Best Metroidvanias of the 2020s (So Far)

Metroidvanias have become a staple of modern gaming. Each year brings a new crop of fun, challenging, and expansive titles. The 2020s have been no different. The decade has brought some all-time greats to the genre, from returning classics and dark fantasy adventures to retro-inspired gems.

Originally defined by the Metroid and Castlevania series, these games can incorporate expansive exploration, tough boss fights, and hidden secrets. They are all about discovery, with new abilities unlocking new areas and new enemies. This non-linear style allows for hours of gameplay, with Metroidvanias offering some of the most complex and interlinked maps in modern gaming. With the decade only half complete, fans have already been treated to some of the best titles in the genre.

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10

Phoenotopia: Awakening

A Charming, Challenging Adventure

Released

August 20, 2020

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

This remake of a 2014 flash game follows the story of Gail, who, after seeing the people of her village abducted by aliens, goes on a mission to save them. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic future, where a cataclysmic war has decimated the planet. The population now lives in a simple pre-industrial setting.

With its colorful 2D pixel-art style, Phoenotopia: Awakening is a charming Metroidvania with RPG elements that will appeal to most fans of the genre. The various gameplay sections are interconnected by a large overworld map, where players can explore various towns and dungeons. Phoenotopia: Awakening offers challenging, sometimes unforgiving combat within a lush and varied world. While its backtracking mechanics may put some people off, this excellent game remains one of the decade’s best hidden gems.

9

Astalon: Tears of the Earth

A Challenging Retro-Style Quest

• Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Microsoft Windows, Linux, Xbox One, Mac Operating Systems
• Released: 2021
• Developer: LABS Works
• Genre: Platform, Metroidvania

Astalon: Tears of the Earth is a challenging 2D side-scrolling Metroidvania that revolves around three adventurers: Arias, the fighter; an archer named Kyuli; and Algus, the wizard. The three of them are on a quest to save their village. Players can switch between each character, using their varied abilities to defeat enemies and solve puzzles.

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Astalon: Tears of the Earth was well-received on release, and was even named by PC Gamer as the best Metroidvania of 2021. While the difficulty of this game is high, which may put off more casual players, Tears of the Earth is a worthwhile experience for any Metroidvania fan.

8

Islets

A Compact Metroidvania Adventure

Released

August 24, 2022

Developer(s)

Kyle Thompson

OpenCritic Rating

Strong

While Islets may not offer the toughest of challenges for veteran players, its adorable characters, hand-drawn art style, and simple difficulty make it a cozy gaming classic. In Islets, players control Iko, a warrior on a mission to reunite a series of floating islands. On their mission to reignite the islands’ magnetic cores, players will battle various enemies while connecting with numerous characters.

Like all Metroidvanias, exploration will reward players with upgrades and secrets. Islets is a charming, easy-to-play game that will appeal to all Metroidvania fans looking for a fun, simple experience.

7

Blasphemous 2

Continuing the Bloody Religious Quest

Soulslike

Metroidvania

Platformer

Released

August 24, 2023

Developer(s)

The Game Kitchen

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

In this action-packed sequel, players again take control of the Penitent One, the religious warrior on a mission of bloody pilgrimage. Following on from the original game, players must fight their way through hordes of enemies to stop the rebirth of the curse known as The Miracle.

Fans of the first game will love this violent, bloody Metroidvania, which introduces several new weapons and abilities. Much like the original, Blasphemous 2 is highly influenced by the Soulsborne series and features numerous boss battles that will test players’ skills. While it doesn’t reinvent the wheel, Blasphemous 2 offers genre fans a challenging and addictive experience.

6

Nine Sols

Fun and Addictive Combat

Action

Platformer

Soulslike

Released

May 29, 2024

Developer(s)

RedCandleGames

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

This fun Metroidvania action game is set in a colorful Asian-inspired futuristic world, where the player controls Yi on a mission of vengeance to defeat the Nine Sols. The game’s combat is inspired by the action classic Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, with an emphasis on deflecting attacks.

Nine Sols is one of the best Metroidvanias recently released, and is a must-play for fans of the genre. Its fluid blend of Taoism, cyberpunk, and vibrant design makes it instantly memorable. While the platforming sections could have been harder, its tough, fast-paced combat will challenge most players’ skills.

5

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

A Beautiful Dark Fantasy Adventure

Released

January 21, 2021

Developer(s)

Live Wire, Adglobe

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

This stunning action-adventure game follows Lily, the last surviving priestess, on her journey to purify the land of the foul corruption that turns souls into undead monsters. The game features several endings, and while there are more challenging titles, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is a satisfying gaming experience.

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The game features a beautiful soundtrack, challenging boss fights, and a well-designed, dark fantasy world. Players battle enemies by collecting spirits, who fight on Lily’s behalf. Each spirit represents a different combat style or ability. Ender Lillies is an underrated gem that features all the complex exploration and varied combat players have come to expect from the genre.

4

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

A Welcome Return of a Beloved Series

Released

January 18, 2024

Developer(s)

Ubisoft Montpellier

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Bringing the series back to its early roots, this 2D action-adventure brings the Prince of Persia story to a Metroidvania setting. The Lost Crown is a departure from the familiar 3D gameplay popularized in Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time. However, it retains the action, platforming, and time-based abilities fans know and love.

Players control Sargon, a member of the Immortals, a renowned Warrior Clan, who is tasked with rescuing a kidnapped Prince from the Cursed City of Mount Qaf. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown revitalized the largely-forgotten franchise and has become a cult hit among fans. While players would love to see another installment of the series, the development team was disbanded by Ubisoft due to poor sales. Still, The Lost Crown remains an excellent addition to the series and a recent highlight in the genre.

3

Animal Well

An Atmospheric Indie Gem

Released

May 9, 2024

Developer(s)

Shared Memory

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

Developed by a single programmer, this charming and atmospheric 2D Metroidvania proves that cutting-edge graphics aren’t always necessary for a great game. Using a low-resolution pixel art style, Animal Well received widespread acclaim on release and was nominated for numerous awards.

The game follows a small blob-like character as it explores a labyrinth of lush rooms, filled with various animals. While there is no story in the game, Animal Well features non-linear gameplay, filled with secrets to uncover and puzzles to solve. Animal Well is a true indie gem and one of the best original Metroidvanias released over the last few years.

2

Metroid Dread

A Return of a Classic

Action

Adventure

Metroidvania

Systems

Released

October 8, 2021

OpenCritic Rating

Mighty

This modern entry to the genre-defining Metroid series would garner critical and financial success and win numerous awards. Set after the events of 2002’s Metroid Fusion, players control returning hero Samus Aran as she explores the planet ZDR searching for a strange transmission.

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Metroid Dread brings all the elements fans of the series love: deep exploration, challenging boss fights, and discoverable abilities. The game offers players a nostalgic trip into a classic series while introducing new mechanics that make it feel fresh. Genre fans, old and new, will love this modern take on the classic gaming franchise, which was hailed as one of the best games of 2021.

1

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

An Emotional and Memorable Sequel

Released

March 11, 2020

Developer(s)

Moon Studios

The sequel to the Metroidvania classic Ori and the Blind Forest, Ori and the Will of the Wisps takes players into the land of Niwen. Here, Ori must search for his missing friend and discover his destiny. This critically acclaimed sequel continues the series with a beautiful and colorful design, challenging platforming, and emotional storytelling.

Like the previous game, Ori and the Will of the Wisps features a large explorable map with many hidden secrets, discoverable upgrades, and abilities. While some of the core gameplay has been expanded and changed, fans of the first game will love this stunningly crafted sequel that has become one of the highlights of modern Metroidvania releases.

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