AeternoBlade
2.5 out of 5. AeternoBlade ambitiously tackles deep concepts like time travel and psychological character development, but its obsession with padding its length is detrimental to the experience.
Castlevania: Curse of Darkness
4 out of 5. All of the fat has been trimmed off the previous 3D Castlevania title, leaving strong combat and a new addictive monster raising system to keep it interesting for multiple playthroughs.
Super Daryl Deluxe
3.5 out of 5. It’s so incredibly stupid that it circles around to being purely entertaining. You have to be the type that enjoys its brand of humor, but if you are then you’re in for a good time.
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.
Eagle Island
4.5 out of 5. Eagle Island doesn’t care about genre rules. It just takes inspiration and makes a wholly unique, and truly amazing, game out of it. It’s a roguelike platformer you won’t want to miss.
Metamorfose S
2.5 out of 5. In spite of some wonky physics and production values, Metamorfose S still manages to be a decent game. If you enjoy the Igavania classics, then you’ll like exploring the castle here.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
4.5 out of 5. With a little patching, Bloodstained could surpass the best of the Igavania genre. As-is it’s still one of the best Igavanias yet.
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.
Castlevania Portrait of Ruin
4 out of 5. The Portrait levels add variety – as well as fluff – to the Castle formula, but the most fun comes from the host of powers and weapons to try out between the two characters you play.
Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow
4 out of 5 – An excellent follow up to Aria of Sorrow with improvements and additional RPG elements. Some new features could have used a little more thought, but overall meets the Castlevania standard
Castlevania Aria of Sorrow
5 out of 5. Even with the limitations of the GBA hardware, Aria of Sorrow is packed with variety and flavor, and is perhaps the best work Koji Igarashi has ever been a part of.
Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance
3 out of 5. Highly ambitious considering the Gameboy Advance limitations, but its attempt to expand on what Symphony of the Night accomplished resulted in a lot of content that feels like padding.
Weebish Mines
3 out of 5. A unique exploration experience about resource management and goofy lighthearted themes. The oldschool design is likely to turn off many, but if you can get past that it’s very rewarding.
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
Timespinner
3 out of 5. Local Co-op. Gorgeous visuals and music, and tight controls. Level design doesn’t live up to the standard set by its Castlevania Inspirations. Its unique ideas could be fleshed out more.
Dead Cells
3.5 out of 5 – Roguevania – Delightfully addictive. Fast and fluid combat and movement is designed where Skill will still trump the RNG, but that RNG will still provide plenty of aggravating runs.
Skautfold: Usurper
3 out of 5. Lovecraftian Horrors, fascinating new game design and a compelling story make this a unique take on Metroidvania and Souls-Like ideas. Its experiments aren’t perfect, but I still love it.
Ghost 1.0
3 out of 5. Emphasis on Wave-Based challenge rooms and robot possession puzzles add a unique twist to the Metroidvania explorative format. Story seems cringe at first, but it really grew on me.
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.