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The metroidvania game genre has showcased its potential in recent years thanks to the various titles developed by both established and indie gaming studios. It focuses primarily on non-linear exploration and incentives as players seek abilities to progress through previously locked areas that they may have come across. The genre was birthed after two iconic game series, Metroid and Castlevania, incorporated the concepts.
It has since transformed, with some metroidvania games purely focused on platforming while others on combat. This article lists five titles that players should try out in 2023.
5 must-play Metroidvania games: Hollow Knight, Aeterna Noctis, Blasphemous, and more
1) Hollow Knight
One of the first Metroidvania games that comes to mind is Hollow Knight, and for good reason. The game, published by indie studio Team Cherry, has revolutionized the genre and has naturally inspired various other titles. This 2D offering is unmatched when it comes to impact.
It lets you play as a Knight who travels the ruined kingdom of Hallownest, a vast region of land. The kingdom holds plenty of secrets, abilities, enemies, and riches to be explored and obtained. The game maintains its metroidvania element to offer an unforgettable experience.
Paired with a phenomenal soundtrack and deeply enriched lore, Hollow Knight stands the test of time and remains one of the best metroidvania games of all time.
2) The Ori series
Published by Moon Studios, Ori series is among the most beautiful ,etroidvania games to be ever created. The highlights include graceful movements, outstanding music, and jaw-dropping visuals.
Ori and the Blind Forest is the first installment in the franchise and it was released in 2015. The game captivated many hearts thanks to its cute titular protagonist, Ori. Its movements are extremely fluid and graceful, and the abilities that the players unlock over time make the platformer-focused metroidvania a treat to play through.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the successor to the first game and was released in 2020. The game retains its platformer elements, but puts more focus on combat. The world is also bigger in Will of the Wisps, encouraging more exploration and conversations with a new host of NPCs that were introduced in the sequel.
Ori series is the perfect metroidvania offering for players who want to have the right balance of relaxation to play while being challenging at the same time.
3) Aeterna Noctis
Aeterna Noctis is a metroidvania game published by Aeturnum Game Studios in 2021. It blends combat and platforming to bring a marvellous experience for the players.
The title is particularly known for its difficulty in almost every aspect, and over 100 enemies exist in the world of Aeterna Noctis. This is coupled with exceptionally hard boss fights, which makes combat a real challenge and a concept that players must learn and adapt to as the game progresses.
The title is massive and filled with tons of areas that players can backtrack to after unlocking new abilities. The platforming is also exceptionally cruel and difficult to complete. Aeterna Noctis is the ultimate challenge for experienced metroidvania players to prove that they are the real deal.
4) Blasphemous
Blasphemous is a metroidvania game developed by The Game Kitchen and published by Team17 in 2019. It is one of the most mysterious and eerie titles in the genre.
Blasphemous allows characters to play as the Penitent One, who travels across the land of Cvstodia to complete his penance. In his journey, he encounters numerous difficult bosses and NPCs that he can speak to for advice and rewards.
The game includes plenty of enemies and sidequests as well. There is never a dull moment in Blasphemous thanks to the ominous nature of the game. It is inspired by Roman Catholicism, which is seen throughout the playthrough in the architecture and story.
Blasphemous is a metroidvania game players can try out if they are looking for a darker and more sinister experience in the genre.
5) Haiku, the Robot
Haiku, the Robot is a metroidvania game developed and published by Mister Morris Games in 2022. It features Haiku as the titular character of the bubbly offering.
The title is relatively short in terms of length. Players control the cute Haiku as they travel across the virus-ridden Arcadia, defeating robot enemies in a world filled with machinery and equipments. The game has the typical metroidvania elements that players would come to expect as they gradually gain abilities to explore previously inaccessible areas.
The title also has an item called Chips that players can buy with the currency they get from killing enemies as well as finding them scattered across Arcadia. Haiku, the Robot is very reminiscent of Hollow Knight and fans have called it a worthy game to play, especially during the wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Its short playtime and fun mechanics should entice any gamer to pick it up.
