When you say Metroidvania, the first games that come to mind are Metroid and Castlevania. It’s not a surprise, considering the term comes from these two aforementioned franchises.

However, they no longer share most of the spotlight since dozens of stand out today. Indie studios carried the genre, bringing forth new surprising experiences and creative twists. If you’re looking for new indie Metroidvania games, there are a lot of them on Steam, and we’ve compiled some of what we think are among the best:

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

You can’t write a “best Metroidvania list” without including Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night simply because it’s the spiritual successor to Castlevania. After all, the former Castlevania producer Koji Igarashi led the development. Just about everything, including the art style to the setting, screams Symphony of the Night.

In Bloodstained, you’ll play as Miriam, and you’ll explore a demon-infested castle in Victorian England to save yourself from an alchemist’s curse that slowly crystallizes your body. The combat is tight and satisfying, and it feels like a modern version of the Castlevania games for yore. Apart from Miriam, there are three other playable characters, and the dark fantasy setting is fully complemented by rich lore, dialogue, and a star-studded cast.

Hollow Knight

Undoubtedly, Hollow Knight is one of the most beautifully drawn games of all time. Every part of the game is hand-drawn, and the art direction entirely captures a world in the aftermath of a cataclysmic event. Set in a ruined underground kingdom of insects, you’ll explore massive caverns and battle against gigantic bosses. It’s an absolute blast to play, thanks to its tight combat system and incredibly difficult opponents, as well as its charmingly dark art and gorgeous soundtrack. If you’re interested, check out our review of Hollow Knight.

GRIME

Even if it’s one of the newer games on this list, GRIME warrants a mention. This dark fantasy Metroidvania is undoubtedly the Dark Souls and Sekiro of the genre, thanks to its parry or “absorption” mechanic and its challenging combat system. Your character is a humanoid with a black hole for a head, and you’re tasked to explore the uncannily beautiful grotesque world full of disfigured inhabitants Lovecraft may have seen in his nightmares.

GRIME’s central theme is absorption - you’ll face enemies and take in their traits, making you more of a match to the other dangerous denizens living in the world. You’ll also gain access to various weapons, from heavy maces, dual blades and axes, each providing a new dimension in combat and catering to a specific art style. If you want to know more about GRIME, you can read more about it in our review.

Dead Cells

Styling itself as a crossbreed of Metroidvania and roguelikes (thus calling itself Roguevania), Dead Cells is one of those games that contributed to the genre’s rise a couple of years ago. Though it features a massive, sprawling world and encourages exploration, the game stands out thanks to its combat, an absolute blast. You’ll explore a castle full of deadly inhabitants, and to fight them, you’ll have access to almost a hundred skills and weapons, from spears to bombs, each with its affinities and effects. Battles are highly action-packed and are almost always result in an explosion of color.

Carrion

In terms of unique games, nothing is quite like the brutal and gore-filled world of Carrion. Instead of a hero journeying across a desolate land full of enemies, you’ll take the form of a horrific, amorphous creature of unknown origin. You’ll venture around an enormous research facility full of guards and scientists, spreading terror and killing and consuming everything in your way. You’ll get stronger with every enemy you’ll absorb, gaining new abilities in the process. If you want a different perspective and play the part of a monster, then Carrion is a must-play.

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is an incredibly brutal Metroidvania set in a post-apocalyptic world, featuring a beautiful, dark fantasy anime art style. It’s set in a thriving kingdom brought to ruin by a devastating calamity called the Rain of Death, transforming all living inhabitants into frenzied beings called the Blighted. You’ll play as Lily, the last surviving priestess, and it’ll be your role to free the inhabitants of their curse and recruit them as allies in your journey. It’s a gorgeously drawn game with various locales, from a grand castle to an underground forest.

Apart from the games above, other Metroidvania games that deserve mention include:

- Rogue Legacy
- Ori and the Will of the Wisps
- Lost Ruins
- Salt and Sanctuary
- Axiom Verge
- Shantae

So, what do you think of our list? Do you think we’ve missed a couple of underrated indies?

Regardless, Metroidvania games are here to stay, and we’re all looking forward to seeing more creative ideas, pretty 2D worlds, and exciting combat in the near future.