10 Best Metroidvanaia Soulslikes

When contemplating gaming categories known for providing a tough test regardless of which game within the category you select, it’s usually Metroidvania or Souls-like genres that quickly spring to mind.

To put it simply, I find myself drawn into these games for their intricate challenges. The vast explorations can be merciless at times, demanding patience and precision. Mastering the mechanics is no walk in the park, and the adversaries are as relentless as they come. But that’s just a glimpse of what these games offer; there’s so much more beneath the surface.

It’s not unusual to observe developers combining these two design methods frequently, resulting in hybrids that can be excessively challenging, even more so than the combined difficulties of each approach separately.

Games with a Metroidvania-style and Soulslike elements are delightful due to their challenging gameplay mechanics and engaging exploration. However, they can be elusive amidst the sea of AAA games. Here are some suggestions for games you should consider playing soon:

1. Title 1 – Known for its intricate combat system and expansive world design, this game offers a unique blend of action and exploration.
2. Title 2 – A Metroidvania title that has garnered critical acclaim for its challenging gameplay and immersive storyline.
3. Title 3 – This Soulslike game stands out with its deep lore, intricate combat system, and expansive world. It’s a must-play for fans of the genre.

10. Death’s Gambit: Afterlife

Death Is Inevitable

At its initial release, Death’s Gambit was generally seen as having a mildly underwhelming impact in the Metroidvania and Souls-like genres.

In other words, thanks to the Afterlife update, this game beautifully demonstrates how to combine elements of Metroidvania and Soulslike genres, creating a unique gaming experience that’s reminiscent of a somber offspring born from the union of Dark Souls and Castlevania.

The game shares a resemblance with Salt and Sanctuary, striving to be an authentic 2D tribute to Dark Souls. It skillfully encourages players to exercise caution, choose their battles wisely, and conquer challenges to advance in its tough, unforgiving environment.

Battle can be challenging, and leaders don’t hold back, but conquering these difficulties offers a rich array of content, a captivating narrative, and the thrill of mastering your character class and being ready for any situation the game presents you with. It’s an achievement akin to a 2D Souls victory, and it’s definitely a title worth considering for those seeking a formidable challenge.

9. Vigil: The Longest Night

Authentic 2D Souls

When it comes to games similar to Salt and Sanctuary in the vein of Souls-style gameplay, Vigil: The Longest Night is another fantastic choice. It’s worth noting that compared to other games in this category, Vigil might be a bit more approachable and lenient.

The game is fundamentally similar to S&S, but it emphasizes player autonomy by offering an abundance of customization options, allowing you to adapt your character for challenging regions. Additionally, the gameplay seems to favor Metroidvania-style design, implying a more extensive exploration experience beyond occasional backtracking and a series of boss battles.

Some may express disappointment over the extended loading periods, the seemingly affordable character deaths upon falling, and arguably the rather predictable narrative plot.

However, despite its challenging aspects, the intense battles and distinctive boss fights are what truly shine in this game. These elements give it an engrossing ‘Souls’-style Metroidvania feel, and because it offers a lower level of difficulty, it might be an excellent starting point for newcomers to explore the genre.

8. Star Wars: Jedi Fallen Order

Trading Swords For Lightsabers

Ignoring purists’ objections, we’re blending 3D Metroidvania elements into our game, and while its application of Souls mechanics may feel a bit awkward, it still fits within the category of Souls-Like games. It might not perfectly fit either genre, but regardless, this game, much like the Jedi series, is a solid choice that’s definitely worth giving a try.

Each title presents a distinct Star Wars story centered around Cal Kestis, delivering an immersive cinematic experience throughout. It’s filled with thrilling action sequences, a vast semi-open world, and lightsaber combat that rivals the best in Star Wars gaming.

This game resembles a lighter version of the Souls series more than a full-fledged Souls adventure. However, even in its lighter form, it becomes quite challenging at higher difficulty levels. Plus, it offers plenty of concealed routes that require Jedi abilities to access, which should keep fans of Metroidvania satisfied as well.

7. Tails of Iron 2

A Fitting Sequel

While it could be a bit of an overstatement to label this game as a Metroidvania-style Souls game, it does contain elements that could entice gamers who haven’t yet explored this latest release. However, the Metroidvania aspects are not as prevalent as one might expect in such a description.

As an ardent fan, I can’t help but express my excitement over Tails of Iron 2. This sequel truly outdoes itself, delivering a more expansive and enhanced adventure that seamlessly preserves the charm of its predecessor.

This sequel introduces a new, exciting feature – an elemental effect system in combat – to make gameplay more engaging. Additionally, you’ll notice improved navigation, abundant additional side content for enjoyment, enhanced graphics, and gameplay that provides a slightly tougher, yet rewarding challenge compared to the initial version.

It’s almost perfect, but it’s an outstanding game that makes the ticket cost worthwhile.

6. Salt and Sanctuary

The OG 2D Soulslike

Let’s start by playing a game that caters well to long-time fans of the classic Dark Souls series. This game comes as close as possible to a 2D remake of the original Dark Souls trilogy.

Salt and Sanctuary presents a bleak realm brimming with opportunities for punishment as you navigate its treacherous paths. Its roster of formidable bosses demands exceptional combat skills just to have a hope of victory, and the vast game world necessitates Metroidvania-style exploration and revisiting areas to progress.

Contrarily, to balance out this challenge, the game provides an extensive selection of classes and build options, which turns out to be quite delightful, even in NG+. Essentially, it’s a 2D rendition of a Souls fan’s utopia, making it worth exploring if you haven’t experienced it yet.

5. Nine Sols

A Sekiro-Like Metroidvania

In the tough realm of Soulsborne games, I often find myself empathizing with Sekiro. It seems to be frequently overshadowed in conversations about the greatest games of all time, even though its status as an unforgiving game that requires mastery is undeniably top-notch.

Nine Sols, an exceptional Metroidvania game, stands out among few 2D soulslikes because it allows players to delve into a Tao-inspired world that seamlessly blends grittiness, grotesqueness, and beauty.

Instead, it could be expressed like this: The combat system, reminiscent of Sekiro, is truly the main attraction here. It shares an equal focus on parrying, necessitating exceptional precision, perfect timing, and a thorough understanding of each boss’s moveset.

2024 has an undiscovered treasure for gamers – a title that’s a must-play if you were a fan of the least Souls-like game from the Softworks studio, FromSoftware.

4. GRIME

Dark, Desolate, Delightful

Souls games and Metroidvanias are known for their subtle, sometimes incomprehensible lore.

If you enjoy such experiences, you could find GRIME quite appealing since its unique elements include graphic depictions of body horror. However, after playing it, I must admit I’m still a bit puzzled about the storyline. What I can say for sure is that it was incredibly challenging and I thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Equipped with a black hole-like head to deflect and neutralize foes, this character compels you to confront the grimy stone bosses of this realm, and trust me, each one presents a challenge to your courage and resilience.

Among the games listed, it’s quite possible that GRIME offers the finest assortment of boss battles, which could strike a Souls series enthusiast as delightful, if not out loud, then certainly in their thoughts.

By blending it with the traditional Metroidvania style, offering exceptional replay value through an engaging New Game Plus feature, and ensuring a satisfying, progressive gameplay experience, you get a game that truly shines among its peers.

On the platform, some might find it divisive, yet once you conquer its challenging segments, the rest becomes an unrelenting, oppressive, yet blissful experience. Harsh, dominating, punishing joy.

3. Blasphemous

Pray To The Pentient One

From all indications, it appears that Blasphemous 2 is generally considered a follow-up that surpasses its first installment in numerous aspects. Nevertheless, I dare say that it falls short when it comes to the Souls-like genre compared to the original game.

Primarily, the reason is that the initial version was a game with a significantly tougher difficulty level, and at heart, what every Souls series enthusiast yearns for is this challenging experience.

As a gamer, I’d say the initial game retained a raw, faith-intense ambiance, boasting an engrossing storyline and a world steeped in lore tied to the Spanish Inquisition. However, Blasphemous feels like its successor, shedding any concessions for ease, transforming it into an unrelentingly challenging experience. It’s definitely more akin to the Souls series than the Metroidvania genre.

Consider Blasphemous 2 as being similar to Elden Ring in terms of accessibility, serving as a potential gateway into the series for new players. On the other hand, the original Blasphemous could be likened to Dark Souls, offering a more challenging and unforgiving experience where even minor mistakes can lead to significant setbacks.

2. Ender Magnolia: Bloom In The Mist

Conquer The Land of Fumes

Previously, we found that the original outperformed the follow-up in certain aspects; however, this isn’t applicable to Ender Magnolia.

In terms of the gaming experience, it’s not a significant departure. As a larger-than-life sequel to Ender Lilies, Ender Magnolia maintains the awesome aspects but amplifies them, making everything even more impressive.

This revamped version offers improved layout and easier navigation, expanding the exploration area. The combat and platforming sequences are streamlined for a smoother experience. You’ll encounter more engaging boss fights, and you’ll have numerous opportunities to refine your gameplay strategy across your entire adventure.

To put it simply, it has been refined and enhanced to make it the most outstanding and beloved version that it could be.

In essence, the storyline and ambiance of this follow-up may not quite match the brilliance of the first one. This is largely due to its lack of risk-taking, which results in moments that seem less engaging. However, as a Souls-like game that met and surpassed expectations, there’s little room for criticism.

1. Hollow Knight

Silksong, When?

Among the games that truly embody the essence of Metroidvania excellence, it’s challenging not to consider Hollow Knight as one that deserves this title most.

A game that excels in every aspect, boasting stunning visuals, captivating audio, engaging gameplay, and thoughtful design. The intricately hand-drawn environment grabs your attention, while Christopher Larkin’s score is nothing short of spectacular. This expansive world has been crafted to embody the essence of a Metroidvania, offering numerous opportunities for sequence breaks and rewarding exploration experiences.

To be honest, I’ve noticed some folks don’t seem to grasp that beneath its surface, this game shares a lot with the Souls series. It’s got those towering bosses that make you want to pull your hair out, frustratingly long treks back to fight them again, precise battle mechanics that demand your full attention, and convenient resting spots in the form of benches – just like bonfires in Dark Souls.

While the game doesn’t fully demonstrate the character-fitting challenge of a Souls series title until you reach Godhome, it remains an exceptional representation of a 2D Souls-style game that is absolutely worth experiencing prior to the anticipated release of Silksong.

2025-02-04 15:10