Best Metroidvania Games With No Combat

As someone who’s spent countless hours navigating through the intricate worlds of Metroidvania games, I must say these three selections are truly a breath of fresh air. The absence of combat in these titles offers a unique twist to the genre that I find incredibly refreshing.

Metroidvania games offer an interconnected world design instead of a straightforward progression through levels. These games are divided by barriers that can only be passed once you acquire specific abilities, often gained after defeating bosses within different areas. Exploring this connected world feels like navigating a labyrinth with doors locked until you obtain the necessary ability to unlock them later in your journey.

Metroidvania-style games often incorporate action elements like combat to enhance the gaming experience, but not all follow this pattern. Some Metroidvanias eliminate combat altogether and instead emphasize problem-solving puzzles, quick reflexes, or a combination of both as their main gameplay mechanics. These games can offer an enjoyable alternative for players seeking something beyond the norm.

5 Sheepo

Transformative Abilities In A Charming, Offbeat World

Release date: August 26, 2020
Developer: Kyle Thompson
Genres: Platformer, Adventure, Casual

Sheepo is an enchanting Metroidvania title that shuns combat in favor of intricate puzzle mechanics, unique visual aesthetics, imaginative level design, and a quirky sense of humor. The gameplay manages to strike a balance between intellectually engaging puzzles that stimulate thought without becoming tedious due to frustration.

In this game, the objective is to save eggs hidden among various formidable enemies scattered throughout the map. Unlike traditional combat, the main character overcomes these foes by using their quick reflexes and strategic maneuvers in platforming challenges instead. Upon saving an egg from a boss monster, Sheepo acquires new skills. These abilities enable the player to transform into various creatures, each with unique powers that help access hidden parts of the game and reveal certain mysteries.

4 Unbound: Worlds Apart

Spell-Based Platforming

Release date: July 28, 2021
Developer: Alien Pixel Studios
Genres: Platformer, Puzzle, Adventure

Unbound: Worlds Apart is a cleverly intricate Metroidvania, perfect for newcomers seeking a balance between challenge and playability. It achieves this by offering an extremely accommodating save system that frequently establishes respawn points, eliminating the need for long treks back after mistakes. As you advance, the game’s pace picks up, demanding precise timing for jumps and portals to conquer platforming challenges.

Exploring the map in the game “Unbound: Worlds Apart” necessitates imaginative application of spells, some of which are acquired progressively. Essentially, each spell generates a protective zone around the player, transforming the nearby environment with distinct properties. These modifications can include turning gravity upside down, unveiling concealed platforms, and passing through objects directly. Although it’s theoretically possible to vanquish enemies in this game using spells, there is no element of traditional combat involved. Instead, it’s more effective to circumvent common enemies rather than attempting to defeat them. Boss fights, on the other hand, entail discovering the appropriate method to inflict damage on the boss while evading their attacks by jumping, double jumping, or phasing.

3 Himno

A Serene Metroidvania Focused Entirely On Exploration

Release date: April 26, 2019
Developer: David Moralejo Sánchez
Genres: Platformer, Adventure, Casual, Free To Play

In simpler terms, “Himno” is a tranquil 2D platformer featuring randomly created stages with absolutely no combats or battles. You won’t find any challenging enemies to evade, and there are no boss fights to win. Instead, the primary objective in Himno is to explore. Since the game’s map changes each time you start a new session, every playthrough offers something fresh and exciting.

In my perspective, maneuvering through this game is an intuitive experience, encompassing classic platformer elements such as jumping, wall-jumping, and dashing. The protagonist is a breeze to handle, swiftly moving in all directions – up, down, left, right, even diagonally. Orbs of experience are sprinkled across the levels, and once you’ve gathered enough, your character automatically levels up, unlocking special power-ups hidden within the game world. However, these power-ups can only be obtained if your character meets a certain level threshold. They provide temporary boosts during gameplay, making exploration smoother. The beauty of this game lies in its freedom; there’s no set objective other than to explore at one’s leisure. With no combat and a pace that matches the player’s tempo, Himno stands out as one of the most serene Metroidvania games around.

2 Animal Well

A Puzzle-Filled Metroidvania With No Direct Combat

Animal Well

In Animal Well, despite the absence of traditional combat, there are still challenges to conquer – these come in the form of bosses to defeat. Unlike other games where you might just keep attacking, these boss battles are more about solving timed puzzles. The player must discern which buttons to press and mechanisms to activate to lure the boss into a trap leading to its demise. Just like smaller enemies, you’ll need to either steer clear of them or outsmart them to advance further in the game.

1 Toki Tori 2

A Deceptively Complex Puzzle Platformer Without Any Combat

Release date: April 4, 2013
Genres: Puzzle, Platformer, Adventure, Casual
Developer: Two Tribes

In a unique twist on the traditional Metroidvania genre, Toki Tori 2 presents itself as a captivating 2D platformer. Instead of offering an array of abilities at the start, players are initially equipped with just two: a stomp and a tweet. These two actions alone grant access to the entire game map, but mastering their correct usage is crucial for progression.

In the captivating world of Toki Tori 2, every puzzle centers around utilizing two unique abilities to unveil the path forward. This vibrant game landscape teems with an array of diverse creatures, each reacting uniquely when confronted with your abilities. For instance, frogs gape wide-mouthed, bugs tumble from walls, birds transport you to lofty heights, and so on. Your task is to decipher the correct commands for these tiny beings and determine the sequence in which to issue them, enabling them to open up the pathway ahead. Initially, these puzzles are straightforward, but they become increasingly complex as you advance through the game. Mastering the intricacies of every single creature in the game is crucial if you aim to reach every hidden corner and uncover all secrets. Noteworthy, Toki Tori 2 eschews any form of combat altogether.

2024-10-06 19:35