Metroidvania
Metroidvania is a genre of video game traditionally described as 2D platformers with a strong emphasis on exploration and action, while also featuring ways to increase the strength of your character. This usually is done by collecting items which give you more powerful abilities, leveling up through the accumulation of experience, or both. As the name suggests, the genre was popularized in the late 1980s by the Metroid and Castlevania series.
These games tend to be among my favorites for several reasons. I like the fact that they tend to be graphically beautiful with a thought-provoking atmosphere. I like that, if areas are too difficult, you can grind monsters or explore other areas and try again when you're stronger. I also like feeling of accomplishment when you return to earlier areas after you've become stronger and seeing how powerful you've become.
Properties
These are the specific properties I have identified that I feel can be used to accurately determine whether a game is a Metroidvania and are also fairly easy to gauge as a yes or no. Other properties may much more accurately determine a game's genre, but are greatly a matter of opinion, so I don't include them.
- Side-view Platformer: Traditionally, Metroidvanias are side-view platformers. While a top-down remake of Metroid would certainly be wonderful, it would lose some of the feel of the game.
- Non-linear Map: Part of the allure of Metroidvanias is being able to explore a large complex map when you can return to past areas at your leisure. Compare this to stage-based games where you're forced to move at the game's pace.
- Power-up Collection: For this page, a "power-up" is something that remains with you once you collect it (Samus's high jump boots).
- Usable Inventory: This includes items that are placed in your inventory and later can be consumed (like a healing potion). It does not include things like ammo.
- Hidden Passages: Areas of the map that are not readily apparant, but can be discovered with persistence.
- Stat Leveling: Often through experience rewards for defeating enemies. This causes the player to grow in strength over time.
- Money: A lot of Metroidvanias include money, usually dropped by enemies, that can be used to purchase items.
- Minibosses: In addition to a final boss, Metroidvanias often have minibosses for various areas which serve as gatekeepers to new areas.
Game | Released | Side-view Platformer | Non-linear Map | Power-up Collection | Usable Inventory | Hidden Passages | Stat Leveling | Money | Minibosses | Total |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Bionic Commando (Game Boy) | 1992-07-24 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No* | No* | Yes | No | Yes | 5 |
Bionic Commando (NES) | 1988-07-20 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No* | No* | Yes | No | Yes | 5 |
Bionic Commando: Elite Forces | 2000-01-?? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No* | No* | Yes | No | Yes | 5 |
Below the Root | 1984-??-?? | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | No | 4 |
Blaster Master | 1988-06-17 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | Yes | 4 |
Castlevania II: Simon's Quest | 1987-08-28 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No* | 6 |
Castlevania: Aria of Sorrow | 2003-05-06 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Castlevania: Circle of the Moon | 2001-03-21 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance | 2002-06-06 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night | 1997-03-20 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | 8 |
Cave Story | 2004-12-20 | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | 6 |
The Goonies II | 1987-03-18 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | No | 4 |
Metroid | 1986-08-06 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 5 |
Metroid II: Return of Samus | 1991-11-?? | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 5 |
Metroid Fusion | 2002-11-18 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 5 |
Metroid: Zero Mission | 2004-02-09 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 5 |
River City Ransom | 1989-04-25 | No* | No | Yes | Yes | No* | Yes | Yes | Yes | 5 |
Super Mario World | 1990-11-21 | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | No | Yes | 5 |
Super Metroid | 1994-03-19 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | No | No | Yes | 5 |
VVVVVV | 2010-01-11 | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No | No | No | 2 |
You Have to Win the Game | 2012-05-06 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | No | No | No* | No | 3 |
Zelda II: The Adventure of Link | 1987-01-14 | Yes | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | No | Yes | 6 |
- This game has a minimal amount of this, but not enough to mark it "Yes."
My favorite Metroidvania games include:
- Castlevania: Circle of the Moon
- Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
- Cave Story
- Metroid Fusion
- Metroid: Zero Mission
- Super Metroid
Category
- Category: Metroidvania
Links
- en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metroidvania - Wikipedia.
- mobygames.com/game-group/genre-explorable-platformer-metroidvania - MobyGames.
- store.steampowered.com/tag/en/Metroidvania - Steam.