The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human
4 out of 5. While its story may be a case study in ludo-narrative dissonance, The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human provides a unique underwater take on metroidvania design with some great bosses.
Biomass
4 out of 5. Its combat is just good enough to be of passing interest to Souls-like fans, but where Biomass really shines is how it presents its mysteries, and how much it leaves open to interpretation.
BatBarian: Testament of the Primordials
4.5 out of 5. A multitasking focused action puzzle-platformer that will bend your brain in creative ways, with all of its challenges being wrapped up in great music and a charming layered narrative.
Vigil: The Longest Night
4 out of 5. Greater than the sum of its parts. If you enjoy exploring an open Metroidvania world with the occasional amazing boss fight, then its charms can easily outweigh its flaws.
Weapon Hacker
4 out of 5. Tight controls and strategic gameplay make this roguelite Metroid style game a great way to spend an hour, or maybe a hundred hours. Customize your weapons on the fly and conquer.
3000th Duel
3 out of 5. A mostly formulaic Souls-like experience that offers up fun exploration with good verticality and combat that is competently executed.
Chasm 1.075
4 out of 5. While more grounded than the wild fantasy that you might be accustomed to from Igavania-style titles, Chasm still provides an interesting challenge with decent options for replayability.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
4.5 out of 5. Anyone can find satisfying combat, fun exploration, and meaningful narrative in this game. But for Star Wars fans, regardless of how you feel about recent entries, you need to play this.
Rabbit’s Quest
4 out of 5. Brutally difficult, but wholly fair and rewarding, Rabbit’s Quest is a unique top-down retro style game that is well worth your time.
Kunai
3.5 out of 5. If fun, fast, and energetic movement is what you’re looking for, then Kunai is just what the doctor ordered.
Demon Peak
3 out of 5. Some of the design and lack of polish makes it feel unfair, but it’s still the kind of unfair that feels satisfying to conquer – if you enjoy that kind of thing. The Price is Right.
Sundered
4 out of 5. Local Co-op. Has some absolutely amazing moments that are padded out with grindier features, but the excellent multiplayer let’s you fill in those slower parts with social conversation.
Vision Soft Reset
4 out of 5. An incredible feat of innovative game design. Consider not only WHERE you need to use your upgrades to progress, but also WHEN to use them in this time-traveling gem.
Rabi-Ribi
4.5 out of 5. If you like Bullet Hell, just good well-designed bosses, or if you enjoy challenging yourself with sequence breaking runs, Rabi-Ribi is master-in-class in all three. Accessible to all.
A Robot Named FIGHT!
4 out of 5. Local Co-op. The Most “Metroidvania” of the Rogue-vanias. Has a slower pace and slightly awkward controls taken from Super Metroid. An excellent infinite loop of Mini-Metroidvania goodness
Porradaria 2: Pagode of the Night
1.5 out of 5. An amusing attempt at “So bad it’s good” camp that falls flat when it tries to also be a game. While intentionally bad is still bad, some might enjoy the humor anyway.
Treasure Adventure Man 2
3 out of 5. Doesn’t light off any fireworks, but for only $2 you get a very competent and well put together game that will appeal to those who like collectables and to achieve 100% completion.
Unworthy
4.5 out of 5. A Souls-like hybrid with a greater emphasis on its Metroidvania aspects. Unworthy is a fantastic example of a focused and well-realized experience, with challenging dungeons and bosses.
Mortal Manor
2.5 out of 5. Substance over style. If you can push past the incredibly frustrating process of getting good at the game, you can easily get your money’s worth in terms of time per dollar spent.
Dandara
3.5 out of 5. Delightfully unique concept that will provide a novel challenge to wrap your brain around. Falls just short of its full potential, but it’s worth playing if the premise appeals to you.
Kingdom of the Dragon
2.5 out of 5. What Kingdom of the Dragon lacks in polish, it makes up for with heart. If you’re interested in amateur game design, KOTD offers a fun world to explore, and near impossible challenges.
Salt and Sanctuary
4 out of 5. Local Co-op. Souls-Like Metroidvania Hybrid. Methodical and rewarding combat sweetened by its punishing nature. Potentially thousands of ways to customize your character.
Hollow Knight
5 out of 5. A near perfect mix of thoughtful exploration, challenging platforming, and brutal combat. Definitely not for those looking for an easier experience, but wholly rewarding to complete.