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But when talking about the best games in the genre, a few games will always come up. The good news for PC gamers is that many of these games are currently available on the various digital distribution platforms, despite the genre’s console origins. The best Metroidvania games on Steam are listed below.
This genre’s popularity has skyrocketed in recent years. Unfortunately, with so many different games available and more being made on a daily basis, it might be tough to select the ideal one for your tastes. Still, if you enjoy these games as much as we do, you might be interested in the list we put up of the finest Metroidvania titles on Steam. Even if you disagree with it, you could find a title that piques your curiosity, so let’s get started.
Here is the list of Best Metroidvania Games on Steam
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
One of the best Metroidvania games in years, these are the words that commonly begin Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night reviews. However, it didn’t get off to the best of starts. The demo shown to supporters was met with criticism after raising ten times the original goal on Kickstarter. As a result, the release date was pushed back, but the end product paid off and shown to the gamers that heart and soul were poured into it.
The dark, beautiful anime-style graphics in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night pay homage to the timeless classic. The map design and fighting also feel familiar, while the range of cool weapons and loads of powers allows you to customise your builds to meet your playstyle. For fans of metroidvania games, this is a must-play.
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
In F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch, you take on the role of Rayton, an anthropomorphic rabbit. Torch City is a steampunk-inspired dystopia where the totalitarian Machine Legion oppresses its animal inhabitants. Rayton, armed with upgradeable power armour and a giant robot fist, must join forces with a squad of resistance warriors to secure their freedom. It’s a good thing he’s a former soldier since he’ll need that experience if he wants to lead the resistance to victory.
Guacamelee! Super Turbo Championship Edition
The Mexican-themed colour extravaganza concentrates on tactical 2D animation close-up battle, with a slew of moves that flirt with the beat-em-up genre. The recent announcement of a Guacamelee 2 is exciting news, because it means developers DrinkBox will have broken out of their seeming cycle of remaking the previous one.
Guacamelee! was first, followed by Guac Gold, and finally by Super Turbo Championship Edition. That one included additional levels and skills, as well as four-player co-op. It’s still a touch rough around the edges, a little scrappy, and the boss fights are frequently insane difficulty spikes, but its passion and verve set it apart in an otherwise extremely serious genre.
Cave Story+
Cave Story+ is an updated version of the 2004 game that was well appreciated by players. The gameplay is simple, since it consists of travelling large labyrinths, leaping on levels, avoiding traps, and killing opponents. The intense mechanics and unforgettable soundtrack, on the other hand, made the game iconic and engaging until this day.
Cave Story+ acquired the ability to choose the difficulty level, as well as six additional modes, an HD visuals update, and a reworked soundtrack, which added to the game’s charm. Overall, we recommend it to anyone looking for SteamWorld Dig-style games. Overall, it is one of the best Metroidvania Games on Steam that you can steam from official website.
Owlboy
Owlboy immerses us in the story of Otus, a winged entity who is part boy and half owl. The game was born in agony because there was a 9-year gap between the first announcement and the game’s premiere! Fortunately, no time was wasted, and Owlboy was perfected down to the last detail. The ultimate result is stunning in terms of graphics and gameplay, which involves quick reflexes and strategy. Pixel-art graphics, retro-style music, a silent hero, and speech bubble dialogues will undoubtedly please many gamers who remember the games of the 1990s.
Shantae Half Genie Hero
Because you will spend a lot of time with your character as the main focus of the action, animation quality typically makes or breaks a Metroidvania, not only in terms of avoiding damage, but also in terms of general enjoyment. Shantae, the most anime of characters, is probably the best character to spend a few hours with.
She strikes foes with her vivid purple hair, is constantly on the go, and enjoys doing dancing routines. It’s simply a pleasure to command her. Half-Genie Hero’s skills include transformations into various animals, all of which are not only cute but also necessary for traversal, similar to hat transformations in Super Mario Odyssey.
Dead Cells
This is easily one of the best Roguelite games on PS5 and Steam, however opinions on its Metroidvania side are mixed. Dead Cells has received numerous positive reviews and has sold over six million units worldwide. It distinguishes itself as a sidescrolling roguelite with RPGs and Metroidvania themes. If you enjoy 2D action, this is without a doubt one of the most thrilling independent titles available on Steam.
Players must continually decide how to approach Dead Cells. They can try to be cautious and take it slowly, but they can also move quickly to collect additional rewards. Although the game’s skill-based nature may turn off some players, it becomes easier over time permanent rewards unlocked. If you enjoy Roguelites and Metroidvanias, we highly recommend Dead Cells.
Ori and the Blind Forest
If you enjoy Metroidvanias and games with distinct art styles, you will undoubtedly enjoy Ori and the Blind Forest. It creates a fantastic atmosphere that immerses you in a gorgeous universe where you must battle for your life at every turn. You play as a youthful spirit who travels a devastated planet in attempt to rebuild it, learning to find new ways around obstacles by acquiring new powers along the way. Ori is a pleasant and well-designed game in terms of playability. Its platformer features blend well with light combat systems, resulting in a game that encourages exploration while never losing that sense of adventure.
Hollow Knight
There’s a reason why the internet is still buzzing over the highly anticipated Hollow Knight: Silksong. The majority of this is due to Hollow Knight, a 2D action-adventure game developed by Team Cherry. Its game not only serves as a love letter to the Metroidvania genre, but it also demonstrates that the genre has a lot to offer in the context of modern gaming. Its lore-rich plot is complemented by a gorgeous hand-drawn graphic style that makes its subterranean country and its bug-like people feel larger than life.
Steamworld Dig 2
The gimmick of Steamworld Dig is that instead of discovering the map the traditional manner, you dig it yourself. We’ve already mentioned how many Metroidvanias are set in caves, but Steamworld Dig has found the best reason for you to be there: in a Steampunk world, your protagonist Dorothy the robot not only earns her way with what she finds underground, but she’s also looking for Rusty, the protagonist from the first Dig.
Steamworld Dig, like Iconoclasts, performs well with offering you less equipment and instead lets you employ a vast amount of upgrades and a well-thought-out skill tree of sorts for additional benefits, with which you can further customise your goods. Steamworld Dig is an almost pleasant experience until your lamp runs out of oil and you sprint to the surface to replenish it, that is, because the theme is relatively peppy and the difficulty curve is moderate.
Final Words
The best Metroidvania Games on Steam are those that truly embody a genre based on classic Metroid and Castlevania gaming experiences. Of course, since those early games, this has evolved into a well-established genre in its own right, which means there are simply too many titles to play through. But that’s where we come in, having travelled many a barren place in search of the best the genre has to offer.