10 Metroidvanias That Are Instantly Fun

I’m a big fan of Metroidvania games and have loved most of them, but I can see why they’re not for everyone.

A frequent complaint is that the way the game introduces its features feels too slow at the start. Spreading things out to let players learn gradually can actually discourage them and make it hard to stay engaged.

I personally enjoy games that build slowly, so I haven’t experienced this myself, but I understand how frustrating it can be to sit through a lot of slow parts before the game gets really good. Luckily, that isn’t always how these games are.

Actually, a lot of games in this style grab your attention right away and keep getting more enjoyable. I’ve picked out some of the best to create this list of ten Metroidvanias that are immediately fun to play.

10. Dandara

A Fresh Concept

I’ve been exploring lesser-known video games lately, and I recently discovered Dandara. It’s a 2D indie platformer that immediately grabbed my attention and is truly impressive.

Most Metroidvania games emphasize fluid and open movement. This game does things differently, limiting how you move and instead making you bounce off walls on designated platforms. This creates a slower, more strategic and careful gameplay experience.

While some players might find the pace a little slow at times, the game starts strong with a truly unique and engaging idea. This concept stays fresh thanks to how the genre evolves, and the game’s world is filled with fascinating mythology.

While there are other Metroidvania games I’d suggest first, I definitely recommend giving this one a try if you’re looking for something fresh in the genre, or if you want a game that immediately grabs your attention.

9. SteamWorld Dig

Digging is Mesmerizing

The way you gather resources and change the environment in this game feels similar to popular titles like Minecraft or Terraria. However, I’m actually describing the fantastic gameplay of SteamWorld Dig.

The game quickly and effectively teaches you how to play, making sure you understand the core mechanics right away. This means you’ll always have a clear idea of your goals and how to achieve them.

Even though it’s a small detail, the game’s interface adds to the overall experience. It uses bright, always-visible markers to highlight the importance of gathering items and becoming better at it, ultimately leading to upgrades that make it easier to explore the world.

The characters in SteamWorld Dig are really endearing, and you actually want to talk to them. That’s pretty rare for this type of game, where you usually explore desolate worlds all by yourself.

These details might not seem important, but they can actually make starting something new much easier and help you stay on track. So, it’s worth paying attention to them.

8. Everdeep Aurora

A Captivating Apocalypse

Release Date	July 10, 2025
Platform(s)	PC, Nintendo Switch
Developer(s)	Nautilus Games
Publisher(s)	Ysbryd Games
How Long To Beat	4.5 Hours
OpenCritic Rating	Strong

One of the most pleasant surprises of 2025 has been Everdeep Aurora, a game where you delve into the Earth. It really stands out with its appealing take on a post-apocalyptic world.

Whether it’s the beautiful art style, the funny conversations, the exciting journey, or simply playing as a cat, I was hooked on this game within the first ten minutes.

Okay, so I’ve been playing Everdeep Aurora, and honestly, it feels amazing. It’s got this really old-school feel – everything from how the game works to how it looks just makes you want to poke around and try everything. It’s like being a kid again, discovering secrets in every little corner, just like when I used to play games on my Game Boy Color. It’s a really satisfying experience, and I’m genuinely enjoying figuring things out.

Because it’s a brief game with limited content, it prioritizes making those few hours truly memorable. It understands it needs to quickly grab your attention and works hard to do so, knowing it doesn’t have much time to make an impression.

7. Laika: Aged Through Blood

Between Gunshots and Motorcycles

Most Metroidvania games are set in medieval fantasy worlds and focus on close-combat fighting, which is perfect for me! But it’s great to see something different, and that’s exactly what Laika: Aged Through Blood offers.

It stood out not just for being far more violent and graphic than other games of the time, but also because it uniquely blended the fast-paced action of a motorcycle trials game with the exploration and interconnected world design of a Metroidvania.

The game is challenging not because of typical difficulties, but simply because coordinating motorcycle riding, dodging bullets, reloading, aiming, and staying upright all at once is incredibly complex.

Ultimately, many of us enjoy this type of game because it’s satisfying to master new skills and overcome difficult obstacles. So, what I mentioned earlier about Laika: Aged Through Blood is just another reason to give it a try.

6. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Ubisoft at Its Best

Okay, so I started playing Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, and honestly, I was bracing myself for more of the same old Ubisoft formula. But wow, was I wrong! This game is a huge surprise and definitely not what I was expecting.

The game starts with a stunning two-minute opening that rivals the best anime, immediately followed by a flawlessly designed and engaging combat system.

Within the first ten minutes, you’ll be battling a general riding a massive horse, and before you’re even halfway through the game, the prince will be kidnapped. It’s a game that immediately grabs your attention and keeps you engaged.

If I could ask the French company for anything, it would be to apply what they did so well with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown to all their other game series. It’s a perfect example of how to create a spin-off that actually surpasses the main games.

5. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights

Collecting Invocations

While I wouldn’t compare Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights to a Pokémon game, a big part of what makes it enjoyable is similar: you gather creatures who then fight alongside you.

This Metroidvania is gorgeous, and while it still requires the standard platforming skills – dodging, running, and jumping – it also offers a really cool system of summons. You can use melee attacks, ranged options, supportive abilities, and helpful utilities to assist you throughout your adventure, and it all works wonderfully.

The fact that every boss you beat joins your team is a fantastic idea. It makes each battle more meaningful, and even the first fight feels important, because you know you’ll be adding a new ally to your forces.

Experimenting with different character pairings, discovering hidden areas using their special skills, and becoming emotionally invested in their personal stories… the game excels at drawing you in, whether you’re battling enemies, navigating the world, or simply connecting with the characters themselves.

If you’re not captivated by the thought of building an army of spirits to protect a fallen kingdom, all while enjoying an incredible soundtrack and experiencing a deeply moving story, then Ender Lilies probably isn’t for you. I can’t recommend it any more strongly than that.

4. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

A Beautiful Journey

I enjoyed the visuals of Ori and the Blind Forest, but I found the gameplay a little lacking. Thankfully, the next game in the series fixed these issues and was a major improvement.

From the moment you start playing, Ori and the Will of the Wisps makes it clear it’s aiming high. Its precise controls, unique abilities, engaging combat, fluid movement, detailed environments, central hub area, and captivating soundtrack all demonstrate a grand vision, and the game consistently works to fulfill it.

While it doesn’t quite capture the organic flow of the original game, the result is a much more exciting and energetic experience. A clear quest system and rewarding progression quickly guide you and keep you engaged without you even noticing.

I’m not the biggest fan of the series overall, but even I have to admit that Ori and the Will of the Wisps is something special. It’s seriously one of the best games in the genre – just incredibly well-made from start to finish.

3. Salt and Sanctuary

Masochistic Entertainment

Try picturing this: you begin a new video game on a ship caught in a massive storm, immediately facing a monstrous, unstoppable creature straight out of a Lovecraft story… and it doesn’t strike you as one of the greatest indie games ever made? It’s that impactful.

Salt and Sanctuary starts with a striking opening that hints at the frightening events to come. After this brief preview, the game truly begins as you wash ashore on a coastal sea, ready to embark on a real adventure.

Unlike other games, this one doesn’t push you into action right away. It starts with a frightening scene, then deliberately slows down, letting you relax as you easily defeat the undead enemies. This contrast makes even simple combat satisfying.

But once you face the first boss in Salt and Sanctuary, the challenge really ramps up. You’ll be up against a remarkably quick and nimble warrior who won’t give you a moment to think things over.

What this independent gem does best is control the rhythm of the story. It could have simply built steadily to a climax, but instead, it deliberately mixes exciting moments with quieter ones, keeping you constantly guessing what will happen next.

2. Nine Sols

A Flawless Combat System

If you heard about a game mixing the best parts of Hollow Knight and Sekiro with a unique, vibrant art style, you’d instantly want to play it—and that’s exactly what Nine Sols offers, making it a must-buy.

The game starts with a thoughtful, story-focused introduction, which is a bit different from most games in this style. It takes a while before you actually get into the action, but once it does, and you’re able to move around freely, it’s an incredibly immersive and satisfying experience.

Honestly, the combat in this game is amazing – some of the best I’ve experienced recently. The way every hit and parry feels is just so satisfying, it’s hard to explain! It’s not just how cool it looks with all the effects and smooth animations, but you really feel the impact of everything you do. It’s incredibly well done.

If you’re skeptical, play the game yourself. Once you’ve successfully blocked attacks from a giant robotic centaur repeatedly, then come back and admit that Nine Sols is truly a masterpiece.

The game begins with a lot of energy, but it really shines at the end. The bosses become incredibly challenging, and the finale is so difficult that even expert players who focus on speed will find it tough – which means you’re in for a lot of fun!

1. Hollow Knight: Silksong

A Masterpiece From the Start

Some people who dislike Hollow Knight say it takes a while to get going, and while I don’t think that’s true, Hollow Knight: Silksong definitely doesn’t have that problem.

Waking up in Moss Grotto immediately highlights the differences: Hornet is quicker, more nimble, and a more skilled fighter, with the ability to move diagonally. This makes both the platforming and sword fights engaging right from the start.

Once you’ve mastered Hornet’s controls and new abilities after the first boss, the game really opens up. Team Cherry makes it clear you’re about to embark on a huge adventure with a vast world, lots of characters, engaging conversations, and plenty of quests to complete.

You won’t need to search for guides or look things up online in Silksong. The game expertly guides you through its world, subtly directing you without feeling overly obvious or restrictive.

After seven years of work, the game truly delivers. From the very beginning and even after hours of playing, it’s hard not to call it the best and most enjoyable Metroidvania ever made. The sheer scale and quality of the game are consistently breathtaking, no matter what’s happening on screen.

2025-11-06 03:42