There are a lot of great Metroidvanias out there, and I’ve covered several here before. But sometimes, you’re looking for something a bit more experimental, which pushes the boundaries of what people have come to expect from the genre.
Those amazing Metroidvania genre hybrids aren’t numerous, but they’re out there. And we’re going to help identify some of the very best you should try!
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As for how they’ll be ranked in this particular list, we’re primarily sticking with critical reception this time around, although my preferences will factor in somewhat in the overall ranking and how to break everything down from ten to one.
Without further ado, here’s our list of some of the best Metroidvania hybrids that you need to play when you want to branch out in the genre a bit.
10
The Knight Witch
Adventures In Deckbuilding
Metroidvanias are plenty complex, but when you mix them with a Shmup that also includes deckbuilding elements? That’s a hell of a thing.
Somehow, though, The Knight Witch mostly made this combination work. In part, that’s due to the charming visual aesthetic, as well as the nuanced gameplay and challenge.
The only downside to the ambitious design of The Knight Witch is that sometimes the systems can feel a bit overwhelming, especially the auto-aim system. However, if you can overcome the learning curve, this is one amazing Metroidvania hybrid.
9
A Robot Named Fight!
Rogue Robot Vs. Fleshy Nightmares
As someone who has played a ton of Metroidvanias and roguelikes, I can confidently assert that A Robot Named Fight! is one of the few hybrids that truly makes the combination work.
While the procedural generation is intriguing, what’s great is that the more milestones you reach, the crazier stuff you might encounter in the next run. That includes terrifying nightmare bosses, new biomes, and much more.
Though some basic areas will look familiar, the way they’re arranged is effectively randomized and stays true to the exploration style of games like Super Metroid.
Even though I first played it when it was originally released, this is one great Metroidvania that’s still fun to play years later.
8
Indivisible
Beat ‘Em Up In This Stunning World
The first time I played Indivisible was at PAX West, where I was utterly blown away by the trademark artistic quality of Lab Zero Games. Upon playing it, I realized this wasn’t just another great game from the team behind Skullgirls. It was one of their best games ever.
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What’s neat is it’s built around fighting game mechanics in turn-based battles, but takes place in a world with Metroidvania exploration.
While the combat timing does take some time to perfect, once you get the hang of it, it’s a lot of fun. Especially given the massive roster of playable characters. Indivisible was a truly exceptional adventure, and one that shows that novel Metroidvanias can work well.
7
La-Mulana 2
Retro Pain
I’m just going to be honest, me and the La-Mulana games have a bit of a love/hate relationship. I admire them for their dedication to making a modern game that’s stylistically similar to an MSX adventure, but I hate how freaking obscure they can be.
While La-Mulana 2 is a bit better at clarity than the original adventure, this is still a very challenging adventure. The sort of challenge that comes from secrets hidden in plain sight.
If you’re the more patient sort, you’ll find a captivating adventure that explores ancient ruins full of deadly monsters and tons of dangerous secrets. Just be ready, because no matter how you cut it, La-Mulana 2 is a game that’s going to kill you again and again.
6
Worldless
RPG Battles Meet A Brave New World
I have very strict ideas in my mind for what to expect from combat in Metroidvanias. And generally, they don’t even think about turn-based battles. Yet somehow, Worldless made this weird fusion of the two work.
Similar to Indivisible mixing the genre with fighting games, Worldless has you explore like usual, and then shifts to turn-based for combat encounters.
Mix in a cryptic and captivating plot and a simple yet compelling visual style, and you have a fascinating hybrid. The turn-based combat will surely turn some players off, but for those that enjoy both genres, this one is a great choice.
5
Crypt Custodian
Digging Up Some Fun
I’m of the mind that if you’re not a fan of Kyle Thompson’s work, it’s only because you haven’t played any of his games yet. This talented indie dev has made a trio of Metroidvanias so far, and yet somehow Crypt Custodian is quite different from Sheepo and Islets.
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The main way that’s the case is how it mixes Metroidvania traditions with Zelda-like flair. Which honestly makes so much sense that I’d like to see more examples in the future.
Throw in a whimsical plot about a cat janitor working in the afterlife, a vast world to explore, and colorful visual flair, and you have a winner.
4
Yoku’s Island Express
Pinballvania FTW
We’re getting close to the end now, which means it’s time to whip out the big guns! And Yoku’s Island Express qualifies.
Before the game, you would have never, ever considered a Metroidvania set in a colorful pinball world. And yet somehow, they made it work marvelously.
You’ll love your time spent exploring the delightful world of Mokumana Island, and find that even a simple mail carrier can be a hero.
The only thing holding Yoku’s Island Express back from a higher placement is how brutal some of the boss battles can prove. But honestly, this is a gem regardless and feels endlessly creative throughout.
3
SteamWorld Dig 2
The Robotic Wild West
The first of the SteamWorld games to really grab me was the original SteamWorld Dig, and then the sequel truly made me a believer. Not only is SteamWorld Dig 2 a fun Metroidvania, but it also deftly mixes simple-to-learn, hard-to-master mining gameplay.
You’ll explore a Wild West world full of snarky robots and slowly uncover a dangerous secret that threatens their way of life.
While the game can be mellow much of the time, it ramps up during boss battles, where you’ll have to act quickly and decisively.
Honestly, if you’re not already a fan of the SteamWorld universe, this is a great starting point.
2
Animal Well
A Pacifist Adventure
One of the main conceits in almost every Metroidvania is getting stronger and finding new ways to both explore and fight.
In Animal Well, there’s plenty of exploration, but no fighting. You really can’t destroy the many dangerous animals that want to gobble you up. Instead, you’ll need to find ways to deter and evade them.
Mix in some psychedelic visuals, catchy sound design, and secrets hidden everywhere, and you’ll find a captivating adventure. Just get ready for lots of devious puzzles to solve, many of which might make your brain hurt a little.
1
Dead Cells
From Zero to Hero?
Sometimes you know a special game when you first see it. For me, that happened many years ago when I discovered a game called Dead Cells at a PAX West booth, and was utterly spellbound.
Fast-forward a bit, and you’ll find not just a great game, but one that effortlessly mixes Metroidvanias, roguelites, and Souls games. Which, honestly, should be a mess, but it works.
Playing as a failed experiment allows you to grow stronger and stronger, finding new armor, techniques, and more to give yourself a fighting chance.
You’ll need all the help you can get, since this is not an easy game, but it’s one that’s easy to get lost in – especially after the addition of tons and tons of optional DLC campaigns. Dead Cells proves that sometimes the best Metroidvanias are ones that learn to do new tricks.
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