Best Fantasy Metroidvania Games

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Summary

  • Metroidvania genre stems from Castlevania: Symphony of the Night and Super Metroid, offering a blend of gothic fantasy and sci-fi elements.
  • Chasm is unique with procedurally generated dungeons using Seeds, providing a different experience for every player.
  • Shantae: Risky’s Revenge features a half-genie protagonist who uses her hair as a weapon, with upgrades and animal transformations for traversal.

The style of games known as Metroidvania primarily originated from two significant titles released in the 90s: “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” and “Super Metroid”. While “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” maintained its series’ gothic fantasy backdrop, “Super Metroid” was rooted in a sci-fi narrative.

The majority of Metroidvania games are either set in fantastical or science fiction worlds, with a handful straddling both genres. To build excitement for the upcoming release of Hollow Knight Silksong, which has generated much anticipation, let’s explore some of the finest fantasy-themed Metroidvania games. We will evaluate each game not only by how effectively they utilize their fantasy settings but also by assessing the overall gaming experience.

Chasm

Procedural Generated Action

As a devoted fan, I’d express it like this:

“I’ve been captivated by Chasm, a one-of-a-kind Metroidvania game! What sets it apart is that each player’s journey can be uniquely their own. You see, the game uses Seeds to randomly generate the intricate dungeon we delve into, so no two adventures are exactly alike, even though power-ups and bosses remain consistent.

If you’re playing with friends and want to share the same epic adventure, you can swap your Seed with them! It’s essentially an RPG Metroidvania experience, complete with leveling up, customizable equipment, and a stunning pixel art aesthetic that truly brings the game to life.

Souldiers

A Three-Way Tie

The game provides players with a choice of three starting characters: Scout, Caster, and Archer. Each character offers distinct benefits; for instance, Casters and Archers provide range advantage. Having multiple characters adds incentive for players to revisit the game multiple times.

In this tale, we find ourselves immersed in a quintessential medieval realm teeming with mythical beasts. You’ll encounter these creatures, ready for battle, throughout the land. The journey begins within a secluded cave, where you engage in combat with these monstrous foes. After each victory, you have opportunities to upgrade your gear at shops and rest at checkpoints before venturing forth once more.

Indivisible

Turn-Based Exploration

In a simplified and engaging manner, “Indivisible” stands out as the most varied Metroidvania game due to its initial appearance being that of a 2D action-platformer. The main character, Ajna, acquires different items and skills throughout her journey, such as an axe for cutting through obstacles like vines, enabling her to progress further.

The surprise is that this game also operates on a turn-based RPG format, where encountering an enemy triggers a fight. Ajna’s Mind Palace serves as a repository for spirits of characters she encounters throughout her journey, and players can assign these characters specific face buttons during battle. The combat system resembles the one from ‘Valkyrie Profile’ for those familiar with the PS1.

Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night

The Return Of The Igavania

Fans well-versed in Castlevania games often referred to titles like Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia as Igavanias, due to being developed by Koji Igarashi at Konami. Later on, Igarashi moved away from Konami and launched a Kickstarter campaign to create a spiritually successor series, which eventually led to the release of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night.

The visual appearance of this game differs from many traditional Castlevania games, featuring cel-shading and a stained glass style, yet its gameplay is similar to them. For those who may not have experienced it initially, now could be an excellent opportunity as a sequel is expected in 2026.

Shantae: Risky’s Revenge

Whip Your Hair Back And Forth

Originally launched as a downloadable game on the DSi’s store, “Shantae: Risky’s Revenge” has since been adapted for various gaming platforms. Much like other games in the “Shantae” series, the main character Shantae utilizes her hair for combat, acting as a whip against enemies.

Even though Shantae doesn’t have the ability to level up, players can purchase upgrades for her at various stores, enhancing her strength or speed, for example. This half-genie character uses magical dance moves to transform into different animals, such as a monkey, which serve as the game’s means of travel. The setting is filled with monsters, pirates, and visual references that cater to fans, all presented in a pixelated style.

Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit In Wonder Labyrinth

From Light Novel To Anime To Game

The video game “Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth” draws inspiration from an influential Japanese light novel series, originally penned in 1988 and styled as a tribute to the tabletop role-playing game, “Dungeons & Dragons.” Fans of ’90s anime might recall the OVA (original video animation) adaptation of “Record of Lodoss War,” which offers a pleasurable viewing experience.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled to share that decades later, I found myself immersed in a captivating journey starring a feisty female elf named Deedlit. The adventure unfolds within castle walls, where I battled monstrous foes to progress and boost my character. In terms of visuals and gameplay mechanics, it’s the most compelling homage yet to the timeless classic, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. However, it distinguishes itself by offering more than just a carbon copy – it carves its unique niche in the gaming world.

Hollow Knight

A Bug’s Life

In comparison to games like “Metroid” or “Castlevania,” “Hollow Knight” is undoubtedly one of the most identifiable Metroidvania-style games worldwide. This game takes place in a gloomy subterranean realm inhabited by insects, where players must battle various creatures using their reliable nail, all while attempting to uncover their lost memories.

In this game, players have the opportunity to enhance their insect-themed character’s arsenal, increase attributes such as health, and acquire additional movement skills like double jumping. Given its difficulty level comparable to Soulslike games, novice players should anticipate encountering frequent deaths during their playthrough.

Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night

Long Live The King

Leaving out a Metroidvania game from a fantasy-based Metroidvania list would be like forgetting the first stone in building a castle – “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night” was that crucial stone. While many pioneering games in genres have room for improvement, this one got it right.

As a devoted enthusiast, I’d say I can upgrade Alucard with fresh equipment, unlock new abilities, and progress in all sorts of ways. Dracula’s colossal castle presents an expansive world brimming with hidden secrets that are absolutely worth uncovering. The game’s dialogue might seem a bit cheesy now, but it certainly adds to its endearing character!

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2025-08-31 08:35