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MetroidvaniaReview

Difficulty ranking

The hardest Metroidvanias, ranked

All 202 Metroidvanias we've reviewed, from brutal to relaxed. Each game's difficulty score combines two kinds of real reviews: our own critic review and what Steam players say about it.

Updated · How we score difficulty

Brutal
30
Hard
45
Moderate
70
Easygoing
53
Relaxed
4

The 10 hardest

  1. #1

    Castle in the Darkness

    Melee Combat

    100/100

    Our review: Brutal · 58% of Steam reviews call it hard

  2. #2

    La-Mulana

    Riddle-Solving Puzzles

    99/100

    Our review: Brutal · 54% of Steam reviews call it hard

  3. #3

    Environmental Station Alpha

    Ranged Combat

    98/100

    Our review: Brutal · 52% of Steam reviews call it hard

  4. #4

    Rain World

    Exploration Focus

    96/100

    Our review: Brutal · 44% of Steam reviews call it hard

  5. #5

    8 Eyes

    Melee Combat

    94/100

    Our review: Brutal

  6. #6

    An Untitled Story

    Tricky Platforming

    94/100

    Our review: Brutal

  7. #7

    Blaster Master

    Ranged Combat

    94/100

    Our review: Brutal

  8. #8

    Bookbound Brigade

    Tricky Platforming

    94/100

    Our review: Brutal

  9. #9

    Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse

    Melee Combat

    94/100

    Our review: Brutal

  10. #10

    Gargoyle’s Quest

    Ranged Combat

    94/100

    Our review: Brutal

Full ranking

  1. #1 Castle in the Darkness Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    100/100
    Our review: Brutal Steam: 58% say hard
  2. #2 La-Mulana Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    99/100
    Our review: Brutal Steam: 54% say hard
  3. #3 Environmental Station Alpha Ranged Combat · Review score 5/5
    98/100
    Our review: Brutal Steam: 52% say hard
  4. #4 Rain World Exploration Focus · Review score 4.5/5
    96/100
    Our review: Brutal Steam: 44% say hard
  5. #5 8 Eyes Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  6. #6 An Untitled Story Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  7. #7 Blaster Master Ranged Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  8. #8 Bookbound Brigade Tricky Platforming · Review score 1.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  9. #9 Castlevania III: Dracula’s Curse Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  10. #10 Gargoyle’s Quest Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  11. #11 Kingdom of the Dragon Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  12. #12 Metroid Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  13. #13 Rabbit’s Quest Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  14. #14 Super Castlevania IV Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  15. #15 Wonder Boy in Monster World Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  16. #16 Salt and Sanctuary Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    89/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 49% say hard
  17. #17 La-Mulana 2 Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 4.5/5
    87/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 49% say hard
  18. #18 Unworthy Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    85/100
    Our review: High Steam: 61% say hard
  19. #19 Cathedral Melee Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 4.5/5
    84/100
    Our review: High Steam: 55% say hard
  20. #20 REDO! Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    84/100
    Our review: High Steam: 54% say hard
  21. #21 Grime 1.0.4 Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    83/100
    Our review: High Steam: 55% say hard
  22. #22 Alwa’s Awakening Melee Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    83/100
    Our review: High Steam: 53% say hard
  23. #23 Batbarian: Testament of the Primordials Melee Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles, Tricky Platforming · Review score 4.5/5
    83/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 38% say hard
  24. #24 Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  25. #25 Destroy Space Aliens Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  26. #26 Ghostly Matter Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 2.5/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  27. #27 Mortal Manor Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  28. #28 Death’s Gambit Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    81/100
    Our review: High Steam: 50% say hard
  29. #29 Biomass Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    80/100
    Our review: High Steam: 46% say hard
  30. #30 Castlevania Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    80/100
    Our review: Brutal Steam: 31% say hard
  31. #31 Phoenotopia Awakening Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    79/100
    Our review: High Steam: 48% say hard
  32. #32 The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    79/100
    Our review: High Steam: 46% say hard
  33. #33 Aggelos Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    77/100
    Our review: High Steam: 42% say hard
  34. #34 Blasphemous Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    75/100
    Our review: High Steam: 37% say hard
  35. #35 Elliot Quest Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    75/100
    Our review: High Steam: 38% say hard
  36. #36 Teslagrad Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles, Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    74/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 49% say hard
  37. #37 Dandara Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    74/100
    Our review: High Steam: 36% say hard
  38. #38 Bad Pad Tricky Platforming · Review score 2.5/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  39. #39 Castlevania: The Lecarde Chronicles 2 Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  40. #40 Enter Digiton Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  41. #41 Frauki’s Adventure! Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  42. #42 Lootbox Lyfe Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    74/100
    Our review: Medium, High, Brutal critic only
  43. #43 Lyle in Cube Sector Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  44. #44 Metroid Samus Returns Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  45. #45 Smelted Kin Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  46. #46 Weapon Hacker Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  47. #47 Weebish Mines Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  48. #48 Within a Deep Forest Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    74/100
    Our review: High critic only
  49. #49 Trash Quest Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 47% say hard
  50. #50 Demon Peak Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    73/100
    Our review: High Steam: 36% say hard
  51. #51 Guacamelee! 2 Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    71/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 46% say hard
  52. #52 Rabi-Ribi Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    71/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High, Brutal Steam: 42% say hard
  53. #53 Dead Cells Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    71/100
    Our review: High Steam: 28% say hard
  54. #54 Eagle Island Ranged Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    70/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 51% say hard
  55. #55 Spooky Ghosts Dot Com Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    69/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 43% say hard
  56. #56 Mega Man Zero ZX Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    68/100
    Our review: High Steam: 35% say hard
  57. #57 Unbound: Worlds Apart Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    67/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 55% say hard
  58. #58 ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    67/100
    Our review: High Steam: 33% say hard
  59. #59 Cave Story Ranged Combat · Review score 5/5
    67/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 22% say hard
  60. #60 Exile’s End Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    65/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 50% say hard
  61. #61 Chronicles of Teddy Harmony of Exidus Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    64/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 44% say hard
  62. #62 Vision Soft Reset Ranged Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 4/5
    64/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 34% say hard
  63. #63 Hollow Knight Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    64/100
    Our review: High Steam: 25% say hard
  64. #64 Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    64/100
    Our review: High Steam: 34% say hard
  65. #65 MindSeize Version 1.1.0 Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    63/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 44% say hard
  66. #66 Ori and the Blind Forest Tricky Platforming · Review score 5/5
    63/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 34% say hard
  67. #67 Paradox Soul Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    63/100
    Our review: High Steam: 29% say hard
  68. #68 Toki Tori 2+ Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 42% say hard
  69. #69 Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 41% say hard
  70. #70 Pharaoh Rebirth+ Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 34% say hard
  71. #71 AM2R – Another Metroid 2 Remake Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  72. #72 Castlevania Bloodlines Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  73. #73 Castlevania Order of Ecclesia Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  74. #74 External Visions Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 2.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  75. #75 Metroid II: Return of Samus Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  76. #76 Rocketron Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    61/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 45% say hard
  77. #77 Iconoclasts Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    61/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 28% say hard
  78. #78 Guacamelee! Gold Edition Melee Combat, Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    61/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 31% say hard
  79. #79 Skautfold: Usurper Review score 3/5
    60/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 37% say hard
  80. #80 Outbuddies Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    59/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 38% say hard
  81. #81 8Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    59/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 39% say hard
  82. #82 Escape from Tethys Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    59/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 41% say hard
  83. #83 Sundered Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    58/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 36% say hard
  84. #84 Vigil: The Longest Night Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    58/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 39% say hard
  85. #85 Castlevania Anniversary Collection Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    58/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High, Brutal Steam: 31% say hard
  86. #86 The Messenger Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    58/100
    Our review: High Steam: 28% say hard
  87. #87 Catmaze Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    57/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 37% say hard
  88. #88 A Robot Named FIGHT! Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    57/100
    Our review: High Steam: 22% say hard
  89. #89 Zeran’s Folly Melee Combat · Review score 1.5/5
    56/100
    Our review: Low, High Steam: 36% say hard
  90. #90 UnEpic – Single Player Mode Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    55/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  91. #91 Touhou Luna Nights Ranged Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    55/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 30% say hard
  92. #92 Xeodrifter Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    54/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  93. #93 Pankapu Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    54/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 32% say hard
  94. #94 Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    53/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 32% say hard
  95. #95 Chasm Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    53/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  96. #96 Super Win The Game Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    53/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 27% say hard
  97. #97 Ato Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    52/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  98. #98 The Mummy Demastered Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    51/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 34% say hard
  99. #99 Bone Appetit Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    51/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 33% say hard
  100. #100 Fearmonium Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    50/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  101. #101 Rogue Legacy Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    49/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 34% say hard
  102. #102 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    49/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 27% say hard
  103. #103 Minoria Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    49/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 30% say hard
  104. #104 Creepy Castle RPG Style Battles · Review score 4.5/5
    48/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  105. #105 Ghost 1.0 Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 29% say hard
  106. #106 Feudal Alloy Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  107. #107 AeternoBlade Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  108. #108 Artifacts Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  109. #109 Castlevania Aria of Sorrow Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  110. #110 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  111. #111 Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  112. #112 Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  113. #113 Drilly Willis Exploration Focus · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  114. #114 Endless Memories Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  115. #115 Furwind Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  116. #116 Grizzland Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  117. #117 Hero Core Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  118. #118 Intrepid Izzy Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  119. #119 Jumplord Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  120. #120 Knifeboy Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  121. #121 Last Stitch Goodnight Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  122. #122 Luna Sky RDX Tricky Platforming · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  123. #123 Mech Chip Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  124. #124 Mega Man ZX Advent Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  125. #125 Metroid Fusion Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  126. #126 Metroid: Other M Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  127. #127 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Exploration Focus · Review score 4.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  128. #128 Metroid Zero Mission Exploration Focus · Review score 5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  129. #129 Miracle Mia Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  130. #130 Myastere -Ruins of Deazniff- Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  131. #131 Oliver’s Adventures in the Fairyland Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  132. #132 Outland Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  133. #133 Super Metroid Exploration Focus · Review score 5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  134. #134 Treasure Adventure Man 2 Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  135. #135 Visual Out Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  136. #136 Wario Land 3 Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  137. #137 Astalon: Tears of the Earth Exploration Focus · Review score 5/5
    46/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  138. #138 Aquaria Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    45/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 27% say hard
  139. #139 Alchemist’s Castle Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    45/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  140. #140 Indivisible RPG Style Battles · Review score 3/5
    44/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 30% say hard
  141. #141 Super Panda Adventures Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    44/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 27% say hard
  142. #142 Out There Somewhere Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    44/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  143. #143 Simona’s Requiem Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    44/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  144. #144 Robot Wants It All Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    43/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High, Brutal Steam: 22% say hard
  145. #145 Mystik Belle Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    42/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 37% say hard
  146. #146 Kunai Melee Combat, Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    41/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  147. #147 Apotheon Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    41/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 22% say hard
  148. #148 Mini Ghost Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    41/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 25% say hard
  149. #149 Paradox Vector Ranged Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    41/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  150. #150 Axiom Verge Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    40/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  151. #151 Metamorfose S Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 2.5/5
    40/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 24% say hard
  152. #152 Alwa’s Legacy Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 4/5
    39/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  153. #153 Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth- Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    39/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  154. #154 Control Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    39/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 14% say hard
  155. #155 Monster Sanctuary RPG Style Battles · Review score 4.5/5
    38/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 22% say hard
  156. #156 Super Daryl Deluxe Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    38/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 16% say hard
  157. #157 Ori and the Will of the Wisps Tricky Platforming · Review score 4.5/5
    37/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 18% say hard
  158. #158 Super Skelemania Review score 4/5
    37/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 19% say hard
  159. #159 Owlboy Ranged Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    36/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 29% say hard
  160. #160 Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    36/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  161. #161 PSYCRON Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    36/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 18% say hard
  162. #162 Yoku’s Island Express Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    36/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 23% say hard
  163. #163 Knytt Underground Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    35/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 30% say hard
  164. #164 Supraland Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    34/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 15% say hard
  165. #165 Gato Roboto Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    34/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 18% say hard
  166. #166 Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  167. #167 Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  168. #168 Castlevania Portrait of Ruin Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  169. #169 Metroid Prime Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  170. #170 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  171. #171 Omega Strike Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  172. #172 Blaster Master Zero Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    33/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  173. #173 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    33/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 15% say hard
  174. #174 Treasure Adventure World Exploration Focus, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    32/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  175. #175 After Death Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    32/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 22% say hard
  176. #176 Tiny Dangerous Dungeons Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    32/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 21% say hard
  177. #177 Vomitoreum Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    32/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 17% say hard
  178. #178 Axiom Verge 2 Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    31/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 29% say hard
  179. #179 Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    31/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 12% say hard
  180. #180 Mask of Mists Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    31/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 25% say hard
  181. #181 Headlander Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    30/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 13% say hard
  182. #182 Strider (2014) Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    29/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 21% say hard
  183. #183 Legends of the Universe – Starcore Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    28/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 28% say hard
  184. #184 SteamWorld Dig 2 Exploration Focus · Review score 4.5/5
    28/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 21% say hard
  185. #185 SteamWorld Dig Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 19% say hard
  186. #186 Apoapsis Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  187. #187 Dr. Atominus Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  188. #188 Insect Adventure Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  189. #189 Kid Dracula Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  190. #190 Legends of the Universe – Cosmic Bounty Ranged Combat · Review score 1.5/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  191. #191 Leowald Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  192. #192 Mage Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  193. #193 Maptroid Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  194. #194 Finding Teddy Review score 3.5/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 25% say hard
  195. #195 Tower Hunter: Erza’s Trial Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    23/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 21% say hard
  196. #196 Wuppo Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 4/5
    23/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 14% say hard
  197. #197 Shadow Complex Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    23/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 13% say hard
  198. #198 Sheepo Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    22/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 26% say hard
  199. #199 Porradaria 2: Pagode of the Night Melee Combat · Review score 1.5/5
    20/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 22% say hard
  200. #200 Timespinner Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    19/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 21% say hard
  201. #201 Dust: An Elysian Tail Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    18/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 18% say hard
  202. #202 Dreaming Sarah Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    10/100
    Our review: No Difficulty, Low Steam: 17% say hard

The 10 easiest Metroidvanias

New to the genre, or just want to explore without the punishment? These are the gentlest games in the archive.

  1. 1 Dreaming Sarah Relaxed · 10/100 · Decent
  2. 2 Dust: An Elysian Tail Relaxed · 18/100 · Decent
  3. 3 Timespinner Relaxed · 19/100 · Decent
  4. 4 Porradaria 2: Pagode of the Night Relaxed · 20/100 · Poor
  5. 5 Sheepo Easygoing · 22/100 · Decent
  6. 6 Shadow Complex Easygoing · 23/100 · Decent
  7. 7 Wuppo Easygoing · 23/100 · Great
  8. 8 Tower Hunter: Erza’s Trial Easygoing · 23/100 · Mixed
  9. 9 Finding Teddy Easygoing · 26/100 · Good
  10. 10 Maptroid Easygoing · 27/100 · Decent

How we score difficulty

Every game gets a score from 0 (no friction at all) to 100 (relentlessly punishing), built from two independent kinds of real reviews:

  1. Our critic review (60%). Each review rates difficulty as Low, Medium, High or Brutal (25, 50, 75 and 100 points). When a review gives a range — usually because the game has difficulty settings — we average it.
  2. Steam players (40%). We read up to 300 of the most recent English Steam reviews per game (every review, for smaller games), keep the substantive ones (20+ words) and count how many describe it as hard (brutal, punishing, frustrating, souls-like…) and how many call it easy, ignoring phrases like "hard to put down". That signal is ranked against every other game as a percentile.

127 of 202 games have enough Steam reviews for the player half. The rest — mostly console-only classics, and games Steam only sells inside a compilation — are marked "critic only": their player half is the average of games our reviewers rated the same way, so a missing Steam page never pushes a game up or down the list. Ties go to games with player data, then to the stronger player signal.

Brutal
80–100
Hard
62–79
Moderate
42–61
Easygoing
22–41
Relaxed
0–21

Difficulty is personal — a "Moderate" game can still have one boss that stops you cold. Use the score to compare games against each other, and read the review for the details.