5 Metroidvania games you'll want to play on the Switch! A new game set on a luxury cruise ship and an “overwhelmingly popular” dark fantasy

Metroidvania is a general term for games that originated with “Metroid,” released in 1986, and “Castlevania: Symphony of the Night,” released in 1997. It is probably one of the most popular genres in recent years.

In this article, we will introduce five recommended Metroidvania games that can be played on the Nintendo Switch. Please read to the end.

◆『Gift』
“Gift” is a 2D scrolling action game set on a sinking luxury cruise ship, where players must overcome the ship's tilt, water level, and various gimmicks that change over time in order to escape.

The story of this work progresses in the original language, not Japanese or English, so players will have to imagine what is happening from the character's movements and occasional situations. Similarly, the three characters that can be controlled as the main characters do not have clear names. The characters drawn with soft and unique visuals, the mysterious story, and the relationship between the three main characters tickle the imagination.

Although it is classified as an action game, it has as much puzzle-solving elements as action, but there is no combat using weapons. In order to escape from the sinking ship, you will sometimes swim, jump along chains, and destroy obstacles with hammers and matches.

The main characters are an old man, a young man, and a boy (names tentative) who all wear diving suits and have different athletic abilities. In addition to the old man's actions, the young man can perform multiple jumps, and in addition to the young man's actions, the boy can perform airborne jumps.

Although there is no combat, this game has an aspect of a death game. How will the protagonists, whose relationship is unclear, be involved in the mysterious story?

If you're interested, why not pick it up?

◆『Ato』
“Ato” is a 2D sword action game drawn in pixel art and set in feudal Japan.

A dog samurai had given up his samurai status to live a peaceful life with his wife and child, but one day, assassins sent by his former servants appear and take his child away. In order to save his child, the dog samurai takes up his sword once again and sets off on a journey, defeating assassins who get in his way. The story is told entirely visually, without subtitles, creating a silent film-like worldview that is appealing.

At the beginning of the game, the only actions the Inu Samurai can take are movement, jumping, and attacking with his sword.

However, by obtaining items and scrolls on the way to the floor where the assassin is waiting, you will gradually be able to use stylish and diverse actions. In Metroidvania, emphasis is often placed on operability that is fun to play, and this is an interesting work in which the satisfaction in this respect increases in proportion to the improvement of the dog samurai's abilities.

Along the way, the game is mainly about exploration with strong puzzle elements, and there is basically no combat. Combat is centered around boss battles with assassins waiting on each floor. Since there are few battles with weak enemies, you can focus only on the boss battles, so it is especially recommended for those who want to play a casual Metroidvania.

◆『TEVI』
“TEVI” is a spiritual sequel from the same team who developed the highly acclaimed pixel art action game “Rabi-Ribi.” It is a 2D pixel art scrolling action game starring a bunny-eared girl named “Tevi.”

The series is also attracting attention because the voices of its unique characters are provided by famous voice actors such as Lynn, Hikasa Yoko, Fujiwara Natsumi, and Sugita Tomokazu.

The game system of this title is a mix of Metroidvania and bullet hell shooter. Players will explore the continent of Az, where the game takes place, and acquire over 300 abilities and equipment scattered around to expand their range of action. With a large number of actions and a huge amount of equipment to enhance them, you can enjoy a stylish and speedy game that combines multiple actions.

In battle, two types of attacks, “close-come attacks” and “long-distance attacks,” and a wide variety of equipment allow for a high degree of freedom in battle, and the combos that occur by linking attacks are very exhilarating. In addition, the enemy attacks are well-adjusted, just like in a bullet-hell shooter, making this a highly polished STG game just like the previous one.

If this slightly unusual mix of Metroidvania and bullet hell shooter piques your interest, be sure to give it a try.

◆ Blasphemous 2
“Blasphemous 2” is a Metroidvania game with a dark worldview. It is a sequel to the free DLC “Wounds of Eventide” of the previous work, and tells the story of a protagonist who is chased out of his haven and travels to a dangerous new world to unravel the secrets of the world. Although the story is told in a difficult way, it is not a problem even if you have not played the previous work.

The game's defining feature is its beautiful pixelated graphics. The game's appeal is in the attention to detail that goes into not only the atmospheric fields and characters, but even the effects themselves.

This is a must-have game for players who love pixel art.

The game system is a typical Metroidvania style in which you explore dungeons using action and use newly acquired abilities to mow down enemies along the way. Distinctive elements include the one-handed sword “Luego al Alba” that you obtain early on, the twin swords “Sarmiento & Centera”, and the iron ball “Veredikt”, as well as magic attacks that can be used by consuming a gauge, and various movement actions to fight enemies. With a wide range of attack options, you can enjoy battles with a high degree of freedom.

“Blasphemous 2” is an improved version of the already acclaimed previous game. This is a legitimate evolution of the Metroidvania genre, and is recommended if you don't mind bizarre visuals and slightly grotesque expressions.

◆ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
“ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights” is a dark fantasy 2D scroll action RPG that combines Metroidvania and Soul-like elements. Set in the kingdom of the End, which was destroyed by the “Rain of Death,” the story follows a girl named Lily who wakes up in a church and travels the world with an immortal knight, facing powerful enemies and solving the mystery of the destroyed kingdom.

This game is typical of Metroidvania games, in that the scope of exploration and combat expands with acquired abilities, so exploration and leveling up are the keys to winning the game. However, there are plenty of beautiful locations that fit the worldview, such as a dilapidated cathedral and an abandoned village where the rain never stops, so you'll find yourself stopping to take in the scenery.

In battle, our beloved “Lily” never attacks enemies directly. Players must avoid enemy attacks by using actions such as evasion and dashing to prevent “Lily” from being hurt, while fighting enemies using stand-like skills from the manga “JoJo's Bizarre Adventure” that can be obtained by purifying cursed enemies known as “Impuritans.”

Beautiful graphics and sound, a highly polished scenario and a cute “Lily”. And by combining elements of Metroidvania and Soul-like, this game is a “death game” that gives you a sense of accomplishment as you search for and adapt to the optimal solution. This is my personal favorite of the games introduced this time.

Also, ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist, the sequel to ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights, is currently in early access on Steam. Why not check it out as well?

Above are five recommended Metroidvania games that you can play on the Switch. If you find any that interest you, please give them a try.