10 Best Cozy Metroidvanias You Need To Play

As a fervent admirer of Metroidvania games, I’ve come to appreciate that not all games within this genre are nail-biting, tension-filled journeys. While they’re renowned for their intricate combat and labyrinthine maps, there are titles that offer a more relaxed yet equally engaging experience.

Some Metroidvania games prioritize a calmer play style over the intense challenges, opting for vibrant color schemes and appealing characters rather than prolonged irritation.

If you‘re a fan of the Metroidvania genre but find some of its challenging mechanics stressful or overwhelming, you’ll likely become enamored with the relaxing versions of Metroidvania games!

These games feature mechanisms that prioritize exploration and allure instead of extreme challenge, which makes them significantly easier for a broader range of players to enjoy.

10. Indivisible

RPG + Metroidvania = Indivisible

Title “Indivisible” suits gaming enthusiasts eager to explore the captivating realm of the metroidvania genre. This game embodies the essence of a child born from a fusion of a classic fantasy role-playing game and a metroidvania; it offers an ideal blend of both.

In this exciting game, you control Ajna, an extraordinary character who combines strength and affection. She possesses a unique ability to incorporate her comrades within her mind, then summon them during combat – it’s peculiar yet thrilling!

Backed by her unseen allies and undaunted spirit, no obstacle can hinder Ajna from safeguarding the world she cherishes deeply.

As a gamer, diving into Indivisible feels like tackling an engaging puzzle rather than enduring a harsh ordeal. This game, with its self-declared mechanics that are simple to grasp yet hard to fully conquer, offers more of a satisfying challenge than sheer brutality. Compared to the legendary metroidvania games we’ve grown accustomed to and sometimes dread, Indivisible could be seen as the more approachable, younger sibling in the family.

9. Magical Delicacy

A Metroidvania-Lite Restaurant Sim

Similar to Indivisible, Magical Delicacy is an ideal choice for newcomers embarking on their metroidvania adventures. This game offers a unique combination of metroidvania, restaurant management, and everyday life exploration, making it one of the most inviting metroidvania titles available today.

In the enchanting game titled “Magical Delicacy”, you assume the role of Flora, a youthful sorceress embarking on a journey to a remote locale. Here, she seeks to enhance her skills, not just in culinary arts but also in the art of spell-casting.

In the small coastal town of Grat, as a fresh shop proprietor, you find yourself overwhelmed with orders and limited resources to fulfill them. To maintain your business, you may need to embark on perilous journeys through the treacherous cliffs and caves that border the town. However, beware: you’re not the only sorceress roaming those cliffs…

8. Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus

Earring-Wielding Ghost Fox in Japan

If you enjoy games that delve into Japanese folklore and mythology, then you’re bound to be smitten by Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus. This game transports you right into a traditional Japanese fairytale, filled with age-old prophecies and breathing legends.

In your role as a celestial bloom known as Bō, you are tasked with journeying down from the heavens to bring about an age-old prediction.

With your transformative earrings serving as your battle gear (oh, how enticing it would be to possess such an artifact), you’ll need to forge a path amidst yokais and demons that assail from every side, all in the pursuit of shielding the world you cherish deeply.

As a devoted fan, I’d gladly purchase “Bō: Path of the Teal Lotus” even if it didn’t live up to its reputation as a masterpiece. The gameplay and graphics in this 2D platformer are simply breathtaking, and it sets a new standard for metroidvania games. The acrobatics in combat and the fluid platforming mechanics remind me of games like Hollow Knight or Windblown.

7. The Knight Witch

A Shoot-Em-Up Deckbuilder-vania

I can’t forget the thrill I experienced when I first saw the trailers for this game; it was the very first Metroidvania that truly piqued my interest, and there was a valid reason behind that. The Knight Witch is an extraordinary amalgamation of Metroidvania, deckbuilder, and shoot-em-up bullet hell, making it difficult for anyone to resist its charm.

In this adventure, you take on the role of Rayne, a knight-witch striving to protect her realm from an onslaught of mechanized forces. As you progress, you form friendships and amass influence by fostering faith among your followers.

In the course of your journey through Dungeonidas, the townsfolk will observe and speak about your valiant actions. Given that Knight Witches derive their strength from appreciation and admiration, the more heroic your actions appear, the stronger you will grow!

As a fervent admirer, let me share some thoughts: There are numerous paths one can take to garner accolades, yet not every route is genuinely heartfelt. It’s all about choosing whether to stick to the righteous path or seek popularity at any price. Just remember to keep your ultimate goal in view and not veer off course during your journey.

6. Crypt Custodian

Ghost Cat Janitor Simulator

As a gamer, let me tell you, there aren’t many metroidvanias as adorable or snuggly as Crypt Custodian. Could it be that I’m slightly partial, given the chance to embody a broom-wielding ghost cat and live out my dreams? Maybe. But regardless of my biased opinion, this game is a Metroidvania masterpiece that you definitely shouldn’t miss out on playing!

The role of Crypt Custodian gives you control as if you were in charge of Pluto, a playful spectral feline who is tasked with managing the vast, intricate network that makes up his new residence – the afterlife.

As you delve into and tidy up your fresh surroundings, you may encounter a mix of other forlorn entities and spectral beasts, some of whom you might establish friendships with, whereas others will require removal or resolution.

Discovering that being a cat-loving cleaner armed with a broom in the afterlife was something I hadn’t realized I desired, until now, feels like a revelation. If you’re a fan of Metroidvania games and have longed for more feline companionship, then Crypt Custodian won’t disappoint you.

5. Animal Well

Literally an Animal Well

As a gamer, I can tell you that Animal Well is one of those captivating games where the eeriness escalates as you progress deeper into its world. At first glance, it offers charming characters and retro-styled visuals, but there’s always this unsettling feeling that something menacing is lurking around the corner, keeping me on edge.

In the game titled Animal Well, you’ll embark on an adventure as a charmingly tiny creature that hatched from a flower. You’ll journey through a cave-like environment teeming with peculiar animals. Along your voyage, you’ll meet both large and small unusual creatures, enjoy unique enhancements to your character, and perhaps decipher the enigmatic tale of the Well.

This Metroidvania game offers a snug yet subtly unsettling ambiance, but its unique atmosphere merely amplifies its exceptional playstyle. If you’re seeking an experience that sets itself apart from the usual, then Animal Well is undoubtedly a game worth adding to your dream list.

4. Islets

Weirdly Wholesome Metroidvania

Initially, when I encountered Islets for the first time, I was genuinely taken aback to discover it was a Metroidvania. With its charming characters and delightful animation style, I assumed this game could only be a comforting RPG or similar genre. However, I was mistaken!

Title Translation: Islets is an unexpectedly enchanting game in the Metroidvania genre that revolves around a fluffy little warrior named Iko and his mission to restore harmony to his homeland. Using your faithful but aged airship, you’ll journey through the skies to reassemble a chain of floating islands by reactivating their magnetic centers (no small feat).

Regardless of your noble plans, there remain numerous beings who vehemently oppose the unification of these islands, and they will go to great lengths to obstruct your endeavor.

Managing to magnetize colossal, drifting archipelagos isn’t a walk in the park already, and now you’ve got pesky interruptions as well; it’s certainly no picnic, but someone has to take on this challenging task.

3. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

A Little Spirit in a Great Big World

Hailing from the same developers as Ori and the Blind Forest, comes the stunning sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps. This game offers players a more thrilling journey than ever before. Regardless if you’re a frequent gamer or not, Ori and the Will of the Wisps is an exceptional masterpiece that every Metroidvania enthusiast should explore at least once.

If you’ve ever dreamed of experiencing the enchantment of a Studio Ghibli film firsthand, this game offers just that opportunity! You can take on the role of Ori, a charming forest sprite, as they embark on an exciting odyssey to nurse an injured owl, rejuvenate a damaged terrain, and uncover their hidden fate.

You might find it unexpected that Will of the Wisps falls under the Metroidvania genre, considering its emotional storyline and warm atmosphere. However, that’s precisely what it is. Ori and the Will of the Wisps embodies the difficulty and ambition typical of traditional Metroidvania games, but without the frustration-inducing stress!

2. Nine Sols

Let’s Take Down the Government!

If current politics leave you yearning for a rebellious outlet rather than confronting politicians directly, perhaps finding respite in the game called Nine Sols could offer you an alternative release.

In this game, you assume the role of Yi, a vengeful warrior equipped with the necessary abilities, battling through nine oppressive rulers who have captivated your homeland. These rulers demonstrate their disregard for your people’s wellbeing, making it your mission to vanquish them and, ultimately, liberate your people for good.

Not only does the prospect of overthrowing a corrupt regime make this game intriguing, it also boasts a fascinating backstory. For instance, the world you’re fighting to save was originally inhabited by an extinct alien race. Moreover, humans exist in this story, but they reside in a completely different dimension.

If you aren’t already captivated by the story, let me tell you more: There was a mythical land left behind by ancient deities, said to be guarded by sacred rites. This game’s history is quite intriguing; if you appreciate games with complex backstories, I highly recommend giving it a try.

In essence, playing Nine Sols is similar to what you’re used to in a Metroidvania game: Acquiring new skills gives you access to fresh areas to discover, but also involves revisiting locations you once vowed never to return to.

Regarding Nine Sols being a Metroidvania game, what stands out is its warm, inviting feel during gameplay. This could be due to the characters who seem familiar and relatable, or the protagonist’s heartfelt dedication to saving their beloved world.

1. Hollow Knight

If “A Bug’s Life” Was Rated R

Instead of a Metroidvania teeming with insects appearing uninviting to certain players, let me assure you, Hollow Knight is a choice you won’t regret making. It retains the hardship and excitement that Metroidvania enthusiasts adore, yet wraps it in a comforting ambiance that prevents gaming from becoming too stressful.

In the underbelly of Dirtmouth, a tiny, insect-like being finds itself navigating the ruins, equipped only with a weathered nail and parkour abilities. Along the way, it will face off against strange insect adversaries who are eager to sever its head from its body.

As a gamer, there’s an undeniable tranquility I find myself wrapped in while meandering through the labyrinthine underworld of Hallownest. Each turn reveals new hidden paths, each conversation with the peculiar non-lethal bug NPCs adds another layer to the enigma of this kingdom, and every step forward is a testament to my determination to unravel its secrets at my own leisurely pace. Battles and parkour challenges may lurk around every corner, but the allure of this vast subterranean world keeps me coming back for more.

The game immerses you deeply, providing a delightful blend of difficulty and serenity that leaves you yearning to explore “one more section” time and again.

Read More

2025-02-24 19:10