I would highly recommend The Messenger if anyone hasn't tried it.

hollow knight "taking over 25 hours to complete" meanwhile me, something like in the middle of the game. Clocking at 52 hours. Nowhere NEAR the compleation.

I'd recommend Blasphemous, especially if you like the Souls games

Shantae: half genie hero is great. A little more light hearted than most

So glad Axiom Verge and Shadow Complex made the list. Had a lot of fun playing those.

I love Hollow Knight but it has ruined a lot of metroidvania games for me. It's just on another level, at least when it comes to modern MV games. Can't wait for Silksong

I recently finished Ori and the Will of the Wisps and my wife was so impressed she decided to play it.

Correction: Microsoft did not acquire Moon Studios, just published Ori and acquired its distribution rights. Blasphemous is great, but I didn't play it until after I made this video. If you make your way over to my community tab (kzfaq.infocommunity) I've compiled a list of the games that have been recommended in the comments. Also, Dead Cells is not a Metroidvania.

Some lovely Metroidvanias: Rabi Ribi. Touhou: Luna Nights. Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth. Momodora: Reverie in the Moonlight. Metroidvanias are always on my radar as I’ve been trying to relive the first time I played SOTN (thank you Blood Stained). Metroidvanias are a drug and I’m forever looking for that particular hit. 🥰

It seems to have gone under the radar for most people, but Strider actually has a modern take on the Metroidvania genre. It has the floaty acrobatic controls and fast paced action we all know and love from the classic Strider games but in an open explorable map. It's kinda weird that most people don't mention it since Strider used to be a very popular Capcom franchise, and the character is even featured in Marvel vs Capcom 2 and 3.

Strider (2014), an updated version of a classic, is pretty good (at least in my opinion). It took the original game and made it into a metroidvania. 🤣

I'm very happy that you mentioned Shadow Complex. That game just doesn't get enough love

Great list. I've only finished a handful of metroidvania games. My favorites are Shadow Complex, Steamworld Dig 1 & 2, and Guacamelee. Others I liked but haven't finished are Strider, Outland, Ori 1and Dust An Elysian Tail

Im surprised no one says Guacamelee 2, the ambience the music creates is just stunning. Playing ori and the blind forest atm but it just doesnt suck me into the world so far despite the pretty and smooth animation :(

Timespinner was one of the best metroidvanias I've ever played, so addicted, just wish it had been longer. Story and combat was amazing, never got tired of it at all. Salt and Sanctuary is another epic game, great Soulsbourne Metroidvania.

Very glad you included bloodstained: ROTN. I’m doing a play through right now and loving it!

Blasphemous is the best one being released in ages, and the latest update/free DLC improved an already amazing game I absolutely love it

Ori and the will of the wisp is the best metroidvania I've played, and just one of the best games I have played in general.

Damn, Timespinner looks rad!

Blasphemous, SuperEpic, Guacamelee, Bookbound Brigade, Finding Teddy, Momodora, Iconoclast, Owlboy, Teslagrad, Yoku´s Island Express... there are a lot of metroidvania style games to play, its a great genre.

I'm still shocked at what such a small team could produce with Hollow Knight. And Ori...*chef's kiss* What an amazing overall package. There's still a bunch I need to hop on sometime soon.

4:17 I think Aquaria also deserves a mention if you like Underwater Metroidvanias.

I definitely want a spiritual successor to Shadow Complex that's not connected to Card's work in any way but follows the gameplay and style.

A great reference and very handy. Good work and thanks!

Got two if they weren't already mentioned: Chasm if you want something like Timespinner/SOTN. If you want Dark Souls as a metroidvania: Salt & Sanctuary. 👍

One of favorites, from recent years, was Dust: An Elysian Tail. Definitely play it, if you haven't.

Valdis Story-Abyssal City is the best in the genre

Well, hello there. I would recommend Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom. A more puzzle heavy and quite long metroidvania with a cute style and a lot of heart. Played through it not long ago and enjoyed it greatly.

Some of the metroidvania games I've enjoyed on my PS4 Pro that didn't make it on this videos list are: Guacamelee 1 and 2 Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom Wonderboy the Dragon's Trap Dust: An Elysian Tail Strider (2014) Owlboy

Iconoclasts!! It’s more of a puzzle platformer than an action game, but it’s really fun!

These are cool stuffs! Many of them that I’ve never heard of!!! I’ll definitely check some out. Thanks!

I'm glad Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is on this list..it definitely is like a love letter to Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and hopefully it gets another sequel of this caliber..Hollow Knight was an awesome game but for me I struggled and couldn't get past the last boss no matter what I did or how many times I tried..definitely a challenging game..great list regardless

I would recommend Iconoclasts, it's one of my favorites, has a bit more of an emphasis on puzzle solving than most that I've played.

Great list! I think my favorites here are tied between Bloodstained and Steamworld. The newest Strider release ("newest" being 2014) had a lot of Metroidvania elements also. Personally I think it's a great time and worth downloading, especially since it's usually on sale for really cheap now.

This channel is great. Metroidvanias got me through many frustrating Covid lockdowns.

Thank you so much for getting lost in Axiom Verge, I thought it was only me. Great watch, thanks.

I love Axiom Verge, replayed it earlier this year. Can't wait for part 2! Also, Shadow Complex looks really cool.

Salt and Sanctuary and Dead Cells are pretty good. Highly recommend them.

Thanks Pam! This is a genre I've gotten more into over the last few years, so the recommendations are great to hear!

Great breakdown of the Metroidvania genre. I really enjoyed the video. I liked how it wasn't platform specific, it wasn't just recently released titles, you included the length of each game and what you did and didn't like about each title. Thanks

I love that Metroidvania is a genre now, Merging the elements of 2 classic games! Bloodstained is probably the most well known but The Mummy Demastered is cool, Kind of like Contra too! Metroidcontravania

Great list, thanks for the inspiration. I would also recommend The Messenger.

I just got Timespinner for Switch at Best Buy the other day. Solid game so far. Did not know the Familiar could be controlled by Player 2. Glad I clicked on the vid.

I'm glad that the spirit of Castlevania lives on in these indie gems. I hope to play each and every one of them eventually.

Hey, great list! There were a few I had never heard of, I’m excited to try out Timespinner.

Ooooh, smoothe. And I´m late to the recommendations but +1 to: Cave Story ( the game that started the indie metroidvania craze ), La Mulana 1&2 ( tough as nail hardcore, old school experience ; MSX style old school) and Robot named Fight. And there is Gato Roboto, also on the shorter side of time needed to complete.

Really good video and brilliant reviewing. A lot of games iv never considered playing before . Definitely going to check out a few of these 👍

Hands down... This is the best list of Metroidvania's I have ever found! Thank you for this!

Blasphemous was pretty solid Loved Bloodstained There’s still a lot of fresh/unique ground to cover in this space, so I’m excited to see so many indie devs making them.

I definitely recommend "Black Tiger" - it's an arcade release but was on PS3/XB360 Capcom Arcade Cabinet and Capcom Classics Collection # 2 on PS2 and Xbox. It's a little unforgiving to new players with some cheap 1-hit deaths from falling rocks that need to be memorized...but after you overcome that, it's an amazing game.

Axiom verge interested me when the developer went on record saying there are still things ppl haven't discovered in it.also guacamelee have to include that. Great job!

There were a couple of these I was not aware of until this video. Thanks!

I highly recommend Blasphemous. It's got some Souls-like elements and its story has allot of religious, particularly Catholic, themes running through out it.

Some titles I can also recommend :) - Alwa's Awakening & Alwa's Legacy - Apotheon - Child of Light - Dex - Giga Wrecker - Guacamelee 1 & 2 - Hob - Mages of Mystralia - Minoria - Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom - Owlboy - Pharaoh Rebirth+ - Rabi-Ribi - Shantae series - Sundered - The Messenger - Wings of Vi

Wow, thanks a lot for this video! Recently have become obsessed with filling my switch with metroidvanias, and I learnt about some great games here !

Cheers for this. Reminded me of a few games I've missed out on.

Nice selection. I'd add Monster Tale, a late NDS release. Also Monster World IV for classic Sega Genesis. Not specifically a metroid-vania, but a retro platform based adventure with some backtracking and rpg components

I suggest Feudal Alloy, you play as a gold fish in a jar attached to a knights suit of armor. Also Alwa's Awakening is really fun as well.

Glad you made this list been really getting into these games lately , and was watching various youtubers lists. I'm playing Bloodstained right now, but it's taking me a lot longer then 15 hours lol.

I know it's literally a Castlevania tile (and its sequel), but Castlevania Aria of Sorrow for the GBA and Dawn of Sorrow for the DS are awesome Metroidvanias. Aria of Sorrow got ported to PC and Switch on a collection too. They were the clear inspiration of Bloodstained with the enemy ability mechanics, and the pixelart is gorgeous

I also highly recommend Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight !

I would recommend Aquaria. Truly an excellent Metroidvania.

Great job with the last couple of vids Pam. Love the content. Keep the super fun stuff coming! Also, I’ve been super curious about Time Spinner.

Yoku's Island Express - Pinball based Guacamelee - Luchador based Dust: An Elysian Tale - made by a team of one. Valdis Story: Abyssal City Batman: Arkham Asylum Stories: Path of Destinies and Omensight - kind of. Options open with new playthroughs, not items.

I'm old. Just give me Super Metroid, Symphony of The Night and a big ass glass of prune juice... I'm good.

I’d also recommend Yoku’s Island Express. It fuses metroidvania with pinball mechanics and is a ton of fun

This is by far my favorite game genre. I have only played two of these and am excited to try the others. Thanks for the list.

SWEET list! I am so into that Timespliters game, thanks for the info!

You are so good at this and have a unique set of gifts; would be surprised if you don't get approached by some media company wanting to hire you at some point.

There aren’t enough co-op Metroidvanias. I’m glad you covered that particular niche.

Although in 3D, some good examples of AAA Metroidvanias are the first entries on the Batman Arkham and Tomb Raider reboot series. Also, I would recommend Dandara, Metroidvania with the innovation of only being able to traverse the world launching from select points in the map.

One of the best curated Metroidvania lists I've ever seen. Liked and subscribed!

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom and Chasm are good too.

Timespinner, here I come.

Great job on this video. Thank you for recognizing Shadow Complex as many reviewers don’t give it the attention that it deserves. A couple of other great metroidvanias include Guacamelee (1 & 2) and The Messenger.

Superb overview. All of the reviews are on fleek.

I backed Bloodstained and I will never regret it. Sure it's not perfect, but they really tried to make it something that honored SOTN but added to it. For the most part, they succeeded, and I am proud of what it became.

I recommend "Dust: An Elysian Tail". you discover more and more about the protagonist and there's an incredible plot twist. The backgrounds and the side quests are amazing!

One of my favorite styles of game, hands down. Thank you for putting this list together. I never want to stop playing new Metroidvanias!

Thanks for this video Pam, really enjoyed it. Need to check some of these out.

I still recommend that people play the procedural metroidvania done right, A Robot Named Fight. Honestly, it has prevented me from playing some other metroidvanias in my backlog I was really looking forward to. It's always so tempting to just generate another enjoyable

Oh this was just perfectly timed, thanks Pam! This is a genre I never used to enjoy, until I played Axiom Verge, which got my completely hooked. I then went back and finished the original Super Metroid - and had a blast. Spent a lot of time trying to find the next ones to play. I really appreciate that you told us how long each takes to beat - this is something I think carefully about these days!

Thanks for this. I love Timespinners!

Before my PC died on me, I was playing three games: "Iconoclasts", "Death's Gambit" and "Bloodrayne: Betrayal". Of the three "Iconoclast" was the most fun, by far, since "Death's Gambit" is a "souls-like game", which means it's torture, although it's playable, but still has some areas which are intensively challenging, and which you won't be able to pass without submitting yourself to some intense grinding. And about "Bloodraye", it's not exactly a metroidvania, because it's a linear game, but it has some elements of plataforming, and it's a 2D side scrolling game, so it has some Castlevania feeling moments. It also has the most unforgiving and annoying jumping puzzle I've ever had to attempt, so I only recommend that last one if you can handle frustration really, really, really well. And of all these games, I only knew about "Ritual of the night". They all seem to be very good recommendations, gonna have to give them a try as soon as I'm able.

I really enjoyed Song if the Deep. Loved the aesthetic and story.

I played majority of them, the most i recommend Ori, Hollow knight and Bloodstained. And not mentioned here but also awesome- Guacamelee, Shantae, Monster boy & cursed kingdom, Blasphemous, Touhou Luna Nights and Salt&sanctuary (but its more 2d Souls clone than vania).

It's funny because the red layer in the chair behind looks like you have an evil aura! :) I loved the video. Thanks.

Great list! Thanks!

I'm playing through Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night right now. Really like it. For a couple of other enjoyable Metroidvanias, I recommend Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight and Rabi-Ribi. I loved Momodora's delightful brand of bleak cuteness, and Rabi-Ribi adds some bullet hell mechanics to the gameplay, but doesn't make you feel like it's unplayable. Also, Iconoclasts is a fine game, but I just had a really hard time getting into the story for some reason.

Other good games you should check out: Blasphemous Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom Strider (2014)

As a massive Castlevania fan, I absolutely HAD to click on this video! Good list from what I can see and seriously THANK YOU for including Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night! I love the Castlevania series so much that it has a big influence on my music composition throughout the multiple genres I compose in.

Nice video. Timespinner hype!

One of the most under rated and forgotten metroidvania is *'Valdis Story: Abyssal City'*. It blew my mind. The game is one of, if not the best metroidvania i ever played. Everyone should give it a shot. It's pretty cheap too. If you want a good game go for it you will thank me later. ^-^ Great video has always thanks for the nice presentation! Have a good day.

I'd really have to suggest Gato Roboto. It's a short and sweet MV where you control a cat in a mech suit. It is surprisingly fun and quirky, and really stands out as an interesting experience. There's a fair amount of things to collect and some really fun bosses. Also the GameBoy style graphics are really well done.

Guacameleé is another recommendation in my opinion. Its combo based melee battle system is really fun, and the graphics are colorful. Also, it's not that often you play as a luchadore.

Very cool video, and a great list. I'll definitely have to check some of these out. I've gotta say, I'm really surprised that I haven't seen anyone mention "Dandara". That's a beautiful and enchanting game. In my opinion anyway. But it never gets brought up.

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver - the one that everyone keeps forgetting about

The delicious Brinstar Overgrown with Vegetation music. Best Metroid song ever.

Awesome list I really love your calm voice. A lot of knowledge as well, for sure. Axiom Verge, Ori and Hollow Knight are my most favorite Metoridvania of the last Decade and capture the pure awesomeness of Sympony of the Night so perfectly fine. Keep up the good work = ) Subscribed.

Steamworld Dig 2 was a random purchase that was AMAZING! It hit the best thing games miss sometimes. it was FUN!