25 Metroidvanias You Should Play Next

There is a deep bench of metroidvanias that mix exploration, ability gated routes, and memorable worlds, so this list rounds up titles that highlight different styles and mechanics. You will find precision platformers, combat focused adventures, and games that experiment with pinball, digging, or speedrunning structures. Each pick uses a map that opens up as you gain movement or combat upgrades. Use this as a roadmap to pick the next world you want to learn and master.

Hollow Knight

This sprawling adventure features a hand drawn world with interconnected zones and a map that rewards careful exploration. Movement expands through abilities like Mothwing Cloak and Crystal Heart which open new paths and secrets. Combat relies on nail strikes, spell casting, and charm loadouts that let you tweak builds. The game uses benches for checkpoints and a currency drop system that encourages risk management.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

This entry focuses on fluid traversal with abilities such as Bash, Grapple, and Kuro’s Feather that chain together for fast movement. The world is separated into distinct regions with keystones, spirit trials, and optional combat shrines. Progression uses spirit shards to customize damage, defense, and utility. A robust checkpoint system and warp wells support quick routing and backtracking.

Metroid Dread

Samus explores planet ZDR with upgrades like the Speed Booster, Screw Attack, and Storm Missiles that unlock color coded gates and hidden routes. Zones connect through elevators and trams that create smart loops for repeated passes. EMMI patrol areas add stealth and route planning until you acquire the Omega Blaster to clear them. Power suit expansions and energy tanks increase survivability as you map every room.

Castlevania Symphony of the Night

The castle opens as you gain forms and relics that alter traversal such as Bat, Mist, and Leap Stone. Equipment loadouts and a large set of weapons allow different combat approaches. The map reveals an inverted version for a second phase of exploration. Secret rooms, breakable walls, and percentage tracking reward thorough play.

Bloodstained Ritual of the Night

Shards provide active and passive powers that change both movement and combat. Crafting and alchemy expand gear options while portraits and quests add side goals. The castle map includes teleport rooms for fast travel between major hubs. Bosses grant key traversal abilities that open shortcuts and optional areas.

Blasphemous

This dark fantasy world uses Mea Culpa upgrades and rosary beads to shape your build. Prie Dieu checkpoints and bile flasks manage health and risk during long routes. The map connects through elevators and looping corridors with optional reliquaries and guilt mechanics. Platforming challenges and secret rooms reward items that boost survivability and damage.

Blasphemous 2

Traversal expands through new tools such as double jump, air dash, and weapon specific mobility moves. Three distinct weapons change attack strings and ability interactions with the environment. Town services upgrade health, fervour, and flask capacity as you find collectibles. Nonlinear paths allow different boss orders and varied progression routes.

Axiom Verge

Guns and tools like the Address Disruptor and lab coat teleport create unusual ways to bypass barriers. The world leans on glitches as a mechanic with hidden rooms and alternate enemy states. Health and weapon nodes serve as permanent upgrades that reward scouting. Lore terminals and optional zones expand the backstory while keeping the focus on exploration.

Axiom Verge 2

An overworld and a parallel breach dimension offer layered maps with different rules. The drone form and hacking system provide stealth and puzzle options beyond pure combat. Progression is flexible with many areas accessible in multiple orders. Collectibles increase attributes and open upgrades across both planes.

Dead Cells

Procedural biomes link together through branching exits that support different runs. Movement is fast with double jump, roll, and mid air resets from skills and mutations. Blueprints unlock gear in a persistent pool while cells bank toward permanent unlocks. Timed doors and challenge rooms add routing choices for resource gain.

Guacamelee

A dimension swap mechanic lets you shift between worlds to solve platforming and combat puzzles. Wrestling style moves double as keys that break specific block types. The map uses statues to grant movement powers like Pollo form and Eagle Boost. Optional temples and side quests deliver heart pieces and costume rewards.

Guacamelee 2

The sequel expands dimension mechanics and adds new chicken abilities that change traversal. Co op supports shared routes through complex platforming challenges. Metroidvania structure remains with color coded barriers and statue upgrades. Optional challenge rooms and timelines add replay paths.

The Messenger

The adventure begins as a side scroller and later opens into a time hopping structure that functions like a metroidvania. Rifts shift levels between 8 bit and 16 bit eras which alter routes and secrets. Movement centers on cloudstepping and rope dart for chained platforming. Collectibles unlock health, shuriken capacity, and passive boosts.

SteamWorld Dig 2

Exploration digs downward through a handcrafted mine that links hubs and secret caves. Upgrades improve the pickaxe, pressure system, and movement tools like hookshot and jetpack. Gems fund gear tiers while artifacts unlock permanent perks. Fast travel tubes and surface vendors streamline long sessions.

Yoku’s Island Express

Pinball paddles and bumpers replace traditional jumps to move through a contiguous island. Abilities like the Slug Vacuum and swim upgrades open new routes. Side quests for villagers and deliverables guide you across the map. Collectibles expand wallet size and unlock traversal shortcuts.

Ender Lilies Quietus of the Knights

Spirits gained from bosses and elites grant interchangeable skills for combat and traversal. The map uses relics, breakable floors, and water routes to reveal new areas. Rest points reset enemies and allow loadout changes. Story fragments and multiple endings encourage thorough clearing.

Grime

Absorption mechanics convert enemy attacks into resources that unlock traits. The world connects through tunnels and elevators with environmental puzzles. Weapons evolve with different movesets and scaling paths. Nerve conduits act as checkpoints and fast travel nodes between regions.

F.I.S.T. Forged In Shadow Torch

A dieselpunk city links districts through subways and service corridors. The fist, drill, and whip weapons double as traversal tools that break specific obstacles. Chips and skill trees expand combos and utility. Side dungeons and challenge rooms add upgrade materials and collectibles.

Gato Roboto

A compact map focuses on suit based traversal with swim and climb sections. Upgrades such as missiles and dash open small but dense routes. Save stations and simple objectives keep pacing brisk. Optional cartridges and health tanks reward full clears.

Dandara

Movement uses directional leaps from surfaces rather than a traditional jump which changes room design. Progression adds arrows for traversal and more energy management. The map features warps, hidden rooms, and upgrade shrines. Difficulty is managed through permanent health and ammo expansions.

Timespinner

Orb weapons define combat with swappable elements and different ranges. Time stop allows puzzle solutions and safe traversal in hazard rooms. Portals link timelines that alter areas and unlock new routes. Crafting and familiars add build depth with permanent upgrades across the map.

Sundered

A branching skill tree and corrupt options let you choose between stable and chaotic upgrades. The world uses shifting layouts and wave encounters tied to region events. Shards and perks unlock mobility and combat boosts. Boss shards provide transformational powers that open sealed paths.

Iconoclasts

Puzzles and traversal revolve around a wrench that turns bolts and a blaster that interacts with switches. Regions connect through towns, caves, and facilities with backtracking once new tools are earned. Character upgrades expand health and energy usage. The map provides teleports for quick travel between hubs.

Afterimage

Hand painted environments tie together a large map with multiple biomes. Weapons and talents allow flexible builds that scale through found materials. Mobility expands through double jump, air dash, and special movement arts. Optional bosses and hidden areas provide advanced gear and lore.

Prince of Persia The Lost Crown

This entry brings tight platforming with time powers that include a placed marker and a recall for route solving. Ability unlocks like double jump and air dash open progression gates across the map. Amulets and weapon upgrades let you tailor combat and defense. Fast travel through Wak Wak trees and portals supports efficient exploration.

Share your favorite metroidvania in the comments and tell everyone which one you think belongs on this list next.