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General and Gaming => Modern Video Games => Topic started by: monkeyjam on February 24, 2021, 10:19:54 am

Title: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: monkeyjam on February 24, 2021, 10:19:54 am
Hello everyone,

I'ts my first topic here and i just discovered recently the Metroidvania style game with Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition on PS4 and i found it incredible.

So i wanted to know what's your best ?

Thanks in advance!
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: scott on February 24, 2021, 10:37:54 am
My bias is showing. But I have to say that you can't go wrong with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.

Or even any of the DS Castlevania games, especially Order of Ecclesia.

Or Aria of Sorrow on GBA.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: telly on February 24, 2021, 10:53:57 am
My favorite is definitely Hollow Knight.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: Cartagia on February 24, 2021, 11:44:21 am
My favorite is definitely Hollow Knight.

Same here.  Hollow Knight is pretty easily the greatest Metroidvania of all time, at least for me.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on February 24, 2021, 11:45:23 am
Love me some Metroidvania! Probably my favorite genre of games.

Super Metroid is the best. So good. As are Metroid: Fusion and Metroid: Zero Mission (but Super Metroid takes the cake).

Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is the best Castlevania one. The GBA and DS entries are also quite good. But the 8-bit and 16-bit entries aren't Metroidvania.

As for non Metroid or Castlevania ones:

Shadow Complex is awesome and has a different feel than most since it's set in modern times.

Ori and the Blind Forest and Ori and the Will O Wisps are gorgeous, hand drawn looking graphics set in a mystical forest.

Cave Story is a fun little Metroidvania with a retro 8-bit feel.

The King's Field games on PS1 and PS2 are first-person RPGs that definitely have a Metroidvania, exploratory feel to it. Though it's one of those games you either love or hate. There's no in-between.

People don't really think of Zelda games as Metroidvanias, but the design is very similar. You get that one item, such as a hookshot, that now allows you to get to that area you couldn't get to before.

Though unlike others here, I didn't like Hollow Knight. Just didn't grab me.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: scott on February 24, 2021, 12:09:12 pm
Oh good call, I never really thought of Zelda having that item requirement exploration as a Metroidvania game, since there's so much other world exploration and such.

But I can totally see it now.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: tpugmire on February 24, 2021, 12:14:48 pm
One that I really enjoyed was Axiom Verge.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: zenimus on February 24, 2021, 03:49:47 pm
Super Metroid is definitely the big one here. Play it at night in the dark and crank up the volume! The music and atmosphere is amazing.

There's two other really good ones I've played on Switch:

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: kamikazekeeg on February 24, 2021, 05:41:13 pm
The Messenger is partially a metroidvania styled game as much as being an old Ninja Gaiden game too, highly recommend it.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: Cartagia on February 24, 2021, 06:27:29 pm
The Messenger is partially a metroidvania styled game as much as being an old Ninja Gaiden game too, highly recommend it.

I always forget about the Metroidvania parts of this game, because the action platforming is so good (much better than the MV part, IMO).  It is also extremely funny.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on February 24, 2021, 06:30:01 pm
The Messenger is partially a metroidvania styled game as much as being an old Ninja Gaiden game too, highly recommend it.

I can't get to the Metroidvania part. I can't beat the last boss of the linear levels for the life of me. It's a shame since it's such a good game.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: turf on February 24, 2021, 07:01:32 pm
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

You took the words out of my mouth. The Shantae games are great.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on February 24, 2021, 08:10:59 pm
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

You took the words out of my mouth. The Shantae games are great.

I'll vouch for that. Fun and easy Metroidvanias.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: monkeyjam on February 25, 2021, 09:02:06 am
Thanks everyone for all your answers. I bought yesterday The Messenger and Strider (2014)

I will definitly buy : 

-Hollow Knight

-Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

-Bloodstained : Ritual of the night

-Super Metroid

Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: telly on February 25, 2021, 09:17:35 am
Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

You took the words out of my mouth. The Shantae games are great.

I'll vouch for that. Fun and easy Metroidvanias.

The most recent release, Shantae and the Seven Sirens, is arguably the most "metroidvania-like" out of all of them. Pirate's Curse and Risky's Revenge are all connected by a large hub worlds and feel less interconnected.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: justin8301 on February 25, 2021, 10:46:37 am
Another good one to mention is Dead Cells. I guess its more a roguelike metroidvania, but it certainly scratches that itch in my opinion.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: Cartagia on February 25, 2021, 12:02:24 pm
Thanks everyone for all your answers. I bought yesterday The Messenger and Strider (2014)

I will definitly buy : 

-Hollow Knight

-Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

-Bloodstained : Ritual of the night

-Super Metroid

All good choices - generally top of the genre.  I actually need to get around to playing Bloodstained myself one of these days.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: undertakerprime on February 28, 2021, 04:58:44 pm
Just had to respond since Metroidvanias are one of my favorite genres.

Naturally, Symphony of the Night is among my favorite games. In that vein, I’d also recommend any of the GBA/DS Castlevania games: Circle of the Moon, Harmony of Dissonance, Aria of Sorrow, Dawn of Sorrow, Portrait of Ruin, and Order of Ecclesia. Plus there’s Metroid Zero Mission and Metroid Fusion.

As others have pointed out, Bloodstained is excellent. However, I’m a major outlier when I say I’m NOT a fan of Hollow Knight. It’s ok I guess, but I just got bored by it, plus it’s really difficult. On the other side of that, the only Shantae game I’ve played is Risky’s Revenge, which was fun but insanely easy. I really want to play Seven Sirens.

The game I want to add: Blasphemous.
It took me a bit to warm up to it, but it is EXCELLENT. Amazing pixel graphics, tough-but-fair bosses, memorably bleak setting, and great soundtrack. I liked it so much that when I finished it for the first time I immediately began another playthrough.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: ferraroso on February 28, 2021, 08:13:52 pm
Albeit not perfect, The Mummy: Demastered is also a decent Metroidvania that most people seem to have forgotten...
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: wartoy on March 01, 2021, 08:16:07 pm
Batman on the nes is excellent.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on March 01, 2021, 08:27:22 pm
Batman on the nes is excellent.

It is. But Metroidvania?
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: wartoy on March 02, 2021, 07:42:38 pm
Batman on the nes is excellent.

It is. But Metroidvania?
I feel it is reminds me of Castlevaina alot and it's got a dark feel like metroid,you never played it?
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on March 02, 2021, 07:52:54 pm
Batman on the nes is excellent.

It is. But Metroidvania?
I feel it is reminds me of Castlevaina alot and it's got a dark feel like metroid,you never played it?

Yeah, one of my favorite NES games. Killer soundtrack.

But Metroidvania means exploratory. Like how in Metroid if you get the grapple gun you can now access areas you couldn't before. So you go and backtrack to those areas with your new ability.

Batman was a level-by-level affair. No backtracking and no new abilities to unlock. Nothing to explore besides the way the level guides you. Not that I'm knocking it, it's still a fantastic game, just a different genre.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: wartoy on March 02, 2021, 09:58:00 pm
Yeah I guess your right never thought about it that way how about Blaster Master then.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on March 03, 2021, 12:34:20 pm
Yeah I guess your right never thought about it that way how about Blaster Master then.

Want to get into it, but just didn't grab me. I downloaded it on Virtual Console.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: sworddude on March 03, 2021, 05:17:52 pm
Symphony of the night

Honorable mentions to aria of sorrow and portrait of ruin.

I have finished hollow knight and while great I don't think it's that amazing compared to super metroid or castlevania series.

For an indie game in modern era it's definitely top notch. a hell lot better than shovel knight for my taste if where talking other popular indie games.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: angelboricua on March 05, 2021, 09:51:35 am
I loved playing through the Castlevania games on the GBA and the DS (the only one I’ve yet to experience is Dawn of Sorrow). And the Shantae games are absolutely fantastic Metroidvania games. I favor Pirate’s Curse of all the Shantae games so far. MegaMan ZX and ZX Advent are some fantastic entries too.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: telly on March 05, 2021, 10:46:49 am
MegaMan ZX and ZX Advent are some fantastic entries too.

Yessss. ZX and ZX Advent are my favorite 2D Mega Man games in part because of the Metroidvania elements.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: Flashback2012 on March 05, 2021, 11:26:21 am
In regards to the Castlevanias that were Metroidvania style, I'm partial to Harmony of Dissonance myself.  :)
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: kashell on March 05, 2021, 06:04:00 pm
I'm also a huge fan of Harmony of Dissonance.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on March 05, 2021, 06:48:26 pm
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest counts as a Metroidvania, right?
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: soera on March 05, 2021, 09:50:05 pm
Axiom Verge is one of my favorites. Guacamelee was good. One that was not mentioned was Sundered. I really enjoyed it.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: undertakerprime on March 06, 2021, 12:49:29 pm
In regards to the Castlevanias that were Metroidvania style, I'm partial to Harmony of Dissonance myself.  :)

I'm also a huge fan of Harmony of Dissonance.

Harmony of Dissonance seems to get a lot of crap, but it’s a fun game. The graphics and music get most of that criticism, mainly from people who don’t understand the situation. Circle of the Moon received a lot of complaints for how dark the screen was on the original non-backlit GBA, so the graphics were made brighter and more colorful in the follow-up, which showed up better but didn’t really fit the spooky aesthetic. And correct me if I’m wrong, but I read the low quality of the music was because the programmers literally ran out of allotted memory and had to reduce the quality to fit it all in.

Anyway, it’s a good example of gameplay trumping any visual or aural deficiencies.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: koemo1 on March 07, 2021, 03:04:31 pm
Best Metroidvania game that I have played was Dex. To be honest, I have not played many of these type of games but I really enjoyed it :D
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: pzeke on March 07, 2021, 05:27:03 pm
Might as well leave this here. (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1517970/Aeterna_Noctis/), as well as this (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1453900/Curse_of_the_Sea_Rats/) and this (https://store.steampowered.com/app/1514490/Hippoxxus/).

All currently under development.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: sworddude on March 08, 2021, 06:00:36 am
In regards to the Castlevanias that were Metroidvania style, I'm partial to Harmony of Dissonance myself.  :)

I'm also a huge fan of Harmony of Dissonance.

Harmony of Dissonance seems to get a lot of crap, but it’s a fun game. The graphics and music get most of that criticism, mainly from people who don’t understand the situation. Circle of the Moon received a lot of complaints for how dark the screen was on the original non-backlit GBA, so the graphics were made brighter and more colorful in the follow-up, which showed up better but didn’t really fit the spooky aesthetic. And correct me if I’m wrong, but I read the low quality of the music was because the programmers literally ran out of allotted memory and had to reduce the quality to fit it all in.

Anyway, it’s a good example of gameplay trumping any visual or aural deficiencies.

Not the best metroidvania but I do have a soft spot for that game

First metroid vania game that I have played Didn't really know about the castlevania series beforehand. came in a random set and it looked weird.

Friends said it looked like a trash game they weren't really that knowledgebale with retro games when it's not the popular stuff such as mario zelda. neither was I.

so I didn't try it out until a store said they would give me 30$ for a lose cardridge in an era when gba deals where cheap and plentyfull. So I kept it and checked it out. also triggered me to collect for other consoles such as ps1 ps2 since castlevania games existed on that console aswell in wich I discovered allot of other games that I liked.

Considering the prices nowadays I'm not to sure if I would ever consider trying the castlevania series if I started from scratch today since I would probably just stick with the mainstream and some titles from the past I would just neglect it's existence. I doubt I would have come across a castlevania title randomly in the current era. Maybe I'd play hollow knight and know of castlevania afterwards since that game at the very least has become a bit popular.

That aside

The music was still great I'd say and the grapics where most definitely a huge step up from the moon circlet and way above average for gba standards. grapics wise it still had a spooky astetic at times and when it was to colorfull I'd say it definitely has an underworld/hell theming wich defenitely fits the series pretty well.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on March 08, 2021, 08:30:44 pm
The Last Faith looks to be very Castlevania: Symphony of the Night inspired. Looking forward to it when it comes out. To be released sometime in 2021 for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, & Switch.
(https://ksr-ugc.imgix.net/assets/029/529/859/6e11d4cedc71a73c6272c9a7d23017d4_original.png?ixlib=rb-2.1.0&crop=faces&w=1552&h=873&fit=crop&v=1592574758&auto=format&frame=1&q=92&s=db0a4cbab6c7609ffc59b6e964880754)(https://uploads-ssl.webflow.com/5c3b94f95c550c52154c4141/5e0b44f81520071ede6c3d03_small-bridge.png)(https://images.nintendolife.com/3995ea5d0e7c0/1280x720.jpg)

Gestalt: Steam & Cinder is another that looks SotN inspired, but with a steampunk aesthetic. Another one I've had my eye on. To be released sometime in 2021 for Steam, PlayStation, Xbox, & Switch.
(https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/1231990/capsule_616x353.jpg?t=1612785481)(https://news-cdn.softpedia.com/images/news2/steampunk-action-adventure-gestalt-steam-cinder-launches-in-late-2020-529291-2.jpg)(https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/1231990/ss_338d7189cad89d65ea842e61bb0b518e9e8d0127.1920x1080.jpg?t=1612785481)(https://cdn.cloudflare.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/1231990/ss_af00a7a3a1c0a1c487f5a6bdd2842750dcf64b50.1920x1080.jpg?t=1612785481)
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: turf on March 09, 2021, 02:45:41 pm
Blasphemous is another great Metroidvania. It’s hard as balls, but I enjoyed it.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: Cartagia on March 09, 2021, 03:01:55 pm
Blasphemous is another great Metroidvania. It’s hard as balls, but I enjoyed it.

I keep almost starting it then deciding that I don't want to play anything difficult.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: undertakerprime on March 09, 2021, 06:41:33 pm
Blasphemous is another great Metroidvania. It’s hard as balls, but I enjoyed it.

I keep almost starting it then deciding that I don't want to play anything difficult.

If it helps, it’s not Hollow Knight difficult.
I personally find it fair-difficult, like it can be hard but when you die 99% of the time it’s your fault. There’s very little cheapness.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: Cartagia on March 09, 2021, 07:08:42 pm
Blasphemous is another great Metroidvania. It’s hard as balls, but I enjoyed it.

I keep almost starting it then deciding that I don't want to play anything difficult.

If it helps, it’s not Hollow Knight difficult.
I personally find it fair-difficult, like it can be hard but when you die 99% of the time it’s your fault. There’s very little cheapness.

That does help.  I didn't find Hollow Knight that hard aside from a couple of bosses.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: kypherion on March 18, 2021, 01:53:49 am
Touhou Luna Nights
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
Shin Megami Tensei Synchronicity: Prologue
Hollow Knight
Metroid Fusion
Castlevania DS games, Aria of Sorrow, Symphony of the Night
Koumajou Densetsu I + II
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on March 24, 2021, 01:42:41 pm
(https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/630310/ss_031f40434b4e2c68c87ad0bb3fe8a99b2ca2d491.1920x1080.jpg?t=1573151311)

The Mummy Demastered by Way Forward (Shantae and DuckTales Remastered developer).

Just started playing this one last night. It's like Super Metroid meets Castlevania, and it's fantastic!

What I mean by that is the gameplay is totally Super Metroid, but the enemies and environments are totally Castlevania.

And that awesome 80s-style Synthwave soundtrack. So cool sounding. Sounds like something from Dynatron or Kavinsky.

I'm playing it on Xbox One. Also on PS4, Steam, and Switch.

Check this one out, guys. Very cool.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: kypherion on March 27, 2021, 07:45:35 pm
(https://cdn.akamai.steamstatic.com/steam/apps/630310/ss_031f40434b4e2c68c87ad0bb3fe8a99b2ca2d491.1920x1080.jpg?t=1573151311)

The Mummy Demastered by Way Forward (Shantae and DuckTales Remastered developer).

Just started playing this one last night. It's like Super Metroid meets Castlevania, and it's fantastic!

What I mean by that is the gameplay is totally Super Metroid, but the enemies and environments are totally Castlevania.

And that awesome 80s-style Synthwave soundtrack. So cool sounding. Sounds like something from Dynatron or Kavinsky.

I'm playing it on Xbox One. Also on PS4, Steam, and Switch.

Check this one out, guys. Very cool.

I'll have to check this one out, it looks good!
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: covfefe2020 on April 09, 2021, 09:11:32 pm
Spider-Man Web of shadows on the DS is pretty great. Its also kind of a beat-em-up.
(https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/341254-spider-man-web-of-shadows-nintendo-ds-screenshot-swinging.jpg)
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on April 09, 2021, 09:16:03 pm
Spider-Man Web of shadows on the DS is pretty great. Its also kind of a beat-em-up.
(https://www.mobygames.com/images/shots/l/341254-spider-man-web-of-shadows-nintendo-ds-screenshot-swinging.jpg)

I didn't realize the handheld version was a Metroidvania! Very interested in this, now.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: covfefe2020 on April 09, 2021, 09:35:08 pm
It is worth checking out, it has some pretty interesting mechanics, especially the minigame you have to play when you lose all of your health.

Edit: While I´m here. I wanted to discuss a question I´ve had for a bit now. Do the Batman: Arkham games fall into this subgenre? From my limited experience with the category, I´ve basically defined it as an action game that takes place in one large segmented map, with the setting being heavily involved in the story (shifting and changing as the plot progresses) and acquiring upgrades and powerups that change how you interact with the world around you. Arkham asylum fits all of these characteristics, but I don't know if by definition a Metroidvania can be 3D

Edit 2: I´m going to try getting Harmony of Dissonance, graphics never affected me much so as long as the gameplay is fun ill enjoy it. (with a repro cart of course)
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: burningdoom on April 09, 2021, 11:23:17 pm
It is worth checking out, it has some pretty interesting mechanics, especially the minigame you have to play when you lose all of your health.

Edit: While I´m here. I wanted to discuss a question I´ve had for a bit now. Do the Batman: Arkham games fall into this subgenre? From my limited experience with the category, I´ve basically defined it as an action game that takes place in one large segmented map, with the setting being heavily involved in the story (shifting and changing as the plot progresses) and acquiring upgrades and powerups that change how you interact with the world around you. Arkham asylum fits all of these characteristics, but I don't know if by definition a Metroidvania can be 3D

Edit 2: I´m going to try getting Harmony of Dissonance, graphics never affected me much so as long as the gameplay is fun ill enjoy it. (with a repro cart of course)

I say yeah, 3D can be Metroidvania. I mean, there's Metroid: Prime.
Title: Re: Best Metroidvania games ?
Post by: covfefe2020 on April 09, 2021, 11:52:16 pm
Thank you.