Top 8 Experimental Metroidvanias You Must Play

Since its debut in the mid-1980s with the iconic title Metroid, the Metroidvania genre has firmly established itself within the gaming landscape. Nowadays, the term “Metroidvania”is commonly used in promotional materials and discussions, without provoking the ire of Nintendo, highlighting how ingrained it has become in gaming vocabulary.

The establishment of a genre provides a foundational framework, allowing developers to explore and innovate beyond the basics once players understand the core mechanics. Players now recognize essential elements like expansive maps combined with unlockable combat and movement abilities. This familiarity invites further creativity, challenging game designers to add intriguing twists—from unique art styles to innovative gameplay mechanics.

For enthusiasts of the genre, exploring titles that expand the Metroidvania formula is a must. Let’s showcase some of the most compelling and experimental entries worth experiencing.

8 Super Daryl Deluxe

High School Is Brutal

Daryl riding a shark in Super Daryl Deluxe

Have you ever found yourself instantly captivated by a game? For me, that happened with Super Daryl Deluxe, a uniquely eccentric Metroidvania that piqued my interest ahead of its 2018 release.

The first impact was the absurd power ballad featured in the trailer, which left an impression that lingered long after. Imagine a world where the offbeat charm of Napoleon Dynamite intertwines with a surreal sci-fi mystery. That’s the essence of this game, where players embody Daryl, a new student at the peculiar Water Falls High School, entangled in bizarre conspiracies that involve everything from illegal textbook sales to cosmic pocket dimensions.

The gameplay is a delightful blend of RPG elements and Metroidvania mechanics, allowing players to assign multiple outrageous abilities to buttons, each on cooldown. The whimsy of the game is evident in skills like riding a shark on a tidal wave or transforming into a menacing buzz saw, making each new ability a delightful surprise.

7 Tomb!

There’s Adventure Everywhere

The year 1997 was pivotal for the Metroidvania genre, not only for the groundbreaking title Castlevania: Symphony of the Night but also for introducing the lesser-known gem, Tomba, which launched in Japan that same year.

At first glance, Tomba appears to be a typical 90s mascot platformer, featuring a wild-haired hero battling quirky, demon-like creatures. However, deeper exploration reveals a vast, nonlinear world filled with multiple branching pathways facilitated by Tomba’s unique ability to jump between the foreground and background.

The notable Event system enhances gameplay, allowing actions and interactions to trigger one of over 130 sidequests. Players can complete these Events in any order, accumulating Adventure Points that enable further exploration and unlock special treasures, creating a rich cycle of engagement and discovery.

6 Ultros

Endlessly Trippy

Visually striking games often catch my eye, and Ultros delivers on that front with a mesmerizing psychedelic art style. However, eye-catching visuals alone don’t guarantee substance, a mistake I have learned not to make lightly. Thankfully, Ultros pairs its vibrant aesthetic with compelling gameplay.

Set in a demon-infested spaceship trapped in a time loop, players navigate a world spiraling towards madness while struggling against the same loop that ensnares them. Yet, this mechanic also serves a purpose; it offers strategic advantages by allowing players to reset their skill progression and explore new paths within the narrative.

Combat is another highlight, emphasizing swift, precise maneuvers that can decisively defeat enemies. Players must execute pinpoint strikes while avoiding enemy attacks, adding a thrilling layer to the gameplay experience.

5 Ender Lilies: Quietus Of The Knights

Let The Ghosts Handle It

Fighting Knight Captain Julius in Ender Lilies

Traditionally, Metroidvanias emphasize solitary exploration, where characters like Samus or Alucard shoulder the burdens of their quests alone. However, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights flips this concept on its head, allowing players to experience companionship through the spirits of fallen warriors.

This game falls under the category of “Soulsvania, ”melding the challenging elements familiar to Souls games with Metroidvania exploration. Players guide Lily, a fragile character, as she navigates a haunting landscape with the help of various spirits she encounters and defeats. Each spirit adds unique abilities and attack patterns, creating versatile gameplay options tailored to individual playstyles.

Success hinges on mastering combat strategies, as Lily’s vulnerability makes it crucial to utilize the spirits effectively, balancing risk and mastery against formidable foes.

4 Axiom Verge

Hack The World

The allure of Metroidvanias lies in their potential for bending the rules of gameplay. Players frequently experiment with sequences or exploit glitches, but Axiom Verge embraces this premise by embedding such mechanics into its core gameplay.

Players assume the role of Trace, an everyday scientist who finds himself trapped in a hostile, biomechanical environment, armed only with a powerful blaster. As players progress, they collect upgrades that enhance this weapon, introducing various functions like the ability to manipulate the game world.

The innovative Address Disruptor weapon allows Trace to essentially “glitch”enemies and terrain, altering their attributes to create new pathways. Such mechanics provide an intriguing fresh perspective, transforming traditional Metroidvania exploration into a cunning litmus test of creativity.

3 Touhou Luna Nights

Do It Like Dio

Throwing knives in stopped time in Touhou Luna Nights

While I may not be well-versed in the expansive Touhou universe, Touhou Luna Nights has enough compelling mechanics to capture the interest of even the unfamiliar. The protagonist, Sakuya Izayoi, possesses the extraordinary ability to manipulate time, pausing it entirely to navigate through challenges much like Dio Brando.

The gameplay integrates elements from classic bullet-hell styles, introducing a Graze system where players can regain health and magical points by skillfully dodging attacks. This combination of time manipulation and intuitive combat mechanics provides an engaging and fresh experience regardless of prior franchise knowledge.

2 Dandara

Bouncing Off The Walls

Platforming is a hallmark of Metroidvanias, often utilizing verticality to challenge players’ skills.Dandara uniquely distinguishes itself by introducing an innovative traversal mechanic: the ability to bounce off walls.

Rather than relying solely on traditional wall jumps, players can leap and stick to surfaces marked with designated panels, launching themselves in a direct line toward their target. This mechanic invites fluid movement across the expansive environments, allowing for dynamic combat and exploration.

1 Animal Well

Rely On Your Wits Alone

A recent trend in the Metroidvania genre is the emergence of “Metroidbrainia” titles, which prioritize puzzle-solving and deductive reasoning over traditional combat mechanics. One notable example is Animal Well, which garnered attention partly due to its unique publishing story involving YouTube personality Dunkey.

Players navigate as a diminutive creature within a vast, interconnected labyrinth, focusing primarily on exploration without any blatant objectives beyond discovery. The nonlinear map allows for genuine freedom; if players can reach a platform, the game accepts their choice without predetermined paths.

Throughout the game, players uncover various items that facilitate temporary advantages, but true independence is never achieved. This reliance on intellect and reflexes heightens the challenge and maintains a constant sense of vulnerability against the dangers lurking in the labyrinth.

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