The 12 best metroidvanias

A great metroidvania is a map you slowly learn to love. You hit a locked door or an impossible ledge, file it away, and hours later a new ability turns that dead end into a shortcut. That click is the whole appeal.

These picks were chosen for tightly woven worlds, upgrades that change how you move and fight, and backtracking that feels like a reward rather than a chore. They span a range of difficulty and style, so there’s something for newcomers and veterans alike.

The list runs best first, though the gaps between them are small. Any of them will happily swallow a weekend.

1. Hollow Knight

Hallownest is a vast, melancholy underground kingdom, and learning its twisting paths is half the fun. Every new region feels distinct, and the moment you unlock a movement upgrade and remember a spot you couldn’t reach is pure joy. Combat is precise and fair, the bosses are memorable, and the map-buying system makes you earn your bearings.

Play it if: you want a huge, atmospheric world that rewards curiosity at every turn.

2. Metroid Dread

Samus has rarely felt this slick. Sliding, aiming and dodging all flow together, and the relentless robotic stalkers give the exploration a real edge of tension. Upgrades arrive at a steady clip and each one visibly reshapes the map, with boss fights that demand you use everything you’ve learned.

Play it if: you like fast, confident action and a classic ability-gated map with real pressure.

3. Super Metroid

This is the blueprint, and it still teaches by showing rather than telling. The lonely planet Zebes opens up through clever secrets and wall-jump tricks that make you feel like you’ve outsmarted the game. The sense of isolation and discovery has barely aged.

Play it if: you want to see where it all started and love worlds that quietly test your observation.

4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Few games move this beautifully. Gliding, bashing off enemy projectiles and dashing through the forest of Niwen feels wonderfully fluid, and the hand-painted scenery is gorgeous. The story hits emotionally, and the upgrade system lets you tailor your style with equippable shards.

Play it if: you want a heartfelt, gorgeous adventure with silky movement.

5. Blasphemous

Dark, grotesque and strangely beautiful, this one wraps its brutal sword combat in twisted religious imagery. Exploring Cvstodia means uncovering gruesome secrets, and the ability upgrades open surprising new paths. It’s bleak, stylish and satisfying when a tough boss finally falls.

Play it if: you like your metroidvanias grim, atmospheric and a little bit nasty.

6. Axiom Verge

A love letter to the 8-bit era with its own weird ideas. You wake in an alien world and gradually collect bizarre tools, including a glitch gun that scrambles enemies and the environment. Secrets are everywhere, and the eerie soundtrack keeps you company throughout.

Play it if: you love old-school sci-fi vibes and experimenting with odd gadgets.

7. Dead Cells

Part roguelike, part metroidvania, and utterly addictive. Runs are quick and frantic, and permanent runes unlock new routes through the castle each time you fail. Fast combat and a huge pile of weapons keep every attempt fresh.

Play it if: you want punchy action in short bursts, with progress that carries over between runs.

8. Guacamelee! 2

Lucha libre brawling meets cheeky Mexican folklore. Your wrestling moves double as traversal tools, so punching through barriers and chaining combos in mid-air feels brilliant. It’s packed with jokes and meme references, and the platforming challenges are properly tricky.

Play it if: you want something funny, colourful and full of satisfying combos.

9. Castlevania: Symphony of the Night

Dracula’s castle is huge and stuffed with secrets, including an entire upside-down version once you think you’ve finished. Role-playing elements like levelling and a ridiculous range of gear make experimenting a delight. The gothic music is superb.

Play it if: you love loot and want to see why this genre carries half its name.

10. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

A gothic castle crawl from the creator of Symphony of the Night, and it knows it. Collecting shards from defeated demons gives you a huge variety of spells and abilities to mix and match. Exploring and finding hidden rooms is the main draw.

Play it if: you want that classic castle feeling with plenty of build options.

11. Ori and the Blind Forest

The original is tighter and tougher, with a lovely, tear-jerking opening. Chase sequences and escape set pieces test your reflexes, while new abilities steadily open up the forest. The soundtrack is one of the most beautiful around.

Play it if: you want a shorter, emotional adventure with demanding platforming.

12. Rain World

A strange, unforgiving ecosystem where you’re a small slugcat, neither predator nor apex. The interconnected world is a puzzle of its own, and learning its routes by instinct is deeply rewarding. It’s tough and unconventional, with a very different pace.

Play it if: you want something unusual that rewards patience and observation.