Summary
A key aspect of Metroidvanias is the drip-feeding of impactful upgradesthat encourage exploration. Much of the joy typically comes from the sense of discovery that these upgrades evoke, and, as a result, these games tend to get off to slow starts.
Some Metroidvanias, however, manage to befun from the get-go. This is usually thanks to fluid movement controls, accessible gameplay, or a faster pace than usual. Rich world design and immersive atmospheres can also help to make the onboarding process a more engaging experience.
6Gato Roboto
An Accessible & Minimalist Approach
Gato Robotois a minimalist Metroidvania about a cat in a mech-suit. This charming set-up makes this black-and-white action game remarkably approachable, supported byclassic run-and-gungameplay that will be familiar to many and easy to learn for beginners.
Overall, the classic combination of exploration and action provides a straightforward structure for the moment-to-moment gameplay. While this may be a little basic for some, the combination of familiar mechanics and tongue-in-cheek charm make it an immediately fun experience.
This unique combination of the roguelite and Metroidvania genres is a stylish action-platformer with RPG elements. The game’s slick combat is a definite strength, bolstered by intuitive, tactile controls that allow players to maneuver through each environment with ease and make traversal an immediately fun experience.
The action-packed nature ofDead Cells, thanks to itspredominantly roguelite structure, allows for a consistently engaging loop in which players need not worry about getting lost or discovering the next upgrade. However, while this is certainly a strength, fans of more traditional Metroidvanias may not get much out of this one.
This top-downtwin-stick shooterexcels with simple controls and familiar gameplay that give it a widespread appeal. This is supported further by bright cartoon graphics and a variety of accessibility options that are sure to provide fun for a wide range of players.
These options include auto-fire, aim-assist, and three difficulty settings that provide a dynamic level of challenge. Overall, it’s the inoffensive style, familiar controls, and approachable difficulty that ensureMinishootis a highly polished and immediately fun Metroidvania.
Pseudoregaliais a movement-based Metroidvania with little in the way of combat, though it does feature a small variety of enemies and bosses. The real joy of this title, however, is its quiet melancholic atmosphere and tactile movement controls that make the frequent 3D platforming a tremendously satisfying experience.
Additionally,Pseudoregaliatakes little time at all in expanding this move-set, making it more expressive and even more of a joy to use. For fans of 3D platformers, old-school graphics, and melancholic atmospheres,Pseudoregaliais worth a shot.
Hollow Knight’smelancholic and truly mysterious atmosphere is immediately apparent and highly immersive thanks to a winning hand-drawn art style and tranquil soundtrack. Players are almost immediately exposed to its charming NPCs and interconnected underground world and set off on a memorable adventure through numerous locations.
The combat is simple but skill-based, especially during boss fights, and there are a variety of encounters to battle through right away. However, it’s arguablyHollow Knight’simmediately mysterious world that provides the strongest motivation to further explore its depths.
1Animal Well
Immediately Mysterious & Completely Accessible
Animal Wellis a truly unique Metroidvania not only for its neon-infusedpixel-art presentationbut for its distinctive lack of combat mechanics and focus on lightweight puzzle-solving. More importantly,Animal Wellsucceeds with itsquiet and enigmatic atmospherethat players are steeped in from the very start.
This atmosphere rewards curiosity and encourages methodical exploration, drip-feeding players unique landmarks and new tools. All of this is immediately fun thanks to simple controls, stylish presentation, and a quick gameplay introduction.
