The Best Metroidvania Games

Update : Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark added at rank #50.
1

Pronty: Fishy Adventure (2021)

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100
Review score
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PC Windows

Guide Pronty and its Javelin partner Bront as it defend the once great city of Royla. Explore the deep sea, fight mutant sea creatures, and discover the secrets behind this new Atlantis in this beautiful action-packed adventure.

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  • metroidvania
  • underwater
  • 2d
  • scroller
  • shoot-em
  • multiple-endings
  • platform
  • cartoony
  • action-adventure
  • atmospheric
  • souls
  • cute
  • exploration

2

Kharon's Crypt - Even Death May Die (2020)

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100
Review score
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Linux PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Escape the eerie and deadly crypt as Kharon, a being thought to be death itself, in this metroidvania dungeon crawler game full of puzzles and riddles. Possess the bodies of your enemies to use their unique properties - fly as a bat, open locks as a skeleton, and more. With over 11 challenging boss fights and collectable Necronomicon pages full of lore, Kharon's Crypt is sure to keep you hooked. Plus, its colorblind-friendly design ensures accessibility for all players.


What we like:
  • Fun gameplay mechanics with controlling enemies
  • Good balance between simple gameplay and adding new abilities
  • Many creative puzzles with intuitive design
  • Charming look and animation
  • Good achievement support
What could be improved:
  • Excruciatingly janky combat
  • Some difficult-to-see visuals
  • Limited amount of saves
  • Needs a colorblind mode
  • Story only expands toward the game's end

  • protagonist
  • dungeon-crawler
  • souls
  • metroidvania
  • villain
  • logic
  • post-apocalyptic
  • dark
  • medieval
  • retro
  • old-school
  • action-adventure
  • zelda
  • anime
  • mystery

3

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in The Mist (2025)

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98
Review score
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Xbox Series X/s PC Windows Playstation 5 Playstation 4 Nintendo Switch Xbox One Xbox Series X

Decades after the events of ENDER LILIES, Homunculi — sorrowful, artificial life forms — roam the land. In this dark fantasy Metroidvania, face formidable enemies and explore a bewitching post-apocalyptic world. Humans and Homunculi — what awaits at the end of the quest for their salvation?

Buy

  • metroidvania
  • fantasy
  • rpg
  • dark
  • 2d
  • action
  • souls
  • rally
  • medieval
  • head-scratching
  • post-apocalyptic

4

Kalinur (2023)

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97
Review score
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Nintendo Switch Xbox Series X Playstation 5 Playstation 4 PC Windows Xbox One

Defeat the mage Kalinur and bring peace back to the kingdom in this mini metroidvania with a lot of action.


  • metroidvania
  • 2d
  • swordplay
  • retro
  • fantasy
  • platform
  • demons
  • pixel
  • dark
  • adventure
  • exploration
  • medieval
  • action
  • nonlinear

5

Hollow Knight (2017)

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96
Review score
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Xbox One Linux Mac OS PC Windows

Explore the depths of a forgotten kingdom teeming with cute but creepy creatures and epic adventure in the classic side-scrolling action game, Hollow Knight. Tightly tuned controls allow you to dash, dodge and slash your way through ferocious beasts and ancient knights. With over 130 enemies, 30 epic bosses and a vast interconnected world to explore, every playthrough is unique. Top it off with hauntingly beautiful visuals and an evocative soundtrack, and you've found your new go-to game.


What we like:
  • Beautiful and breathtaking visuals and soundtrack
  • Non-linear gameplay with exploration and challenging platforming
  • Rich lore and vast world with secrets
  • Difficulty offers a satisfying challenge
  • Remarkable amount of content for the price
What could be improved:
  • Difficulty, not for everyone

  • metroidvania
  • boss
  • boss-fight
  • platform
  • exploration
  • hand-drawn
  • difficult
  • cute
  • bug
  • action-adventure
  • 2d
  • frame-by-frame
  • souls
  • fight
  • difficult-to-pull-off

6

Touhou Luna Nights (2019)

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94
Review score
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Xbox One Playstation 4 j Playstation 5 PC Windows Nintendo Switch

Touhou Luna Nights is a metroidvania game with stunning 2D graphics and a unique time manipulation mechanic. You play as a maid fighting through a magical world. The game's puzzles and enemies are challenging and imaginative. The game also offers upgrades and new abilities for exploration. Despite the lack of detailed item information and backtracking, Touhou Luna Nights is a top-notch Metroidvania that genre fans should not miss.


What we like:
  • Beautiful graphics
  • Smooth gameplay
  • Challenging boss fights
  • Engaging story
  • Impressive sound design
What could be improved:
  • Short playtime
  • Familiar game mechanics
  • Frustrating save system

  • metroidvania
  • faith
  • manipulation
  • bullet-hell
  • beat-em-up
  • time
  • exploration
  • scroller
  • anime
  • boss-fight
  • pixel
  • platform
  • action-adventure
  • 2d

7

Youropa (2018)

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93
Review score
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PC Windows

Youropa is a mind-bending puzzle adventure set in a fragmented Paris. Walk on walls, defy gravity, and challenge your perception of the third dimension. Uncover new abilities, face ferocious enemies, and explore a beautifully designed urban environment. With its unique gameplay concept, Youropa promises a polished, fun, and challenging experience that will keep you hooked.


What we like:
  • Clever and gradually introduced puzzle design
  • Beautiful graphics and environments
  • High level of polish and charm
  • No forced story
  • Lots of content and levels
What could be improved:
  • Can be very difficult and frustrating
  • Some platforming sections require precise movements
  • Camera movement can be weird

  • puzzle
  • platform
  • character
  • metroidvania
  • abstract
  • editor
  • level
  • parkour
  • exploration
  • third-person
  • surreal
  • 3d
  • building
  • relaxing
  • driving

8

Shadow Man Remastered (2021)

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92
Review score
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Nintendo Switch PC Windows Xbox One Playstation 4

Shadow Man Remastered is an action-adventure game set in a grimey, industrial hellscape. Play as Michael LeRoi, a supernatural superhero brought back to life by voodoo priestess Mama Nettie who implanted the Mask of Shadows into his chest. Explore labyrinthine worlds and battle enemies using your Shadow Gun and Voodoo magic.


What we like:
  • Unique control system allows player to use a distinct item in each hand
  • Restored content not found in any original releases
  • Great voice acting
  • Terrifying soundtrack
  • Labyrinthine world
What could be improved:
  • No map system to help with navigation
  • Platforming can be hit or miss due to camera angle

  • action-adventure
  • platform
  • tps
  • metroidvania
  • horror
  • 3d
  • exploration
  • third-person
  • old-school
  • retro
  • shooter
  • adventure
  • atmospheric
  • demons
  • dark

9

Rusted moss (2023)

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92
Review score
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j PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 5 Xbox One Xbox Series X

Rusted Moss is a twin-stick shooter metroidvania where you sling around the map with your grapple, blasting your way through witches and rusted machine monstrosities alike. This wasteland once harboring mankind has since fallen, and Fae long forgotten now knock on humanity's door...

Buy

  • metroidvania
  • precision
  • platform
  • 2d
  • twin-stick
  • anime
  • pixel
  • post-apocalyptic
  • action-adventure
  • dark
  • cycle
  • multiple-endings
  • colourful
  • cute
  • traversal

10

Transiruby (2021)

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91
Review score
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PC Windows Nintendo Switch Playstation 4 Xbox One Xbox Series X

Join Siruby and her trusty AI partner in uncovering the secrets of an unknown land in Transiruby, the latest pixelated Metroidvania game from Skipmore! Enjoy thrilling action-packed gameplay with elements of puzzles and riddles, as you collect golden Tranchips to progress to the next stage, freeze enemies for footholds, and transform into a plane or motorbike for added excitement. Satisfy your desire for exploration and discovery as you immerse yourself in this exciting adventure and stunning visuals.

Buy

What we like:
  • Satisfying gameplay combining combat and puzzle-solving
  • Plenty of content
  • Engaging and addicting gameplay
  • Tight controls
  • Creative interplay between health and munition
What could be improved:
  • Backtracking can be tedious
  • Limited fast travel system
  • Absence of a backstory with few interesting characters
  • Repetitive combat system
  • Shortening of soundtrack

  • metroidvania
  • pixel
  • 2d
  • platform
  • action-adventure
  • hack-and-slash
  • scroller

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