Summary
TheMetroidvaniagenre combines elements ofCastlevaniaandMetroidto create experiences that offer interesting, interconnected worlds to explore. These worlds are often packed with an abundance of challenging enemies, boss fights, and abilities to discover.
While Metroidvanias may not set out to be difficult as much as games in the Soulslike genre, for example, they can often be quitechallenging. This can be for a variety of reasons, but the most common is the lack of hand-holding these games tend to have, as well as a high quantity of boss fights.
There’s no mistaking thatHollow Knightis one of the most popular and successful Metroidvanias of all time,especially within the indie space. However, despite its accessibility in the form of itscutesy art-styleand generosity with its maps,Hollow Knightcan get quite difficult towards the end of the game.
Despite the game taking a little while to ramp up its challenge, many ofHollow Knight’sboss fights can be brutal and unforgiving. Furthermore, players that want to explore everything thatHollow Knighthas to offer will have to complete areas such as the “White Palace,” made difficult through their ruthless platforming challenges.
This 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania features agrim-dark Gothic aestheticwith a stark color palette and creepy characters. While its aesthetic and 2D perspective help set it apart from its clearDark Soulsinfluences,Salt & Sanctuary’sgameplay is fairly familiar.
Salt & Sanctuaryis, at its heart,an action RPG. The game follows an RPG-style progression system, and features brutal, unforgiving combat thatDark Soulsfans will be familiar with, though arguably it’s not quite as hard.
5Environmental Station Alpha - An Old-School Metroidvania
Steam User Rating: 84%
Sporting well-crafted, low-resolution pixel art graphics and an old-school approach to its design,Environmental Station Alphais a mysterious Metroidvania with a lot to offer. While its visuals may turn some players away,Environmental Station Alphais a short but challenging experience from start to finish.
Much ofEnvironmental Station Alpha’sdifficulty comes down to its frequent andchallenging boss fights, as well as a handful of difficult puzzles. However, even exploring the world ofEnvironmental Station Alphacan be difficult, especially as the game never tries to hold the player’s hand.
Thisdifficult action platformerRPG features a truly distinctive, dark aesthetic and an abundance of strange character designs. While its visuals certainly helpGrimeto stand out among the crowd, its array of challenging boss fights and tough-to-master parry system make it a challenging experience.
As mentioned,Grime’sdifficulty can be circumvented by mastering its parry system, though this is easier said than done.Grime’sboss fights can be brutal, and failing a parry is often unforgiving. However, despite its challenges,Grimeis a consistently fun Metroidvania.
Death’s Gambit
WHERE TO PLAY
The promise of immortality lies at the heart of Siradon. As Death’s right hand, challenge the undying guardians of the realm and endure the eternal struggle to purge their souls.Death’s Gambit: Afterlife is the new and expanded edition of the original hardcore 2D RPG action platformer. Master the precise combat, utilizing a wide variety of weapons and abilities to confront the horrors that lurk within Siradon. Explore a mysterious and unforgiving world and uncover the true price of immortality.Travel across a massive world of over 20 beautifully rendered levels. Meet quirky characters from all walks of life and uncover their secrets. Explore levels and bosses in a non-linear order, discover side areas with more secrets to unravel and enemies to purge.Afterlife offers players a wealth of new content to experience on top of the original game, including 10 new levels, over 30 weapons, 5 new bosses, mechanical overhauls, and more. Determine Sorun’s fate as you progress through the story by achieving certain goals and making key decisions along the way.
This grim-dark combination ofDark Soulsand Metroidvania may not be the most unique game on the market, but its unsettling aesthetic and challenging combat make it an experience worth having.Death’s Gambitis visually striking, with superb pixel art on display, but its difficult boss fights and end-game content are perhaps its greatest strength.
While some of the bosses inDeath’s Gambitcan sometimes be underwhelming, there is an abundance of ruthless bosses lurking in its dark environments. The game’s heroic bosses, in particular, are truly brutal, and will test players patience as much as their skill.
2Cathedral - A Surprisingly Expansive Metroidvania With Great Pixel Art
Steam User Rating: 78%
This sprawling, expansive 2D platforming Metroidvania features an NES-inspired aesthetic that takes inspiration from the 8-bit and 16-bit eras of pixel art games.Cathedralfeatures a distinct limited color palette and retro-atmosphere that blends well with itsold-school difficulty.
InCathedral, players explore a massive variety of rooms across several distinct environments, battling an ensemble cast of challenging enemies and difficult bosses. Furthermore,Cathedral’sexcellent old-school visuals and soundtrack make battling through its variety of challenges and exploring its expansive areas consistently fun, despite the game’s difficulty.
1La-Mulana - A Brutal Action Platformer
Steam User Rating: 80%
This brutally difficult action platformer features a world packed with ruthless platforming challenges, brutal boss fights, and an ensemble cast of enemies. The game also features a variety of puzzles, and its focus on exploration creates a sense of wonder thanks to its lack of hand-holding, though this can sometimes increase the game’s difficulty and levels of frustration.
La-Mulanais heavily focused on exploration, and it’s easy to give up throughout its shockingly lengthy runtime. However, for those who manage to stick it out,La-Mulanais a deeply rewarding and satisfying Metroidvania experience.
