Near-Perfect Forgotten Metroidvanias

Thanks to the indie community for finding new ones Castlevania or Metroid Around 2010 games, the Metroidvania genre has exploded. There's something very satisfying about being dropped on a map and being allowed to fully explore and go beyond boundaries after gaining items or powers. Some games even have a cool leveling system.

Hollow Knight It will likely be the modern poster child for the genre in the years to come, but not every Metroidvania has risen to its level of exposure. Mom killed and Yoku Island Express There are two examples of Metroidvanias that didn't get their proper day in the sun. Do they hold up, and what about these other games? Let's go through all of them and discuss their properties.

Aliens: Transition

Xenomorph history

• Developer: WayForward Technologies

• Publisher: Sega

• Release: 10/11/11

• Platform: DS

Aliens Infected A great one Alien A game on the DS that hasn't been ported anywhere. The gimmick of the game revolved around permadeath, as players were in control of a small squad of soldiers, and if they died, that was it. However, players can also rescue others to increase their numbers or find gear to make blasting Xenomorphs easier.

The gameplay was pretty simple: explore an abandoned ship, shoot aliens of all sizes, find upgrades, rescue others, and repeat. It was a simple game, but developer WayForward made good use of the license.

Gato Roboto

Domo Arigato Mr. Gato Roboto

Gato Roboto Has to be one of the most adorable Metroidvanias ever made, starring a cat who gets a robot suit after his master is injured. This suit looked very similar to Samus Aran's Metroid Complete with a blaster to fight the series, equally cute enemies.

The suit wasn't the titular Gato's only mode of defense, though, as players could command other things like subs to go underwater. Players can also climb out of suits and vehicles to explore as cats, so overall, cat lovers will appreciate this little gem.

Metroid: Samus Returns

A remake of Bad Times

Metroid: Samus Returns was released for the 3DS in 2017, which was a huge deal for several reasons. It was the first game starring Samus Aran since 2010, and the fact that it was a remake of the 1991 Game Boy game, Metroid 2: Return of SamusIt was like the icing on the cake.

However, the game was released months after the Switch, so not many people paid attention to it, not to mention the fan game. AM2RJust had lunch with it a year ago. Except for the bad times, it's good Metroid A game with solid platforming, great shooting and upgrades, and a cool new counter mechanic.

monster story

Dual screen perfection

• Developer: DreamRift

• Publisher: Majesco Entertainment

• Released: 3/22/11

• Platform: DS

monster story Released for the DS in 2011, and a remake has yet to appear, the DS version is this. The game didn't make a big splash in 2011, but as word spread about it, it gained a cult following over the years.

This isekai follows a young girl, Ellie, who befriends a demon. On the top screen, players can blast enemies with their magic bracelet, and on the bottom screen, the monster can be cared for, evolved, and even aid in attacks. It was a nice combo of genres and a very simple Metroidvania for a younger audience to check out.

Mom killed

Better than the movies

Mom killed A movie tie-in is a game, and this was a rare case where the game was rated higher than the movie it was based on, namely, the 2017 Tom Cruise reboot. It feels like a spiritual successor foreign disasterPlayers could control a nameless soldier in search of ruins, all while trying to remove the titular mummy.

Also, WayForward developed it. If players die, they will restart as a new soldier and must kill the previous character to get the gear. Mom killed Metroidvania had a unique concept that was enhanced thanks to great pixel art and solid platforming action.

Muramasa: Demon Blade

Two heroes, one fate

Muramasa: Demon Blade Launched as a Wii exclusive before receiving a semi-remaster via PS Vita port, Muramasa Reborn. Either version is worth playing, though Muramasa Reborn Technically better with crisper visuals, a better stock of weapons, and gorgeous artwork.

Story aside, the game is split between two campaigns, each starring a ninja who can wield different swords and fight monsters in ancient Japan. Some blades can break through barriers opening up new areas. Metroidvania elements were light, but as an action game, Muramasa: Demon Blade catches, which isn't surprising coming from the developer, Vanillaware.

Shantae: Risky Revenge

I comb my hair back and forth

Shantae: Risky Revenge The last game worth mentioning is WayForward, and peace The series as a whole is an original creation for them. compared to Castlevania, MetroidAnd more like modern classics Hollow KnightPeaceful games never get their due.

If Metroidvania fans must play one, Shantae: Risky Revenge It will be, which was first released on the DS in 2010, but has since received several ports. The game starred the titular Shanta, who can whip enemies with her hair, hit them with magic spells, and transform into animals to unlock new areas. Cute, funny and full of fan service, don't miss this gem now.

The timespinner

Dance, magic dance

The timespinner is an excellent example Metroidvania with RPG elementsBecause players can attack enemies and level up. Instead of weapons, players can find orbs that take on different elemental properties or forms to fight enemies, and players can swap between the two in combat to create combos.

Summoning familiars is also a big part of combat, so overall, there's a lot of customization when it comes to gear. Now is as good a time as any to check out the 2018 game because there's a sequel in the works.

Touhou Luna Nights

room service

Touhou Luna Nights is one of many know The games, which have a long history, but no one unfamiliar with them will not be lost in this Metroidvania entry. Players assume the role of Sakuya, who looks like a typical French maid from an anime cafe, with the ability to throw knives as his main attack.

While this, and his other specials, set it apart from the usual weapons and attacks of Metroidvanias, what was truly unique was that players could freeze time for many benefits. If players wanted to dodge an attack, they could freeze time, or they could use it to freeze water to cross like a normal platform, so overall, this ability helped open up the 2D nature of the gameplay.

Yoku Island Express

Pinball loving bugs

Yoku Island Express Another simple and charming Metroidvania, unlike anything else out there. The game features a postman bug, Yoku, who must travel around his new island to deliver mail. Attached to their person is a ball that players can push around and quickly get around in the pinball chambers around the island.

There certainly aren't many pinball Metroidvanias out there, though Yoku Island Express It's more than a gimmick as it's both a fun metroidvania and a good pinball game thanks to well-designed levels and controls, and a great art style with chill island vibes.