The gaming world eagerly anticipates Hollow Knight: Silksong, but while we wait, a wealth of excellent Metroidvanias can fill the void. 2024 delivered a bounty of titles in the genre, offering captivating gameplay, stunning visuals, and challenging adventures. Let’s explore some standout Metroidvanias that will keep you entertained while awaiting Silksong’s arrival.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown surprised many with its polished gameplay and engaging combat. Initial skepticism surrounding Ubisoft’s involvement quickly dissipated upon experiencing the game’s fluid mechanics. The combat system shines with diverse combos, power-ups, and abilities that create dynamic encounters. Bosses, while not overly difficult, provide a satisfying challenge.
A standout feature is the ability to add screenshots to map markers, a quality-of-life improvement that streamlines exploration. This clever addition eliminates the ambiguity of traditional icons, allowing players to pinpoint specific locations with ease.
While not reaching the same heights as Hollow Knight, The Lost Crown is a worthy addition to the Metroidvania genre. Ubisoft’s commitment to post-launch content, including updates and DLC, further enhances the experience. The game is frequently on sale and available through Ubisoft+, making it accessible to a broad audience. With The Rogue Prince of Persia on the horizon, the future looks bright for this revitalized franchise.
Ender Lilies: Bloom in the Mist
Following the success of Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knight, Ender Lilies: Bloom in the Mist continues the captivating journey. This early access title showcases Binary Haze Interactive’s dedication to refinement, with regular updates introducing new content and features. The overwhelmingly positive Steam reviews reflect the community’s enthusiasm for this evolving experience.
Similar to its predecessor, Bloom in the Mist employs a companion-based combat system, reminiscent of Pokémon. Collecting and utilizing Homunculi expands your arsenal and adds a layer of strategic depth. Choosing the right companion for each encounter becomes a crucial element of gameplay.
While a full data wipe is planned for the 1.0 release, anticipated around January 23, 2025, prospective players may want to wait for the final version. The game promises stunning visuals, a compelling world, and a beautiful soundtrack from Mili, the composer of the original Ender Lilies.
Nine Sols
Nine Sols captured the attention of Metroidvania fans with its striking visuals and challenging gameplay. The hand-drawn aesthetic, reminiscent of Hollow Knight, combined with a captivating Taopunk setting, creates a unique and memorable experience.
Exploration is rewarding, with a richly detailed world filled with secrets to uncover. The world feels vibrant and alive, thanks to the presence of engaging NPCs. While Hollow Knight embraces a sense of loneliness, Nine Sols offers a different approach, maintaining a dark atmosphere while incorporating a more populated world.
Combat takes inspiration from Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, emphasizing precise parrying and deflection. Mastering these mechanics is essential for survival, particularly during challenging boss encounters. The demanding but fair combat system provides a sense of accomplishment and pushes players to refine their skills.
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is another visually stunning hand-drawn Metroidvania with a distinct papercraft aesthetic. Developer Squid Shock Studios creates a dreamlike atmosphere that sets it apart. The game maintains a high level of quality in combat, visuals, and exploration, similar to Nine Sols.
The gameplay balances combat and platforming, with a greater emphasis on the latter in the later stages. The platforming challenges are engaging and offer a refreshing change of pace from combat-focused Metroidvanias.
Combat in Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus is well-crafted, with boss battles resembling a rhythmic dance of attack and defense. The game provides a variety of tools and abilities, complemented by the versatile pogo jump. The overall difficulty is more forgiving than Hollow Knight or Nine Sols, but still provides a satisfying challenge.
Conclusion
These are just a few of the many excellent Metroidvanias available to tide you over while waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong. Other notable titles include Animal Well, Crypt Custodian, and Biomorph. 2024 proved to be a fantastic year for the genre, and these games deserve your attention. While we hope 2025 finally brings us Silksong, there’s no shortage of captivating Metroidvanias to explore in the meantime.
