10 Metroidvanias with Deceptively Deep Combat Systems

From the beginning, Metroidvania games have always excelled at creating fantastic levels, rewarding character growth, and unforgettable boss fights and platforming challenges. However, the actual combat itself hasn’t traditionally been a strong point.

Games from my generation in this style generally had straightforward combat – attacks weren’t complex, there weren’t many different weapons, and the controls were simple. While they were still really good, those limitations were definitely noticeable.

Over time, we’ve overcome many creative and technical challenges, leading to modern games that still feel like the classics but offer much more engaging and complex battles.

Metroidvanias aren’t always known for complex combat, but I want to share ten games in the genre that actually have surprisingly deep and engaging fighting mechanics.

10. Princess Pomu and the 5 Moons

Learn to Hit and Shoot

Release Date	June 26, 2025
Developer(s)	Pixel Dominus
Publisher(s)	Pixel Dominus
Platform(s)	PC, Nintendo Switch

Although Princess Pomu and the 5 Moons says it’s inspired by Mega Man, it’s better seen as a demonstration of how 2D action games have changed and improved over the years.

Despite being made by a small team with a limited budget, this game stands out thanks to its unique gameplay. It features exciting combo-focused fighting and a shooting system that makes every battle feel fast-paced and engaging.

Pomu’s wide range of attacks and versatile weapons make combat feel smooth and impressive. You’ll quickly get better at controlling her and defeating enemies with ease.

While the bosses and enemies aren’t incredibly complex, and the combat in Princess Pomu and the 5 Moons isn’t the game’s strongest point, it still offers a rewarding experience for players who take the time to understand it.

9. Salt and Sanctuary

Deeply Influenced by RPGs

Since Salt and Sanctuary draws inspiration from both Metroidvania-style games and the challenging gameplay of FromSoftware titles, creating diverse character builds is a core part of the experience, and the game offers a remarkable level of depth in this area.

I’ve beaten the game three times, and each time felt totally different because I used a different combination of skills, weapons, and character builds. It really changes the whole experience every time you play.

The game features a wide variety of tough bosses, each with complex attacks. But it doesn’t just throw challenges at you – it also provides several ways to overcome them. In fact, you can become so powerful that you can essentially break the game’s balance.

Look, I’m not going to get into the really deep stuff right now – you need to beat the game normally first, and trust me, doing that is amazing. Basically, combat comes down to hitting enemies from different angles, but there’s so much variety in how you do that, with all the different attacks and moves, that I absolutely had to include Salt and Sanctuary on this list. It’s seriously satisfying to master.

8. Rabi-Ribi

A Perfectly Balanced Duality

It’s always thrilling when two different game types come together in a new way, and that’s exactly how I felt when I discovered Rabi-Ribi, which uniquely blends the Metroidvania and bullet hell genres.

The game’s combat is built around a simple idea – control one character for close-up fighting and another for long-distance attacks. While easy to pick up, it’s challenging to truly master, offering a lot of strategic options and rewarding skilled players.

As a fan of bullet hell games, I can tell you they really push your skills – you need to be super focused and have lightning-fast reflexes. And Rabi-Ribi takes that to another level! It combines that intense gameplay with a cool progression system and so many different enemy attacks, making it a truly amazing experience.

I generally suggest this only to fans of the genre, as it has some unusual elements that might not suit all tastes. However, if you enjoy this type of thing, you’re in for an incredibly exciting and rewarding experience.

7. Guacamelee!

Wrestling Has Never Been So Elaborate

When it comes to games with exciting combos, professional wrestling is a perfect fit for deep and diverse fighting styles, which is why we definitely included Guacamelee!

It absolutely deserves to be included because of how cleverly and entertainingly it uses its core subject matter. The resulting animations are beautifully done, giving the impression of a classic, hand-drawn cartoon.

It feels amazing to play, especially because you’re in complete control of the action. The controls in Guacamelee! are fantastic and respond to your every move.

Despite being a fantastic game, Guacamelee! doesn’t get the recognition it deserves. If you like fighting games, side-scrolling adventures, or Metroidvanias, you really should check it out.

6. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Many Combos and Powers

While Shinobi: Art of Vengeance uses familiar Metroidvania elements, these work really well to highlight how exciting and stylish its combat is, both in terms of how it plays and how it looks.

With a combination of special moves, powers, and ultimate attacks, and precise character control, you’ll be able to participate in amazing battles, playing as a ninja with extraordinary abilities.

It’s incredibly satisfying to learn and use, and it looks amazing too, with powerful visual effects that really make an impact.

Shinobi: Art of Vengeance isn’t just a great Metroidvania game; it’s also an exceptional action game, and truly sets the standard for modern titles in that genre.

5. Blasphemous 2

Simultaneous Complexities

I believe Blasphemous 2 is a definite step up from the first game, especially when it comes to the combat. The changes to the fighting system are really substantial and make a big difference.

This new installment expands on the original with more powers and tougher enemies. It also introduces a unique feature: you can now wield three weapons at the same time and switch between them instantly during battles.

The game creates a continuous cycle of counterplay, forcing you to constantly change strategies to maximize each weapon’s effectiveness. While the varied weapons present a challenge, mastering them is incredibly rewarding.

While the game is generally easy to pick up, the very last boss requires truly skilled combat. However, this doesn’t diminish how fantastic the combat in Blasphemous 2 is – it’s one of the best Metroidvania games released in recent years.

4. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

An Army at Your Service

I’m a big fan of JoJo’s Bizarre Adventure, so I naturally enjoy anything with powerful summoned allies, which is why Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights makes this list.

It might seem simple at first, but the game’s popularity comes from its intricate combat. Instead of fighting directly, the main character summons a variety of creatures to battle for her.

Think of all the classic moves you’d find in a Metroidvania game – things like ranged attacks, close combat, spells, blocking, dashing, healing, and applying poisons. Now, picture those abilities belonging to unique characters other than the one you control, each with their own look and story. That’s what makes this game so special.

Initially, Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights seems to have simple helper characters, but you quickly discover it offers far more depth and options than most games of its type.

3. Nine Sols

More Than Just Parries

Because people often compare it to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, players might anticipate a complex game with lots of options in Nine Sols. However, the game actually offers even more depth and complexity than expected.

The combat begins with standard attacks and blocks, but quickly evolves into fast-paced encounters where you’ll be moving all over the screen. You’ll need to master different types of parries – regular, downward, and magical – and use the right one at the right time.

Talismans offer deep customization by subtly changing your skills, and ranged weapons are essential for managing groups of enemies or providing support, making each situation more diverse and interesting.

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At first glance, Nine Sols seems like a simple revenge-based game, but it’s actually much deeper. The game heavily features platforming, not just to navigate the world, but also as a core part of combat.

2. Aeterna Noctis

Struggling with the Laws of Physics

Aeterna Noctis is unique. Though its combat isn’t as complex as some other games, it’s surprisingly deep and offers a lot more than meets the eye.

At first, the gameplay is simple, mostly involving attacks in the standard four directions. But as you advance and gain new abilities, the game becomes incredibly challenging, and only the most talented players will be able to succeed.

The game is challenging both because its levels are always shifting the way you play – with things like multiple gravity points or platforms that vanish – and because of the powerful weapons you gradually earn.

As a player, I was really excited to find that it wasn’t just about sword fighting! There are all sorts of cool tools to use. One lets you teleport around, and another does some serious damage. It’s awesome because you can switch between close-up attacks and long-range strikes, making every battle super fast-paced and chaotic – I love it!

While the controls aren’t always smooth, Aeterna Noctis is surprisingly complex and pushes boundaries in ways you wouldn’t expect.

1. Hollow Knight: Silksong

A Divine Evolution

Many people love Hollow Knight, and its combat system is a major reason why. While the basic fighting involves swinging a sword, it’s surprisingly engaging. This was especially true before the release of Hollow Knight: Silksong.

When I first started playing, I got to know Hornet and everything she can do. She’s got a ton of gadgets – both active ones I can use whenever, and passive ones that are always working in the background. They all work together in cool ways, and of course, she’s got her needle for close-up action!

Discovering Crests fundamentally alters the experience. In a game so meticulously balanced, where even the smallest details of attacks and defenses are crucial, the notion of multiple distinct combat systems – each with its own animations – felt unbelievable.

This game offers more variety than the last, with seven unique combat styles to choose from. Each style plays differently, meaning every time you play, it will feel fresh, as long as you don’t pick the same Crest.

It’s truly an amazing achievement. Considering the huge amount of work Team Cherry put into creating so many different options and making sure the game still worked perfectly, the seven years it took to make Hollow Knight: Silksong actually feels like a short development time.

2026-03-02 23:42