Top 10 Metroidvanias

[@Rapid-FireStarter]

Me and the boys waiting patiently for Hollow Knight to be on the list

[@yodjnekoluchiy8737]

Same

[@therat1174]

Same

[@asc3nded397]

Same

[@kirbythepoyo4073]

Same

[@gumbarius]

Same

[@robertsilvermyst7325]

Dust: An Elysian Tail is an amazingly good Metroidvania, made by one person. The art style and gameplay are breathtaking.

[@zzasdfwas]

The problem with Dust is that it uses a braindead brawler combat system, with gated screens where you have to defeat the enemies to continue.

[@maxpeter4171]

@@zzasdfwas I really dont think its braindead. Just normal is far to easy. Try and see if though or hardcore suite you better!

[@ChaudTheGamer]

That is in my top 5 for sure. I even know one of the voice actresses in that game. Amber Lee Conners aka the one who voiced Ginger and was also Android 18 in DBZ abridged! She's a friend for mine!

[@CadenceHira]

ngl Dust was the worst Metroidvania I have ever played -there are 3 movement upgrades (I won't spoil what they are but they are all boring, and the first of which you don't unlock until the game is 75% over) -said movement upgrades aren't used to get to any new or interesting areas. every single one iirc is used to get to a chest/key which unlocks a chest, which gives you money to buy more keys to unlock more chests -as other people have said, the combat is horrible, mindless beat em up button mashing -and perhaps the cardinal sin a metroidvania can commit: the map is NOT interconnected. when you get to the end of an area it brings you to a world map where you choose where to go next.... absolutely horrendous

[@PilloTheStar]

Hollow knight is definitely on a different level of amazing. You feel like a GOD by the end of your first playthrough.

[@jacobcain9008]

You essentially become a god. Although i know Terraria isnt a metroidvania, it definately has the same feeling towards the end.

[@impact674]

gotta agree, one of the few games where I keep coming back to it for more playthroughs

[@JameyMcQueen]

Disagree. I enjoyed the game, but didn't feel like a God by the end of my first playthrough. I WOULD feel like a God if I finished the Godmaster DLC.

[@Thirteen13551355]

Hollow Knight just really doesn't give you incentive to do anything. It's all but feeling like a god, you don't even have upgrades.

[@georgelongcoal1117]

@@Thirteen13551355 ???

[@Majinken]

Touhou Luna Nights is an amazing metroidvania. Everything from the animation to the remixed music is top notch I just hope we get a sequel

[@steelers0398]

Hell yes! Bullet hell and Metroidvania are amazing. Rabi Ribi is another amazing Metroidvania bullet hell. Fanservice aside

[@AscendantOat]

Yes! A rare gem that I felt lucky to have discovered.

[@hepwo91222]

yes, underrated Metroidvania. Some of the games on Jirard's list aren't even Metroidvanias.

[@AlleyCatUwU]

Both fighting and traversing the world are bolstered by our protagonist's abilities. It's something fans of metroidvanias should check out. My only gripe with the game is that I just want more.

[@ivanquote1807]

I have the same sentiments. When your only complaint with a game is “I wish there was more of it”, that’s when you know it’s a masterpiece.

[@Polinchi]

I loved the messenger, its just a really good game in every way, so while i would place HK #1 still, i really like the messenger earning a really high spot

[@tymartin5650]

I totally agree

[@jameslawrenson1208]

Potentially waiting for the prequel before playing this.

[@isaic16]

Couldn’t agree more. Hollow Knight is my favorite game of all time, but I still respect the heck out of the messenger, and would not be shocked at anyone listing it as their favorite

[@stolidfox7528]

Completely agree. Both were really fun. I can see why Gerard ordered them the way he did, even if I would not have. Ori is also a good choice for third, although I haven't even played the second one yet, the first was short but sweet.

[@savary5050]

@@stolidfox7528 ori isn’t really a metroidvania imo. It’s far too linear

[@n_trap_mnt8530]

Ever played Dust: An Elysian Tale? That one is awesome, definitely recommend

[@Pelipcahh]

I had just moved back to the US after living in Korea for two years when Dust came out. Missing Korea, I picked this up, and it has been one of my favorite games since. A must play.

[@Valkyrie-Kain]

Ender Lilies also just came out, one of my favorite games so far ❤️❤️ the gorgeous environments and beautiful music and such a sorrowful yet hope-filled story is truely breathtaking

[@arishkhan5918]

Mine too. It took a little bit from hollow knight but did it's own thing as well. THANK GOD the HK fandom did not go after this game. Did you see what happened to crowsworne or whatever its name was?

[@alvedonaren]

@@arishkhan5918 Crowsworn has literally made more than 5x its kickstarter taret with 12 day left to go, it's doing excellently. Now there was another game I don't remember the name of that also got a lot of flak for looking a lot like Hollow Knight that didn't do so well.

[@julieta12]

Same!! Just finished it after 152 hours lol

[@arishkhan5918]

@@julieta12 how much content does the game have???

[@julieta12]

@@arishkhan5918 not more than Hollow Knight. But I would say enough content to keep you busy for a week if you play everyday for 5+ hr each day.

[@wigglebot765]

Yes! The Messenger doesn’t get talked about enough, it’s such a fantastic experience.

[@alex-zj6ef]

Hollow knight is what got me into the genre and I love it

[@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506]

Try Super Metroid. Its still the best Metroidvania ever.. (for obvious reasons)

[@halowillneverbegoodagain1868]

@@recht_voor_zijn_raap5506 From my experience anyone whose played Hollow Knight as their first MV ends up dissapointed by Super Metroid. Be it for the slower gameplay, somewhat dated controls, low difficulty, relatively simple platform design, thin lore, and muffled music/sound design.

[@residentevilman64]

@@halowillneverbegoodagain1868 You can rebind the controls of Super Metroid on the main menu, if placement is the issue. Otherwise, any particular reason that you find the controls outdated? I played Hollow Knight recently but couldn't get into it. I got to the three bug lords in the praying mantis area and I just got bored to tears with no desire to pick it back up. I don't think it's bad, not in the least; it's wonderfully constructed in nearly every way, but I just couldn't stick with it. Super Metroid I could play every day though. That game is so engaging and it tends to go between my 1st and 2nd favourite game, depending on the day.

[@halowillneverbegoodagain1868]

@@residentevilman64 Ive played Super Metroid upwards of 100 times and ive never found a binding that made shooting or inventory feel natural. Not gamebreaking by any means but its really hard to go back too after the GBA games. Super is still one of the GOATs but may feel basic to those who have indulged in so many unique indie offerings.

[@residentevilman64]

@@halowillneverbegoodagain1868 I sacrifice my down-angle aiming and put run on L, shoot on Y, jump on B, cancel on A and weapon cycle on X. I see where you're coming from though; the weapon cycling took me a while to get used to and the default layout feels awkward. I hadn't considered what playing newer games might do to Super Metroid. Thank you for the new perspective. I've often wondered what my young cousin would do if I sat him down in front of the original Metroid. I envision a deer-in-headlights look from him.

[@DontGiveUp_Skeleton]

I love metroidvanias, but there are so many games on this list that would go no where near my top 10. Some of mine are: VVVVVV Strider Dust Valdis Story Deedlit in Wonder Labrinth/Luna Nights La Mulana Fez

[@kevinvu5432]

Honestly some of these aren't metroidvanias. Similar but metroidvanias aren't just 2d platformers with a metroid map

[@DontGiveUp_Skeleton]

@@kevinvu5432 You think that isn't is the unifying element between metroid and castlevania?

[@kevinvu5432]

@@DontGiveUp_Skeleton when people coined the term metroidvania, it was born after Symphony of the Night. So previous metroidvanias Unlocking new abilities that help with exploration and unlocking paths. Just like how Samus and Alucard gained new abilities that helped them move past areas. It's more than a 2d platformer with a metroid/SotN map.

[@DontGiveUp_Skeleton]

@@kevinvu5432 you'll have to help me then, because literally every game I listed gate areas behind abilities or items.

[@kevinvu5432]

@@DontGiveUp_Skeleton not your list. The completionists list. Yours is fine.

[@pawarl.o.s.881]

The Messenger is the funniest game I have ever played. The shopkeeper is one the best characters ever.

[@ToyKeeper]

The shopkeeper was awesome, probably the best part of the game. The level design was infuriating though, because I wanted to go fast, and the level designs required a lot of waiting... especially near the end of the game. The Messenger started out fun, but by the end I couldn't wait to be done so I could put it away and never play it again. Whoever did the writing deserves a raise, but the level designer should probably choose a different type of work.

[@ToadstedCroaks]

@@ToyKeeper Honestly, had the game ended before the big twist reveal where it turns into a metroidvania, I wouldn't have been mad. It felt excruciatingly long / tedious getting through all those levels, having the story say you were almost done, and then it pushing more at you over and over again. By the time the big reveal happened, I was like "Are you F'kn serious?" and just stopped playing the game. Sure, it was a neat twist, but godamn that game had terrible consistency and pacing.

[@ToyKeeper]

@@ToadstedCroaks Yeah, that's definitely the point where it started to go downhill. It's no mystery why most of the speedrunners only do the first portion of the game... since that's where most of the fun is. After that, it kinda turns into a walking simulator.

[@ryansilvia3755]

My favorite rn has to be monster sanctuary, it’s an indie metroidvania monster tamer, 3v3 combat and the battle mechanics are so fun to experiment with

[@AllenMS828]

I love that game, too!

[@sdtrawick]

Yes! Monster Sanctuary is my second favorite game of all time!

[@IFinishedAVideoGame]

Fair play for not picking Hollow Knight. I feel like it's a tricky position to be in because it's cliche as fuck to say it's the best non metroid/castlevania game but it's also insanely good and totally deserves it haha

[@magustg1]

Record of Lodoss War-Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, the metroidvania the internet forgot.

[@chuckbatmangaming]

With a title like that I can see why; no criticism of the game itself but man that name is a mouthful

[@Humbird00]

I can't wait for that game to finish being made. It's great so far.

[@atijohn8135]

@@Humbird00 It's finished already lol

[@zeebs101]

yeah its one of the best. another one from same devs - touhou luna nights. both are short and sweet.

[@atijohn8135]

​@@zeebs101 Luna Nights's got the highest rating out of any metroidvania on steam.

[@griffonsarcade]

me: tries to get a friend to play cave story My friend: gets visibly sad and starts talking about the completionist's mom

[@chardrive]

Maybe not something to bring up so casually

[@PerritoGG]

@@chardrive Dude, please.

[@element1192]

The world has a huge shortage of 3d metroidvanias

[@matts3155]

Fallen order and metroid prime and...yeah

[@jakubpuawski3875]

first Dark Souls kinda qualifies, maybe also The Surge 2

[@Dravianpn02]

@@matts3155 fallen order is not a metroidvania. Just like GOW2018 isn't and that's the same game.

[@LucasKelleher]

I just started Steamworld Dig 2 last night and it was so good, I had trouble putting it down. Freaking excellent game!

[@mysterwhymedia]

Hell yeah! Love this list. I'm more surprised to see SteamWorld Dig 2 beat out Axiom Verge in your rankings than I am to see The Messenger beat out Hollow Knight, but I'm also just so damn happy that you've played and enjoyed any SteamWorld game. Such a vastly underrated series. I hope you complete SWD2 someday...but I hope you'll complete SteamWorld Heist more. Bet you're looking forward to Metroid Dread!

[@TormaXimnus]

While watching this I found myself thinking of Ghost 1.0, which definitely gives me Metroidvania vibes and has a control scheme that is both different and utterly satisfying.

[@dreddbolt]

Aside from anything in the Vania or Metroid series.. in no particular order, I'll go with... > Timespinner > Alwa's Awakening > Axiom Verge > Shantae and the Pirate's Curse > Cathedral > Battle Princess Madelyn > Cyber Shadow > Hollow Knight > The Messenger > Blasphemous

[@Akwatypus]

The Cave Story+ -version is where the publisher, Nicalis, REALLY fucked over the original developer and the fans of the game. If you don't own the game yet, go grab the original somewhere, instead.

[@staticshock4239]

Wait what happened with Cave Story+?

[@dingle2987]

Can you explain?

[@ivanquote1807]

I don’t know all the details, but I think it’s something along the lines of Nicalis with a finely worded contract now owning all the rights to Cave Story instead of Pixel. In other words, Pixel can’t make any other Cave Story follow ups on his own. Unrelatedly Nicalis is also rude and unprofessional in their business dealings last I heard.

[@ExileTwilight]

@@ivanquote1807 That's really unfortunate to hear.. Sadly you should always get a professional to read a contract (especially from any bigger ones..)

[@SuperSSSSooonniicccc]

@@ivanquote1807 From what I heard, that's not the case. Pixel is still friendly towards Nicalis and still gets money from Cave Story purchases. Nicalis may have a very bad reputation, but there's little evidence to support this rumor.

[@王安祖-p6i]

I feel like the most underrated series in the genre is Wonder Boy. It was first released in the same year as the first Metroid and Castlevania, seems to get ignored as a founding title of the genre entirely, and has definitely produced some classics. For a modern play, definitely recommend Dotemu’s remake of the third game, and Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom. They were both amazing, even if they definitely take some patience at first. Once you really hit your stride, you’ll be addicted. I feel like Sega unfairly got ignored in the 90’s, though they were doing great things. Ironically, like Nintendo today, they just focused on the games being fun, and creating innovative ways to play them, not the extras.

[@TheClosetExtrovert]

I'm very pleasantly surprised that Yoku made the list, it's a very novel mashup that I had a blast going for 100% on! I'd also LOVE to recommend Dandara to anyone reading the comments here!

[@Brimah314]

Looks interesting!

[@eqprog]

A good game in its own right but it’s very light on the metroidvania elements in my opinion. It’s also pretty short. I liked it however.

[@jacobvega8703]

Thank you bro for mentioning Axiom Verge that game needs all the love and attention it can get Edit: and steam world 2

[@winstonbbailey8740]

axiom verge was fantastic. i really thought that the weapons were original, and some of the puzzles were almost infuriatingly random, but somehow in a way that i was still able to figure out what to do. When a game can be that non-linear LOGICALLY, but still WORK, it deserves recognition.

[@Octav2000]

My personal favourite Metroidvania is touhou Luna nights you don’t even need to be a touhou fan to enjoy it

[@vikavolt11]

I was hoping for it to be on the list

[@thepuppetmaster9284]

Love Axiom Verge & Guacamele, just started playing Hollow Knight, and The Messenger is on my buying list.

[@JM-us3fr]

Hollow Knight is pretty solid through and through. Go for the true ending, and it'll be more satisfying.

[@ToyKeeper]

Hollow Knight is pretty great. Guacamelee is silly and full of mechanics which feel good to use. Haven't tried Axiom but I hear it's awesome. The Messenger, however, is really not much of a Metroidvania. It technically is one, but it's not very good at it. I stopped enjoying it about halfway through, but finished it anyway, and then was happy and relieved to go back to other games. I never get sick of Hollow Knight, for example. And Celeste (not a Metroidvania) feels so good to play that I got into speedrunning it. But The Messenger feels like a chore now, and I'm not surprised that its speedrunning community mostly focuses only on the early game. The late game, where it has some Metroidvania features, is kind of slow and tedious.

[@wimzilliacus7443]

Good list. La-Mulana 1 and 2 are masterpieces in my opinion, would include them as well!

[@MrOpz]

I agree with most of these, but not even a mention of Dead Cells? I did not expect that. It’s very good, available on all platforms and still gets updates/DLC’s since its release in 2018. But to each his or her own opinion, this is your list.

[@whitelady3684]

The Messenger in the first place as the best Metroidvania game? This does not seem logical, unfortunately.

[@TwoBits]

You're right. The Messenger is number one.

[@sadgirlhours4088]

Damn..... I really thought blasphemous was gonna be #1. Holy fuck that game is amazing. I'm really bad at both metroid and castlevania, I struggled to get into both of them on their own. But blasphemous sucked me in with it's insane environments and extremely fucked up everything. I genuinely believe that the amount of times I've died has racked up into over 100 times, and then the miriam challenges brought that all the way up to 1000. I havent killed the final boss, but its definitely one of my all time favorite games ever. I love it so goddamn much and if you can handle the disturbing imagery, I think everyone should play it. I'm obsessed with this game.

[@SourTb]

I'd definitely change the pinball game with Dust an Elysian Tail. Another top tier product made by one dude.

[@r_apt_ure]

Shadow complex is one of the best games I've played, definitely up there in my top 5 metroidvanias, I would love to see this come to the switch.

[@nattzero5315]

Dust an Elysian Tail and Iconoclasts, the underrated ones.

[@LordSephleon]

I'm not sure if it's a well-known game, but I find *Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights* to be a remarkable and beautiful Metroidvania. The story is pretty tragic, probably boasting similar emotion that some other games on this list did, and it's a pretty challenging game in its own right. It has a rather somber, melancholy art style that is quite gorgeous (and that does get brighter and colorful at appropriate times), and the soundtrack is incredibly moving, fitting most situations wonderfully; the song of the Village is especially emotional, especially as you learn more about the world. I'm still working my way through it (currently stuck on a specific boss who requires better play than I've been doing since mistakes against her are punished pretty harshly) but I knew I'd love it when I first looked at its page on Steam and read some of the reviews while it was still in Early Access.

[@mansinghchauhan4389]

"The messenger" hands down is one of the best pixel art of all time

[@dannyfiumano6320]

No love for Timespinner or Iconoclasts?! If you haven't yet Jirard, you need to play Timespinner. You will NOT be disappointed.

[@friendlybullet943]

Glad to see The Messenger in the number 1 spot :) Quite possibly one of my favorite games of all time. It just has a really satisfying feel to it all around like it's one of the most polished games I've played, the flow to it is intense! Plus that soundtrack is fantastic and was definitely a big reason for many of my NG+ playthroughs

[@konoaricao]

in no particular order some of my all time favorite metroidvanias even if I am completely stuck in some of them are Hollow Knight, Gato Roboto, Dogworld, Cave Story, Monster Sanctuary, Phoenotopia, and Iconoclast

[@terribleveteran7678]

My favourites are ori and the will of the wisps, blasphemous and dead cells.

[@lordderpingtonII]

Touhou luna nights and phoenotopia awakening are amazing

[@sergeantsc00ps]

Bro I'm so glad to see someone actually mention Phoenotopia. I pretty much even ended writing a whole essay in the comments about it

[@superplayerex2431]

Weird, Phoenotopia is the one I see literally no one else ever mention anywhere. I suppose it's that underrated.

[@PewPew_McPewster]

Hollow Knight refuses to click with me somehow, I always start a new game, play about 3 to 5 hours until I beat Hornet and by then I'm somehow so worn out that i just drop it. I wish it weren't so and I really wished it clicked better but something about the pacing just throws me off every time I try to get into it.

[@cornpop2630]

if it takes you 3-5 hours just to beat hornet, this might not be the game for you lol. Its a more difficult metroidvania for sure

[@PewPew_McPewster]

@@cornpop2630 no I meant 3-5 hours from start of game to Hornet. Hornet herself isn't hard, those first few hours are just such a draggy experience that I lose interest by the time I get to her.

[@cornpop2630]

@@PewPew_McPewster but I am talking about the 3-5 hours before hornet, like shes literally the 2nd boss of a game that has 47 bosses lmao

[@PewPew_McPewster]

@@cornpop2630 maybe I'm misjudging the time. Either way, like I said, it's not hard, it's just... not fun? Traversing in the first few hours of the game isn't fun and by the time I get the tool that begins to make traversing "fun", I'm bored and just stop playing. Like I said, it repeatedly fails to click because of pacing issues. I think we can agree that the game isnt for me. I've played harder games but they kept me on with the pacing.

[@cornpop2630]

@@PewPew_McPewster I suppose the beginning could have had better pacing but you should go further it does pick up and is one of the more rewarding games in the genre.

[@themightyant.]

It’s a really nice list Jirard. My biggest complaint is that I’ve played everything on it. 😭 Here’s a few that are worth playing not on the list - F.I.S.T. - Ender Lillies: Quietus of the Knights - Dust an Elysian Tale - Blasphemous - The Mummy Demastered - Salt & Sanctuary - Owlboy Also HK is #1 lol and personally might even take top spot with Metroid and Castlevania included. It’s that good.

[@FingolfinEladar]

I agree with almost each game in the list! Of course each of us will have different positions, but games like Guacamelee, Axiom Verge, Metroid and Hollow Knight deserve to be in such a list. I suggest to all metroidvania fans to give a try to Iconoclasts and Wonder Boy, too. Iconoclasts is a well done, pixel-art metroidvania set in a half-steampunk, half-"natural" world, with a really nice story focused on the love for our Earth and to fight to save it. Highly recommended! The Wonder Boy series is of course a cult, even if not all of them are metroidvanias: the remake of Wonder Boy III of 4 years ago is splendid, and Monster Boy (2018) is one of my favorites metroidvania games ever! Wonder Boy in Monster World is old but gold, and the remake of Monster World IV recently came out: I don't think it is a great remake, but let's say that the starting point is awesome, so I recommend to play it anyway. If you want, you can get the physical version of this remake, where the original Monster World IV is included!

[@strain42]

I absolutely get not putting it on the top 10, but I wanna give a special shout-out to Shin Megami Tensei: Synchronicity Prologue. It was a free to download mini-Metroidvania that I personally think was way better than the game it was supposed to be advertising. That's kind of impressive, and I'd love to see Atlus revisit Ladybug studio to team up and make a full scale title in the franchise.

[@maxelized]

I'm not sure if I would qualify Messenger as a metroidvania, but it is one of the best games I've played in the past 10 years.

[@RingOtaku]

Shaman King: Master of Spirits is always going to be one of my favorite Metroidvania games.

[@IR0Navt]

Yes, that was a really good one

[@vaati5000]

God seeing The Messenger at #1 was exactly what I was hoping for that game is so amazing

[@peteschmitz]

Love your list 🙂 Personally I would have added both Alwa games - Awakening and Legacy - love these games. I could also recommend Cathedral for a very lengthy Metroidvania

[@JarJarBoy]

Yeah, I can't really disagree with that number 1 pick, The Messenger is indeed an amazing game! When comparing them as only Metroidvanias, I think Hollow Knight is the better game, but comparing them as a game in general? Yeah, The Messenger takes the cake, hands down.

[@syranth8912]

It's awesome, I got Messenger because of the completion video and own most of these already. I agree with the rating!

[@theleaderoftheworld]

My favorite metroidvania game is Blaster Master Zero.

[@GCDeadshot]

Guacamelee is my favourite but The Messenger is a close second.

[@jacksonlewison518]

Super Metroid is a great game but there is no way it’s even top 5 anymore. Nostalgia keeps it up there. Like imagine it came out today as a new IP. It wouldn’t be rated as high.

[@SolidNeodark]

I'm happy to see The Messenger so high up the list. This game definitely isn't mentioned enough.

[@krimsonkatt]

Aria of Sorrow is 100x better than symphony of the night. If Bloodstained was sprite based rather than 2.5D and wasn't left unfinished at launch, then it would be even better than Aria. Symphony of the Night, in spite of it's massive amount of content, is not a fun game to play due to Alucard's lack of good movement options even late-game unlike every future protagonist along with his incredibly, slow, weighty movement and attack speed. It literally feels like Alucard is moving with a weighted cape at all times, which is not fun. Every future protagonist, especially Soma and onwards, handles much better than him. In terms of ranking the Igavania games, I would rate them as such: Aria of Sorrow > Portrait of Ruin > Ritual of the Night > Harmony of Dissonance >> Order of Ecclisia > Dawn of Sorrow >>> Symphony of the Night >> Circle of the Moon. BTW I ranked Harmony of Dissonance so high because I love how fun the backdash in that game is to use and how much more enjoyable it makes the game by allowing fast movement from the beginning. I ranked Dawn of Sorrow, in spite of being a fan-favorite, very low because the drop rates in that game are so low. 0.01% for a Royal Guard soul is insanity especially when they're so hard to kill. (even though they can be easily cheesed) Aria of Sorrow had much better drop rates, even if they were a little low. In that game, 2% was as low as it got with most enemies having a 5% rate or higher. Bloodstained was even better with drop rates up to 10% or higher which is boosted heavily which LUK much more than in DoS or AoS. If you eat a lot of luck boosting food the drop rates become insanely high, encouraging you to collect x10 of every soul/Shard while in DoS it's largely pointless because soul drops in that game were so low. Soul amount in AoS was irrelevant, especially since you got the best attack soul in the game potentially halfway through (Lightning Doll) which in DoS they heavily nerfed that soul and now the strongest is easily Abbadon which is a 1-time boss soul needed in a recipe to craft the strongest greatsword. (requiring NG+ if you want to get both the chaos ring, the sword, and the soul)

[@legogame06]

A Metroidvania I played recently is CyberShadow, and it’s great. It’s really difficult, but really fun when you eventually beat the levels.

[@atquinn1975]

Solid list! Hollow Knight is my number 1; one of the best games, I've ever played, but it's not my list so no complaints. I have to go back and finish The Messenger and Axiom Verge. I enjoyed both, but AV was a bit too sprawling for me and The Messenger is a tad bit too "kick your ass in an old-school way" lol. I still go back and play Super Metroid ever couple years or so. Can't beat the classics.

[@Ejoshg123]

I remember playing the messenger when it came out. and right after I beat it I beat the whole game again such a fun game and that soundtrack is badass

[@maxisenberg9093]

Says a lot about shantae that the near objectively best entry is the only one that had a second development team, a new composer, and stripped shantae of her signature moves lol

[@maxisenberg9093]

@@IRONDIO444 you're right. Was probably confusing it with that. Other two points still stand though. Thanks for the correction

[@cryguy0000]

I wish he talked about Spider-Man Shattered Dimensions on the DS. That one is a solid game no one talks about

[@Vulcanfaux]

Finally, someone who didnt put hollowknight at number 1! Jokes aside I think my favorite game in this genre that isn't metroid or castlevania is probably cavestory, I mean it's easily the only one I return to over and over and over again, I even happily bought it every time it got a re-release on each nintendo system. But if we include the actual metroids and castlevania's, I'd say zero mission and order of eclesia take first and second for me. I'd say harmony of despair but I don't think that completely counts thanks to how that game works... speaking of, if Konami could release castlevania harmony of despair again on all modern systems and pc. I'd be really happy about that. I'd also specifically buy it on the switch.

[@ryanwest5179]

It’s odd because The Messenger isn’t even a Metroidvania until the back half of the game. Which, imo, is the lesser part of the game. So idk if I’d personally be able to include The Messenger on this list, even though it is one of my favorite games of all-time.

[@triple-d2640]

Ironically it was the metroidvania part of The Messenger that killed the game for me.

[@ToyKeeper]

Same. It started out fun, but after the world opened up, it started getting tedious because there was so much backtracking through long uninteresting regions, and later areas involved a great deal of waiting and patience. The level design made the late game feel like a slog instead of a joy. I can't really even praise the puzzles, since most of them can be solved on autopilot just by moving forward without really paying attention. I thought I would love the game, but after finishing it, I never want to play it again.

[@triple-d2640]

@@ToyKeeper My thoughts exactly

[@duhimdave]

You're right. You should assume you'll get some angry comments, cus HK should have been number one. Respect you sticking by your favorite though

[@zzasdfwas]

La Mulana is the best metroidvania, though it's not inspired by Metroid or Castlevania but rather Maze of Galious, which is probably influenced by Zelda. As such, it emphasizes puzzle solving and finding secrets rather than the simple lock and key mechanics of Metroid. You wouldn't call Zelda a metroidvania, because it predates Metroid, so perhaps you should call La Mulana a Zelda-like. But it's still the best metroidvania.

[@Mgh101590]

Rocketbirds, Rayman Legends, Dead Cells, and of course Blasphemous are missing IMO

[@Thanatos2099]

I love me some Shadow Complex. The only Metroidvania I 100%-ed twice.

[@Skelotaurus]

Finished the Messenger with DLC 100% exept 2 achievements missing. It was awesome. The only critic I have the travel between the world's is not that good. Would've been better if you can travel in a stage between one merchant to another

[@Dominic_el_tercero]

I personaly found the messenger to be an amazing action platformer for the first 3 hours, then it turns into a metroidvania and the game soured for me, too much repeating the same stages I already played, with a very limited range of enemies with too much backtracking and not enough bosses, the gameplay impressed me so mcuh though that their next game is the first ever videogame I supported on kicksarter

[@themothman3133]

Hollow knight is my favorite game of all time, but I’ll give it to ya that the messenger is a great game. I went full completionist on that game

[@XanKreigor]

I'm sad that Valdis Story always gets forgotten for Metroidvania top lists. While it's short (you can speedrun it in under 3 hours), it stands out by having a great combat system and 4 playable characters with very different playstyles and weapons.

[@Demosthenesff]

Am I the only one that enjoyed Chasm? It's simple but pretty fun. I guess it wouldn't crack a top 10 for most though.

[@brobafett21]

The fact that you put The Messenger over Ori and Hollow Knight is blasphemy.

[@caseycoker1051]

I was really enjoying the Messenger until I got to the tower of time. That shit was stupidly difficult to the point where I completely bounced off of it.

[@vacantile]

Tower of Time is one of the best parts of the game because it isn’t littered with annoying enemies. I enjoyed that it was mainly platforming.

[@TFGA_tFoMS]

Another metroidvania he should try, ender lillies. Its was on youtube for a couple days, then got washed away, and it has been that game for me to play while waiting for the well known well wanted song of the silk.

[@Itransformit]

Not a single word about Dead Cells? W00t...

[@grawlix311]

Check my avatar. Now, I want to say this, I’m glad Hollow Knight wasn’t number one…. I appreciate different perspectives and find it almost cliche to put it at the top spot. To be honest, I was thinking you were just going to lump it with Castlevania and Metroid as “doesn’t count because we all know”. Really enjoyed the content!

[@jettbelavin7380]

I loved blasphemous, it’s in my top 5 games of all time

[@3brostaco]

Not going to lie I got the messenger. One time when I was drinking with a buddie and we were taking turns it didn't seem to great but the way you spoke about it make me want to try againm

[@apotato4873]

Yeah, I expected Hollow Knight to be on the list ;-; Really though, if there's one thing I have to say about Hollow Knight, it's that it's brutally difficult. Finally beating PoH required a skill level so high that Steel Soul became a piece of cake by comparison.

[@caidelrose5481]

Finally a top 10 that doesnt have Ori or Hollow Knight in number 1

[@IAMSCOOT]

Yoku's island express, steamworld dig, ori and hollow knight are top tier games.

[@tim0735]

I think the heart of a metroidvania is discovery and Hollow knight is just unmatched by any other game on this list. The messenger is not even a metroidvania till half way through the game! Still, I guess it just depends on which game is more enjoyable and the messenger was a blast through and through

[@LobotomiteLum]

2021 and La Mulana still doesn’t get the love it deserves.

[@eyedominate1257]

Yeeeeeaaaaa, lost me when your number 3 and 2 was Ori and Hollow Knight… expected them in the number 1 lol

[@aztralsea]

Not gonna lie, I was gonna yell about hollow knight not being number one until I was explicitly told not to.

[@DisdonnPlays]

I love hollow knight, but as someone who had a shitton of friends in the Messenger speedrun community right out the gate, DAMN GOOD JOB GIVING IT THE CREDIT IT IS FUCKING OVERDUE! Seriously, underloved game. It's also a bait-and-switch with the slow build to the metroidvania/time travel/etc reveal...just...it's hard to pick between it and Hollow Knight which is better. The BEST traditional Metroidvania, or the game that literally threw genre convention on it's head and blended Ninja Gaiden into a genre it didn't really fit, and made it work so well people went "This shouldn't work, so...I'm just gonna ignore it or love it"

[@Glacier_Nester]

I'm shocked I haven't played more shantae, I really enjoyed Risky's Revenge on dsiware! (Dang, remember the like 5 seconds the ds had downloadable content?)

[@Xaddow14]

For me one of the greatest metroidvainia and probably thi first I ever completed was Strider 2014 it's so good and amazing, all the elements are there, the graphics are so goooood and the combat is really addictive! I just love that game!

[@kbiz52]

I was gonna be mad and then he said The Messenger.. Good Man

[@n1fffan]

while I absolutely love Hollow Knight, I'll admit that you have me curious about The Messenger, good sir... well played

[@PhantomBones101]

Damn. I was hoping Blasphemous would be on the list.

[@loglikesrocks4170]

I agree with the top 3. Personally I would swap hk and the messenger, but all three are amazing games.

[@bonanzabrandon6877]

The Ori games have the most beautiful graphics I've ever seen in a 2d game

[@Grendeloak]

Enjoying Dead Cells at the mo, surprising it did not make the top ten.

[@willianjunior8890]

Best KZbin playlist !!!

[@ChicagoRetroGamer]

Some epic games on this list man! Love this genre of games!

[@DIEFORME173]

Shantae ain’t even a Metroidvania