Summary
In addition to being a packed release year in general, 2023 was also no slouch when it came to providing players with a variety of excellent Metroidvania titles. The continued resurgence of the genre, especially in the indie scene, can at least partially be attributed to the success and critical acclaim of games likeHollow Knight, especially as fans continue to wait for its sequel and one of the industry’s most-anticipated games –Hollow Knight: Silksong. The delays forSilksonghave created somewhat of a vacuum for other developers to fill with their own takes on the genre, and 2023 saw several titles release that each pull their weight in various ways by attempting to rise to the bar set byHollow Knight.
What madeHollow Knightsuch a profound release in the Metroidvania genre was the way that the game perfectly captured every essence of what made its forebears all-time classics. Combat, traversal, world, atmosphere, lore, platforming; all of these elements shone inHollow Knightand helped to establish it not just as one of the best indie games in recent years, but also as one ofthe best Metroidvaniasever made. In 2023, fans of the genre were lucky to get plenty of games that each excel in one or more of these elements, and they’re the perfect appetizers beforeHollow Knight: Silksong’s hopeful 2024 release.
2023’s Best Metroidvanias Each Highlight One of the Genre’s Core Elements
Tevi (Combat and Character Builds)
In terms of which Metroidvanias from 2023 have some of the most addictive and nuanced combat, it’s hard to argue against the recently releasedTevi. Coming from one of the same developers behindRabi Ribi,Tevisees players utilize a combo-driven melee combat model that’s supplemented with ranged attacks and dozens of equippable Sigils, each opening up new potential for how players build the titular character.Metroidvania gamesusually have combat front and center to help enhance the moment-to-moment gameplay, but inTeviit’s the star of the show.
Blasphemous 2 (Spectacle-Heavy Boss Fights)
The firstBlasphemousfeatured some jaw-dropping boss encounters that helped to highlight the game’s gruesome yet gorgeous art direction, butBlasphemous 2takes the best parts of its predecessor a step further in the way that all great sequels do. Boss fights in Metroidvanias are traditionally a way to both shake up the flow of gameplay and highlight how the player has improved and expanded their suite of abilities, and the size and design of some ofBlasphemous 2’s bosses will stay with players long after the credits roll.
The Last Faith (Satisfying Ability Upgrades and Traversal)
All Metroidvanias involve at least some amount of backtracking as players make their way back to previously visited areas with new abilities allowing them to explore further, andThe Last Faithexpertly sidesteps some of the tedium involved by providing players with a satisfying drip-feed of enjoyable upgrades. Each of Eryk’s new abilities transforms how players make their way across the game’s large map and the pace at which these upgrades drop equates to always discovering something new in one of thebest platformers of 2023.
Afterimage (Compelling Lore and Massive Interconnected Map)
In addition to being an incredibly visually impressive Metroidvania,Afterimagehas a deep mythologyunderpinning its world. It’s possible to skip the game’s lore and dialogue entirely, but doing so would be a disservice as it provides some interesting context forAfterimage’s world and characters. On top of that, the map ofAfterimageis absolutely massive and one of the largest worlds in any Metroidvania from 2023.
Rusted Moss (Responsive and Challenging Platforming)
Rusted Mosstakes the grappling hook fromSuper Metroidand builds an entire Metroidvania around it, requiring players to quickly come to grips with the flow and precision of its movement in both traversal and combat. The result is one of the more interesting and overlooked Metroidvanias from this year.Rusted Mosshas the challenge and “just one more try” pull of platformers likeCeleste, but mixes those inspirations with a quality Metroidvania underneath.
Hollow Knight: Silksong
WHERE TO PLAY
Play as Hornet, princess-protector of Hallownest, and adventure through a whole new kingdom ruled by silk and song! Captured and brought to this unfamiliar world, Hornet must battle foes and solve mysteries as she ascends on a deadly pilgrimage to the kingdom’s peak.Hollow Knight: Silksong is the epic sequel to Hollow Knight, the award winning action-adventure. As the lethal hunter Hornet, journey to all-new lands, discover new powers, battle vast hordes of bugs and beasts and uncover ancient secrets tied to your nature and your past.
