The Metroidvania Zone

Exploration games where new abilities unlock paths through interconnected worlds.

Latest Standouts

Recent releases that landed well, newest first, filtered to games with enough reviews to trust the score.

Silver Pines - Players say: A private investigator searches a deserted town for a missing musician, solving clues and managing scarce supplies amid supernatural horrors. Players like: Haunting atmosphere · Distinctive art direction · Interconnected exploration ·
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Silver Pines is a survival horror metroidvania set in small town America. Fight nightmarish terrors and solve puzzles, while carefully managing your scarce resources as you uncover the mysteries that could hold the key to redemption.

Superhero Simulator - Players say: Patrol a city as a flying superhero, stopping crimes and rescuing civilians while working jobs to cover rent and daily needs. Players like: Enjoyable Flying · Hero-Life Premise · Character Customization ·
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Superhero Simulator is an open-world superhero game where you fight villains and save lives! But being a hero isn’t free! You’ll need to work, pay rent, and survive. Can you handle both sides of the superhero life?

Volkolak: The Will of Gods - Volkolak: The Will of Gods is an epic 2D soulsvania in a dark Slavic fantasy setting, with hand-drawn animation. Explore an enchanted world full of secrets and enemies. Your choices will lead to several endings: become a warrior, a werewolf, or join the darkness.
Akatori - A colorful action platformer with metroidvania elements and a staff that unlocks unique combat techniques and new ways to overcome obstacles. Explore beautiful worlds, fight monsters, and help Mako stop the amber storms that poison all living things.
Broken Reality 2000 - Get ready for a new adventure in the world of NATEM! Explore beautiful worlds, solve puzzles with new tools and meet wonderful people in this journey through a digital universe full of secrets in search of someone special.
Voltage High Society - First-person horror metroidvania about fisting your way through a prison island crawling with cybernetic monstrosities. Explore, evolve, escape. Inspired by Tetsuo: The Iron Man.
EMUUROM - A creature-scanning metroidvania. Explore an ancient paradise before it's lost forever. Study the EMUUROM creatures, document your findings in the EMUUDEX, and use what you learn to unlock new paths.

On Sale Now

Discounted 25% or more right now, limited to well-reviewed games, steepest cuts first.

Tower Hunter: Erza's Trial - Players say: As Erza, a demon-bound warrior, battle through tower stages, gather upgrades, and defeat bosses to earn a Hunter's License. Players like: Colorful Visual Style · Enjoyable Combat · Fluid Character Movement ·
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Tower Hunter: Erza’s Trial contains core elements of roguelite games, presented in a toon render style. The player explores a mysterious tower with Erza, vanquishes mutant monsters and defeats bosses to acquire a Hunter’s License and become the most powerful Battle Maiden.

Teslagrad 2 - Players say: After her airship crashes in Wyrmheim, Teslamancer Lumina uses magnetic powers to platform, solve puzzles, and find a way home. Players like: Fluid Magnetic Movement · Hand-Painted Art · Music and Atmosphere ·
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Lumina, a young Teslamancer, finds herself stranded after her airship crash lands in Wyrmheim, a remote and treacherous land to the North. Embark on a dangerous adventure, exploring a gigantic, abandoned tower looming over a fjordside valley, on a quest to get Lumina home and back to her family.

Super Dungeon Maker - Players say: Design pixel-art dungeons with enemies, traps and secrets, then explore community levels, solve puzzles and fight bosses. Players like: Dungeon Creation · Community Levels · Adventure Feel ·
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Super Dungeon Maker is a creative pixel art dungeon editor inspired by the best 2D adventure games. Choose however many levels, enemies, secret rooms, traps and items you want. Challenge your friends and the community to master your dungeon or play the countless dungeons of the community.

ITORAH - Players say: As Nahucan’s last human, Itorah explores masked lands, platforming and fighting with a talking axe to stop a mysterious plague. Players like: Hand-Painted Visuals · Atmospheric Music · Distinctive Setting ·
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Discover the world of Nahucan in this 2D action platformer. You are Itorah, the only human in this strange place. Explore, fight and survive to uncover your past and save Nahucan from its biggest threat, a mysterious plague!

Death's Door - Players say: A crow reaper pursues a thief who stole its assigned soul, fighting monsters and solving puzzles in a realm beyond death. Players like: Distinctive Art Style · Atmospheric Soundtrack · Enjoyable Combat ·
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Reaping souls of the dead and punching a clock might get monotonous but it's honest work for a Crow. The job gets lively when your assigned soul is stolen and you must track down a desperate thief to a realm untouched by death - where creatures grow far past their expiry.

Feudal Alloy - Players say: Guide Attu, a fish-piloted farm robot, through an interconnected medieval world, fighting machines and unlocking new paths. Players like: Hand-Drawn Art · Fish-Robot Concept · Exploration And Secrets ·
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Feudal Alloy is an epic action adventure with fish-controlled medieval robots! Explore an unusual medieval world with a fish-controlled robot, Attu. Improve your combat techniques and skills by smashing many kinds of mechanical creatures in a beautiful hand-drawn world.

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Jan 17, 2019
71% 👍
of 972
Slain: Back from Hell - Players say: Guide Bathoryn through six cursed realms in a gothic side-scrolling action platformer built around elemental weapons, parries, and traps. Players like: Dark Pixel Art · Heavy Metal Soundtrack · Challenging Combat ·
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Slain: Back from Hell. A heavy metal inspired arcade combat with puzzle elements and gore galore. Stunning visuals and true old school gameplay accompanied by the most metal soundtrack you've ever heard.

Out There Somewhere - Players say: Stranded on an alien world, use a teleport-firing device to solve platforming puzzles and reach the planet’s core to escape. Players like: Teleporting Puzzles · Clever Room Design · Retro Pixel Art ·
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You play an explorer stranded on a dangerous alien planet. Low on fuel, your only hope for escape is to find the planet’s core in this incredibly clever action-puzzle-platformer.

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Mar 14, 2016
93% 👍
of 6.9k
Vernal Edge - Players say: As Vernal searches the floating Kingdom of Haricot for her estranged father, she explores islands, unlocks movement skills, and fights with combo-driven swordplay and spells. Players like: Combo-Focused Combat · Fluid Movement Skills · Pixel Art Style ·
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Vernal Edge is a 2D action-packed Metroidvania featuring an intense combat system, tight platforming sequences and a powerful story of rivalry, revenge and growth.

ScourgeBringer - Players say: As Kyhra, a clan warrior, slash, shoot and dash through machine-filled rooms in a fast-paced, repeat-run platforming dungeon. Players like: Fluid Aerial Combat · Responsive Movement · Pixel Art ·
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ScourgeBringer is a fast-paced free-moving roguelite platformer. Help Kyhra to explore the unknown and slash her way through ancient machines guarding the seal of her past, and maybe the redemption of humanity.

CONTROL Ultimate Edition - Players say: As Jesse Faden searches a shifting paranormal bureau for her brother, she battles its invaders with firearms and telekinetic powers. Players like: Supernatural Worldbuilding · Telekinetic Combat · Unsettling Bureau Atmosphere ·
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Winner of over 80 awards, CONTROL is a visually stunning third-person action-adventure that will keep you on the edge of your seat.

The Knight Witch - Players say: Fly through a hand-drawn underground world, shoot War Golems, and cast deck-built spells as Rayne investigates an invasion. Players like: Distinctive Genre Blend · Hand-Drawn Art · Spell-Card Combat ·
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The Knight Witch is a metroidvania adventure game with fast-paced, shoot 'em up combat set in a beautifully hand-drawn world. Cast devastating card-based spells, forge close bonds, and make moral choices all in your quest to save your home and discover who's behind the War Golem invasion.

Hidden Gems

Well-liked but under-played: strong scores, small review counts.

MotionRec - MotionRec is a recording puzzle action game where you progress through stages by recording and playing back your own movements.
Frog's Adventure - You're a frog who just got given a brain! 🐸 Point-and-click your way through a hand-drawn world and solve puzzles, collect items and talk to other hexed animals. . . Can you lift the curse?
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Aug 2, 2023
100% 👍
of 249
Babushka's Glitch Dungeon - Oh hello dearie.. Babushka needs to clean up her big magical cellar. Use hag magic, or just hit stuff with your broom.
Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest - Sneak away from your boring family vacation and delve into ANCIENT RUINS! Borrow equipment from dead explorers and uncover the secrets of a lost civilization as you leave your parents worried sick. WARNING: The Ruby Chest may contain traces of an ancient curse (and gluten).
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Mar 31, 2026
99% 👍
of 269
The Lacerator - Lose a limb? You’ll adapt in THE LACERATOR! A titillating mix of survival horror and trashy 80’s film.
BAIONLENJA - Players say: Awakened as SPIRIT in a vast research facility, chain bunny hops and blade jumps to cross hazards, explore, and face machines. Players like: Satisfying Momentum · Distinctive Atmosphere · Striking Visual Style ·
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First-Person Adventure that focuses on Source-Engine inspired movement physics. Explore an impossibly huge research facility using physics-breaking abilities granted by a mysterious fossil monolith. Evolve to reach new areas and fight strange machines roaming the laboratories.

RUBATO - Players say: As a frog in a shattered solar system, use a physics-driven tongue to explore open stages and collect what’s needed to repair it. Players like: Surprising Emotional Story · Absurd Internet Humor · Distinctive Visual Style ·
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RUBATO, an experimental, 2D physics-based take on the collect-a-thon genre!

Cape Hideous - Amongst the motliest of all crews, an enigmatic woman prepares the ship to enter an intense thunderstorm raging in the middle of the ocean. What otherworldly mysteries lie within?
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Oct 25, 2024
98% 👍
of 284
TOMOMI - Full of hilarious dialogue and comical encounters! A super exhilarating Metroidvania action game!!
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Mar 25, 2022
97% 👍
of 277
Paper Animal Adventure - Paper Animal Adventure is a cute roguelike game where you can explore a colorful world, fight scary enemies, and relax with your friends at the campfire! Will you be the one to seal the timelines and find the missing king?
ROLLING STAR - Bursting with hilarious dialogue and comical encounters! The second installment of the super-exhilarating Metroidvania series is here!!
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Mar 31, 2025
97% 👍
of 221
Auridia - Explore an interconnected world full of platforming challenges in this short metroidvania. Reach new areas by swinging from ceilings, throwing bombs, bouncing off spikes, and more. Examine dozens of artifacts, commune with forgotten gods, and piece together what happened to Auridia.

Top Rated

Defining examples of the genre, all rated 85%+ across 1,000+ reviews.

Öoo - Players say: Guide a bomb-bodied caterpillar through a connected world, using explosions to cross obstacles and solve puzzles. Players like: Clever Bomb Puzzles · Wordless Guidance · Satisfying Discoveries ·
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A Bomb Caterpillar's Big Adventure! "Öoo" is a charming yet mysterious exploration puzzle platformer where you discover creative ways to use bombs!

Minishoot' Adventures - Players say: Pilot a small ship through a crystal-struck world, exploring linked dungeons and battling bullet-hell bosses to save friends. Players like: Smooth Ship Controls · Zelda-Style Exploration · Twin-Stick Combat ·
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Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends!

Bloody Hell - Players say: Play an angelic bird battling through Hell in a top-down bullet-hell adventure, unlocking abilities and routes on the way to Satan. Players like: Enjoyable Boss Fights · Responsive Combat · Exploration And Secrets ·
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A short but sweet game about an Angel on a Bloody Bullet-hell mission to kill Satan! Dash, Double Dash, Grapple & Blast your way through Hell to fulfill your Holy Mission. Will you be able to kill Satan? Or will you fail to master your abilities and DIE in this BLOODY HELL?

Pipistrello and the Cursed Yoyo - Players say: As Pippit, a yo-yo-wielding bat, explore a city, solve traversal puzzles, and fight rival crime bosses. Players like: Creative Yo-Yo Mechanics · Clever Room Design · Rewarding Exploration ·
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Are you ready for the first Yoyovania?! In this 2D top-down adventure you'll explore a sprawling urban landscape, reinterpreting your surroundings through your mastery of yoyo tricks. Navigate the city's many districts, fight rival crime bosses, and regain the influence of the Pipistrello family!

Hollow Knight - Players say: Explore a ruined insect kingdom as a small knight, opening new routes with abilities and facing demanding 2D battles. Players like: Hand-Drawn Art · Haunting Soundtrack · Rewarding Exploration ·
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Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.

Dead Cells - Players say: Possess fallen bodies and fight through a shifting island, combining fast 2D combat with branching routes and permanent unlocks. Players like: Fluid Combat · Weapon Variety · Replayable Runs ·
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Dead Cells is a roguelite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps - Players say: Guide spirit Ori through a decaying land, mastering acrobatic platforming and combat to find Ku and restore the world. Players like: Hand-Painted Visuals · Memorable Soundtrack · Fluid Movement ·
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Play the critically acclaimed masterpiece. Embark on a new journey in a vast, exotic world where you’ll encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel Ori’s destiny.

Pseudoregalia - Players say: Explore a dream-twisted castle as Sybil, chaining new movement abilities to cross platforming challenges, find keys, and uncover secrets. Players like: Fluid Movement · Creative Platforming · Freeform Exploration ·
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Deep within the realm of sleep, Sybil finds herself pulled to a distorted castle. Grow strong, and unlock new abilities to build up a deep movement system, fight enemies, find secrets, and free the weary soul of Castle Sansa, in this retro-inspired 3D Platformer Metroidvania.

Touhou Luna Nights - Players say: As maid Sakuya explores a strange mansion-like world, she uses time control, knives, and close-range dodges to fight through a 2D action adventure. Players like: Time-Stop Combat · Memorable Boss Fights · Detailed Pixel Art ·
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Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action.  Developed by Team Ladybug, creators of multiple fantastic action games thus far.

Leap Year - Players say: Explore a hand-drawn world, rethink dangerous jumps, and uncover movement rules to find every date on a calendar. Players like: Clever Map Design · Discovery-Based Puzzles · Fresh Jump Rules ·
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Leap Year is a clumsy platformer about knowledge and discovery. Explore a compact, hand drawn world filled with hidden paths. Understand the game’s secrets to reach new areas and collect all the pages of your calendar.

Crypt Custodian - Players say: As Pluto, a cat condemned to clean the afterlife, wield a broom, battle creatures, and explore a connected world for new abilities. Players like: Smooth Movement · Charming Art · Approachable Difficulty ·
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Crypt Custodian is a charming metroidvania about cleaning up the afterlife. Play as Pluto - a mischievous cat who has died, and is sentenced to be the afterworld's janitor... FOREVER! Hang out with other doomed ghosts, battle beasts, and explore a vastly expansive landscape.

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Aug 27, 2024
97% 👍
of 3.1k