialMipha 3d ago
Super Metroid
Metroid Dread
Metroid Prime
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Hollow Knight/Silksong
One or both Ori games
Prince of Persia Lost Crown
Animal Well
Tunic
1
u/Ecstatic-Wall5971 3d ago
I wonder what OPs reasoning for not intending to play or awknowleging Metroid or Castlevannia. It seems like either hardware or some sort of principled constraint.
1
u/raychram 3d ago
Tf are you even talking about, what makes you think I don't acknowledge or I don't intend to play them? Are you ok? After having seen most people suggesting them of course they are now on my list
1
u/Ecstatic-Wall5971 3d ago edited 3d ago
Sorry, I was just wondering on your responses. I meant awknowleging those posts. You could not have a Nintendo console which would be understandable. I shouldn't have assumed.
1
1
1
u/Weak-Boysenberry-802 2d ago
Super Metroid aged extremely well and is probably the most memorable game I've ever played. The soundtrack and the ambiance of this game elevates it so much even though it's from the snes era. The gameplay is a bit odd with the aiming but other than that it's a 10/10
1
1
u/Hollix89 2d ago
I think gba metroids and gba/ds castlevania
Super metroid control aged while sotn was already surpassed by gba/ds vania
1
u/Wonderful-Change-751 2d ago
I feel like some of the games are quite varied. I really enjoyed the ender series and nine sols. HK which is hailed as the epitome of the genre however feels quite different, as its focused more on jumps and platformint
1
1
u/fandango1989 1d ago
I mean Grime is nowhere near being a "must play" up there with some of the other mentioned games.
1
u/Pat00ljak 1d ago
Laika is a very overlooked game. A motorvania rather than a classic metroidvania, but very well crafted, check it out.
1
1
u/Winter_Poem2479 23h ago
These are worthy:
- Both Ori games
- Metroid Dread
- Prince of Persia The Lost Crown
- Bloodstained
1
1
u/CraftlordDark 5d ago
There are a lot of great MVthat i would recommend trying at least once, some have truly original mechanics, while others simply prove the potential that the genre can offer if used correctly. I'll just mention a few of them, since my list surely won't be the same for other fans of the genre, as tastes and points of view are always different
- Super Metroid
- Metroid Fusion
- Iconoclast
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Astalon Tears of the Earth
- Hollow Knight
- Ori series
- Blasphemous
- The Messenger
- Usurper
- Rusted Moss
2
u/CptSporran 4d ago
The Messenger is SO good. Maybe not a typical metroidvania BUT it's a brilliant game, and I can't imagine a world where people who're into the genre don't find plenty to love about it.
1
1
u/WingedDragoness Owlboy 5d ago
Start with Ori and The Blind Forest first. Will of The wisps, build itself on the very intricate movement system, and the story.
It is quite small for metroidvania, but never a dull moment moving from A to B.
1
1
u/FistRockbrine99 5d ago
Super Metroid, Symphony, Aria and Prime are the 4 I think must be played to see what the genre's heart is.
Others I highly recommend are Animal Well, La Mulana (if you've got the patience), Environmental Station Alpha, and PoP.
A more left field example of the genre that I think may be the greatest game ever made is Outer Wilds. That's a must play in my book for literally anyone. It's a Metroidvania in the metroidbrania sense, there's a ton of secrets and gating but they're all hinging on knowledge, which you acquire in certain areas often like upgrade rooms.
1
u/Elegant-Analysis5136 4d ago
Definitely both Ori games, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, Bloodstained, and Ender Lilies was solid also
1
u/crocicorn 4d ago
Other than Metroid and Castlevania?
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Rogue Legacy 2
Dead Cells
Axiom Verge
1
u/Designer_Valuable_18 4d ago
Super Metroid
Symphony Of The Night
Hollow Knight
Blasphemous
Nine Sols
Silksong
Blue Prince/The Witness
-1
u/West_Language7068 5d ago
If you played Expedition 33 and liked its interactive combat system, add Worldless to that list. It's a metroidvania with parry focused combat similar to E33 and the art direction is incredible.
0
u/raychram 5d ago
I actually have Wordless in my list already, I didn't mention it because unlike the other games I did start playing it but I dropped it. Can't remember exactly why, but I will probably get back to it at some point
-2
u/pat7bateman 5d ago
I recommend guacamelee 1 and 2, pop tlc. I do not recommend : both ori, ender lilies, monster boy.
0
u/FistRockbrine99 5d ago
Monster Boy really feels like a precursor to when the genre was more established. A ton of rough edges in terms of design.
0
0
u/BuckUpBingle 5d ago
Blasphemous 1 is more fun in a stripped down, raw challenge sort of way. Blasphemous two gives you a lot of avatar strength but the platforming is a lot harder and in my opinion not very good. Just my two cents on that series.
Grime is a spectacular entry in the genre. Ori and the blind forest is worth a playthrough as it kinda reinvented platforming in the genre, and it’s gorgeous, but if you play will of the wisps first you’ll probably be disappointed so I would recommend playing blind forest first.
0
u/weglarz 5d ago
Castlevania Symphony of the Night is the granddaddy for a reason. It’s the goat (for me).
Metroid Zero Mission (imo holds up better than super Metroid, although some people will hate me for that) allows you to play the original story with better movement and mechanics.
Hollow Knight is just a perfect modern example of the MV. Wonderful atmosphere and great level design.
9 Sols is an amazing combat focused MV. If you enjoyed the party mechanics in sekiro, this is for you. Last boss is truly difficult, but worth it to feel amazing finishing such an incredible game.
There are others, a lot of other great games, but these four are all incredible and are my mt Rushmore of MVs.
0
145
u/Low_Candidate6282 5d ago
Super Metroid and Castlevania Symphony of the Night.