Unveiling the Most Anticipated Metroidvania Games Set to Captivate in 2025
By
Steve Watts
and
Darryn Bonthuys
on
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Metroidvanias can be found in nearly every collection. What once was a somewhat niche genre has exploded in popularity in recent years, especially as big-budget and indie developers discover joy in unique interpretations of the genre with additional mechanics, captivating environments, and expansive worlds to explore. The best metroidvanias are games that feature vast maps to explore, challenges to overcome, and progression systems that incorporate frequent “eureka” moments throughout your journey. With so many to choose from, it can be challenging to find the one that is right for you.
We have meticulously sifted through the extensive collection of games in this genre and identified numerous titles to help kickstart your 2D exploration of this fascinating realm of gaming. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of the absolute best of all time, but rather a selection of fantastic games that are widely available to play right now. The titles below are arranged in alphabetical order, and we routinely update this collection to include the most recent and finest offerings.
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Animal Well
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: May 9, 2024
- Developer: Billy Basso
This critically acclaimed indie was developed over several years by a single developer, and when it finally launched, it was definitely worth the anticipation. Animal Well is a metroidvania that also features a puzzle box of secrets and surprises hidden in plain sight. Unraveling the mystery requires platforming and exploration as you would expect, but also involves intriguing puzzle-solving and observational skills. The deeper you venture, the more mysteries and environmental challenges you will discover, providing an incredibly engaging experience unlike anything else.
Read our Animal Well review.
Axiom Verge series
- Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: March 31, 2015
- Developer: Thomas Happ Games
A brilliant tribute to Super Metroid, the Axiom Verge games blend sharp storytelling with extraordinary 2D-to-2D gunplay. What sets the Axiom Verge experience apart is the truly incredible variety of weapons, which range from standard blasters to peculiar guns that tear reality itself apart. Perhaps the most remarkable aspect of Axiom Verge is the atmosphere that invites you to explore, as the alien nature of these levels combined with the isolation you must endure is both eerie and unsettling.
These stages also contain secrets and hints that can alter your experience, breaking its reality while introducing profound philosophical questions into the mix, all wrapped in the nostalgic allure of 8-bit graphics. If you’re not in the mood to contemplate the very nature of existence, however, the Axiom Verge games effortlessly function as a wonderful fusion between Metroid and Contra that consistently provide satisfying experiences as you dive into them.
Read our Axiom Verge review and Axiom Verge 2 review.
Batman: Arkham Asylum
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 3, Xbox 360
- Release Date: August 25, 2009
- Developer: Rocksteady Studios
Rocksteady’s Arkham series is renowned for establishing a high-quality standard for superhero games. While later installments embraced the open-world concept more fully, Arkham Asylum is much more focused and tightly crafted, zeroing in on the depths of a single, rich environment. When a routine transfer of the nefarious Joker to Arkham takes an unexpected turn, Batman finds himself trapped and encircled by the supervillains he has confined. This dark game intertwines a struggle for survival with a detective narrative as he navigates the environment, unlocks new Batman gadgets he has hidden away for emergencies, and even improvises with some of the villains’ devices. The sequels were remarkable in their own right, but this original entry is a polished, modernized metroidvania.
Read our Batman: Arkham Asylum review.
Blade Chimera
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: January 16, 2025
- Developer: Team Ladybug
Blade Chimera is a direct homage to one of the classics, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, due to its similarly styled (and stunning) pixel art and silver-haired protagonist. However, this meticulously crafted metroidvania forges its own identity…
set in a futuristic environment where you track down yokai-care for demons. When a demon merges with the protagonist, Shin, he must explore profound secrets about himself and his partner while concealing the reality from his allies. This dystopian future allows players to wield any combination of melee weapons and ranged firearms, and the narrative ventures into some unexpected territories.
Blasphemous
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Release Date: September 10, 2019
- Developer: The Game Kitchen
No one anticipates the Spanish Inquisition, seriously in video gaming! Drawing significant inspiration from ancient European Catholic imagery, Blasphemous crafts a universe that is both nightmarish and fascinating, while also presenting intense combat and a wealth of lore to delve into. The combat sequences are stunningly engaging, exploring themes of death and rebirth throughout each area, and the game presents a harsh reality with no mercy shown to heretics. A metroidvania that offers some dark spiritual themes, Blasphemous is an enticing option for anyone looking to step outside of their usual comfort zone in this genre.
Read our Blasphemous review.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
- Release Date: June 18, 2019
- Developer: ArtPlay
The premise for Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was an exciting one when it first launched on Kickstarter several years ago: a new series spearheaded by Castlevania: Symphony of the Night director Koji Igarashi, striving to create a spiritual successor to the legendary Konami title for a new generation of consoles. Funded before the first whip could crack, Bloodstained materialized a couple of years later, delivering a gothic fortress filled with familiar themes. Distanced from its primary inspiration by several years, Bloodstained’s combat remains enjoyable, filled with secrets to uncover in every corner, and an array of post-launch updates made this game a must-play entry in the metroidvania genre.
Read our Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night review.
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow
- Platforms: Game Boy Advance
- Release Date: May 6, 2003
- Developer: Konami
Regarded by many as a pinnacle for the Castlevania series following the Symphony of the Night formula, Aria of Sorrow was the third and final Castlevania installment on Game Boy Advance. While Circle of the Moon and Harmony of Dissonance each had their appeal, Aria of Sorrow was polished to a brilliant sheen and became an instant classic. It offered complex level design and robust combat, enhanced by a unique Tactical Soul system that rewarded you for tracking down all the monsters lurking in Dracula’s domain. It also presented an original narrative set in a futuristic world, capitalizing on our fascination with Dracula’s extensive legacy. While original GBA cartridges may be hard to find, Aria of Sorrow is available as part of the Castlevania Advance Collection, which includes quality-of-life features such as save states and rewind, along with several regional variations.
Read our Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow review.
Crypt Custodian
- Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: August 27, 2024
- Developer: Kyle Thompson
Crypt Custodian is a unique top-down metroidvania that at times resembles a classic Legend of Zelda game. As a charming cat named Pluto who has recently passed away, you accidentally provoke the rude overseer of the afterlife and are sentenced to an eternity of janitorial duties. This whimsical scenario has you encounter various ghosts, battle sinister creatures, and discover new abilities to traverse the beautifully illustrated landscape.
Crystal Project
- Platforms: PC, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: March 31, 2022
- Developer: RiverRun Games
A truly distinctive type of metroidvania, Crystal Project often resembles an old-school Final Fantasy game more than a Metroid- or Castlevania-style side-scroller. However, this trait demonstrates how adaptable the genre can be. Crystal Project enables you to craft a 2.5D world in your own image, discovering crystals and unlocking classes to enhance its voxelated design. While it may not align with many people’s conceptions of a traditional metroidvania, the game unfolds as you acquire new abilities to tackle tougher challenges.
Dead Cells
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: May 10, 2017
- Developer: Motion Twin
Dead Cells may not be the first game to adopt a Dark Souls influence and wander away from metroidvania styles into roguevania territory, yet it certainly stands out as one of the most captivating titles in its genre. Elevating the standards and setting a template for progression that other indie games would aspire to emulate, Dead Cells delivers gameplay that ranges from manageable to unforgiving the more you delve in.
you advance in the game, a colossal array of weaponry, rather than merely a couple of abilities, and a journey forward through some of the most exhilarating bosses ever encountered in the genre. You will laugh, you will cry—quite a lot—yet that trek into enemy territory is worthwhile just for the bragging rights.
Check out our Dead Cells review.
Gato Roboto
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: May 30, 2019
- Developer: Doinksoft
You take control of a cat in a robotic suit. That’s right, that’s the main appeal of Gato Roboto. Not enough for you? Well then, prepare for a monochromatic adventure through extraordinary landscapes as you guide Kiki the cat through various challenges and dangers. Gato Roboto does very little to distinguish itself from the metroidvania crowd through innovation, yet it truly excels in how effectively it embraces the format. It features responsive controls, the minimalist art style is easily captivating, and it presents a genuine challenge for even the most experienced Metroid hunters.
Guacamelee series
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: April 9, 2013
- Developer: Drinkbox Studios
The Guacamelee games may feature elements reminiscent of classic Metroid, yet you would never consider this dynamic series centered around wrestling as mere clones of the renowned Nintendo title. The digital DNA may serve as a foundation, but Guacamelee carves its unique path with its exhilarating punch-’em-up style, splendid level designs, and high-flying platforming that harmoniously complement each other. The gameplay consistently feels polished; every component is unified with the various action-packed systems, radiating infectious energy.
Guacamelee 2 surpasses the original with its more refined design, but the first installment remains an absolute delight to play, even after its initial release so many years ago. Count this duo among the finest metroidvanias for fighting enthusiasts in your collection.
Read our Guacamelee review and our Guacamelee 2 review.
Hollow Knight
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: February 24, 2017
- Developer: Team Cherry
As captivating as it is beautifully haunting to behold with its meticulously designed animations, Hollow Knight’s poignant narrative is one you’ll eagerly delve into the deeper you venture into its world. The engaging gameplay and Dark Souls-inspired challenges take a backseat to the true allure of the game: its explorative elements that shine brightly. The environment is a result of thoughtful design and clever hints regarding the true nature of past events, and the quest to unveil the complete story transforms an already exceptional game into an even more delightful experience.
Read our Hollow Knight review.
Lone Fungus
- Platforms: PC
- Release Date: September 23, 2021
- Developer: Basti Games
A beautifully crafted metroidvania featuring an intriguingly charming protagonist, Lone Fungus is a nostalgic nod to classic SNES-style platformers with a delightful twist. You control the titular lone fungus: the last mushroom on Earth. With an expansive world to navigate and a customizable combat system, Lone Fungus is an excellent way to satisfy your metroidvania cravings with a touch of nostalgia.
Monster Sanctuary
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: August 28, 2019
- Developer: Moi Rai Games
A fusion of metroidvania and monster-collecting akin to Pokemon, Monster Sanctuary allows you to explore the world while assembling a diverse roster of creatures to do your bidding. Similar to Pokemon, each creature possesses its own stats and abilities. However, as a platformer, they also enhance your exploratory capabilities, enabling you to jump short distances or swim underwater. It’s a creative blend that reimagines both metroidvanias and Pokemon-like games simultaneously.
Metroid Dread
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: October 8, 2021
- Developer: MercurySteam / Nintendo
The first entirely new 2D Metroid game since 2004’s Zero Mission and a continuation of the story from Metroid Fusion, Dread proved to be a pleasant surprise for Switch owners. The design is classically expansive and filled with secrets, hints, and opportunities for exploration, yet Dread introduces a slight horror element with the addition of EMMI: a relentless machine that tracks you through various sections of the game.
Read our Metroid Dread review.
Metroid Prime Remastered
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: February 8, 2023
- Creator: Retro Studios / Nintendo
Upon its debut on the GameCube, Metroid Prime showcased the environment in which Nintendo became adept at innovating in the gaming space. Years later, Metroid Prime Remastered on Nintendo Switch provided the classic title with a fresh look and several quality-of-life improvements, yet primarily retained the original’s brilliance. Situated within the Metroid timeline, Metroid Prime sends Samus to Tallon IV in search of Ridley. The adaptation of Metroid into a 3D format maintained its quiet, atmospheric exploration and narrative conveyed mostly through scanning the surroundings of the captivating environment. Combat underwent a significant enhancement with lock-on targeting, enabling you to smoothly maneuver around perilous space pirates and otherworldly creatures. Most astonishing is that all this feels like a natural evolution of the essence of Metroid in a 3D realm, which earned Retro Studios well-deserved acclaim.
Check out our Metroid Prime Remastered impressions.
9 Sols
- Platforms: PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X
- Release Date: May 29, 2024
- Creator: Crimson Candle Games
Featuring a rich hand-drawn art style and Sekiro-inspired combat, 9 Sols stands out as one of the latest additions to this list, and one of the most praised. The striking art style and fluid animations look stunning, but that wouldn’t matter if the gameplay didn’t support it. 9 Sols excels here as well, offering tight and responsive combat that tests your skills.
Ori series
- Platforms: PC, Xbox One, Xbox Series X, Nintendo Switch
- Release Date: March 11, 2015
- Creator: Moon Studios
Both Ori games are breathtaking journeys that merge some of the most stunning artistic designs in the industry with pinpoint accuracy, yet Will of the Wisps easily emerges as the superior sibling here. Both games possess a robust core of exploration, combat, and the use of skills to access previously forbidden areas, but Will of the Wisps showcases these mechanics most effectively, polishing them to create a thrilling experience that feels smooth as silk.
They are the kind of games that will leave you shouting in frustration when you fail yet again to make that one jump, cheering when you triumph over a seemingly insurmountable obstacle, and curling into a ball of despair when you’re shocked by the emotional story twists that both games offer. Remarkable examples of what the metroidvania genre can achieve, both games bring charm and profound emotion to the table.