Most game fans have probably played both a Metroidvania and a roguelike before. Metroidvanias are classic, typically 2D games with interconnected maps, locked away by hidden traversal powers. Some even include RPG elements like leveling up and gear selection. Roguelikes are challenging games wherein death resets progress, although there are often ways to improve characters in-between sessions. The video game industry is always evolving, and sometimes that includes combining genres into one mega genre.
That’s where Roguevanias come into play. There aren’t as many of these games as there are pure Metroidvanias or roguelikes, but they are indeed alive and well, combining the best aspects from both genres. To summarize it neatly, these games have Metroidvania-like map layouts, traversal powers, and the trappings of roguelikes like resetting progress after death, but getting permanent upgrades to get stronger too. They’re the best of both, or more like three worlds, hence the name Roguevania.
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Dead Cells
It’s Blobbin' Time
Dead Cells
- Released
- August 7, 2018
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Language, Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike
Dead Cells is an iconic roguelike that ranks up there with Hades in terms of popularity and staying power, since it has received many updates and crossover events. On a run, players can go through different biomes, and along the way, they can eventually unlock traversal powers like the ability to grow vines or smash through floors.
These powers will unlock alternate routes, which will lead to new biomes or secrets. Also, in true roguelike fashion, Dead Cells players can unlock permanent upgrades like building weapons from blueprints or increasing potion capacity, but not stats.
Rogue Legacy 2
A Family Affair
Rogue Legacy 2
- Released
- April 28, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Crude Humor, Fantasy Violence
- Genre(s)
- Roguelike, Metroidvania
Rogue Legacy 2 expanded upon the first game in many ways, like offering more classes and better upgrade trees to increase stats permanently. The original did a decent job incorporating some Metroidvania elements, but the sequel full-on added traversal powers called Heirlooms.
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Once an Heirloom is found, all future generations can use that move like an air dash. Granted, these traversal abilities didn’t gate a lot of areas off, but they made sections easier with them unlocked and sometimes opened up secret paths.
Trinity Fusion
Charlie’s Multidimensional Angels
Trinity Fusion
- Released
- April 13, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
Trinity Fusion is a unique roguelike in many ways. Players will start with one character, and then branch out to three who hail from different realities but are tied to one psychic entity. Players can swap between the three femme fatales at home base, and then jump into their worlds and explore in a typical Metroidvania fashion with branching maps.
There are permanent upgrades that will be shared between all three characters, but the one thing that won’t be shared are their traversal abilities, which are unlocked throughout the story. For example, Kera can get a grappling hook.
Sundered
Drop Dead Drawings
Sundered
-
OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 76 /100 Critics Rec: 57%
- Released
- July 28, 2017
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 4
Sundered will appeal to Hollow Knight fans because it has equally stunning hand-drawn visuals. This game skews more toward the Metroidvania end of the Roguevania spectrum, as it takes place in a huge labyrinth and doesn’t offer a lot of the temporary perks that are found in most roguelikes.
That said, there is a permanent upgrade tree, and the dungeon does get randomized after death while retaining some changes. For example, an early lab area will keep its power on once players fix it, and doors can stay open to help with progression. Also, perks and powers are gained for traversal, offensive, and defensive maneuvers.
Oblivion Override
A MechTroidvania
- Developer: Humble Mill
- Publisher: Paleo
- Released: Jan 24, 2024
- Platform: PC
Oblivion Override is laid out like a Metroidvania on runs. Players can find a lot of access points to warp to, making backtracking easier before moving on to a new biome. What’s great about this Roguevania is that players can unlock new mech models to control, switching out starting weapons and powers.
In dungeons, players can find an assortment of temporary boosts, ranging from leveling up stats to gaining different weapons. There are not a lot of mech-based roguelikes of any sort out there, making Oblivion Override extra unique.
Eagle Island
Bird-Based Exploring
Eagle Island
- Released
- July 11, 2017
WHERE TO PLAY
Eagle Island started as a pure Roguevania, but it was later re-released as Eagle Island Twist. Now, players can decide if they want to play handcrafted levels without the roguelike experience, or they can play the original with all the quirks in motion.
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In the original version, players will traverse an overworld and then jump into dungeons, which will be randomly generated. Inside, players can get temporary upgrades, including traversal abilities like a spring-powered jump. They will gain new powers at the end of each dungeon, like an electric feather to power up the owl companion, to then proceed further into the overworld. Both types of maps are laid out in classic Metroidvania style with warp points.
Little Noah: Scion of Paradise
The Minions Too
Little Noah: Scion of Paradise
- Released
- June 28, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- e
- Genre(s)
- Action, Roguelike
Little Noah: Scion of Paradise looks a lot like Bravely Default: Flying Fairy, especially with the main character, Noah. She’s a treasure hunter who crash-landed on some floating islands. Materials gained in dungeons can be used to repair the ship, which is how permanent upgrades are born, like gaining more HP.
Instead of fighting herself, Noah gets spiritual minions in dungeons called Lilliputs that fight for her. Dungeons have a Metroidvania-style map, and, most helpful of all, fast travel does not require specific nodes, as players can retrace their steps in the given biome. Little Noah: Scion of Paradise is great-looking, has interesting combat systems, and feels like a callback to the 90s in terms of the airship/sky island theme.
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