Metroidvania games clicked because they turn exploration into progression, and every new ability makes the world feel bigger instead of smaller.
The best entries in the genre are not just about locked doors and double jumps. They are about momentum, atmosphere, and that constant feeling that one more upgrade could completely change how you read the map. Whether you want punishing combat, graceful platforming, dense puzzle design, or pure sci-fi discovery, these are the metroidvania games most worth playing next.
TL;DR – Best Metroidvania Games You Should Play Next
Table of Contents
The reason metroidvanias stay so replayable is simple – the genre can support wildly different moods while keeping the same addictive backbone. One game might feel like a lonely descent into ruins, another like a speedrunner playground, and another like a puzzle box where every item changes how you think.
This list leans toward games that do more than just follow the formula. Each one understands a different part of what makes the genre work, whether that is map design, combat depth, mobility, atmosphere, or the thrill of uncovering a hidden route you were never meant to notice on a first pass.
Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight is the modern benchmark for the genre, dropping you into Hallownest, a ruined insect kingdom packed with forgotten cities, deadly caverns, and secrets in nearly every direction. It feels huge without feeling random, and that sense of scale is one of the main reasons it still defines so many metroidvania conversations.
What it does best is balancing exploration with tension. The combat is simple on paper, but the game steadily layers in charm builds, movement upgrades, harder enemies, and brutal boss fights that make every new region feel earned. It also knows how to use atmosphere, with quiet stretches and haunting music giving the world real weight.
Among all the games here, this is the easiest one to recommend if you want the full package. The map loops back on itself brilliantly, the progression feels satisfying, and the difficulty gives discoveries extra value because the world never feels passive.
It is also the kind of game that rewards both casual curiosity and obsessive completion. You can push forward at your own pace, or you can chase every hidden challenge, optional boss, and late-game upgrade until the whole world opens up in surprising ways.
Why You Might Like It
- One of the strongest interconnected worlds in the entire genre
- Tight melee combat backed by memorable boss encounters
- Excellent atmosphere that makes exploration feel lonely and rewarding
- Deep optional content for players who love secrets and full completion runs
Hollow Knight
Release Date: February 24, 2017
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Release Date: September 4, 2025
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Ori and the Will of the Wisps is a more fluid, emotional take on the metroidvania formula, built around graceful movement and visually striking environments. From the start, the game wants traversal to feel joyful, and by the middle stretch, simply moving through the map becomes part of the appeal.
Its biggest strength is how polished every action feels. Dashes, launches, wall movement, and aerial control all connect beautifully, which makes platforming sequences feel smooth instead of stiff. At the same time, the combat is stronger and more fleshed out than in the first game, giving the overall structure more balance.
This is a great pick if your favorite part of metroidvanias is gaining movement tools that completely transform older areas. Backtracking rarely feels like homework because returning to previous zones with better mobility is genuinely fun.
The game also stands out for its presentation. The art, music, and emotional framing give it a warmer tone than many genre heavyweights, so it works especially well for players who want challenge and exploration without the oppressive darkness of something like Hollow Knight or Blasphemous 2.
Why You Might Like It
- Exceptional movement that makes traversal satisfying from start to finish
- Beautiful environments with a more emotional and uplifting tone
- Strong blend of platforming, exploration, and improved combat
- Ability upgrades noticeably change how you revisit older regions
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Release Date: March 11, 2020
Genres: Platform, Adventure
Ori and the Blind Forest
Release Date: April 27, 2016
Genres: Platform, Adventure
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown feels like one of the smartest modern refreshes the genre has seen in years. It takes the classic metroidvania structure and injects it with slick action, precise platforming, and time-based abilities that keep both combat and puzzle design feeling fresh.
What it does especially well is pacing. New traversal skills arrive at the right moments, the map keeps unlocking in satisfying layers, and the platforming challenges are built around mastery rather than guesswork. It is fast, readable, and confident in a way that makes it easy to recommend even to players who do not usually live in this genre.
Compared with more atmospheric or mystery-driven entries, this one is all about momentum. The controls are sharp, the fights are responsive, and the structure constantly nudges you toward one more clever route or one more challenge room.
It is also one of the better entry points for players who want a modern game with clear quality-of-life features, smart navigation tools, and action that feels contemporary without losing that classic ability-gated map design.
Why You Might Like It
- Excellent combat and traversal with very responsive controls
- Time powers add a unique twist to puzzles and exploration
- Strong pacing that keeps upgrades and discoveries coming steadily
- A polished, accessible starting point for newer metroidvania fans
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Release Date: January 15, 2024
Genres: Platform, Adventure
Blasphemous 2
Blasphemous 2 takes the genre in a darker and heavier direction, building a grotesque religious fantasy world full of unsettling imagery, brutal enemies, and dense, interconnected areas. It is less about elegance and more about atmosphere, impact, and commitment to its own disturbing identity.
Its major strength is how combat and exploration feed into each other. The sequel gives you multiple weapons with different utility, which makes both fights and navigation more varied than before. That gives the game a stronger sense of build diversity and a better flow between action and discovery.
If you like metroidvanias that feel oppressive in the best way, this belongs high on your list. It captures that feeling of descending into stranger and more hostile territory, while still giving you enough progression tools to feel steadily more capable.
It also deserves credit for tone. Plenty of games aim for dark fantasy, but very few commit this hard to a specific visual and narrative language. That makes every region memorable, even when the world is actively trying to crush you.
Why You Might Like It
- Dark, memorable worldbuilding with a very distinct visual identity
- Combat-focused progression supported by multiple weapon styles
- Strong sense of danger and atmosphere throughout exploration
- A great fit for players who want a harsher, heavier metroidvania
Blasphemous 2
Release Date: August 24, 2024
Genres: Adventure, Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Indie
Blasphemous
Release Date: September 10, 2019
Genres: Platform, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Metroid Dread
Metroid Dread is one of the cleanest examples of why the genre still works so well. It strips things down to razor-sharp movement, a strong sense of forward drive, and an expertly built world where every new power meaningfully changes how you move and survive.
What makes it stand out is efficiency. The game wastes very little of your time, which means every encounter, route, and upgrade feels deliberately placed. Samus controls beautifully, and the blend of speed, counters, ranged combat, and traversal tech gives the game incredible flow.
It is also one of the most tension-heavy games on this list thanks to the E.M.M.I. sequences. Those sections add a chase dynamic that changes the mood of exploration, making some parts of the map feel less like routine backtracking and more like survival under pressure.
If you want a more classic sci-fi take on the genre, this is essential. It is a masterclass in structure, readability, and momentum, and it shows how powerful the formula still is when everything is tuned at a very high level.
Why You Might Like It
- Fast, precise movement that makes the whole game feel incredibly smooth
- Classic ability-gated progression with excellent pacing
- Sci-fi atmosphere and tense E.M.M.I. chase sections add urgency
- A polished example of the classic Metroid side of the genre
Metroid Dread
Release Date: October 8, 2021
Genres: Adventure
36% OFF 14% OFF 80% OFF 78% OFF 68% OFF 86% OFF 81% OFF 8% OFF 0% OFF 10% OFF 55% OFF 90% OFF 87% OFF 76% OFF 76% OFF
Animal Well
Animal Well is the outlier on this list, and that is exactly why it deserves a place here. Instead of focusing on combat or boss-heavy progression, it builds its identity around mystery, layered puzzle design, and the feeling that the world is hiding far more than it initially reveals.
What it does best is make curiosity feel powerful. Items are not just upgrades in the usual genre sense – they often work like strange tools that let you interact with the world in clever, indirect ways. That gives exploration a very different rhythm from action-first metroidvanias.
This is the game to play if you love peeling back systems and finding hidden logic in the map. It turns backtracking into investigation, and it rewards careful observation more than raw reflexes. The result is a denser, more cerebral kind of genre experience.
Its atmosphere also helps a lot. The pixel art is clean but eerie, and the whole game has a dreamlike quality that makes even small discoveries feel unusually meaningful. It is one of the best recent examples of a metroidvania that trusts the player to experiment.
Why You Might Like It
- Puzzle-driven exploration that rewards curiosity over brute force
- Items have unusual uses that reshape how you understand the world
- Dense secret design for players who love layered discoveries
- A fresh alternative to combat-heavy metroidvanias
Animal Well
Release Date: May 9, 2024
Genres: Platform, Puzzle, Adventure, Indie
Nine Sols
Nine Sols pushes the genre toward precision action, combining metroidvania exploration with a combat system that leans heavily on timing, deflection, and aggressive boss design. It immediately feels sharper and more confrontational than most of its peers.
Its biggest strength is that the combat is not just a side feature – it is the identity of the game. Success depends on reading enemy patterns, reacting cleanly, and staying composed under pressure. That creates a rhythm closer to a character action game or a parry-heavy action title than a traditional exploration-first metroidvania.
What makes it fit the genre so well is that the exploration still matters. You are not just moving from boss to boss. The world gradually opens up, tools expand your reach, and narrative progression supports the sense that you are uncovering a larger structure rather than clearing disconnected stages.
The Taopunk setting also gives it a strong personality. It blends sci-fi and mythology in a way that feels distinct, which helps the game stand out in a genre where visual identity can make a huge difference.
Why You Might Like It
- Parry-focused combat that rewards precision and pattern recognition
- Demanding boss fights with a strong action-game feel
- Interconnected exploration that still supports the combat-heavy structure
- A distinctive setting that does not blend into the usual genre crowd
Nine Sols
Release Date: May 29, 2024
Genres: Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist brings a melancholic, dark-fantasy tone to the genre, mixing side-scrolling exploration with companion-based combat and a steady focus on character growth. It feels reflective and somber, but it is not slow or lifeless.
One of its best ideas is how combat progression ties into the allies and abilities you collect. That structure gives battles more flexibility than a simple sword-and-dodge setup, while still keeping the map-based progression loop central to the experience.
It fits this list because it captures the quieter side of the genre without giving up momentum. The world is sad and broken, but the gameplay keeps moving forward through unlocks, new routes, and stronger combat options that gradually make the whole adventure feel richer.
Players who enjoy atmospheric action RPG elements inside their metroidvanias will probably click with this one fast. It is not trying to be the loudest or hardest game here. Instead, it succeeds by building mood, consistency, and a satisfying sense of progression.
Why You Might Like It
- Moody dark-fantasy setting with a strong melancholic tone
- Companion-based combat adds variety to fights and progression
- Steady map expansion supported by meaningful upgrades
- A good fit for players who like action RPG flavor in the genre
Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
Release Date: March 25, 2024
Genres: Role-playing (RPG), Adventure
Guacamelee! 2
Guacamelee! 2 takes the metroidvania blueprint and injects it with color, humor, and brawler energy. It is immediately more playful than most of the games on this list, but that lighter tone does not stop it from being mechanically sharp.
What it does especially well is merge combat and platforming into the same language. Your movement abilities are often tied directly to attacks, which means fights and traversal challenges both reinforce the same skill set. That creates a satisfying sense of flow once the game really opens up.
This is a great choice if you want something lively and approachable without losing the genre’s core appeal. The world still folds back on itself, ability gates still matter, and progression still feels rewarding, but the whole experience is easier to pick up and enjoy moment to moment.
It also works well for players who want a break from gloomier metroidvanias. The co-op option, colorful presentation, and comedic style make it one of the most inviting games in the genre, especially if you value energy and personality as much as map design.
Why You Might Like It
- Fast, punchy combat blended directly into platforming challenges
- Bright presentation and humor make it more welcoming than darker entries
- Classic genre progression without the usual oppressive tone
- Great for players who want a lively and more playful metroidvania
Guacamelee! 2
Release Date: August 21, 2018
Genres: Fighting, Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Guacamelee! Complete
Release Date: August 8, 2013
Genres: Platform, Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
Axiom Verge 2
Axiom Verge 2 leans harder into the exploration and science-fiction side of the genre, offering a stranger, more methodical experience than most mainstream metroidvanias. It is less interested in constant combat fireworks and more interested in discovery, systems, and world texture.
Its biggest strength is how unusual it feels. The setting is alien, the tools are often unconventional, and the game is comfortable letting players figure things out at their own pace. That gives it an old-school quality, but not in a purely nostalgic way.
If you enjoy the part of metroidvanias where the map itself feels mysterious, this is a strong pick. The game puts a lot of emphasis on venturing into unfamiliar spaces, learning how its mechanics interact, and finding your own rhythm through the world rather than following a heavily guided path.
It will not be the right fit for everyone, especially if you prioritize boss spectacle or nonstop action, but for players who want a more exploration-first, concept-heavy metroidvania, it offers something genuinely distinct.
Why You Might Like It
- Exploration-first design with a strong sci-fi identity
- Unusual tools and systems make progression feel fresh
- A more deliberate pace that rewards curiosity and patience
- Ideal for players who love the stranger side of the genre
Axiom Verge 2
Release Date: August 11, 2022
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Axiom Verge
Release Date: May 14, 2015
Genres: Platform, Adventure, Indie
Which metroidvania games should you start with first?
Final thoughts
The best metroidvania games are not just about unlocking new doors. They are about building a relationship with the map, where every upgrade changes how you move, fight, and think about places you have already seen. That is why the genre stays so satisfying even after decades of iteration.
The games on this list each capture a different side of that appeal. Some focus on atmosphere, some on combat, some on movement, and some on secrets, but all of them understand that discovery only works when progression feels meaningful. That is what makes these ten so easy to recommend next.
Author Recommendations
The list is quite extensive, so choosing the right title might be a bit difficult.
That is why I honestly recommend checking out Hollow Knight first. It is the most complete all-round package here, with outstanding exploration, memorable bosses, and a world that keeps rewarding curiosity for dozens of hours.
On the other hand, if you want faster modern action and a cleaner onboarding point, then Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown will be the best choice.