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MetroidvaniaReview

Difficulty ranking

The hardest Metroidvanias, ranked

All 207 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
32
Hard
45
Moderate
73
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 Lost to Time Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  13. #13 Metroid Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  14. #14 Rabbit’s Quest Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  15. #15 Super Castlevania IV Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  16. #16 Wonder Boy in Monster World Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    94/100
    Our review: Brutal critic only
  17. #17 Salt and Sanctuary Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    89/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 49% say hard
  18. #18 La-Mulana 2 Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 4.5/5
    87/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 49% say hard
  19. #19 Unworthy Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    85/100
    Our review: High Steam: 61% say hard
  20. #20 Cathedral Melee Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 4.5/5
    84/100
    Our review: High Steam: 55% say hard
  21. #21 REDO! Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    84/100
    Our review: High Steam: 54% say hard
  22. #22 Grime 1.0.4 Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    83/100
    Our review: High Steam: 55% say hard
  23. #23 Alwa’s Awakening Melee Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    83/100
    Our review: High Steam: 53% say hard
  24. #24 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
  25. #25 Castlevania II: Belmont’s Revenge Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  26. #26 Destroy Space Aliens Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  27. #27 Ghostly Matter Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 2.5/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  28. #28 Mortal Manor Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    82/100
    Our review: High, Brutal critic only
  29. #29 Death’s Gambit Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    81/100
    Our review: High Steam: 50% say hard
  30. #30 Biomass Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    80/100
    Our review: High Steam: 46% say hard
  31. #31 Phoenotopia Awakening Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    80/100
    Our review: High Steam: 48% say hard
  32. #32 Castlevania Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    80/100
    Our review: Brutal Steam: 31% say hard
  33. #33 The Aquatic Adventure of the Last Human Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    79/100
    Our review: High Steam: 46% say hard
  34. #34 Aggelos Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    77/100
    Our review: High Steam: 42% say hard
  35. #35 Teslagrad Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles, Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    75/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 49% say hard
  36. #36 Blasphemous Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    75/100
    Our review: High Steam: 37% say hard
  37. #37 Blasphemous: The Stir of Dawn Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    75/100
    Our review: High Steam: 37% say hard
  38. #38 Elliot Quest Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    75/100
    Our review: High Steam: 38% say hard
  39. #39 Dandara Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    74/100
    Our review: High Steam: 36% say hard
  40. #40 Trash Quest Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 47% say hard
  41. #41 Demon Peak Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    73/100
    Our review: High Steam: 36% say hard
  42. #42 Bad Pad Tricky Platforming · Review score 2.5/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  43. #43 Castlevania: The Lecarde Chronicles 2 Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  44. #44 Enter Digiton Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  45. #45 Frauki’s Adventure! Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  46. #46 Lootbox Lyfe Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: Medium, High, Brutal critic only
  47. #47 Lyle in Cube Sector Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  48. #48 Metroid Samus Returns Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  49. #49 Smelted Kin Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  50. #50 Weapon Hacker Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  51. #51 Weebish Mines Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  52. #52 Within a Deep Forest Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    73/100
    Our review: High critic only
  53. #53 Guacamelee! 2 Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    71/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 46% say hard
  54. #54 Rabi-Ribi Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    71/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High, Brutal Steam: 42% say hard
  55. #55 Eagle Island Ranged Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    71/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 51% say hard
  56. #56 Dead Cells Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    71/100
    Our review: High Steam: 28% say hard
  57. #57 Spooky Ghosts Dot Com Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    69/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 43% say hard
  58. #58 Mega Man Zero ZX Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    68/100
    Our review: High Steam: 35% say hard
  59. #59 Cave Story Ranged Combat · Review score 5/5
    68/100
    Our review: High, Brutal Steam: 22% say hard
  60. #60 Unbound: Worlds Apart Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    67/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 55% say hard
  61. #61 ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    67/100
    Our review: High Steam: 33% say hard
  62. #62 Exile’s End Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    66/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 50% say hard
  63. #63 Chronicles of Teddy Harmony of Exidus Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    64/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 44% say hard
  64. #64 Vision Soft Reset Ranged Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 4/5
    64/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 34% say hard
  65. #65 Hollow Knight Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    64/100
    Our review: High Steam: 25% say hard
  66. #66 Bloodstained: Curse of the Moon Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    64/100
    Our review: High Steam: 34% say hard
  67. #67 MindSeize Version 1.1.0 Melee Combat, Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    63/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 44% say hard
  68. #68 Paradox Soul Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    63/100
    Our review: High Steam: 29% say hard
  69. #69 Toki Tori 2+ Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 42% say hard
  70. #70 Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 41% say hard
  71. #71 Ori and the Blind Forest Tricky Platforming · Review score 5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 34% say hard
  72. #72 Pharaoh Rebirth+ Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 34% say hard
  73. #73 AM2R – Another Metroid 2 Remake Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  74. #74 Castlevania Bloodlines Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  75. #75 Castlevania Order of Ecclesia Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  76. #76 External Visions Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 2.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  77. #77 Metroid II: Return of Samus Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    62/100
    Our review: Medium, High critic only
  78. #78 Rocketron Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    61/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 45% say hard
  79. #79 Iconoclasts Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    61/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 28% say hard
  80. #80 Guacamelee! Gold Edition Melee Combat, Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    61/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 31% say hard
  81. #81 Skautfold: Usurper Review score 3/5
    60/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 37% say hard
  82. #82 Outbuddies Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    59/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 38% say hard
  83. #83 8Doors: Arum’s Afterlife Adventure Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    59/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 39% say hard
  84. #84 Escape from Tethys Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    58/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 41% say hard
  85. #85 Sundered Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    58/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 36% say hard
  86. #86 Castlevania Anniversary Collection Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    58/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High, Brutal Steam: 31% say hard
  87. #87 The Messenger Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    58/100
    Our review: High Steam: 28% say hard
  88. #88 A Robot Named FIGHT! Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    58/100
    Our review: High Steam: 22% say hard
  89. #89 Vigil: The Longest Night Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    57/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 39% say hard
  90. #90 Catmaze Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    57/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 37% say hard
  91. #91 Zeran’s Folly Melee Combat · Review score 1.5/5
    56/100
    Our review: Low, High Steam: 36% say hard
  92. #92 UnEpic – Single Player Mode Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    55/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  93. #93 Touhou Luna Nights Ranged Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    55/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 30% say hard
  94. #94 SJ-19 Learns To Love! Review score 4/5
    55/100
    Our review: High Steam: 26% say hard
  95. #95 Xeodrifter Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    54/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  96. #96 Pankapu Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    54/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 32% say hard
  97. #97 Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    53/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 32% say hard
  98. #98 Super Win The Game Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    53/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 27% say hard
  99. #99 Chasm Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    52/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  100. #100 Ato Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    52/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  101. #101 The Mummy Demastered Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    51/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 34% say hard
  102. #102 Bone Appetit Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    51/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 33% say hard
  103. #103 Fearmonium Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    50/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  104. #104 Rogue Legacy Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    49/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 34% say hard
  105. #105 Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    49/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 27% say hard
  106. #106 Minoria Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    49/100
    Our review: Medium, High Steam: 30% say hard
  107. #107 Creepy Castle RPG Style Battles · Review score 4.5/5
    48/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  108. #108 Ghost 1.0 Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 29% say hard
  109. #109 Feudal Alloy Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  110. #110 AeternoBlade Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  111. #111 Artifacts Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  112. #112 Castlevania Aria of Sorrow Melee Combat · Review score 5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  113. #113 Castlevania: Circle of the Moon Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  114. #114 Castlevania: Curse of Darkness Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  115. #115 Castlevania: Lament of Innocence Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  116. #116 Drilly Willis Exploration Focus · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  117. #117 Endless Memories Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  118. #118 Furwind Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  119. #119 Grizzland Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  120. #120 Hero Core Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  121. #121 Intrepid Izzy Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  122. #122 Jumplord Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  123. #123 Knifeboy Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  124. #124 Last Stitch Goodnight Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  125. #125 Luna Sky RDX Tricky Platforming · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  126. #126 Mech Chip Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  127. #127 Mega Man ZX Advent Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  128. #128 Metroid Fusion Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  129. #129 Metroid: Other M Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  130. #130 Metroid Prime 2: Echoes Exploration Focus · Review score 4.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  131. #131 Metroid Zero Mission Exploration Focus · Review score 5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  132. #132 Miracle Mia Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  133. #133 Myastere -Ruins of Deazniff- Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  134. #134 Oliver’s Adventures in the Fairyland Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  135. #135 Outland Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  136. #136 Sal’s Sublime Sundae Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  137. #137 Saving Princess Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  138. #138 Super Metroid Exploration Focus · Review score 5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  139. #139 Treasure Adventure Man 2 Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  140. #140 Visual Out Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  141. #141 Wario Land 3 Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    47/100
    Our review: Medium critic only
  142. #142 Astalon: Tears of the Earth Exploration Focus · Review score 5/5
    46/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  143. #143 Aquaria Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    46/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 27% say hard
  144. #144 Alchemist’s Castle Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    45/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  145. #145 Indivisible RPG Style Battles · Review score 3/5
    44/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 30% say hard
  146. #146 Super Panda Adventures Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    44/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High Steam: 27% say hard
  147. #147 Out There Somewhere Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    44/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  148. #148 Simona’s Requiem Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    44/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  149. #149 Robot Wants It All Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    43/100
    Our review: Low, Medium, High, Brutal Steam: 22% say hard
  150. #150 Mystik Belle Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    42/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 37% say hard
  151. #151 Kunai Melee Combat, Tricky Platforming · Review score 3.5/5
    41/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 31% say hard
  152. #152 Apotheon Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    41/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 22% say hard
  153. #153 Mini Ghost Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    41/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 25% say hard
  154. #154 Paradox Vector Ranged Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    41/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  155. #155 Axiom Verge Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    40/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  156. #156 Metamorfose S Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 2.5/5
    39/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 24% say hard
  157. #157 Alwa’s Legacy Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 4/5
    39/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  158. #158 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
  159. #159 Control Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    39/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 14% say hard
  160. #160 Monster Sanctuary RPG Style Battles · Review score 4.5/5
    38/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 22% say hard
  161. #161 Super Daryl Deluxe Melee Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    38/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 16% say hard
  162. #162 Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    37/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 28% say hard
  163. #163 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
  164. #164 Super Skelemania Review score 4/5
    37/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 19% say hard
  165. #165 Owlboy Ranged Combat, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    36/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 29% say hard
  166. #166 PSYCRON Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    36/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 18% say hard
  167. #167 Yoku’s Island Express Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    36/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 23% say hard
  168. #168 Knytt Underground Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    35/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 30% say hard
  169. #169 Supraland Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 5/5
    34/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 15% say hard
  170. #170 Gato Roboto Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 4/5
    34/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 18% say hard
  171. #171 Castlevania Dawn of Sorrow Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  172. #172 Castlevania Harmony of Dissonance Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  173. #173 Castlevania Portrait of Ruin Melee Combat, Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  174. #174 Metroid Prime Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  175. #175 Metroid Prime 3: Corruption Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  176. #176 Omega Strike Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    34/100
    Our review: Low, Medium critic only
  177. #177 Blaster Master Zero Ranged Combat · Review score 3.5/5
    33/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 29% say hard
  178. #178 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate Melee Combat · Review score 2/5
    33/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 15% say hard
  179. #179 Treasure Adventure World Exploration Focus, Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    32/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 26% say hard
  180. #180 After Death Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    32/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 22% say hard
  181. #181 Tiny Dangerous Dungeons Tricky Platforming · Review score 4/5
    32/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 21% say hard
  182. #182 Vomitoreum Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    32/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 17% say hard
  183. #183 Axiom Verge 2 Exploration Focus · Review score 4/5
    31/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 29% say hard
  184. #184 Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night Melee Combat · Review score 4.5/5
    31/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 12% say hard
  185. #185 Mask of Mists Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3/5
    31/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 25% say hard
  186. #186 Headlander Spatial-Reasoning Puzzles · Review score 3.5/5
    30/100
    Our review: Medium Steam: 13% say hard
  187. #187 Strider (2014) Melee Combat · Review score 4/5
    29/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 21% say hard
  188. #188 Legends of the Universe – Starcore Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    28/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 28% say hard
  189. #189 SteamWorld Dig 2 Exploration Focus · Review score 4.5/5
    28/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 21% say hard
  190. #190 Finding Teddy Review score 3.5/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 25% say hard
  191. #191 SteamWorld Dig Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    27/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 19% say hard
  192. #192 Apoapsis Ranged Combat · Review score 2/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  193. #193 Dr. Atominus Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  194. #194 Insect Adventure Exploration Focus · Review score 3.5/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  195. #195 Kid Dracula Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  196. #196 Legends of the Universe – Cosmic Bounty Ranged Combat · Review score 1.5/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  197. #197 Leowald Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  198. #198 Mage Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  199. #199 Maptroid Exploration Focus · Review score 3/5
    26/100
    Our review: Low critic only
  200. #200 Tower Hunter: Erza’s Trial Melee Combat · Review score 2.5/5
    23/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 21% say hard
  201. #201 Wuppo Riddle-Solving Puzzles · Review score 4/5
    23/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 14% say hard
  202. #202 Shadow Complex Exploration Focus, Ranged Combat · Review score 3/5
    23/100
    Our review: Low, Medium Steam: 13% say hard
  203. #203 Sheepo Tricky Platforming · Review score 3/5
    22/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 26% say hard
  204. #204 Porradaria 2: Pagode of the Night Melee Combat · Review score 1.5/5
    19/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 22% say hard
  205. #205 Timespinner Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    19/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 21% say hard
  206. #206 Dust: An Elysian Tail Melee Combat · Review score 3/5
    18/100
    Our review: Low Steam: 18% say hard
  207. #207 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 · 19/100 · 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 Maptroid Easygoing · 26/100 · Decent
  10. 10 Mage Easygoing · 26/100 · 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.

129 of 207 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.