I’ve been playing a bunch of Rusted Moss lately. It’s a Twin Stick Shooter Metroidvania, which is appreciably different from the Hack and Slash type I normally play. Getting used to mouse-and-keyboarding a platform heavy game took a bit. And boy are there platforms.
While elements of Metroidvanias are there, this game leans way further into the platforming. I would say it’s closer to Celeste than Hollow Knight. Imagine Celeste, but instead of a magic dash and climbing gear Madeline had a gun and a chatty grappling hook.
Anyways, I’ve been enjoying the heck outta this game and wanted to share. While you’re here I will accept any and all Metroidvania recommendations. Except for Cookie Cutter probably.
There’s always the classics: Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is a spritual sequel to Symphony, made by a good chunk of the people who made Symphony now that Konami has effectively stopped making games.
The Castlevania GBA and DS games are great as well.
I also really enjoyed Blaster Master Zero. It has a few distinct gameplay styles within the overarching metroidvania style overworld progression. Side scrolling platformer in a tank, on foot, and isometric on foot shooter.
I’ve enjoyed what I’ve played of Xeodrifter, but I didn’t get too far into it.
“Blaster Master?” takes long drag on cigarette “I haven’t heard that name game in years.”
Man, I remember playing the OG on NES. Didn’t know they remade it… And made it all anime lookin’? Neat. If you’ll excuse me, I must go and tidy my crypt now.
I recently picked up the Castlevania Anniversary Collection. For all the Metroidvanias I’ve played as an adult, I never really got too into them as a kid. Gotta make up for that at some point, lol. Symphony of the Night isn’t on there, but I don’t want to start mid storyline (I’m kidding). My biggest fear is playing Castlevania will just make me more impatient for the next season of Castlevania Nocturne.
Funny thing is, I’ve enjoyed a lot of Metroidvanias, but…never enjoyed Symphony of the Night. There’s so much forceful encounter repetition, so many dead end items that don’t actually help you “unlock any doors”, and it’s so easy to get into a rut of wandering the castle unsure where you can go next.
I’m not trying to tell you you have to like it, or how to play your games, but there is no shame in using a guide if it helps you enjoy it more. I’ve had to come to terms with that personally
That’s the thing. I even remember trying to use a guide, but it’s difficult to work past all the “Here are 18 secrets that don’t do anything you can get from the beginning” as well as all the bits you can do out of order. Locating the part of the guide that gives you just enough to keep playing on your own is really difficult.
Many other Metroidvanias are sort of more clearly delineated between story beats, or major powerups you’re meant to get in order, all of which allow you to go places you couldn’t before.
If you haven’t already, Axiom Verge, both Blasphemous games and Cave Story are all consistently recommended (for good reason!), along with the two Ori games. If you get a bit further out from there you might try Psuedoregalia, Iconoclasts, Owlboy, The Messenger, Animal Well, Shantae and the Pirates Curse, and La Mulana.
Sweet, thanks! I loved the heck outta Blasphemous and the Ori games. I’d love to see another game in the Ori universe, it’s so pretty. Some of the others have been on my wish list for a bit. Might be time to crack one open.
Another not bad series is Guacamelee. I haven’t played the second one yet, but I really enjoyed the humor and gameplay of the first.
Not a full recommendation, but Pronty was a nice small metroidvania. It was a nice inbetween game while waiting for larger games to play.
- You control your character and your weapon independently
- There is very little platforming as you can swim into any direction
- Enemy designs and environments were interesting in the earlier half. Environments were a bit uninspiring later on
- Took me around 8h to fully clear (excluding highest difficulty mode)
Ooh, seems really interesting. Thanks for the recommendation! I’ve added it to my wishlist :)
