Ranking: The best metroidvania-style games for you to explore

You know that kind of game that keeps you hooked for hours, keeps you returning to old areas with new abilities, and always has a hidden secret waiting to be discovered? Well, we're talking about Metroidvanias! This genre blends action, exploration, and intelligent progression in an addictive way. If you enjoy adventuring through interconnected maps and unlocking paths with style, you've come to the right place. We've compiled a ranking of the best Metroidvania games. Metroidvania for you to know!

Ultras

Platforms: PC, PS5 | Metacritic Score: 81

After an accident leaves him trapped in the Sarcophagus, the player must unravel the mysteries of the universe in UltrasBetween hand-to-hand combat against alien creatures and moments of contemplation while cultivating the world's flora, each action influences access to new areas and abilities. The exploration of multifaceted environments and the narrative allow us to discover hidden secrets and cycles of rebirth, while the soundtrack and art—by the same artist as Hotline Miami — create a unique atmosphere.

Dandara

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS | Metacritic score: 81

Em Dandara, the player traverses the world of Sal using gravity-defying movements to reach new areas and overcome obstacles. The Brazilian-made game combines fast-paced combat, vertical exploration, and puzzle-solving that requires reflexes and reasoning in a unique way. Unlike other games, in Dandara, the player can only move by jumping between points on the map where they direct the main character, creating platforming dynamics unique to Brazil.

Shantae – Half Genie Hero

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Wii U, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 82

Em Shantae: Half-Genie Hero, the half-genie heroine sets out to investigate a crime wave that threatens the kingdom of Sequin LandThe game combines action stages with free-roaming exploration, allowing you to revisit areas and discover secrets as you acquire new abilities. Shantae can attack enemies with her hair and use magical dances to transform into different creatures, each with unique powers that alter the way she navigates the environments.

Blasphemous

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 82

The Penitent returns to Cvstodia, a world ravaged by The Miracle, and must break the eternal cycle of death and rebirth. In Blasphemous, you'll face hordes of grotesque monsters and titanic bosses using devastating combos and precise executions. Equipping relics, rosary beads, and prayers allows you to customize skills and strengthen attributes, adapting the gameplay to your style. By exploring the land inspired by a vision of Spanish Catholicism, which uses religious symbolism in a unique way, the player unravels the secrets and stories of the tormented inhabitants, discovering how each choice and battle influences the Penitent's journey.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 84

Miriam must fight the crystallization of her body in a castle overrun by demons. As the player explores the interconnected corridors and rooms, new weapons, spells, and abilities allow them to advance into previously blocked areas, revealing challenging enemies and bosses. Created by Koji Igarashi, one of the main figures behind the series. Castlevania, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, is a great game that combines precise combat, exploration and experimentation with equipment.

Nine Suns

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 84

Yi awakens in New Kunlun, a forgotten kingdom ruled by nine powerful leaders. The player faces combat that demands precision and reflexes (and plenty of parries), inspired by the Sekiro-lite, while exploring interconnected regions full of secrets in Nine Suns, one of the best games Metroidvania of recent years. The world combines elements of Eastern mythology with touches of science fiction, offering unique and visually rich settings. NPCs provide upgrades, abilities, and important information, while bosses challenge mastery of combat mechanics.

Yoku's Island Express

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 84

Upon arriving on the island of Mokumana, Yoku finds himself responsible for awakening an ancient sleeping god, and in Yoku's Island Express This involves exploring tropical regions, forests, snowy mountains, and mysterious caves. The game combines platforming and open-ended exploration with pinball mechanics, allowing the player to progress in creative ways, interact with residents, and unlock new abilities and power ups. Between challenges and battles against giant bosses, each area reveals secrets and stories of the island.

Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

Platforms: PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 84

When an ominous bell announces the arrival of demons in the village of Koho, Momo, the community's priestess, sets out on a divine mission to protect her people and the Tree of Lun. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, the player faces intense melee combat, dodges enemy attacks, and fires strategic arrows while exploring an interconnected world full of secrets and hidden narratives. The Seal system allows for customizable playstyle, and boss battles require precision and strategy.

Time Spinner

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 84

Em Time Spinner, Lunais is transported to an unknown world after the destruction of the device that controls time and the death of her family. Using her temporal powers, she must explore an interconnected world, collect magical orbs, and face enemies with swords and spells. The game combines exploration of connected areas, strategic combat, and boss battles that require dodging and precision. Additionally, players can recruit creatures to aid in combat, uncover secrets, and solve puzzles using time manipulation, advancing the history of the Empire. Lachiem.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

Platforms: PC, PS5, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 85

Lilac awakens in an underground laboratory and sets out on a mission to save crazed homunculi and endangered humans in the vast Land of Vapors. In Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist, the player explores abandoned cities, laboratories, and factories while uncovering the history and secrets of a decaying magical nation. Companions can be recruited and their skills combined to create unique combat styles. With detailed 2D art, polished animations, and a beautiful soundtrack, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist offers one of the best experiences among style games Hollow Knight.

Blasphemous 2

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series S/X, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 85

Em Blasphemous 2, the player once again assumes the role of the Penitent, trapped in a cycle of death and rebirth in a world filled with symbolism and challenges. The journey unfolds through interconnected environments, where each area reveals new secrets, shortcuts, and grotesque enemies in beautiful pixel art. Combat has been improved over its predecessor: the player now has three different weapons that significantly change the approach to each battle and increase gameplay diversity.

The Messenger

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 86

A young ninja must traverse a cursed world to deliver a crucial scroll to his clan, and it is here that The Messenger combines intense action and strategic exploration. The game alternates between classic platforming stages and time-travel mechanics that open up alternate paths, secrets, and special abilities. Fighting enemies and bosses requires precision and reflexes, while character upgrades and new techniques expand the player's options. The environments and sprites, drawn in 8- and 16-bit styles, are one of the best 2D exploration games.

Iconoclasts

Platforms: PC, PS4, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 87

Iconoclasts follows Robin, a young mechanic who defies the rules of a world where repairing machines without a license is considered a sin. Armed only with her wrench and curiosity, the player explores a collapsing planet, solving environmental puzzles and facing enemies that test skill and precision. The adventure blends action and platforming with moments of intense narrative, where Robin's choices and discoveries reveal secrets about faith, obedience, and purpose.

Guacamelee! 2

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 87

Em Guacamelee! 2, the player takes control of Juan Aguacate in an adventure that blends combat and platforming in a world inspired by Mexican folklore. Exploration involves unlocking abilities that allow access to new areas, while combat requires combining blows and movements to overcome creative enemies and bosses. The game also offers local co-op for up to four players, expanding the dynamic battles and platforming challenges. With varied environments, each region presents unique enemies, hidden secrets, and opportunities to evolve Juan's skills.

SteamWorld Dig 2

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series S/X, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 88

Em SteamWorld Dig 2, the player controls a mining robot that sets out in search of a missing friend, exploring an underworld filled with secrets and dangers. Progression occurs as new tools and upgrades are obtained, allowing the player to dig deeper and reach previously inaccessible areas. The mining system combines combat and exploration, balancing the search for resources with facing enemies and underground traps. Each discovery helps reveal the origin of the earthquakes that shake the surface, while the player perfects their equipment to survive and unravel the mysteries of the subterranean.

Owlboy

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 88

Otus, a young mute owl, must protect his community and face sky pirates in OwlboyThe game combines exploration of vast cloudscapes with precise platforming and flight mechanics, allowing you to carry allies with unique abilities to aid you in combat and solve challenges. Players progress through detailed dungeons, facing challenging enemies and bosses while uncovering hidden secrets and lore.

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch, iOS | Metacritic score: 88

Em Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, the player assumes the role of a warrior capable of manipulating time to explore the Mountain of Qaf and face corrupted enemies and mythological creatures. The game combines melee combat and precise platforming, allowing players to perform strategic combos and overcome obstacles. Along the way, they can discover monuments, distinct biomes, hidden treasures, and challenges that require intelligence and planning. Each area offers different paths and secrets, encouraging exploration and progression as the player advances through the story and unravels the mysteries of this cursed world.

Axiom Verge

Platforms: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Wii U | Metacritic score: 89

After a laboratory accident, scientist Travis awakens in an alien world full of mysteries, and it is in this scenario that Axiom Verge challenges the player to explore its labyrinthine passages. Unique weapons, items, and abilities allow access to new areas, solve puzzles, and face bizarre enemies, including biomechanoid constructs and threats from ancient wars. The gameplay encourages creativity, even allowing the use of glitches to manipulate the environment and overcome obstacles, making it one of the best platform and action games.

Hollow Knight

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 90

Below the city of Dirtmouth, an ancient and forgotten kingdom awaits the curious and brave. In Hollow Knight, the player explores winding caves, ruined cities, and dense forests, facing varied enemies and powerful bosses while unlocking unique abilities such as spells, ethereal wings, and dash attacks. Amulets and relics allow players to customize their playstyle, and interactions with characters and enemies reveal secrets of the realm. Hallownest. With an interconnected world filled with hidden passages and strategic challenges, Hollow Knight is considered one of the best Metroidvania and one of those responsible for the current popularization of the genre.

Animal Well

Platforms: PC, PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 90

Upon emerging from its flower, the player finds himself in a pixelated world full of life and mystery. Animal WellExploration and observation are essential: every item, creature, and environmental detail can reveal secrets or clues to solve complex puzzles. The non-linear experience allows you to collect upgrades in any order you choose, while candles and creative interactions help you survive the pit's challenges. More than just action, Animal Well bets on tension, curiosity and discoveries, offering a universe where the player's perception determines how to advance and unravel the mysteries hidden throughout the world.

Dead Cells

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, iOS | Metacritic score: 91

Each attempt at Dead Cells It forces you to start over on an ever-changing island, controlling bodies that don't survive enemy encounters. As you die and learn, you unlock new weapons, mutations, and abilities, allowing you to explore different paths in future attempts. Combat demands precision and reflexes, combining quick dodges with strategic attacks, and the constant threat of death keeps the tension high. The interconnected world structure offers alternate routes and secrets to discover, ensuring that each playthrough is unique within the genre. roguevania.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch | Metacritic score: 93

Looking for challenging adventure games? Ori and the Will of the Wisps may be one of the best options available today. When Kun, the little owl, is in danger, Ori must traverse a vast and challenging world to reunite his family and restore the shattered land. Ori and the Will of the Wisps combines platforming with exploration of interconnected environments, as the player unlocks new abilities that allow access to previously inaccessible areas. Enemies and obstacles require quick reflexes, and each interaction with the environment or character reveals more about the world's history in a beautiful game.

Hollow Knight Silksong

Platforms: PC, PS5, PS4, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Nintendo Switch 2 | Metacritic score: 94

Captured and taken to an unknown realm, Hornet must face dangers and unravel ancient mysteries as she ascends through the territories of Hollow Knight: Silksong. The game matches precise platforming and agile combat, allowing the player to perform acrobatic and deadly moves against over 200 enemies, including legendary bosses. Various tools, weapons, and mechanisms expand exploration possibilities, while quests and secrets offer additional challenges. Each area of ​​the world, from mossy caves to golden cities, reveals new powers and stories, making Silksong one of the best exploration and combat games and one of the biggest releases in recent years.

Bonus: Metroid Series

A série Metroid laid the foundation for the Metroidvania genre by combining platforming action with exploration of interconnected worlds, unlocking abilities, and discovering secrets. Games like Metroid (1986) Super Metroid (1994) and Metroid Prime (2002) show the evolution of the franchise and how it influenced the way maps, progression, and narrative are structured in exploration adventures. The franchise is a benchmark for non-linear world design and skill-based progression.

Bonus: Castlevania Series

Finally, the series Castlevania was also fundamental to the Metroidvania genre, bringing gothic settings, challenging combat, and exploration in interconnected maps. Titles like Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997) Aria of Sorrow (2003) and Order of Ecclesia (2008) defined classic elements of the genre, including bosses with complex attack patterns, unlockable abilities and equipment, and interconnected maps, influencing many adventure and exploration games that came after.

What are yours? Favorite Metroidvanias? Comment below and share your adventures and discoveries in these worlds full of exploration and challenges!

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Text revised by Alexandre Marques in 23 / 10 / 2025.

Source: Metacritic.