10 Metroidvanias With The Most Rewarding Exploration

The saying ‘it’s about the journey, not the destination’ might sound like a cliché, but it really applies to Metroidvania games.

Despite the recent popularity of challenging “Soulslike” games, games inspired by classics like *Metroid* and *Castlevania* offer more than just improved abilities and tough bosses – they really focus on creating a feeling of exploration and adventure.

I use words like ‘discover,’ ‘experience,’ ‘test,’ and ‘learn’ to capture what these games are really about. Ultimately, their power lies in how well they draw you into their worlds, making you feel like a natural and eager participant.

It’s one thing to talk about great exploration in games, and another to actually experience it. Luckily, there are plenty of examples that show what I mean. Here’s a list of ten Metroidvania games that truly reward players for exploring their worlds.

10. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Challenges Are The Prize

I hadn’t paid much attention to Ubisoft for a long time, but their game *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* really impressed me.

This game brings to mind a French studio from the early 2010s that excelled at building on successful ideas and adding a unique, memorable style – and Sargon’s journey does exactly that.

While the game mostly rewards you with things like cosmetic items or tools you might not need, I’m highlighting it because the gameplay itself is so well-designed and satisfying – the challenges are the real reward.

These sections are quite challenging, so the developer likely avoided adding overly powerful items. This was probably to ensure newer or less experienced players didn’t feel overwhelmed or excluded, though I realize some players might be disappointed by this choice.

Even if something is just for enjoyment – like finishing a tricky jump or beating a small boss – I appreciate it. I think not everything needs to have a purpose to be valuable.

9. Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

A Secret To Reveal

While perhaps not a traditional Metroidvania, *Shinobi: Art of Vengeance* is one of the best and most engaging games of 2025, offering a truly rewarding experience for players who like to explore.

The game divides areas with screens, and clearly shows you what you haven’t found in each one. This makes you want to explore everything, even if you don’t usually try to complete every part of a game.

Like its predecessor, *The Last Crown*, rewards aren’t usually substantial, but *Shinobi: Art of Vengeance* offers a fantastic experience thanks to its satisfying combat and the rewarding feeling of mastering its challenging platforming and enemy encounters.

Ultimately, the key to unlocking everything lies in a hidden boss battle you can only access by thoroughly exploring the entire game. I won’t give too much away, but I strongly suggest you find all the Lab Keys – you won’t regret it!

8. Blasphemous 2

Upgrades Don’t Appear By Themselves

What makes *Blasphemous 2* stand out is that it does something different from most Metroidvania games: it doesn’t have much optional content. Typically, these games hide the best stuff as optional secrets, but in *Blasphemous 2*, almost all the interesting discoveries are part of the main game.

Just because there aren’t any hidden bosses or secret areas doesn’t make exploration any less enjoyable. In fact, the game is more fun to explore than the last one because the gameplay has been significantly improved.

The game feels incredibly refined, from battling opponents to navigating levels. Plus, overcoming challenges usually unlocks great rewards, which keeps the gameplay exciting and makes the overall experience more enjoyable.

I’ve said before that video games don’t always need to be about accomplishing things, but this game’s map is so well-designed and easy to navigate that it’s hard not to feel good about how helpful it is.

The final boss is incredibly challenging – one of the toughest I’ve seen in this type of game, so be prepared! But even if you struggle, exploring every corner of *Blasphemous 2* is worthwhile just to experience its stunning visuals and sound design.

7. Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Between Quests and Secrets

Great movement is just as important as exploring in a Metroidvania game, and that’s why I love *Ori and the Will of the Wisps*.

The second game built on the original in several ways, but the biggest improvement was a quest system that made exploring the world truly rewarding. It encouraged me to go beyond the main story, and it worked well with the game’s enhanced mechanics.

The game world feels vibrant and full of wonder, with intriguing mysteries and characters you truly connect with. Despite the growing complexity as you unlock new powers, everything flows together seamlessly thanks to how fun and intuitive Ori’s movement is.

Like its predecessor, *Ori and the Will of the Wisps* doesn’t make essential items or abilities difficult to find. However, to truly enjoy the game, you’ll want to explore every corner of the world, map it out for the inhabitants, and even deliver soup to the Mokis!

6. Aeterna Noctis

Boss Fight Overdose

Aeterna Noctis is known for being incredibly challenging, and it’s easy to see why. It’s a really tough game – even players who are already good at this type of game might struggle to beat it.

Even though it’s a really challenging game, if you can overcome the difficulty, you’ll discover a Metroidvania packed with content. It has tons of areas to explore, bosses to fight, tricky platforming sections, and secrets that feel incredibly imaginative.

While not as polished as some other games on this list, this one really shines when it comes to exploration. The journey from an underground robot city to incredible places like floating islands with dragons, or even outer space, is incredibly exciting and keeps you wanting to see what’s next.

Look, I’m a gamer who loves a challenge, and let me tell you, this game doesn’t hold back. Usually when I explore in games, I stumble into a ridiculously hard boss fight. So, I need to be straight with you: Aeterna Noctis isn’t for everyone. But if you’re the type who *really* wants to test your skills and push yourself as far as possible, I honestly can’t think of many games that do it better than Aeterna Noctis.

5. Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist

In Search of True Closure

I’ve always been a huge fan of *Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights*, and anyone who’s read my work knows that. But if I had to pick a favorite, I’d have to go with its sequel, *Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist*. It just really grabbed me!

While it might not have the same emotional punch or memorable music as other games in the genre, Lilac’s adventure is a really captivating Metroidvania. Its beautiful design and how all the areas connect kept me completely hooked.

All of this creates a fantastic experience, but what really makes this game stand out is that discovering everything unlocks the true ending. This approach—where exploration leads to the real conclusion—is becoming popular in games like this, and it’s incredibly effective.

You can quickly finish the game and move on, or really dive in, explore everything it offers, and master its systems – doing so will lead to a much more rewarding experience.

And the deeper you explore, the more you’ll discover – including new bosses and areas. It’s incredibly satisfying when you believe you’ve completed Ender Magnolia, only to realize there’s still more to experience – and that’s highly probable.

4. Nine Sols

Point of No Return

It’s no exaggeration to say that *Nine Sols* has some of the most impressive combat in the genre, and that’s just the beginning of what makes it great.

This game offers incredibly satisfying gameplay. Once you get the hang of the precise timing and rhythm, it feels amazing. You’ll really need to master the controls, though, because the challenging bosses demand skillful play to defeat.

Red Candle Games, the creators of *Devotion* and *Detention*, are masters of storytelling, and *Nine Sols* is another example of their talent. But to fully experience the game’s story, you’ll need to explore thoroughly, talk to all the characters, and defeat each of the Sols.

The core gameplay revolves around combat and exploring the world, but the story’s real depth comes from completing optional missions for your friends, which ultimately unlock the true ending.

Let me tell you this: *Nine Sols* really stands out with its incredible characters, and it features what many consider to be the best boss battle ever made in this type of game. If those two things aren’t enough to get you interested, I don’t know what will!

3. Salt and Sanctuary

The Light is Only for the Curious

Before Soulslike and Metroidvania games became popular, *Salt and Sanctuary* uniquely blended elements of both genres, creating a truly impressive experience.

Combining these two game types creates a uniquely rewarding experience. Both rely heavily on revisiting areas, thoroughly searching for improvements, and steadily becoming more powerful, so the core gameplay feels familiar and satisfying twice over.

It’s incredible how often I stumble upon completely new areas, even after playing for 30 hours! These hidden spaces are cleverly tucked away – sometimes behind tricky platforming sections or massive waterfalls that seem impassable, but aren’t.

You’ll always find something rewarding in Salt and Sanctuary – whether it’s a new ally, a tough boss fight, or powerful gear. The game is packed with valuable content, and you won’t find any moments that feel wasted or unnecessary.

2. Animal Well

The Core of Everything

Animal Well is a game all about discovery. It really draws you in with its mysterious world and encourages you to figure out how everything connects.

The best way to discover things in this game is to actively seek them out. Because the game doesn’t explain much, your success relies on how well you follow your curiosity and investigate its unusual elements.

Taking a chance with this design pays off in unforgettable moments – like figuring out how to ride a thrown disc, or stumbling upon a hidden song when you’re back at the game’s main area. These discoveries feel special because you find them on your own, without the game holding your hand.

Animal Well doesn’t rely on typical video game elements like battles or boss fights, and that’s perfectly fine. While many games in its genre focus on combat, Animal Well brilliantly centers exploration, making it exceptionally strong in that area and truly setting it apart.

If you disagree, give it a try and experience the incredible feeling of finding an item early on that unexpectedly helps you much later in the game – even after 15 hours! That sense of wonder is truly special, and no game captures it quite like *Animal Well*.

1. Hollow Knight: Silksong

Unimaginable Dimensions

I mentioned my reservations before, but the immense scope and flawless execution of *Hollow Knight: Silksong* are simply unmatched, no matter how different a game might be.

Team Cherry’s game improves on everything I’ve praised about the previous titles. It offers stronger storytelling through its characters, more satisfying movement, and rewarding secrets that you’ll enjoy discovering even after dozens of hours of gameplay.

It’s hard to describe the feeling of realizing, three weeks into playing, that you’ve only experienced 78% of the game. What makes *Silksong* so special is its ability to constantly surprise you, even when you think you’ve seen everything it has to offer.

I might be overly influenced by how recently I played it, but I haven’t felt this strongly while playing a game since *Elden Ring*. Honestly, I can’t remember ever feeling this way before, not even with a fantastic game like *Hollow Knight*.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is a truly special game, mainly because it consistently offers new and improved experiences. You’ll constantly discover new favorite bosses and areas, and eventually, it becomes hard to pick overall favorites – it’s just that well-designed and varied.

2025-10-14 00:12