Imagining a Metroidvania is like envisioning your character traversing a complex and extensive layout, jumping from one platform to another.
You can find a commonality between timeless titles such as Metroid and Castlevania, as well as contemporary hits like Hollow Knight and Ori, in that they all involve a lot of jumping or navigating around.
Although many Metroidvania games utilize platforming elements, certain titles opt for unique approaches. Be it reinventing 2D platforming or abandoning platforming altogether, we’ve got you sorted!
Here’s a unique collection of Metroidvania games that swap the traditional double jump and dash mechanics for something unconventional.
10. Aquaria
Better Down Where It’s Wetter
Do you know where platforming is pretty much impossible? In the deep blue sea.
As I glide through the underwater world, the thrill of navigating hidden passages with my enchanting mermaid song and warding off menacing sea creatures remains exhilarating and fulfilling.
It’s important to note that since Aquaria was a 2D Metroidvania released back in 2007, it can sometimes feel like an antique and play similarly.
Yet, it manages to earn the title of ‘hidden gem’ by virtue of its abundance of brilliant concepts, impressive world creation, and unique underwater gameplay, which stands out from the often disliked underwater levels in many platformers.
9. Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet
A Thrilling Close Encounter
Have you ever seen those close encounters posters that read ‘I want to believe’
Sure thing! “If you express your desire as ‘Let’s have some fun by exploring,’ then it sounds like you’re referring to the game Insanely Twisted Shadow Planet.
Experience a Metroid-style 2D adventure where you soar through space in a compact UFO. Your mission involves exploring diverse environments, solving intriguing puzzles, and collecting power-ups crucial for combating the sinister entities hidden within the… hidden realms. Let me try again!
Moving off topic for a moment, let me share my thoughts on this compact yet striking Metroidvania game. Despite its brief playtime, it leaves a lasting impact due to its captivating visuals, exciting power-ups, and engaging boss battles that remain etched in the minds of players.
This isn’t a long game, but it’s short length doesn’t diminish its beauty or the fun you’ll have with its special abilities and challenging bosses. The graphics are stunning too!
Additionally, the game includes a cooperative mode known as Lantern Run, enabling you to share this underrated treasure with your friends. Since I enjoy games that involve platforming instead of ground-based movement and combat against enemies, this one certainly earns my recommendation.
8. Carrion
Be The Bad Guy
In many Metroidvania-style games, as well as numerous other video games, you typically control a character who aims to neutralize a dreadful beast. However, imagine if you assumed the role of that very monster instead.
In this scenario, Carrion presents an answer in a grisly, macabre style, enabling players to assume the role of a failed military experiment, determined to break free from the confines of the lab and unleash destruction upon the city located above.
The game eliminates traditional platforming mechanics; instead, players will move in a jelly-like fashion, adhering to walls for navigation. However, mobility limitations won’t affect the game’s intensity, as you’ll remain in charge of a lethal weapon.
Although it might get repetitive after a while and could seem quite straightforward, the unique experience of embodying an invincible malevolent entity, typically the one you’re supposed to stop, makes it a valuable purchase just for that aspect.
7. Dandara
Zip Around In Style
In my gaming adventures spanning years across various Metroidvania worlds, I’ve found the grappling hook to be more of a versatile companion than just a tool for specific situations.
In the game, Dandara emphasizes that the simple yet versatile grappling hook takes center stage among her abilities, since she primarily uses it for navigating the map.
As I find a surface close by, I can cling to it just like Spiderman at his peak, before mapping out my next daring leap. And let me tell you, the thrill of firing up those shooting mechanics and snagging those power-ups as I go is nothing short of exhilarating!
This game may not have an exceptionally captivating narrative, but its challenging obstacle courses and gripping physics make up for it. It’s a relatively unknown title, but it offers a unique approach to exploring the game world.
6. Owlboy
Not The Wisest Group of Owls
You may not see it this way, but given that Otus needs to use certain characters’ abilities to advance the story and explore various parts of this extensive map, I personally classify Owlboy as a Metroidvania game. However, it’s important to note that this particular game is exceptionally linear.
If you accept this reasoning, the game’s straight-forward structure is offset by its distinctive navigation features. Essentially, you’ll be soaring through the map, often transporting your comrades on your wings to combat adversaries.
As a devoted fan, I must admit that there are moments in the game where it seems a bit rough around the edges, particularly towards the end, but overall, it’s a stunningly beautiful game with a captivating soundtrack, some brilliant concepts, and a cast of charming characters that truly resonate. Owlboy is an indie treasure that every gaming enthusiast should explore.
5. Laika: Aged Through Blood
A Gritty Motorvania
In the style of classic Metroidvania games, platforming usually involves techniques like wall-climbing, double-jumping, quick dashes, and sometimes even a powerful slam attack to add flair.
But, when the experience occurs while on two wheels, things suddenly play out a lot differently.
Laika can be thought of as a fusion of Max Payne’s renowned “bullet time” and the intricate bike handling from Trials Fusion, creating a game that doesn’t follow traditional platforming rules, yet maintains sequences just as demanding.
In addition to its gripping and sophisticated plot, stunning music and graphics, and the intricate mechanics that make exploration so satisfying, this game is truly underrated. Help give it the recognition it deserves by adding it to your collection and enjoying this exceptional Metroidvania.
4. Headlander
Don’t Lose Your Head
Regarding creative and intriguing modes of transportation, Double Fine never disappoints when it comes to providing something out-of-the-ordinary. However, even compared to their eccentric offerings, Headlander stands out as one of the most uniquely strange ideas you’ll encounter.
Fundamentally, Headlander is a standard Metroidvania game with plenty of revisiting areas, modest combat, brain-teasing puzzles, and abilities to gain. However, these elements take a back seat to the game’s unique selling point. The intriguing aspect that you control a sentient head capable of detaching and attaching to various bodies.
To navigate through this, you’ll essentially have to maneuver as if you’re flying through the air in a jar, similar to the way it appears in the show Futurama. This gives a sense that many parts of the gameplay resemble a bullet-ridden chaos, often referred to as a “bullet hell” scenario.
This game is exceptionally good, yet it often receives less attention than other popular titles from Double Fine such as Psychonauts and Grim Fandango. However, it deserves recognition because it transports you beyond our world.
3. Journey to the Savage Planet
Outer Worlds, Is That You?
If you’re looking for something unique and unconventional, perhaps you might consider one of the scarce 3D Metroidvania-style games available today. Journey to the Savage Planet is a game that shares some similarities with open-world shooters such as Far Cry, but its environment and artistic style are more reminiscent of The Outer Worlds.
In contrast to games filled with task-like markers on maps, this one adopts a method similar to classic Metroidvania titles by locking content behind skill gates. The game offers an expansive world to discover without much guidance or hints about where to go. Additionally, there are numerous essential upgrades needed to unlock new regions.
Additionally, it offers outstanding shooting skills, a humor reminiscent of Rick and Morty, and an abundance of content to ensure your entertainment is never-ending.
In this game, you’ll find platforming elements, but since it’s three-dimensional, the experience will be distinctly unique compared to standard two-dimensional platformers. If you’re looking for something a bit unconventional in a good way, then this could be perfect for you.
2. The Knight Witch
Metroidvania Meets Bullet-Hell
I greatly appreciate Team 17’s work because they consistently create games across various genres, striving to innovate and bring something fresh and thrilling with every project.
In essence, that’s precisely the case when they opted to incorporate The Knight Witch into their extensive catalog of publications. This quirky Metroidvania stands out in the realm of platforming by eliminating it entirely.
Indeed, a Knight Witch possesses the ability to hover above the ground, allowing for a floating maneuver across the map. This agility enables them to dodge obstacles and adversaries with graceful evasive movements.
This game combines Metroidvania and bullet-hell genres in an exciting and pleasurable manner, even if its dialogue leans towards being cheesy. However, the gameplay outshines this aspect. Though it may not be well-known, it’s definitely worth giving a try.
1. Yoku’s Island Express
Pinball Perfection
Discussing a captivating mix of styles, we come across Yoku’s Island Express – a Metroidvania game featuring a small postman-aspirant dung beetle on a mission to find stable employment delivering mail in this island chain.
Nevertheless, he faces quite a challenge, since each inhabitant appears to possess an issue unique to them alone. To make matters more complex, the only means of transportation within this area involves maneuvering through a network of slim passages and confined spaces, reminiscent of a fast-paced pinball game.
Indeed, this game switches out conventional platforming for bouncy and adaptable pinball-style play, offering a delightful dose of retro gaming fun that will surely resonate with old-school arcade enthusiasts.
This game is visually stunning as well, offering a rich array of additional activities. If it’s been ages since you last played pinball, consider giving Yoku a go instead.
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2025-01-16 18:41