Farewell For Now: The Metroidvania Review
There always comes a time to say goodbye.
Within a Deep Forest
4 out of 5. Between the atmosphere and the wholly unique nature of Within a Deep Forest’s challenges, this game should be on any tricky platfomer fan’s “must play” list.
PSYCRON
3.5 out of 5. A decent mini-metroidvania that will satisfy any Metroid-like cravings you might have as long as you’re not too distracted by how much it pays homage to that inspiration.
Wario Land 3
3.5 out of 5. Immortality might not be all that it’s cracked up to be, but Wario Land 3’s sheer creativity is still likely to put a smile on your face even compared to its modern competition.
Vomitoreum
3 out of 5. If you’ve been waiting for an FPS Metroidvania, Vomitoreum delivers, albeit in a small dose. As a first person shooter/platformer though it needs a lot more to stand out as competitive.
Unbound: Worlds Apart
3.5 out of 5. Unbound has some great platforming supported by a toolkit of gimmicks that will take you beyond your imagination, but it could use better narrative theming and it might be a bit slow for some
Axiom Verge 2
4 out of 5. The multi-dimensional exploration design carries Axiom Verge 2 even as its combat still leaves a lot to be desired. It completely captures the joy of breaking down a spatial puzzle.
Grime 1.0.4
3 out of 5. A fun enough souls-like with an emphasis on parrying and a unique death mechanic that only ends up being disappointing because of how great its potential actually is.
Elliot Quest
3 out of 5. Bosses are hit or miss, the map design is a little sloppy, and the payoffs are disappointing, but there is still a lot here for exploration enthusiasts to fall in love with.
Indivisible
3 out of 5. The combat doesn’t reach its full potential, and the platforming is clunky to say the least, but if you can get past that there’s a meaningful narrative that might make it worth it.
Frauki’s Adventure!
3.5 out of 5. If you’re able to get past some of Frauki’s Adventure’s rougher edges, you’re in for a short and sweet, and brutally challenging mini adventure with some fun exploration as a bonus.
Insect Adventure
3.5 out of 5. What Insect Adventure lacks in polish it makes up for with its rich world design. Freedom-filled movement and non-linearity supports an addictive loop of rewarding exploration.
Control
4 out of 5. Control is weighed down a bit by some AAA tropes, but that doesn’t stop it from being an immersive narrative masterpiece and a gratifying power fantasy.
Trash Quest
4 out of 5. Trash Quest will provide a good hour of platforming goodness, and the Salvation DLC will knock you out of your chair. It’s all over a bit too quickly, but the price is perfect for that.
Rocketron
4 out of 5. Rocketron gives you an overpowered rocket gun that lets you both defy gravity and mow down your foes like they were made of tissue. Fans of the run and gun genre will surely be pleased.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
4.5 out of 5. While it does have fantastic level design and boss fights, the mechanics aren’t particularly novel. Where Ender Lilies truly shines is its incredible atmosphere and cathartic narrative.
Saving Princess
3 out of 5. Where Saving Princess falls short with its janky physics it makes up for it with being just a great idea. “Mega Man” with gun recoil double jumping has an appeal all on its own.
Astalon: Tears of the Earth
5 out of 5. Astalon isn’t representative of everything a Metroidvania can do, but it has best-in-class level design and a compelling narrative to back it up. A great pick for those that like to explore
Fearmonium
4 out of 5. Fearmonium provides some standard Metroidvania gameplay making it hard for it to stand out on those elements alone, but the story and theming make it wholly worth your time.
Lost to Time
3.5 out of 5. Initial impressions will likely suggest that Lost to Time is a broken mess, but if you approach it with an open mind and a lot of patience it can be a true work of art.
Simona’s Requiem
3.5 out of 5. One of the most honestly advertised games on Steam, if you go into Simona’s Requiem with the right expectations you’ll surely come out of it with warm feelings that are hard to duplicate
Top 10 Starter Metroidvania Games – the r/Metroidvania Official List
In collaboration with the r/metroidvania modding team we put together a top 10 Metroidvania list based on community vote!
Paradox Vector
2.5 out of 5. The impossible hallways and mind trickery can be brilliant at times, however it’s not really a Metroidvania, and the lackluster gunplay and unfair feeling monster encounters bog it down.
Myastere -Ruins of Deazniff-
2 out of 5. The physics are wonky, the exploration is poorly directed, and the combat is generally frustrating or boring. The localization is funny, but that’s not enough to recommend on its own.
SJ-19 Learns To Love!
4 out of 5. An extremely cute story about a robot finding emotion. Even if you don’t dive deep into its narrative, it’s a great couple of hours of Mini-Metroidvania fun.
Sal’s Sublime Sundae
3.5 out of 5. A relaxing half-hour Metroidvania that still manages to show off a few gimmicks unique to its experience. Totally worth your time especially since it doesn’t take much of it.
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This week on RetrogueVania Tuesday, Retrogue gives their thoughts on Myastere Ruins of Deazniff!
8Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure
3.5 out of 5. While the combat is a bit disappointing, if you were interested in this game for its advertised afterlife adventure and the atmosphere, there’s a lot to fall in love with here.
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This week on RetrogueVania Tuesday, Retrogue gives their thoughts on Narita Boy!