Mega Man ZX
3 out of 5. Combining Mega Man X with Metroidvania level design seems like a match made in heaven, but Mega Man ZX needed some significant changes to make it really work.
Drilly Willis
2 out of 5. Drilly Willis has fun exploration and a lot of heart, but it can be broken and frustrating in other aspects. The first impressions you had looking at its screenshots are probably right.
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.
Phoenotopia Awakening
5 out of 5. While the difficulty and some features may grate against individual preferences, its immersiveness and gameplay variety combine to make Phoenotopia Awakening an absolute masterpiece.
UnEpic – Single Player Mode
3.5 out of 5. UnEpic pulls off strategy and action with varying degrees of success, but the true value of the game will come from whether you are in the target audience for the story it presents.
Metroid: Other M
3 out of 5. You’ve already heard about its problems, but there are some of positives to enjoy, making it a fun game. In an alternate universe this could have been a perfect Metroid game.
Rain World
4.5 out of 5. It is beautiful and terrifying, and you’ll hate it a long time before you may fall in love with it. But if you make it to love, it becomes one of the most unique masterpieces out there.
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.
Alwa’s Legacy
4 out of 5. A magic based puzzle platformer with unique Zelda-like dungeons and a large overworld full of optional secrets. Excellent level design and clever gimmicks makes exploration a delight.
The Mummy Demastered
4 out of 5. While it has a bit of a slow start, it proves itself to be a solid combination of Castlevania and Run-and-Gun platformers. Face off with some excellent bosses using the weapons you find.
Bad Run – Turbo Edition
2.5 out of 5. An Endless Runner with some open castles to explore and test your skills. It won’t change your mind if you’re not into its genre, but it does offer something unique if you are.
Headlander
3.5 out of 5. A fun puzzle platformer novelty that sets itself apart from the competition with Double Fine’s usual bizarre world building.
Metroid Samus Returns
4 out of 5. An adrenaline rush remake of Metroid II that doesn’t quite stay true to the game it’s remaking, but it’s still very fun and very Metroid nevertheless. A must play for any Metroid fan.
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.
Strider (2014)
4 out of 5. A pure adrenaline filled power trip with that signature Capcom campiness. It will provide ample excitement from start to finish, or you can take a break from that to find more collectables.
AM2R – Another Metroid 2 Remake
5 out of 5. AM2R manages to update Metroid II with Metroid Zero’s mechanics in a way that not only honors the original’s vision, but sets a standard that remakes and Metroidvania games can aspire to.
Bookbound Brigade
1.5 out of 5. Bookbound Brigade’s unmatched premise and beautiful presentation values are lost on its poor writing and level design, resulting in a mostly frustrating use of your time.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
4.5 out of 5. Improved combat, a plethora of new mechanics and areas, and an emotional continuation of the story that The Blind Forest started makes this a must play for fans of the original game.
Lootbox Lyfe
4 out of 5. A treasure trove of platforming challenges, with plenty of options to accommodate players of all skill levels. It can be punishingly brutal, or you can just enjoy relaxing exploration.
Luna Sky RDX
2.5 out of 5. Reviewed in Early Access. A wild combo of Sonic the Hedgehog and RPG Style Metroidvania games that you may want to check out in spite of some wonky physics and uninspired level design.
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.
Metroid Zero Mission
5 out of 5. Thanks to numerous enhancements for both old and new Metroid series players, this remake of the original Metroid may be the best entry point into the Metroidvania genre.
SteamWorld Dig 2
4.5 out of 5. Ramps up everything from the first game to the next level, not the least of which being the Metroidvania Style exploration. It’s a beautiful combination of genres fit to please fans of either.
SteamWorld Dig
3 out of 5. A fun novelty mining game with some Metroidvania-like upgrades that will provide several hours of entertainment. Recommended for those who enjoy the loop of looting and selling goods.
Chronicles of Teddy Harmony of Exidus
4 out of 5 – Continues the Music-as-Language theme of its predecessor while adopting a fun upgrade to Zelda 2’s combat and dungeon design. Controls may be frustrating to some, but this is a Gem.
Super Panda Adventures
3.5 out of 5. A tremendously high value for the price point. If you enjoy frequent rewards, tons of exploration, and a cast of funny characters satirizing game culture, you can’t lose on this one.
Mystik Belle
3 out of 5. A charming and fun entry point into the Metroidvania and 90s Adventure game hybrid that will provide a few hours of Halloween Festive entertainment while not being too frustrating.
Knifeboy
3 out of 5. The unique world and story defies Knifeboy’s otherwise unpolished exterior, creating what may be a genius satire. To any believer in games as a form of artistic expression; check this out.
Leowald
2.5 out of 5. High levels of customization and novelty mitigate some floaty controls and repetitive design, however beyond that there’s still something truly special about Leowald that can’t be scored