Metroidvania might be my favorite genre. I love exploring every nook and cranny for secrets.
However, I’ve learned my taste in that particular genre seems to be very specific.
For example, everyone and their grandma seems to think Hollow Knight is the top of the heap…but I don’t. I find it dark, boring, and far too difficult. I quit 2/3 of the way through because I had no more interest in continuing.
When it comes to the definition of Metroidvania:
When the word started being commonly used, I figured it referred to an actual combination of a Metroid-style game with SotN lite RPG elements like experience points and leveling up. Lately it seems more to refer to any Metroid-style game, even ones that don’t include leveling.
Under that definition, yes I would include Batman Arkham Asylum as part of the genre, because in spite of the 3D you’re still given a more specific direction of where to go. I would NOT include City or Origins because IMO they play more like open-world games.
Anyway, I consider Super Metroid and SotN among my favorite games ever. Just on my PS4 I’ve completed Bloodstained, Blasphemous, Iconoclasts, and Axiom Verge, still working on Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse and, if I ever get back to it, Hollow Knight. I’m looking to try out as many as I can, and thanks to everyone here who has listed suggestions. Ender Lilies looks really good.