7 Best Metroidvania Games That Get Better As You Play, Ranked

Certain Metroidvania-style games gradually reveal their depth, beginning with introductory elements before unleashing a torrent of creative exploration and skill development around midway point.

These games aren’t simply platformers with abilities masked as keys; they’re immersive journeys where the deeper a player delves, the more satisfying the experience becomes. Whether it’s combat systems that transform into elegant chaos or movement mechanics that make revisiting previous areas feel like speedrunning, these Metroidvanias continue to surprise long after the initial boss battle is won.

7. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

A Little Girl, a Fallen Kingdom, and a Lot of Dead Knights

This game doesn’t initially captivate with grand spectacle, rather it subtly envelops you in a melancholic atmosphere, using soft piano melodies and a backdrop of a world shrouded in sorrow. Initially, it seems like a solitary journey through haunted remains, but as time passes, it unfolds into something intricate and eerily beautiful. The true skill of Ender Lilies lies in its combat system design. At first, players only have a spectral knight to wield a sword, but soon they manage a roster of deceased spirits, each with unique abilities and idiosyncrasies. Some are proficient against bosses, some excel at crowd management, and swiftly switching between them during battles becomes second nature.

The progression follows a familiar curve. Initially, it involves standard platforming. Later on, you get double jumps, dashes, wall scaling, and advanced teleportation abilities that make navigation feel graceful yet poignant amidst despair. The narrative isn’t hurried; instead, it’s gradually unveiled through item details and optional interactions, allowing players to decipher the mystery behind the Rain of Death and the enigmatic White Priestess’ role in it all. By the conclusion, it transitions from a straightforward side-scroller to a moving elegy in action.

6. The Messenger

From Ninja Gaiden to Metroidvania, Midway Through

At first glance, The Messenger appears to be a typical 8-bit action game with humor reminiscent of Saturday morning cartoons and traditional ninja moves. However, midway through, it takes an unexpected turn, transforming into a nonlinear, time-traveling Metroidvania experience that also features a unique meta narrative. For retro gaming enthusiasts, the shift in the soundtrack to match the advancement in console generation is incredibly satisfying.

In essence, what makes The Messenger stand out is the ingenious way backtracking is managed. With the use of time portals that switch level designs between eras, revisiting previous areas isn’t merely required, but it turns into a smart and entertaining experience. Secret enhancements are stashed away behind challenges that players didn’t even recognize as puzzles on their initial playthrough. Moreover, the peculiar shopkeeper who narrates whimsical tales plays an unexpectedly significant role in the game’s overall narrative. Essentially, The Messenger doesn’t simply improve with time; it metamorphoses right before the player’s eyes.

5. Metroid Dread

Samus Is Tired of Running, and It Shows

In Metroid Dread, Samus Aran shows the culmination of her experiences, demonstrating a more tough and resilient persona than ever before. From the initial scene where she’s overwhelmed by a Chozo warrior, to her unwavering gaze as she faces challenges without hesitation, this iteration of Samus is the most battle-hardened yet. Her expanding arsenal substantiates this, transforming from a frantic crawl through E.M.M.I.-filled zones into an impressive display of bombs, beams, and strategic counters by the end.

In the game Dread, each added ability enhances the intensity of combat. Parrying becomes instinctual, and Shinesparking feels incredibly rewarding, especially when using it to solve environmental puzzles that resemble platforming speedrun challenges. The final boss, Raven Beak, is not just a test of skill but requires mastery of all previously learned techniques. The game’s pace is swift, the progression is engaging, and by the time players revisit earlier zones with a fully equipped toolkit, the entire map transforms into an exciting playground.

4. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Dracula’s Gone, but the Drama’s Not

Koji Igarashi may no longer be associated with the “Castlevania” series, but “Bloodstained” undeniably carries the essence of it. As players embark on Miriam’s quest through a castle teeming with demons, the adventure initially seems familiar. However, as progress is made, the game takes a surprising turn into intricately layered complexity. By the midpoint, the array of abilities at the player’s disposal becomes almost overwhelming, encompassing an assortment of shard powers plundered from foes – from simple fireballs to manageable minions, levitating chairs, and even lasers.

In Bloodstained, you’ll find yourself designing not just characters, but also various recipes for meals that enhance stats, unique weapons with distinct feels, and even completely new ones. The movement system may seem sluggish initially, but once Miriam starts performing air dashes, double jumps, flipping gravity to walk on ceilings, the gameplay transforms into an entirely different experience. There’s a massive stained-glass window that players must catapult themselves through to access a concealed area – that’s just one example of the outrageous, excessively enjoyable elements Bloodstained offers, and it delivers in spades.

3. Axiom Verge

One Guy Made This, and Somehow It Works

Initially, Axiom Verge appears to be a straightforward Metroid imitator with its deserted alien planet setting and retro pixel graphics. However, one-man developer Tom Happ manages to perform some peculiar enchantment. This is not just another Metroidvania; as the game advances, it becomes increasingly glitchy, bizarre, and multi-layered – all by design. The initial enhancements are relatively simple: drill through walls, broaden your beam shot, typical stuff. But then comes the Address Disruptor, a gun that can corrupt enemies and environments, distorting them in a manner reminiscent of actual coding manipulation.

In Axiom Verge, enemies adapt, environments transform, and secret chambers materialize then vanish again, making you question the boundaries of exploration. Even when you think you’ve seen all there is, a mirror image of the map emerges, bringing fresh rules to conquer. Few games encourage exploration as intriguingly as Axiom Verge does. It doesn’t babysit the player but instead equips them with the power to shatter its world in creative ways.

2. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

It’s Almost Too Pretty to Be This Sad

Few sequels surpass their original as impressively as Ori and the Will of the Wisps. The visual design remains breathtakingly beautiful, each scene resembling an illustration from a fairytale. However, beneath this aesthetic lies a combat system that has been significantly upgraded to something more complex. Spirit shards enable real-time adjustments, while the melee system ensures every strike feels tangible and rewarding.

As a passionate player, I must say that the true magic unfolds when Ori gets hold of Bash, Grapple, Burrow, and Launch. From there, platforming transforms into an enchanting airborne performance of skillful inputs. The late-game segment with sand, momentum, and chained dashes is akin to conducting a captivating symphony using button presses. What’s remarkable is that every element seamlessly fits together, mirroring the emotional journey parallelly. By the time the climactic finale arrives, you can’t help but be spellbound, left in quiet reflection as the credits roll.

1. Hollow Knight

A Nail, a Dream, and an Underground World That Refuses to End

Initially, Hollow Knight seems overly tranquil. Although Hallownest is vast, it’s surprisingly barren. However, as you delve deeper, the hidden intricacies begin to unravel. The map becomes more complex, filled with shortcuts that link different areas. Previously unexplored regions gradually unfold, revealing themselves from directions you hadn’t even suspected. Meanwhile, the Knight’s basic abilities, consisting only of a simple slash and jump, expand to include wall jumps, air dashes, double jumps, and ultimately, the flamboyant Shade Cloak, which allows players to pass through both enemies and hazards.

Enemy encounters escalate significantly in this game, ranging from basic creatures to monstrous adversaries that require precise maneuvers just to dodge them. This is all before reaching the White Palace or embarking on the Path of Pain, both of which seem meticulously designed to frustrate anyone who thinks they’ve gotten a handle on the controls. However, here’s the twist: Hollow Knight doesn’t compel players to face most of these challenges. The best content is hidden, optional, and only accessible to those ready to delve deeper. Yet, they always do so because after investing around 20 hours in Hallownest, players are no longer seeking an exit; instead, they’re searching for reasons to remain.

2025-07-24 16:05