Summary
Players who are looking for a challenge that comes packed with vibrant colors and amazing-looking bosses should look no further thantheMetroidvaniagenre. Games in this genre have a reputation for being punishing, yet fair and have been popular for more than two decades, establishing Metroidvania as one of the classics in the gaming world.
Typically, Metroidvania games require players to not only learn boss attack patterns, but also collect resources such as power-ups, new weapons, and life increasers. Some of these resources can be collected from the world without interacting with NPCs, but others demand defeating enemies to loot them and obtain the precious rewards they carry. Here are thebestMetroidvania loot games, ranked.
One of the first things players will notice when exploring the world ofSundered: Eldritch Editionis its unique art style, which appears to be hand-drawn. Taking on the role of Eshe, players will have to choose between embracing the dark power of the world they’re exploring or resisting it to stay on the righteous path. While the game takes inspiration from many sources, some of the most noticeable comefrom Lovecraftian literature.
Sundered: Eldritch Editionfeatures procedurally generated levels and environments that make every playthrough feel challenging and fresh. There’s also a strong loot-based progression system that works well with the title’s concept and offers an entertaining playing experience.
Paying homage tothe original Metroid gamesin one way or another,Axiom Vergeis a great Metroidvania that incorporates classic and modern elements together to deliver a fun and complex experience for players to enjoy. As the main character, Trace, players will explore a labyrinthine environment that’s packed with secrets, bosses and area enemies that will pose a significant challenge, even with all the weapons and players' disposal.
Although the game was released in 2015, it is designed to look and feel like a retro title that players could have easily played back in the late 80s and early 90s. This not only adds another layer of immersion, but also compliments the rest of the game’s mechanics wonderfully.Axiom Vergefeatures a complex progression system that involves loot that will be dropped by enemies and bosses as they’re defeated. The more loot players collect, the easier it will be to complete every section and ultimately finish the game.
Dead Cellshas been critically acclaimed since its release due to its smart combination of Metroidvania game mechanics and roguelike gameplay. This title features extensive combat and more than a dozen bosses, which, when paired with vast exploration possibilities, results in a modern-day masterpiece that has made Motion Twin a developer worth keeping an eye on.
Thanks to its roguelike mechanics,Dead Cellsfeatures procedurally generated levels that help keep the playing experience fresh and non-repetitive. The loot-based progression system is also great, as it forces players to take on different enemies and challenges to collect power-ups and other upgrades needed to face many of the bosses in both the base game and the DLC,Return to Castlevania.
As opposed to other titles,Dead Cellshas a Permadeath system, which, upon death, removes upgrades and loot players might have collected along the way. This not only forces players to get better at the game, but also provides a feeling of anxiety that will keep most people alert and invested.
Players who want a challenging experience while exploring a beautiful world that feels like home should look no further thanOri and the Will of the Wisps. This aesthetically pleasing Metroidvania lets players control Ori, a guardian spirit who will have to explore the world it lives in, solve puzzles, and fight enemies—all to uncover the reason behind the obvious decay of the broken land of Niwen.
Even if players ever get frustrated with the difficulty level of the game and are struggling to progress at some point, the beautiful animations and fluid motion of Ori, combined with thesmooth platforming systemsin the game, will help them relax and gather the patience to try again. Like other titles on this list,Ori and the Will of the Wispsrequires players to face area enemies and bosses to collect loot and get upgrades to make their playthrough easier and smoother.
Hollow Knightis such a great game and was such a success worldwide, that it helped take its developer, Team Cherry, from an indie studio with a few employees, to a much larger company. In fact, it’s suspected that the long-awaited sequel,Hollow Knight: Silksongwill have a much higher budget and might feature AAA game elements.
Set in an underground kingdom known as the Hallownest, players will control The Knight, an insect-like creature as they explore the darkest depths and narrowest crevices of the vast area. Loot collection is extremely important, as it allows players to collect Geo, the game’s currency, which is used to buy upgrades and Charms. Defeating bosses and exploring optional areas is also key, as it helps unlock different powers that are required to reach certain sections of every level. All in all,Hollow Knightis arguably the best Metroidvania-Soulslike combination of the last decade.
