Summary

• With Metroid and Castlevania games in rare supply, indie Metroidvanias have kept the genre alive with several outstanding titles.
• While games like Hollow Knight and Animal Well provide an eerie atmosphere, other titles, including Yoku's Island Express, offer a more lighthearted experience.

The 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:Metroidvania genre is famous for its vast open worlds, non-linear progression, and unrivaled sense of immersion. Named after the Metroid and Castle꧒vania series, the platforming sub-genre stuck around long after its inspirations went into hiatus, thanks to the remarkable lineup of indie titles.

Even after the Metroid series returned, indie Metroidvanias remained at the forefront of innovation and creativity, providing a never-ending supply of fresh ideas, exciting gameplay twists, and breathtaking worlds to explore. The genre is healthier tha🐓n ever, but withﷺ so many games to choose from, which ones are most worth your time?

8 Carrion

A Horror Game Where You're The Monster

As a self-proclaimed "reverse horror game," Carrion has you control a raging monster bent on annihilating everything and everyone in sight. After being imprisoned in a lab for experimentation, you must escape your bindings and seek sweet revenge against the people who put you there. Needless to say, it's one of 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the darkest Metroidvania games.

You can evolve into a larger and more powerful beast by exploring the facility and recovering pieces of the creature's genetic code. With an exhilarating story and plenty of devastating abilities to unlock, Carrion is a blast from start to finish.

7 Anima🦄l Well 😼

An Excellent Blend Of Puzzle-Solving And Exploration

Check out 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:our review of Animal Well to learn more!

Published by YouTuber videogamedunkey, Animal🌸 ♏Well places you in the role of a tiny, defenseless blob trapped in an eerie underground labyrinth. Massive, bloodthirsty creatures lurk in the darkness, and with no means of attacking, you must solve puzzles and hunt for secrets to find ways to survive.

Animal Well makes the most of its pixel graphics, creating a spooky, eye-catching world you can immerse yourself in for hours. The puzzle-solving aspect is a refreshing substit🌃ution for combat, and the gameplay is simple enough for newcomers while providing enough challenge for Metroidvania veterans.

6 💎 ಌ Pseudoregalia

A Retro-Inspired 3D Metroidvania

As a൲ rare instance of a 3D Metroidvania, Pseudoregalia seamlessly translates the genre into an N64-inspired platformer. The story follows a humanoid goat named Sybil, who storms a mysterious, distorted castle in search of a princess. The rest of the twist-heavy plo🔜t is for you to discover.

The non-linear exploration is complemented by a moveset reminiscent of Super Mario 64, featuring wall jumps, backflips, and side somersaults. This lets you pull off many parkour moves to grab new abilities and find secrets. It's a short adventure but well worth it for an 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:excellent Metroidvania on Steam.

5 Yoku's Island Express

Explore An Open World By Playing Pinball

In Yoku's Island Express, the entire world is one big pinball machine. On top of traditional platforming segments, you'll use bumpers to send the titular dung beetle soaring across non-linear, pinball-inspired areas brimming with secrets and collectibles.

It's not easy being a mail carrier on Mokumana Island. It's Yoku's first day on the job, and he's already tasked with saving the world from an ancient deity. You must explore the tropical paradise, meet all kinds of quirky characters, and tackle massive bosses in thrilling pinball fights. Check it out if you want a silly yet engaging twist on the Metroidvania format.

I was initially skeptical of the pinball mechanic, but those concern💃s disappeared after I played the game. The pinball gameplay feels responsive and less gimmicky than I had anticipated. Overall, I was very pleas♋antly surprised.

4 Ultros

A Psychedelic Metroidvania With Roguelite Elements

Ultros delivers a psychedelic spin on the Metroidvania genre. You're a lone warrior trapped in a bizarre Lovecraftian world called The Sarcophagus, where you and the many alien inhabitants are stuck in a never-ending time loop. Everything from the vibrant environments to the introspective soundtrack is nothing short of mind-bending.

The gameplay involves open-world exploration, roguelite elements, and a unique skill tree that has you unlock new abilities by eating the remains of enemies. The more strategically you uﷺtilize perfect dodges and parries, the more nutritious the monster parts are, creating a challenging yet rewarding combat system that constantly keeps you on your toes🔜.

3 Shantae And The Seven 🉐Sirens

A Silly Metroidvania With Zelda-Like Dungeons

Everyone's favorite Half-Genie hero is famous for her quirky humor, bubbly personality, and colorful supporting cast. In Shantae and the Seven Sirens, she explores a vibrant, non-linear tropical island brimming with towns and Zelda-like dungeons.

Shantae stands out from other platforming mascots thanks to her ability to transform into different animals, which grants her various powers. These range from a tiny monkey who can climb walls to a tortoise with a devastating stomp attack. Overall, it's a lighthearted, wholesome, and funny adventure, 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:perfect for Metroidvania newcomers.

Shantae is my all-time favori𝔉te Metroidvania series. The💧 Zelda-like dungeons feel right at home in the genre, and the humor never fails to evoke a smile.

2 Axiom Verge ဣ

A Loving Throwback To NES Classics

Initially launching in 2015, Axiom Verge played a significant role in sparking the indie Metroidvania revolution. After a horrific lab 🐻accident, scientist Trace Eschenbrenner wakes up on a bizarre alien planet. Guided by a large mechanical head named Elsenova, he must discover the many secrets of this maze-like world to find a way home.

Axiom Verge's graphics and gameplay feel like a love letter to the NES. While the environment, progression, and open-world exploration are reminiscent of Metroid, the run-and-gun platforming borrows elements from Contra and Blaster Master. If you like the classics, this game is worth your time.

1 ✃ Hollow Knight

A Legendary Indie Metroidvania

Often considered 168澳洲幸运5开奖网:the best Metroidvania ever, Hollow Knight is renowned for its breathtaking hand-drawn art style, thought-provoking lore, and haunting open world. You play as an unnamed knight who ventures through the decaying ruins of a fallen kingdom called Hallownest. Armed with only a nail, you must survive the vicious underground depths and unravel the mystery behind the land's tragic past.

The macabre Gothic world is a joy to explore, thanks to the crisp platform♏ing, engaging sword-based combat, andꦚ many towering bosses. Challenging, immersive, and rich with secrets, Hollow Knight is the indie game equivalent of required reading.