Dr. Atominus
3 out of 5. It’s not particularly challenging, and it will likely be over in less than an hour, but that’s also part of the point. Dr. Atominus is another fun Mini Metroidvania experience.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights – Early Access
ENDER LILIES (Early Access) takes familiar mechanics and applies them to both innocent and haunting themes creating a remarkable combat and exploration experience wholly worth supporting.
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.
Castlevania: The Lecarde Chronicles 2
4 out of 5. A delightful marriage between Classicvania and Metroidvania that will surely please fans of both. Challenging combat and a deep world to explore make for a wholly memorable game.
MindSeize Version 1.4.0
4 out of 5. A sword and gun style platformer in the vein of the Mega Man Zero series with more emphasis on non-linear exploration. Combat depth and excellent level design sets this game apart.
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.
An Untitled Story
4 out of 5. Maddy Thorson’s earlier work still holds up in terms of game design, offering a robust Metroidvania world to explore and plenty of precision platforming challenges.
Artifacts
3 out of 5. Strong level design in combination with novel concepts creates a fun risk/reward Metroidvania experience, even if a lot could be improved in terms of technical polish.
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.
Ato
4 out of 5. Frenetic gameplay and novel and deep mechanics are wrapped up by an emotional silent narrative, making Ato one of more memorable experiences within the Metroidvania genre.
Aquaria
3.5 out of 5. In spite of some rougher edges around its gameplay, Aqauria’s world is like no other, and if you allow yourself to be immersed within it, it will doubtlessly bind itself to your memory.
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.
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.
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.
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.
MindSeize Version 1.1.0
3.5 out of 5. A sword and gun style platformer in the vein of the Mega Man Zero series with more emphasis on non-linear exploration. Excellent moments and bosses, held back by some polish issues.
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.
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.
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.
Metroid
2 out of 5. Metroid, we love you for what you started, but you’re really hard to play today.
Outbuddies
3 out of 5. Local Co-op. An Exploration focused Metroid-like with some fascinating co-op features. Sequence breaking is a strong feature and it is especially fun to break the game with a friend.
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.
Exile’s End
2 out of 5. As beautiful as its presentation is, Exile’s End does little to differentiate itself from the plethora of more engaging options. The story is worthwhile but it comes at a tedious price.
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.
Xeodrifter
3.5 out of 5. A short and sweet interpretation of “Metroidvania”, with just enough subversion of expectations to make it worth checking out. Some repetitiveness might be a turn off, but still good.
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.
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
4.5 out of 5. The best of the Wonder Boy series so far, offering a diverse core game full of puzzle platforming challenges and Zelda-Like bosses. Its colorful world is family friendly and inviting.
Mage
3 out of 5. A whimsical Mini-Metroidvania. Its power progression and silly banter between its main characters offers up simple fun that won’t take too much time away from your other games.
Gato Roboto
4 out of 5. A highly polished Mini-Metroidvania that will provide a hilariously cute romp for genre veterans, or an excellent starting point for newbies. Its flaws are easily outshined by its style.