I've only recently discovered this genre but features like being able to return to complete areas and progress after discovering new abilities is something I've always enjoyed. I realise metroidvania games are traditionally 2D platformers but I'd be more interested in 3D games, for instance apparently Tomb Raider has some aspects that require learning skills before being able to complete certain things.

Thanks!

9 years ago

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Rogue Legacy, Teslagrad, La Mulana, Crystal Catacombs.

9 years ago
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I was after 3D games but I've had a look at those you've suggested and I suppose there's no harm in trying them out as well, thanks :)

9 years ago
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3D metroidvania?

9 years ago
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Ori and the Blind Forest

9 years ago
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also:
Axiom Verge, Outland, Guacamelee!, UnEpic, Abyss Odyssey, Vsaldis Story, Dust: An Elysian Tale, La-Mulana, Cave Story+

9 years ago
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^ This

9 years ago
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I need somebody in my life I could sell so I could buy Axiom Verge Q.Q

9 years ago
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I feel ya on that one. I wanna play it so bad. xD

9 years ago
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as for 3d ones - much less of these - but you can give Batman Arkham Asyluum and Castlevania Lord of Shadows a try. not exactly metroidfvania, but have a lot of backtracking with your new skills to get access to new places.

9 years ago
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They sound perfect thank you!

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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What about Volgarr the Viking? Can anyone recommend it?

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Well Metroidvania is a genre exclusive to 2D because it has to be a 2D platformer so apparently you're not looking for Metroidvania games. What are you refering to is basically action adventure with RPG elements like Legend of Zelda games, Darksiders 1 and 2, Okami, Alundra or Spyro the Dragon series. The Tomb Raider reboot is kinda similar and might satisfy you in that matter as well.

9 years ago
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You don't consider the Metroid Prime series to be a metroidvania then?

9 years ago
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I do not. IMO Metroid Prime is FPS with strong action adventure elements. Not a traditional FPS but still FPS. Metroidvania is genre specifically defined by having one big explorable 2D map. Metroid Prime shouldn't be considered Metroidvania game despite it's a Metroid game :)

9 years ago
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This is the most absurd thing i've heard in quite some time. For me, the term Metroidvania is redundant. Back in the day we only had Metroid clones. Most Castlevanias after Symphony of the night? Metroid clones. So you saying that Metroid Prime isn't a right and proper Metroid clone just boggles my fucking mind. 2D, 3D, they're all goddamned Metroid clones.

9 years ago
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You know what boggles my mind? That you can get so angry and arrogant over a discussion about a genre yet you clearly don't get what term metroidvania stands for. Also I never was talking about Metroid clones I have no idea why are you talking about them to me. I really don't care.

Metroidvania is a term invented and used to clasify a non-linear 2D platformer with elements of exploration and backtracking. Hence the majority of the recommendations in this thread are 2D games. Calling an FPS game a metroidvania is not really correct since it's not 2D. Is that understandable?

9 years ago
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You should care about Metroid clones, since that is exactly what Metroidvania games are. Is that understandable? It's more of a subgenre than an actual genre. Like Stealth and survival horror. Stealth wasn't really fabricated until MGS, but was still a major gameplay mechanic of the original Metal Gear games in the 8-bit days, for instance. Roguelikes are roguelikes whether they're 2d or otherwise, aren't they? And even Rogue isn't the first game of its kind, so it's a bit of a misnomer anyway. The term Metroidvania is unique, in that some dipshit "Garmes Jurnalist" made it up to sound cool. When you think of it, it's alot like calling Binding of Isaac clones Legend of Isaacs. Or Binding of Zeldas. Why stop there. It'd also be like calling Ninty's next Zelda game for the Nantendren xtremeovich system just the same fucking thing. Legend of Isaacs. Sounds fucking stupid, doesn't it? IS THAT UNDERSTANDABLE?

And what boggles my mind really is that the term Metroidvania even exists in the first place. It's a lot like if from Fallout five onward the games incorporated elements of Tony Hawk Pro Skater, a long loved, established series already, and people started calling all alike games Tony Hawk FallPro Skaters. Or if the Next Mass Effect heavily incorporated elements from Contra and they start calling these games Contra Effects. And for that matter your so called Metroidvanias can be either 2d, 3d, or 4 fucking ddd. So pull your head out of your ass.

9 years ago
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I think "somebody" needs his medication :))

9 years ago
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I think "somebody" needs to know what they're talking about before they start frothing at the mouth online in an authoritative manner.

And you're right. I need a goddamned beer.

9 years ago
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Haha the early Spyro games were actually what got me interested and inspired me to try and find similar games, thanks for your comment! :)

9 years ago
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Yeah I miss those games :) Dark Souls games are also very close to a genre you're looking for - in terms of exploring and backtracking.

9 years ago
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Dust: An Elysian Tail is really good, aside from the dubbing, but you can turn it off. You can also try Aquaria. And well, if it doesn't have to be a PC game, you should play Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. It's at least one of the best metroidvanias out there.

Tomb Raider has nothing to do with the metroidvania genre. I don't think there even are any 3D metroidvanias.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Metroid Prime, ironically, isn't metroidvania game. One of the signature elements of Metroidvania genre is 2D world so 3D Metroidvania is an oxymoron. Like 3rd person FPS.

9 years ago
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Sorry, but that's just such an asinine comparison. A 3d Metroid clone is akin to a Mario 64 clone.

9 years ago
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I've been reading this post and it seems that you were the only one to give the proper definition for the term. As a big fan of this genre, I agree with you.

9 years ago
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Then the rest of the internet/planet doesn't agree.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Metroidvania#List_of_Metroidvania_games

Feel free to edit the page and make it correct by removing Prime though. We can take bets on how long it takes to get reverted.

9 years ago
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Who came up with this definition? Most definitions of the genre do not include anything about it having to be 2D. A very small group of people that like the 2D style more use that definition, and a 3D game being a Metroidvania is far from an oxymoron. I would say that Devil May Cry, and Okami are, by definition, Metroidvanias, so I will recommend those.

9 years ago
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Valdis Story is a great game

9 years ago
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For 3D open areas to explore, upgrades to return to areas with, and sometimes sequence breaking?

Antichamber , not an action title, but plenty of upgrades to return to areas and offers a chance to sequence break.

9 years ago
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Thanks for your recommendation :)

9 years ago
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Batman Blackgate, Guacamelee and Valdis Story, also Strider if it is on Steam (I played on PS3). I'm a really fan of Metroidvanias. :)

9 years ago
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Strider looks interesting, I've wishlisted it now thank you :)

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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I just finished playing UnEpic yesterday. It's pretty cool.

9 years ago
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I liked it too. Wish i'd chosen an easier difficulty though, i lost my bow and couldn't beat a boss.

9 years ago
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Oh man, I had almost the same experience. A jester zapped my bow and I couldn't get it transformed back for some reason. I was still able to beat the game, but holy crap it got a lot tougher from that point.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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I can confirm, playing through it atm. It's pretty long too, so if you look at the games with this price/hours filter, the value is really high.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Hmm... I'll have to look into this. Thanks for the fervent recommendation.

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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I did make a giveaway for it as I already got it. Most people likely got the bundle just for that game. Just look in my profile

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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I think it doesn't help that it's not easily accessible through gigasales or low tier bundles (the recent eye candy bundle is the first time it's been in a BTA tier) That or it might be the more involved combat (possibly akin to DMC in 2d Metrovania form)

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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BTA isn't a bad place (though I'd imagine it'd be the game to cause it to be rather high.

9 years ago
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I'll take your word for it ;)

9 years ago
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the Shantae games

9 years ago
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People are recommending really good 2D games, so I will focus on 3D

Darksiders has some elements of "get new ability, open new areas". It was nice, but I played it a long time ago

Dark Souls II... well, it's not a new ability that you get, but that you get keys to open new places, and it's a game of search your surroundings, find new ways of dealing with enemes and stuff like that. It satisfies my need to explore a world like no other game

Okami is great too, but no available on pc? Only PS2, PS3 and Wii (god that Wii version is awful).

9 years ago
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I hadn't considered the Dark Souls series, but what you describe sounds interesting, thanks! :)

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Lol there's no need to be ashamed ;) I loved the first three and still play them occasionally, I've always wondered what the differences were as I've only played the PC versions, they were amazing though! The LEGO adaptation of Harry Potter is also really cool if you haven't played that yet.

9 years ago
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2D: Bunny Must Die
3D: Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

9 years ago
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Strider, without doubt. That game is made of pure gold. Yaiba, maaaaaaybe if you can afford it. And of course Castlevanias that are available on steam - good games, 3d metroidvanias to boot.

9 years ago
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The Knytt series.

9 years ago
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Is pretty rare to find, but PowerPuff Girls: Defenders of Townsville is an awesomeee Metroidvania game . <33

9 years ago
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If you want try free flash games (mostly) try checking this list.
Among those I recommend Phoenotopia, Treasure Adventure Game, Cave Story+, Escape from Puppy Death Factory.
Old, but I remember this Robot Wants series being really fun too. :)

9 years ago*
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I sceond Valdais Story and Bunny Must die (the latter has some classicvania aspects with how you change your weapon) Aquaria is also pretty good.

9 years ago
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The best ones I've played on PC are Aquaria & Cave Story. Two really good games.

9 years ago
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I'm surprised no one has mentioned Castle in the Darkness yet!

It's only 2D unfortunately, but it's certainly worth checking out!

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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Bioshock is too limited by far to be considered a Metroidvania.
Now if they'd come up with one where you really have to use plasmids/vigors/whatnot in creative, puzzly ways to discover new areas of whatever city you're in, that'd be a different story. (Not counting the mandatory, one-off "zap this thing with that power to continue the plot" tutorial moments.)

9 years ago
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9 years ago
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I'll be sure to play Bioshock at some point, thank you!

9 years ago
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Ghoul School for the NES is an obscure 2D platformer. I've also heard good things about Wonder Boy 3 if you can get your hands on a Sega Master System.

9 years ago
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