Summary
Metroidvaniasare a very unique subgenre in the video game sphere. Named after a portmanteau of two influential franchises in the genre (MetroidandCastlevania), Metroidvanias generally involve the player traveling through a large open area searching for key items and new abilities to progress into new areas.
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While Metroidvanias did not always feature RPG mechanics, somenewer entries have included themfor the sake of providing more variety in the concept’s gameplay. While Metroidvanias with RPG elements remain incredibly rare, there are quite a few that are worth playing.
The thirdDarksidersgame follows Fury of the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse as she is ordered to hunt down the Seven Deadly Sins. It runs parallel to the events ofDarksiders 2while also serving as a prequel to the firstDarksiders.
Designed by a new company,Darksiders 3completely revamps the gameplay of the series,making it very different from the first two games. It adopted mechanics from Metroidvanias, Soulslikes, and RPGs. While Metroidvania fans may find it enjoyable, the game has been criticized for being too simple.
Record of Lodoss Waris a classic fantasy anime from the ’90s, based on a novel series by Ryo Mizuno. This game follows the adventures of the popular character Deedlit as she wanders a strange labyrinth filled with past enemies and allies.
Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinthis a game that is clearly inspired bySymphony of the Night, which is evident from its retro-2D aesthetic and UI. While it doesn’t do anything new,fans of Metroidvanias are sure to enjoy this classic throwback.
6Valdis Story: Abyssal City
Metacritic Score: 83
When a ship is attacked by monsters and sunk, four plucky adventurers awaken in the city of Sitheil, a long-lost city. As they fight horrific creatures and search for the missing crew, the four adventurers wander the city and discover a secret that changes everything they know about their world.
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Valdis Story: Abyssal Cityis one of many indie games that take influence from the Metroidvania genre. A Kickstarter game, it received far beyond its initial goal in support and was received incredibly positively.
In a world where anthropomorphic animals walk the land, Dust awakens with no memories. Joined by the Blade of Ahrah and Fidget, the sword’s guardian, Dust decides to wander the land as he searches for answers.
An indie game developed for Microsoft Studios,Dust: An Elysian Tailwas created entirely by one person. The game features unique characters and power-ups on top of gaining experience to level up Dust’s various attributes. Aside from classic Metroidvania games, the creator has also taken influence from hack-and-slash action games likeGolden AxeandYs I & II.
Miriam awakens after being asleep for years to learn that England is being threatened by a man named Gebel. A Shardbinder with the power to control the powers of demons, Miriam sets out to stop Gebel, eventually infiltrating his castle, the hellhold.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Nightis a spiritual successor developed by Koji Igarashi, the man behindCastlevania: Symphony of the Nightand many of its classic games. The game takes its cues from classicCastlevaniagames of that era, although it certainly has a few unique elements of its own.
A ship to deliver a princess to be married to the king of another country is attacked by marauders. The ship is wrecked, and a stowaway on the ship awakens on a mysterious island. The stowaway sets off to find the missing princess, with little help aside from a strange old man he meets on the island.
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Salt and Sanctuaryis an indie gamethat takes as much fromDark Soulsas it does from Metroidvanias. Despite its rather simple concept, the game was considerably well-received and gained a sequel calledSalt and Sacrificein 2022.
When Richter Belmont disappears and Dracula’s castle reappears despite its owner’s death,Alucard, the son of Dracula, is forced to investigate. Alucard enters the castle only to learn that Richter has somehow been possessed, and a sinister plan to resurrect Dracula is fomenting.
Unlike the other progenitor of Metroidvanias,Castlevaniahas never shied away from adding elements from other genres into its gameplay.Symphony of the Nightwas the firstCastlevaniagame to feature RPG mechanics, allowing its main character Alucard to become stronger as he gains experience.
In 2035, Soma Cruz finds himself suddenly transported to Dracula’s Castle, which was sealed away within a solar eclipse. Discovering that he has the ability to absorb and copy the abilities of the monsters in the castle, Soma begins exploring the castle to find a way home.
Aria of Sorrowis one of the greatestCastlevaniagames of all time and a pioneer for Metroidvanias with RPG mechanics.Aria of Sorrowdelves deeper into RPG mechanics thanSymphony of the Nightdoes,and its influence on the genre remains great even after all these years.
