September 4, 2025
Action, 2D, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
Hollow Knight: Silksong is a 2D platformer from Team Cherry, a continuation of the hit of 2017. The game offers a great world with a partially open structure, a crafting system and an extensive dexterity combat system, based on acrobatic maneuvers.
OpenCritic
Steam
December 4, 2025
Action, FPP, Metroidvania, Action Adventure, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Nintendo Exclusive.
The fourth full-fledged installment in the best-selling action series Metroid Prime, owned by Nintendo. The story of Metroid Prime 4: Beyond takes place on the exoplanet Viewros. Once again, we can play as Samus Aran, equipped with psychic abilities, a diverse arsenal, a futuristic motorcycle, and an option to turn into a Morph Ball. We explore locations, fight enemies, and solve puzzles.
OpenCritic
Users
February 24, 2017
Action, 2D, Crowdfunding, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
Hollow Knight is a 2D metroidvania game developed by the indie studio Team Cherry. The game takes us to a fantasy underground world located bellow the city of Dirtmouth. The place attracts numerous adventurers, who disappear without a trace when they enter it. We play as an adventurer who decides to face the challenge and find riches, fame, and the answers he is looking for in that underground world. The game is presented from a side-scrolling perspective. Gameplay focuses on the exploration of vast locations, leveling and progressing our character, finding more and more powerful equipment, and fighting with the encountered enemies. During our exploration of the underworld, we will find not only many traps and dangers awaiting us, but also some friendly NPCs that will aid us with their knowledge or useful items.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
August 7, 2018
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Indie Games, Metroidvania, PC Game Pass, Platformers, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Roguelike, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Essential, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
An action game with roguelike and metroidvania elements by indie French studio Motion Twin. During the game, you explore a grim castle, whose elements (such as chambers, cloisters, and sewers) are procedurally generated. Given the permadeath system, it means that each new gameplay is a fresh experience, during which you can discover new parts of the fortress. An important aspect of Dead Cells is combat, which is very difficult. To succeed you have to work out the patterns of the enemies' attacks and to get the protagonist to a high enough level. In combat you use melee and ranged weapons, as well as offensive and defensive magic. The game features pleasant 2D pixel-art visuals.
Steam
Users
May 16, 2011
Arcade, 2D, Crafting, Indie Games, Internet, Co-op, LAN, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, Platformers, Splitscreen, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Roguelike, Sandbox, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate.
A sandbox platform game by indie studio Re-Logic, sometimes called the 2D version of the popular Minecraft. There is no set goal; your task is basically to shape the randomly-generated world around you. At first you only have a few basic tools, which allow you to dig and find resources, chop wood, and create simple structures. As the game progresses, due to the extensive crafting system, you discover better tools, allowing you to create advanced materials and to fight monsters. There are many possibilities in the game, and the only restriction is your own imagination. Terraria features a single player mode, but you can join forces with other players, thus gaining precious allies, who can help you with the more challenging tasks.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
August 24, 2023
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
The sequel to a 2019 soulslike action platformer. Blasphemous II retains its predecessor's pixel art and enemy design inspired by medieval Christianity.
Steam
Users
November 15, 2023
Action, 2D, Crowdfunding, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action platformer metroidvania. The Last Faith stars Eric, traversing a dangerous gothic city, trying to learn the truth about an ancient prophecy and the corruption consuming the land.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
July 22, 2016
Action, 2D, Crafting, Indie Games, Internet, Co-op, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, Platformers, Roguelike, Sandbox, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
An exploration game that eludes standard genre classification, developed by independent studio Chucklefish. Starbound combines elements of a 2D sandbox platformer and a strategy game. As you play, you explore and colonize other planets, provide for their inhabitants, construct useful items and vehicles, as well as fight hostile aliens. The game is set in a procedurally generated world,providing a great amount of freedom to the players. In addition to the single player mode, Starbound offers the ability to play with other people (via Intertnet) in competitive or cooperative modes. The game's retro graphics is characterized by a limited color palette and pixel-art stylistics.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
March 11, 2020
Action, 2D, Fantasy, Metroidvania, PC Game Pass, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, Xbox Play Anywhere, Xbox Game Pass Essential.
The second part of the metroidvania series, in which the players play the title ghost. In Ori and the Will of the Wisps, the protagonist leaves Nibel forest to discover his true destiny as he travels through an exotic world.
Gamepressure
Users
August 27, 2024
Action, Indie Games, Cats, Metroidvania, Action Adventure, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
A metroidvania with elements of action adventure game, inspired by The Legend of Zelda series. Crypt Custodian allows us to play as the cat Pluto, who ended up in the underworld after death. We explore this world and try to change our fate.
Steam
January 20, 2026
Action, 2.5D, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A colorful side-scrolling metroidvania, requiring a lot of precision from the player and in many ways similar to the Ori series. MIO: Memories in Orbit has us exploring the decks of a gigantic space ship, playing as a small robot. We must fight enemies (including bosses) and use our skills to explore hard-to-reach places.
September 10, 2019
Action, 2D, Crowdfunding, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A soulslike action platformer. Blasphemous features high-quality pixel art visuals and has us facing down hordes of nightmarish enemies inspired by medieval Christianity.
Steam
Users
March 11, 2015
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Singleplayer.
A two-dimensional platformer with RPG elements, produced by Moon Studios, an independent developer. It belongs to a subgenre called metroidvania. We assume the role of a young and inexperienced forest spirit who will try to learn more about himself and the world around him during his long journey. In the game we explore vast areas full of hidden passages and shortcuts while solving puzzles and facing challenges testing our agility. In order to gain access to some parts of the map we have to unlock special abilities first. The developers have decided not to use any dialogue; the plot is presented only through silent cut-scenes. The unique atmosphere of the game is enhanced by beautiful, hand-drawn backgrounds.
Steam
Users
November 11, 2025
Action, 2.5D, Metroidvania, Platformers, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A sci-fi metroidvania with elements of platforming and adventure games. In Possessor(s) we end up inside a city put under quarantine. We must figure out its mystery, eliminating enemies, solving puzzles and reaching previously unavailable places in the process.
OpenCritic
Steam
September 7, 2021
Action, 2.5D, RPG Elements, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
Arcade action game, belonging to the well-known subspecies of metroidvania. The production is set in the universe in the climate of dieselpunk, and the player takes on the role of quite an original hero - a humanoid rabbit, wearing a powerful mechanical arm on his back. The Chinese studio TiGames is responsible for creating this title.
Users
January 22, 2025
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A two-dimensional metroidvania platformer. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a sequel to Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights. It features Lilac as the new protagonist and it offers various new gameplay features, including voice overs and difficulty levels changes.
OpenCritic
Steam
March 11, 2016
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Premium, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
An expanded edition of the warmly received platform game developed by Moon studio in 2015. The story of Ori and the Blind Forest focuses on the titular spirit of the forest who is trying to learn something about itself and the world that surrounds it. The game lacks any dialogues and the story is told by using the gameplay and mute cutscenes. As for the mechanics, the game belongs to the subgenre called metroidvania. During the game player explores large, two-dimensional locations that contain many hidden passages, shortcuts, secrets, surprises and action challenges. As the game progresses, player unlocks new abilities of the protagonist that allow him to reach previously unavailable places. Definitive Edition offers 4 completely new locations, new abilities, music tracks and various improvements suggested by fans. Among the latter there are additional difficulty levels and a quick travel system.
Steam
Users
January 11, 2024
Action, 2D, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
The fifth game in the Momodora series, a continuation of the third installment. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell is an action platform metroidvania in which we play as a priestess named Momo, and our task is to fight off the demons.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
September 23, 2021
Action, 2D, Metroidvania, Package, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Vampires.
A set of four games from the Castlevania series, three of which debuted on the Game Boy Advance handheld, and one of which first appeared on the SNES console. The Castlevania Advance Collection introduced a number of new features, such as the ability to save games and rewind time.
OpenCritic
June 21, 2021
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Soulslike.
Metroidvania game in the format of an action platform game with RPG elements. In Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights we find ourselves in a ruined kingdom, which we wander as a priestess using skills of defeated enemies in battle.
Users
November 24, 2025
Action, 2D, Adventure Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A metroidvania with adventure elements, made by the creators of the point&click adventure game Truberbrook. In Constance, we assume the role of a female painter descending into madness. We explore the locations created by her mind, using brushes and paint as weapons.
OpenCritic
Steam
2026
Action, 2.5D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Co-op, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Platformers, Splitscreen, Action Adventure, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action metroidvania-styled game, featuring a side view and belonging to a series started in 2018. The main plot of Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement is set before the events presented in Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night. We follow the story of 2 warriors, exploring the gothic world and trying to stop the demons.
March 27, 2023
Action, 2D, Crowdfunding, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
Metroidvania realized in the convention of a platform action game. In 9 Years of Shadows, we are in an abandoned orphanage. We walk through it as a warrior named Europe, and our task is to unravel the mystery of missing orphans and crack down on the forces of evil.
OpenCritic
July 17, 2024
Action, 2D, Crowdfunding, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Japanese Mythology, Platformers, Action Adventure, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A crowdfunded indie game inspired by Japanese folklore. Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is an action adventure game with metroidvania elements, in which we play as a mythical fox-like tentaihana.
Users
August 24, 2022
Action, 2D, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A metroidvania in the form of an action platform game. In Islets you play as a warrior named Iko who wanders the world torn into smaller fragments, facing enemies and connecting successive islands.
Users
November 17, 2002
Adventure, FPP, FPS, Metroidvania, Action Adventure, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Shooters, Nintendo Exclusive.
Metroid Prime is a game that shows action from the eye view. This fact is undeniably associated with the FPP shooting genre. I Metroid Prime is it, but not entirely.
Users
October 25, 2013
Action, 2.5D, Batman, DC Comics, Comics, Metroidvania, Singleplayer, Superheroes, TPP.
A spin-off installment to the Warner Bros.’ Batman: Arkham series, initially developed for handheld consoles. The story follows the plot of Batman: Arkham Origins, giving us the opportunity to experience more of Batman’s adventures from before when he became the Dark Knight. The action is set in the eponymous Blackgate prison, where Batman has to quell an inmate riot. Arkham Origins Blackgate is a classical beat ‘em up fighting game. We observe the events from a side view and have a limited ability to move in third dimension. The gameplay focuses on exploration, fighting regular opponents and bosses, as well as interactions with characters and environment. As usual, Batman has a wide variety of characteristic gadgets at his disposal. The game also offers detective and predator modes, known from the previous installments in the series.
Steam
Users
June 18, 2019
Action, 2.5D, Crowdfunding, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Co-op, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Platformers, Splitscreen, Action Adventure, Singleplayer.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an action-adventure platform game set in a gothic horror setting. The game is a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series. The person in charge of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was Koji Igarashi, who previously worked on the Castlevania series over the course of many years. The game revolves around exploring a large castle, which is crawling with demons the players need to fight against, you also develop your character and gather items. The game features a local co-op mode.
Steam
Users
February 13, 2024
Action, 2D, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action platformer metroidvania. Ultros tells the story of Ouji traversing a cosmic Sarcophagus, searching for a way out, fighting enemies, learning about the place and its inhabitants.
OpenCritic
Steam
April 25, 2023
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action platformer metroidvania. Afterimage tells the story of an adventurer exploring the fantasy land of Engardin, learning its secrets, solving its problems and facing numerous dangers.
Users
October 8, 2021
Action, 2.5D, Metroidvania, Platformers, Action Adventure, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Nintendo Exclusive.
The fifth main installment in the Metroid series starring Samus Aran. In Metroid Dread, the famous bounty hunter must face a whole new threat from both aliens and deadly E.M.M.I. robots.
OpenCritic
May 20, 2025
Arcade, 2D, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Action Adventure, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Stealth.
The Siege and the Sandfox is a 2D platformer with sneaking elements, reminiscent of the Metroid and Castlevania series. In a lonely desert city, the hero is wrongly accused of murdering the king. Unlawfully sentenced to imprisonment in dungeons, he must find his way to the surface and clear his name. Only truth can prevent the collapse of the kingdom.
Steam
August 30, 2018
Action, 2D, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Ninja, Platformers, PS Plus Extra, PS Plus Premium, Singleplayer.
A hybrid of a classic platform game and of a metroidvania game. The player assumes the role of a ninja warrior who must save his village.
Steam
Users
February 2, 2017
Arcade, 2D, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Singleplayer.
A Metroidvania platformer in an 8-bit retro style, in which we play as Zoe - a girl equipped with a magic staff, who is trying to restore the old order in the fantasy land of Alwa. Over 400 locations with various challenges await you in Alwa's Awakening.
Steam
Users
February 9, 2004
Action, 2D, Metroidvania, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Nintendo Exclusive.
Metroid: Zero Mission again allows us to play the role of a girl named Samus. She can run, jump, shoot aliens. As he progresses, he gains additional skills that make it easier for us to exterminate enemies and explore new levels.
Users
March 5, 2013
Arcade, 2.5D, Fantasy, Metroidvania, Platformers, PS Plus Premium, Remaster/remake, Singleplayer, Vampires.
Set in fantasy reality platformer from MercurySteam studio, which is a side production to Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. Story of Mirror of Fate begins 25 years after events shown in parent game, when revenge-seeking Dracula wants to give humanity a real hell, and only his own son can stop him.
Steam
Users
October 31, 2024
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Singleplayer.
A large expansion for the metroidvania with platforming and soulslike elements. Blasphemous II: Mea Culpa offers new quests related to the titular sword. There are also new locations, bosses, NPCs and a completely new ending designed for the Penitent One protagonist.
October 22, 2024
Action, 2.5D, RPG Elements, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action platformer with elements from RPGs and metroidvania games. Awaken: Astral Blade features Tanya as the protagonist - a bionic girl who explores rainforests and other areas of the Horace Islands. The game allows to make choices to influence the story and its ending.
OpenCritic
March 27, 2025
Action, 2D, Fantasy, Co-op, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Platformers, Splitscreen, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
A metroidvania with pixel-art graphics and platforming elements. Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark is a sequel to Gal Guardians: Demon Purge and a spin-off of the Gal*Gun series. We play as two sisters with various skills and weapons, travelling through the land of demons and dealing with puzzles & opponents.
OpenCritic
Steam
September 27, 2022
Action, 2D, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
Moonscars is a metroidvania action platform game about a clay warrior Grey Irma, who wanders the dark world in search of the truth about herself. It was developed by Black Mermaid, an indie studio.
OpenCritic
Users
February 23, 2023
Action, 2D, Fantasy, Co-op, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Platformers, Splitscreen, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action adventure platformer metroidvania. In Grim Guardians: Demon Purge we play as demon hunters, traversing a dark castle and eliminating forces of evil.
Users
May 22, 2004
Arcade, 2D, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, Platformers, Singleplayer.
One of the nicest platform independent games. The production tells about the adventures of a daredevil who travels through an unusual, fantastic world, in which it does not happen best. The breed of underground beings is harassed by the evil Doctor. The hero must help the defenceless inhabitants of the caves. The game surprises with its extensive locations, twists and turns and very well thought-out gameplay.
Steam
Users
September 15, 2017
Action, 2.5D, Metroidvania, Science Fiction, Singleplayer, Nintendo Exclusive.
Metroid: Samus Returns is a remastered and thoroughly remodeled version of Metroid II: Samus Returns, which was originally released on Game Boy in 1991. The modern version was developed by MercuryStream Entertainment, creators of games like the well-received Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. As the title may suggest, Samus Aran, an intergalactic bounty hunter who fights with space pirates, is the protagonist here, just like in many other Metroid games. Action in the game is presented from a side-scrolling perspective. Gameplay focuses on exploration of various vast and nonlinear levels and elimination of the titular metroid creatures. As we progress, we gain access to new areas. Samus uses a wide range of Beams, futuristic cannons that fire energy bullets and beams. She also uses the unique abilities that her Space Jump suit grants her (she can jump higher when using it). Additionally, Samus can take alternative forms that will help her get to some normally inaccessible areas.
Users
December 12, 2024
Action, 2.5D, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Japanese Mythology, Platformers, Action Adventure, Samurai, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
The Spirit of the Samurai is an action adventure game set in the feudal Japan, in which we control three different characters - samurai, spirit and cat. The game was developed by Digital Mind studio.
OpenCritic
Steam
July 28, 2021
Arcade, 2D, Puzzle Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
Metroidvania type game, made in the convention of a platform game. In Unbound: Worlds Apart, we play the hooded Sol; he is able to open portals that create "bubbles" of alternative reality around him, thus dealing with various problems.
Gamepressure
Users
October 19, 2020
Action, 2D, Crowdfunding, RPG Elements, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Action Adventure, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
Endless Memories is an action adventure game representing a sub-genre of metroidvania in which we take on the role of Rema - an amnesiac traveler trying to recover lost memories by exploring the secrets of eight different dreams. During the game, we travel through vast locations, face the dangers lurking in them and solve ingenious puzzles. All this is complemented by extended RPG elements.
February 13, 2025
Action, 2D, Indie Games, Mechs, Metroidvania, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Shooters.
A retro shoot'em up inspired by the classic 2D platformers like Metal Slug. Guns of Fury allows us to cause destruction using a wide variety of weapons and mechs. The game combines dynamic action with obtaining skills and exploring a metroidvania world full of secrets waiting to be discovered.
Steam
January 16, 2025
Action, 2D, RPG Elements, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Platformers, Science Fiction, Side-scroll, Singleplayer.
An action platformer metroidvania. Blade Chimera has us playing as the warrior Shin, traversing a dystopian sci-fi world, cutting down hordes of monsters while trying to remember his past.
OpenCritic
Steam
April 23, 2024
Action, 2.5D, EA Play, Fantasy, Indie Games, Metroidvania, Mythology, Platformers, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Xbox Game Pass Ultimate, PC Game Pass.
An action platformer metroidvania. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU was created by Surgent Studios, founded by Abubakar Salim, an actor known for his roles as Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins, the Raised by Wolves TV series and many others.
OpenCritic
Steam
Users
July 28, 2025
Action, 2D, Dinosaurs, Co-op, Metroidvania, Multiplayer, For 2 Players, Prehistory, Side-scroll, Singleplayer, Survival, Platformers.
A metroidvania with action platformer and survival elements. Primal Planet takes us to prehistoric times and we play as a caveman trying to protect his family. In addition to fighting dinosarus we also have to deal with aliens. There's a solo mode and a coop mode in which the second player controls the dino sidekick.
Steam
