Key Takeaways

• Metroidvania games offer tangible progression through new abilities, but some can be challenging for new players.
• Titles like Islets and Shadow Complex provide accessible entry points into the Metroidvania genre.
• Hollow Knight and Metroid Fusion are must-play games offering rewarding exploration.

The Metroidvania genre is more popular than ever, with indie and even AAA developers throwing their hats into the ring.

Metroidvania’s are rewarding to play thanks to their tangible progression as you earn new abilities that open up the map. The only issue is many games in the genre are pretty tricky, and the worst offenders assume you’re already a seasoned player.

If you want your first foray into Metroidvania’s to let you fall in love with the genre, here’s a selection of excellent titles to do it with.

10 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Returning To The Series’ Roots

While I much prefer the 3D Prince of Persia games, there’s no denying that The Lost Crown is a solid 2D Metroidvania.

In many ways, Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown feels like a natural evolution from the original, which sometimes felt pretty cheap. New abilities are dished out at a comfortable rate, and skills and mechanics are well-explained.

Combat and movement are as slick and responsive as expected from a AAA studio, and the title is a great introduction to the charismatic prince.

Surprisingly, The Lost Crown is pretty difficult, but that doesn’t mean a newcomer won’t enjoy it. If the challenge is insurmountable, there are plenty of difficulty presets and modifiers to tune the experience to your liking.

9 Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition

Solve Problems With Your Fists

Guacamelee! is a superb Metroidvania where you play as a luchador called Juan on a quest to save his childhood friend.

The game is heavily inspired by traditional Mexican folklore, resulting in a beautiful setting and art style you won’t find elsewhere. As you’d expect from a luchador, Juan likes to get up close and personal with his opponents, and combat is satisfying and responsive.

The game feels more like a solid action platformer at times, and while the later bosses are pretty tough, you’ll rarely get hopelessly lost. If all else fails, there’s even local co-op.

I must mention that this recommendation is specifically for the original. Guacamelee! 2 is a brilliant game but is also well-known for its punishing difficulty.

8 Islets

Cute And Charming

Islets has a reputation for being one of the easiest and most accessible games in the genre, making it perfect for newcomers.

The story is wonderfully simple; the world is made of five distinct environments but is split into multiple pieces, and it’s up to you to restore order.

Islets is a 2D platformer for the most part, and while some bosses can be challenging, your route through the game is quite linear. Branching paths often end up in the same location, but the benefit is you can’t get lost, and you’re always making progress.

If you’re looking for a gentle entry point into the genre, Islets is the game for you.

7 Dust: An Elysian Tail

A Hidden Gem

Dust: An Elysian Tail boasts some of the most stylish combat in the genre with flashy visuals and a charming story.

The game plays like a slick 2D platformer and is pretty challenging in that department. You’ll need quick reflexes to conquer demanding jump sequences, but the best part of the game for me is the fights.

I’m a sucker for things like combo counters, and Dust‘s sword-based combat is a perfect match for the mechanic. Shredding groups of enemies feels great, and while the controls are simple, there’s more to it than mindless button-mashing.

Dust is notably more linear than many other Metroidvania’s, so it may be worth considering if exploration isn’t your strong suit.

6 Shantae and the Seven Sirens

A Lighthearted Adventure

The Shantae series has come a long way in recent years, and The Seven Sirens is a great entry point for anyone looking to get into Metroidvania games.

Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a bright, colorful 2D platformer with a hearty dose of humor and fourth-wall-breaking. You’ll unlock many abilities throughout your journey in the form of transformations. You can become a drill to dig through terrain and even a cute lizard to climb walls.

These transformations feel seamless as you can quickly choose what you need with the D-Pad instead of choosing them through a menu like in the older games.

Puzzles are tailored to Shantae’s abilities, and as there’s nothing too taxing, you should always feel like you’re making progress.

I’ve not played every Shantae game, but a solid alternative to Seven Sirens is Pirate’s Curse, as it’s not too difficult. Each game in the series is its own self-contained story, so you can dive in with whatever title you like the look of.

5 Steamworld Dig 2

Grab A Pickaxe

The Steamworld games have their fingers in many pies, and their take on Metroidvania’s is a fantastic starter game in the genre.

You play as a robot named Dorothy in Steamworld Dig 2 and join her on a quest to find Rusty, the original game’s protagonist. On the surface, you’ll complete tasks for NPCs in the town, but most of your time is spent underground.

Mining is surprisingly addictive, and you’re always earning upgrades to make your time below the surface more manageable.

Steamworld Dig 2 makes the list because it offers plenty of freeform exploration, but it’s light on challenge, and you likely won’t get lost.

The original Steamworld Dig is also fun but far simpler than Steamworld Dig 2. It’s a decent game if you insist on starting there, but it’s not really a Metroidvania, and it isn’t required to enjoy the sequel.

4 Ori and the Blind Forest

I’m Not Crying, You Are!

Ori and the Blind Forest is arguably the prettiest game on this list, with a charismatic protagonist, jaw-dropping visuals, and wonderful controls.

You play as Ori, an adorable spirit creature who’s far more mobile than most Metroidvania protagonists. Ori and the Blind Forest feels so good to control; it’s like playing an accomplished platformer with exploration mechanics expertly woven into the gameplay.

And you’ll certainly want to explore. Ori and the Blind Forest has some of the most picturesque scenery and backdrops I’ve ever seen in a video game. The difficulty curve is firm but fair, and if you enjoy the original, you’ll adore the sequel, Ori and the Will of the Wisps.

I won’t spoil anything, but beware, the intro video is a real tearjerker!

3 Shadow Complex

A Palette Cleanser

Many Metroidvania’s delve into high fantasy and melee combat. If you prefer a more grounded setting, let me introduce Shadow Complex.

Shadow Complex is a 2.5D platforming adventure game where we trade the supernatural for cutting-edge weapons and soldiers. You play as Jason, who unwittingly stumbles across an underground military complex with his girlfriend, Claire.

Before you know it, you’re stealing a high-tech soldier suit and playing with experimental tech. The 2.5D perspective means you must pay attention to enemies in the background, and combat is punchy and visceral.

Your progression is tied to suit and weapon upgrades, which are dished out at a comfortable rate. You can spend ages just messing around with the Gel gun, and the game doesn’t overstay its welcome with a 5-6 hour runtime.

2 Hollow Knight

A Genre Defining Title

We can’t have a Metroidvania list without Hollow Knight, and while it’s a difficult game, its numerous redeeming qualities make it an absolute must-play, and it even works on the Steam Deck.

Hollow Knight is set in the beautiful, if bleak, world of Hallownest, a once triumphant kingdom that’s fallen into ruin. As with the best Metroidvania’s, exploration is encouraged and rewarded with snippets of juicy lore and even powerups.

Combat in Hollow Knight is simple on the surface but surprisingly nuanced, and your mastery of the mechanics will be tested by a colorful cast of bosses.

I admittedly got lost in Hollow Knight many times during my playthrough, but the world and atmosphere are so well-crafted that I never got frustrated.

While beloved by many, Hollow Knight is one of the tougher games on this list. Still, give it a shot and join us in patiently waiting for Silksong to be released!

1 Metroid Fusion

My First Of Many

You could go with any Metroid game (it’s in the genre name, after all!) and have a good time. My pick is Metroid Fusion, as it was my first foray into the genre, and if I can beat it, anyone can!

Metroid Fusion offers an epic adventure on board a space station full of monsters. Samus starts her journey with minimal abilities but steadily earns them through the story.

I hold Metroid Fusion in such high regard because of the game’s antagonist, the SA-X. I’ve never been scared of a 2D adversary before, but there’s a first time for everything.

There are some tricky parts, but if you’re willing to take a few game-over screens on the chin, there’s plenty to enjoy.

The only downside to Metroid Fusion is it’s a GBA game, and the only legal ways to play it are on original hardware or as part of the Nintendo Switch Online + Expansion Pack subscription.