As a seasoned gamer with a penchant for unraveling mysteries and exploring vast, intricate worlds, I’ve stumbled upon some truly remarkable titles that have left an indelible mark on my gaming journey. Among them, three games stand out as the epitome of the Metroidbrainia genre – a term that, despite its questionable origins, has come to encapsulate games that reward exploration, discovery, and the gradual unraveling of secrets.
If you closely follow video game trends, it might not surprise you that a fresh sub-genre is about to break into the mainstream.
Just as Souls-like games and walking simulators have established their unique niches in the gaming market, we’re now stepping into an era that could be referred to as the “Metroidvania Wave”. This term signifies a resurgence of games that share characteristics similar to the Metroid and Castlevania series.
For newcomers, these games emphasize player autonomy and exploration. Essentially, they place you in an unfamiliar setting without much background information or guidance, encouraging you to figure things out on your own.
Here, we find ourselves immersed in exceptionally enriching encounters. The joy isn’t just in the accumulation of knowledge but also in the thrill of unearthing new discoveries. These games demonstrate that the conventional gameplay pattern is not always essential.
However, if you’re looking for a few examples of games that fall under this modern sub-category, let us present some excellent choices instead.
Since there’s much discussion about what constitutes a Metroidbrainia, here’s my interpretation for this context. We define Metroidbrainias as games that emphasize player autonomy and exploration, and where the acquisition of knowledge is key to advancement. Contrary to popular belief, not all Metroidbrainias are Metroidvanias.
10 Leap Year
Every Leap Could Be Your Last
Let’s start with something likely unfamiliar to you, yet worth getting well-acquainted with right away.
As a gamer, I’ve found myself immersed in the unique world of Leap Year, a challenge-filled puzzle platformer. In this game, I control a tiny character who can leap like any classic platforming hero. However, there’s an unusual twist – my character can’t survive a jump from their standing position. In simpler terms, if I make a full jump, they meet their end upon landing.
This results in a game that requires you to traverse the world, uncovering various days from the Leap Year calendar. Each step you take feels like solving a puzzle on its own.
As I delve deeper into this compact game, each moment uncovers something new about its intriguing mechanics, making the experience delightful. It’s refreshingly intuitive for those who often find Metroidvania games puzzling, and despite its brevity, every second spent playing is a treasure trove of fun.
9 Gone Home
You Can’t Choose Your Family
As a gamer, I’ve got to say that Gone Home might seem like an unexpected turn at first glance, given it’s primarily a walking simulator. But once you ponder on it, this game is essentially one of the pioneers in the genre of modern Metroidvania-style titles.
Just like with the other games, you’ll be able to unveil sections of the Greenbriar Estate as you delve deeply and gather knowledge about the lives and tales of each family member through exploration.
Pushing you onward are the persistent doubts and queries that linger at the edges of your thoughts. As you satisfy this curiosity, it’ll uncover fresh facts and unexplored territories, ultimately leading to a climactic resolution.
As I reached the final level, I couldn’t help but feel that if I’d known what I know now at the start of the game, I could’ve zipped through it in no time!
In the end, you don’t need upgrades, items, or to hit certain checkpoints. You just need knowledge.
8 Rain World
Suffer & Survive
I know firsthand just how much the Rain World community hates their beloved game being called a Metroidvania, which is completely justified. It’s not a Metroidvania, but it is a Metroidbrainia.
The game immerses you in challenging situations, providing you with metaphorical buoyancy aids, then releasing a metaphorical predator into the water. It expects you to learn how to swim or face the consequences.
Essentially, the game can be quite challenging, but you can lessen the hardship and endure it more comfortably if you understand the dynamics of this peculiar world’s environment, and then utilize that wisdom to benefit yourself.
This game might not seem enjoyable at first, but if you’re prepared for a challenging experience, it offers rich rewards that make it definitely worth exploring.
7 Fez
Secrets Below The Surface
A Metroidbrainia list wouldn’t be complete without the game that arguably Kickstarted the genre many moons ago.
Fez isn’t just a game with one of the most intriguing perspective-shifting journeys ever made; it also hides crucial aspects within its gameplay, making players solve puzzles or reach an unfavorable ending before revealing the clue that deciphers the language needed to comprehend the world and your environment.
Once you grasp the workings of this code, you will possess all the essential resources to fully comprehend Fez. This isn’t merely an innovative blend of 2D and 3D puzzle gaming. It’s a mesmerizing enigma that yearns to be deciphered. So, put on Gomez’s charming hat and dive in!
6 Chants of Sennaar
Where’s Google Translate When You Need it?
You’ll find that secret languages are a recurring trend on this list, but it’s only because a cipher is about as effective of a knowledge key as any, making them perfect for the Metroidbrainia format.
With this knowledge of the cipher, you can gradually guide the player’s advancement in the game, offering delightful instances of revelation along the way. Achievement that Chants of Sennaar executes exceptionally well.
As an avid reader, I find myself immersed in a grand narrative reminiscent of the Tower of Babel, where I’m challenged to decipher the world around me using logic and intuition. Gradually, I’m unraveling the mysteries hidden within the lines, expanding my vocabulary and ultimately mastering each distinct language that shapes this multifaceted and fragmented realm.
As a lover of brain-teasing challenges, I can confidently say that this game is a brilliantly designed linguistic puzzle. If you think you’ve got what it takes to become a master of multiple languages, here’s your opportunity to show off your skills!
5 The Witness
A Picturesque Puzzler
As a devoted fan of brain-teasing challenges, I can’t help but notice the captivating connection between puzzles and the Metroidbrainia sub-genre. The thrill of self-directed gameplay, coupled with intricately crafted puzzles, results in moments of triumph that are unparalleled. Thus, it comes as no surprise to find The Witness, this enigmatic open-world puzzle game, gracing this list.
In simpler terms, “The Witness” shares some similarities with the game “The Talos Principle“. It immerses you in an enigmatic setting without any initial explanation, challenging you to apply your problem-solving skills to navigate the environment and unravel its mysteries.
There’s no right or wrong path of progression, and thanks to the mysterious nature of the world around you, every little nugget of context and info serves as the perfect puzzle-solving incentive.
So, if you feel like giving your brain a workout, this is the ideal choice.
4 Return of the Obra Dinn
Become A Nautical Know-It-All
Lucas Pope stands out as a unique game developer, with an exceptional talent for transforming mundane, administrative procedures into captivating gaming experiences.
As a gamer, I find myself stepping into the role of an insurance investigator, delving into the heartbreaking tales of those aboard the doomed ship, the Obra Dinn. By scrutinizing intricately crafted pixelated scenes, it’s through my keen eye that these stories will unfold and be solved.
Intrigue is the driving force that leaves players eagerly anticipating more, even as they swiftly move through each segment. Yet, you’ll find yourself pondering minutely over small details to identify characters and uncover the truth behind their journeys on this maritime ship.
It’s probably the best detective game of all time, and a brilliant Metroidbrainia to boot.
3 Animal Well
A Mysterious Menagerie
The term “Metroidvania” genre is often misleading since not all games labeled as such are physically packaged as true Metroidvanias. However, this term has become widely used and accepted over time.
Instead, let me rephrase it for you: One developer generously chose to create an exceptional game titled Animal Well. It falls under the Metroidvania genre, immersing you in a peculiar pixelated zoo-like environment. As you traverse, engage with the world, and gather a sequence of items, you’ll gradually uncover the mysteries hidden within this bizarre setting.
The game offers no guideposts, hints, or set paths to follow. Instead, it invites you to freely explore and understand its environment. Through skillfully designed worlds and intricately crafted, subtle puzzles, you’ll experience many ‘aha!’ moments that will help you find your way towards the end.
That being said, it’s over before you know it, so try to savor every moment.
2 Tunic
Cunning, Like a Fox
In many instances, Tunic has been likened to various games, commonly referred as a “Zelda-like” game and a top-down “Dark Souls.” While these comparisons are valid, there’s truly no game quite like Tunic, and this uniqueness stems from its remarkably detailed world where wisdom is strength.
The game offers engaging hack-and-slash battles, intriguing puzzles among other things. However, it is the knowledge you gain throughout your journey that ultimately molds your experience.
Just like those other games mentioned, the focus here is on unveiling knowledge instead of typical upgrades. In this particular game, mastering the language of the world’s environment will aid you significantly in your advancement.
Unraveling your game guide bit by bit and, consequently, exploring the world is a delight. This is an exceptional adventure game that prioritizes organic discovery, making it a fascinating journey definitely worthy of investigation.
1 Outer Wilds
The Ultimate Metroidbrainia Experience
As a gaming enthusiast, I can tell you that diving into Outer Wilds feels akin to stumbling upon an underground club – albeit, one where the members won’t openly talk about it but instead invite you to experience its mysteries firsthand. It’s like they say, “The only way to know what this game is truly about is to embark on your own adventure.
At first glance, it might appear they’re being overbearing, but in truth, they’re actually being helpful because this game is all about knowledge acquisition and discovery. Losing a single “Eureka!” moment for a potential player could be a real pity.
Essentially, in the game Outer Wilds, you venture through a small universe caught in a time loop and aim to solve this predicament on your own terms.
With freedom to travel wherever you wish, you have the luxury of managing your own time. Each cycle brings new hints and insights, and if you remain determined, all these hints will ultimately guide you towards your destination.
Discover a remarkable, one-of-a-kind game, meticulously crafted, where learning brings its own satisfaction. Hurry up and check out Timber Hearth right away!
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2024-10-16 14:11