Summary
- Metroidvania games are underrated due to gaming;s focus on 3D graphics, but new releases like Laika: Aged Through Blood revive the genre.
- Laika: Aged Through Blood offers unique platforming with a motorcycle in a post-apocalyptic world, worth revisiting.
- Islets provides a softer Metroidvania experience with charming themes, innovative level designs, and an emotionally charged journey.
Metroidvania games are a highly underrated genre of games in the modern day, mainly due to the advancement of hardware and developer tools that have ushered in the era of 3D graphics and vibrant open worlds. Metroidvanias were once the pillars of the gaming community, with influential and classic titles like Castlevania and Metroid Prime forming the foundation of what many games are today.
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However, the Metroidvania genre is far from inactive, and there are frequent new releases that breathe life into the genre and deliver incredibly well-crafted and unique games that build off the legacy of the games that came before them. The sad thing is, those games often don't get enough attention. Here are some of the best Metroidvania games that deserve more love.
Laika: Aged Through Blood
A Wild And Violent Mess Of Fun
Laika: Aged Through Blood
- Released
- October 19, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- M For Mature 17+ // Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language
- Developer(s)
- Brainwash Gang
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania
Laika: Aged Through Blood is unlike any other member of the Metroidvania genre and combines several themes that make it an exciting and enthralling game to play. Set is a post-apocalyptic world that is presented as a mix of Mad Max and Beastars. Players control a motorcycle-riding coyote shaman named Laika on a mission of revenge. Focusing on skill-based combat, Laika: Aged Through Blood goes the extra mile to be unique and succeeds admirably.
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Where Laika: Aged Through Blood truly shines and stands out from most Metroidvanias is in its platforming. Laika traverses the levels using her motorcycle, flipping and hitting jumps like players might in a Trials game while performing daredevil trick shots and reloads in mid-air. Laika: Aged Through Blood received high praise upon release, but it is a game that many who missed the initial wave should put back on their radar.
Ex Vitro
A Strong Burst Of Nostalgia
- Released: January 31, 2024
- Developer: Evolver Dynamics
- Platforms: PC
Ex Vitro is a game that builds upon its predecessors and draws lots of inspiration from the Metroid franchise, delivering an extensive 2D science fiction adventure. Players investigate a strange world by delving into an abandoned military base infested with danger at every turn, breathing life into the classic science fiction horror that the Metroid series was founded on.
Ex Vitro demands attention for its simplistic yet effective aesthetic, which utilizes flat gray and doubles to create a luminous atmosphere that pairs well with its challenging level design. It encourages the player to explore and rewards their patience with an immersive narrative that expands further as the players progress. Ex Vitro deserves more love and can currently be played for free on Steam.
The Last Faith
A Dark, Gothic Adventure With A Unique Charm
The Last Faith
- Released
- November 15, 2023
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen // Blood and Gore, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Playstack
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania
The Last Faith is the perfect game for veterans and new fans of the Castlenvaia series, delivering a macabre and action-focused RPG with solid platforming and Soulslike elements. The atmosphere of The Last Faith is reminiscent of a 2D Bloodborne, where players take on the role of an amnesiac man who awakens in a nightmare and must cut his way through endless hordes of monstrosities to survive.
The crown jewel of The Last Faith is its challenging and intricate combat, which offers more depth than simply aiming and shooting, allowing for attack combos and a slew of upgrades and weapon options. The game's thick horror aesthetic comes off magnificently in its gameplay and storytelling, making it a great pick-up that offers a substantial amount of entertainment, one that is deserving of a lot more love and hype.
Islets
A Vibrant And Wholesome Culmination of Entertainment
Islets
- Released
- August 24, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Kyle Thompson
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania
Islets is a much lighter-toned game than the majority of its peers on this list and merges the platforming focus and classic gameplay of Metroidvania games with softer and more somber themes. Players play as Iko, an anthropomorphic character who is on a mission to put his home back together after a cataclysmic event rips it apart.
Islets brings a unique visual style, innovative level design, and an emotionally charged journey of hope and humor . It's a perfect, low-impact game that rides its narrative to the finish line while still providing an entertaining gameplay experience. While not as challenging as other Metroidvania games, it has a charm and appeal that deserves more attention.
Ghost Song
A Mysterious And Meticulous Adventure
Ghost Song
- Released
- November 3, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
Ghost Song brings a host of inspirations and innovations as a breathtaking installment in the Metroidvania genre. It takes a dense, rich science fiction atmosphere and complements it with a wide variety of game mechanics that enhance combat, exploration, and storytelling. Players awaken as a deadsuit, a unique character on an alien moon.
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The game's story expands as players progress and unlock the secrets of this strange extraterrestrial adventure. Ghost Song combines various combat types, ranging from classic shooter mechanics to melee weapons and upgrades, which helps keep the experience fresh. Its beautiful scenery and design make Ghost Song an underrated gem for die-hard Metroidvania fans and average gamers seeking something new.
Moonscars
A Gorgeous And Enticing Combination Of Style And Action
Moonscars
- Released
- September 27, 2022
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Blood and Gore, Mild Language, Partial Nudity, Violence
- Developer(s)
- Black Mermaid
- Genre(s)
- Soulslike, Metroidvania
Moonscars is a pure and original entry into the Metroidvania genre, taking inspiration from previous genre entries and other games with Soulslike elements, yet succeeds in standing out on its own with its unique watercolor art style, stunning animation, interesting main characters, and detailed gameplay. Players take on a dark and dismal underworld as a Clayborn warrior named Grey Irma.
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While on a journey to find her purpose and uncover the truth about her creation, players must carve a grueling and fast-paced path through hordes of horrific enemies and bosses. Moonscars is the perfect game for players seeking challenge, entertainment, and rich story content, all of which it delivers in abundance. Unfortunately, Moonscars has gone quite underappreciated and is an excellent under-the-radar pickup on PS5 or Steam.
Tales Of Kenzera: Zau
A Magical Experience Of Emotional Maturity And Self-Discovery Disguised As A Game
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
- Released
- April 23, 2024
WHERE TO PLAY
- ESRB
- E10+ For Everyone 10+ Due To Fantasy Violence
- Developer(s)
- Surgent Studios
- Genre(s)
- Platformer
Tales of Kenzera: Zau brings a beautiful mixture of culture, creativity, action, and challenge. Players embark on an engaging adventure through a mystical plane, where the main character, Zau, navigates grief and healing after the loss of his father. The game draws heavy inspiration from Bantu mythology, which plays into Zau's shamanic ancestry and the abilities he uses to combat the powerful spirits that oppose him on his journey.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau's main appeal is its extremely vibrant combat and platforming, centered around Zau's powers of the moon in the sun, which are a joy to use in the game. Easily deserving of a great deal more attention for its AAA-quality and its immaculate story delivered by a single indie studio, this is a standout Metroidvania that more players should be talking about.
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