Amazing Metroidvanias With Unique Mechanics

Gaming genres usually come to the fore in one of two ways. Some genres have been around since the advent of gaming, like shooters, platformers, and racing games. Then you have genres that tend to become mainstays in the industry thanks to a particular game or group of games creating a new format that people really resonate with.

Souls-Likes and Walking Simulators are more modern examples of these genres popping up out of nowhere, and many moons ago, the Metroid and Castlevania franchises did a similar thing, as they co-created the aptly named Medroidvania genre.

Many games in the genre have leaned heavily on the blueprint these games passed down through the ages. However, a few titles in the genre have managed to take big swings, and these have paid off. So, to celebrate those who have pushed the genre forward, here are ten amazing Metroidvanias with truly unique mechanics.

10

Arcane Assembly

If Yes, Then Cast Fireball

We kick things off with a recent Metroidvania release that perhaps doesn’t have the polish, popularity, and overall quality of the other entries on this list, but it does have a really cool core mechanic that makes it well worth a mention.

In Arcane Assembly, you play as a mage, but instead of learning skills and abilities automatically and being able to use them at the touch of a button, you’ll need to use programming principles to program your spells.

This game essentially works as a fun Metroidvania and an education in the basics of programming. But instead of it being a drag like a math class, it’s actually a joy to experiment with different codes to create new and interesting spells and builds. So, whether you’re a C++ user, a Python person, or just interested in a new and exciting tweak on the Metroidvania formula, this is well worth a look.

9

The Knight Witch

Bullet Hell & Killer Spells

In most Metroidvania games, platforming plays a vital role in how you traverse the world, as does close-quarters melee combat. But The Knight Witch is a game that throws these Metroidvania staples out the window and instead allows you to float around the world and engage with everything on screen as if it were a bullet-hell title, not unlike something like Resogun.

But the unique aspects don’t stop there, as you can also use various card-based spell builds that suit your playstyle, allowing you to navigate this magical world, and make mince meat of the various bosses that will try and take you down.

It’s a beautiful, cathartic and polished Metroidvania, and one that I feel went a little under the radar on release. So be sure to pick it up and give it a blast.

8

BIOMORPH

Know Thy enemy

Next up, we have a game that was lovingly described as Hollow Knight meets Kirby. BIOMORPH is a title that pins you against a series of unique and interesting enemy variants, but the unique twist occurs when you manage to take them down.

This game allows you to morph into the enemies you encounter, and each of them has a unique set of abilities that are vital for overcoming obstacles, winning fights, and solving puzzles.

In particular, the puzzles within this game are expertly crafted and well-implemented. Plus, the writing has a perfect blend of silliness and sci-fi fantasy, making for a riveting story. It’s perhaps not quite as impressive as its inspiration, Hollow Knight, but it’s a standout Metroidvania from this year that is well worth checking out.

7

Monster Sanctuary

Gotta Catch ‘Em All

As has been proven by games like Palworld and Moonstone Island, adding creature taming to a new genre can really help your game stand out from the crowd. However, this was an idea that had been seen to fruition years before both of these games by Monster Sanctuary, a traditional Metroidvania with the added caveat of being able to tame and train monsters. This makes this a Metroidvania tailor-made for all the Pokémon fans out there.

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But the game doesn’t rely on that gimmick alone, as the game offers a fun story, plenty of monster variety, a randomizer mode to ensure replayability, and offers a unique battle system that demands players find synergies among their monsters.

I would warn Metroidvania fans that this game is definitely a creature tamer first and a Metroidvania second, but overall, it’s still a game that fans of the genre will get a real kick out of.

6

Minishoot Adventures

It’s Dangerous To Go Alone… Take This Spaceship

Metroidvania

Twin-Stick Shooter

Systems

Released

April 2, 2024

Developer(s)

SoulGame Studio

Publisher(s)

SoulGame Studio
, IndieArk

Engine

Unity

ESRB

t

Expand

We already have a bullet hell Metroidvania combo on this list, so I guess we need to step up a little. How about a top-down twin-stick shooter Metroidvania that also plays like a 2D Zelda game of old? Yeah, I bet that’s got your attention.

Minishoot Adventures is a game that focuses on offering cathartic and refined shooter mechanics and rewarding exploration in a beautifully illustrated 2D world. Complete with Zelda-esque dungeon crawling that will make you feel like you’ve been transported back to the days of the SNES.

It’s a staggeringly creative little indie gem that may lack in terms of puzzles and narrative, but it has such fantastic gameplay that you’ll be so invested in Pew-Pewing that you’ll likely not even notice.

5

Pseudoregalia

A Metroidvania That Dares To Enter The Third Dimension

When you think Metroidvania, you think of a beautifully hand-drawn 2D game, which tends to be the standard. This is why Pseudoregalia stands out from the pack by daring to be a 3D Metroidvania.

The game has chunky polygons reminiscent of old PS1 platformers, and also offers combat that isn’t too far removed from that of a Souls-like game, but the true standout feature here is how you get around in this game.

Over the course of this title, your character gains skills and abilities that make them a parkour extraordinaire, and as you gain these new skills, you too will feel like a platforming pro as you seamlessly combine these skills to reach new areas in feats of gymnastic brilliance.

It’s one of the most underrated Metroidvania games out there today, and that’s reason enough to give Pseudoregalia its moment in the sun.

4

Yoku’s Island Express

Just A Little Bug With Big Dreams

If you’re of a certain age, you may remember an era when pinball machines were all the rage and a firm favorite of many who frequented arcades.

However, aside from a few pinball games like Pokemon Pinball or Sonic Pinball Party, few games have tried to implement pinball mechanics into a video game in a unique and interesting way. But in 2018, that changed when Yoku’s Island Express burst onto the scene.

This vibrant island romp would see you play as a little dung beetle with lofty ambitions of becoming the island’s mailman, and to get around the island, players need to navigate various pinball arenas, using ramps, tracks, and bumpers to beat bosses and solve puzzles. It sounds ridiculous, but in practice it works a treat when combined with the traditional side-scrolling Metroidvania formula.

3

Animal Well

A Contender For Indie Game of the Year

When it comes to the unique things that Animal Well does to re-invent the Metroidvania genre, you are spoiled for choice. You have the unique way that the game handles traversal and replaces double jumps with bubble blowers, as well as dashes with a Frisbee you can hop on.

Or you could highlight the interesting boss design that acts more like puzzles to solve than combat encounters. However, for me, the brilliance of Animal Well’s design revolves around natural discovery.

The game has been the catalyst for a sub-genre of its own known as the ‘Metroidbrainia’ which asks the player to explore the world with no assistance, quest markers or developer guidance, and through experimentation and exploration, the game slowly reveals its multitude of secrets.

Animal Well is a nailed-on contender for this year’s indie game of the year, and that alone is reason enough to jump in and see what all the fuss is about.

2

Nine Sols

A Tao Treat For All Souls Fans

Action

Platformer

Soulslike

Systems

Released

May 29, 2024

Developer(s)

RedCandleGames

Publisher(s)

RedCandleGames

Engine

Unity

ESRB

t

Expand

Our runner-up in this Metroidvania design showcase is Nine Sols, a game that manages to bring a Souls-like experience to the Metroidvania community, and a bloody good one at that.

Now, this is exactly a new thing, as Salt and Sanctuary managed to do this rather competently many years back. But why Nine Sols stands out from the crowd is because this is less of a homage to Dark Souls, and more of a love letter to Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.

Nine Sols manages to weave a killer narrative, provide excellent world design, and offer cathartic platforming that makes the player feel like a ninja. It also provides a combat system that focuses on parrying, much like Sekiro, meaning that players are forced to hone their skills, analyze their opponents, and become human metronomes to master the timing needed to block incoming attacks.

It’s a staggeringly refined Souls-Like meets Metroidvania, and just as challenging as you would expect. So, if that sounds like your thing, dive into this one soon.

1

Laika: Aged Through Blood

Gory, Gritty & Gorgeous

Then, to put the cherry on top of this tasty Metroidvania cake, we have a game that will appeal to Max Payne fans and Trials Fusions fans alike. Laika: Aged Through Blood tells a mature and gritty story centered around family and vengeance, complete with crisp Western-inspired visuals and a sublime soundtrack.

However, even with this expert presentation and writing front and center, it’s the gameplay that steals the show.

This game has you race through each area on your trusty motorcycle, and use various weapons to blow enemies to kingdom come in Max Payne-esque slow-mo bullet time style. And I know it probably goes without saying, but let me tell you, it’s a high-octane, gore-fuelled experience that’s tons of fun.

Every backflip, headshot, and gory explosion feels deeply satisfying, and for me, this is the most unique and engaging take on the classic Metroidvania formula. So pop a wheelie and floor it to your digital store of choice to buy this one.

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