What impresses me the most about Yoku Island Express is that not only is the concept totally original, but also brilliantly executed and stunningly beautiful. I love hard games like Hollow Knight as much anybody else here, but I certainly appreciate the chill vibe when playing Yoku Island.
@@harkenrebirth From a game and level design perspective it is a Metroidvania but with the DS formula: It has an interconected world, powerups/new abilities that will make you go back to places you couldn't access before and allow you to progress, different possible routes and a good pack of sequence-breaks. So yeah it does stick to the Metroidvania formula, some people even compare it to Symphony of the night :) .
@@ingeniousclown Golden Gates require a Lord Vessel to be opened, getting into the Abyss requires a ring that allows you to walk in the Abyss, exploring a vital part of Lost Izalith requires a ring that allows you to walk on lava. These can be considered as abilities.
Obscure metroidvania? Rabi-Ribi If you ignore the "moe cute totally not perveted weird" part you can see it's an extremely good metroidvania game with some extreme replayability it has more than 200 achievements, needing you to beat the entire game a lot of times, even that the game is pretty long It's literally my favorite game of all time, just ignore the -fetishes- preferences of the creator and have a good time
Rabi-Ribi is great. There's so much content, I'm not sure if I'll ever get 100% completion lol. I haven't met anybody else who's heard of it before now. Not sure if you'd be interested, but if you liked Rabi-Ribi, you might like Nowhere Patrol. It's the only other game I've found which pulls off the bullethell/platformer combo. Though, it doesn't have any metroidvania or exploration elements, it's just the fights.
@@Tymbee Wait, Rabi-Ribi is a bullet hell platformer metroidvania? This looks like exactly the sort of thing I'd like. Did you take a look at Koumajou Densetsu 2 or Touhou luna nights? I feel like those are both good bullet hell platformers, and Touhou Luna Nights is also a good metroidvania.
I was 100% sure that Environmental Station α would in this list and I was not disappointed! The game is very very good and more people should play it. As the should also play Salt and Sanctuary, another very good Metroidvania inspired by Dark Souls.
I played Rabi-Ribi last year and it quickly became one of my top ten favourite games for any console. It’s a bullet-hell Metroidvania with some kickass areas, some amazing music, and some incredibly challenging bosses. I recommend this game to everybody.
Environmental Station Alpha is one of my favorite, most personally inspirational games of all time! The post-game stuff is really profound and rewarding!
Me: sees that Blasphemous is a metroidvania with some juicy aesthetics and combat. *blows in the call-for-a-review horn to call upon the Ingenious Clown*
My favorite obscure Metroidvania and possibly my favorite Metroidvania period is An Untitled Story. It is a freeware game made in 2006 by Matt Thorson, the guy that recently became famous for Celeste. An Untitled Story is a game that starts you with very little, but pulls you forward by your curiosity and just keeps going. Tons of great secrets, fun boss fights, great music and charm. The platforming is very reminiscent of Celeste and you can tell that making challenging platforming segments was important. That's an area of the genre that tends to be weak, but not here. I urge any Metroidvania fans to play An Untitled Story. It's free. Like Hollow Knight, it starts a little slow, but once you get past the first town, you'll be hooked. Play it. You'll be glad you did.
Other than the character writing and the samey enemies and bosses I liked it. It looked great, played decently well. But after a while it started feeling pretty samey.
I 100% love Timespinner and I’ve seen it used on this channel for footage. I honestly don’t think it’s long enough to feel “samey” and that shorter length is perfect for on-the-go with the Switch port. It’s one of my favorite games of the year on that console. Maybe I’m crazy though!
Have you tried A Robot Named Fight? It's really interesting in that it combines rogue-lite and metroidvania together and even though the two genres should be completely incompatible it succeeds at both. In the early days the maps always ended up being some variation of an upside down backward "e" but that's gotten a lot better and the game has evolved a lot since initial release. It came out around the same time as Dead Cells though and it definitely wears it's Super Metroid influence on it's sleeve but because of the procedurally generated maps (including variable zones), assortment of possible bosses for each zone, variable types of power ups, etc. each run feels different enough that it's one of those games that I start up once every month and a half or so and play for a weekend and thoroughly enjoy it.
have you ever played Valdis Story, i dont see it on your gameplays or reviews thumbnails.. its one of my favorites metroidvanias, its combat focused with 4 different characters, each one of them with their own skill trees and weapons.. has stats and equipments and loots.. edit: ive played every metroidvania in this video but environmental station alpha, i will try it..
Valdis Story is so ridiculously underrated. The devs are making a strategy game now that is super Final Fantasy Tactics inspired which I am also hella down for.
La-Mulana 1&2 and ESA is my fav games of all time! Didn't really enoyed Castle in the Darkness and Unepic. Yoku is great, i was very surprised by how much i enjoyed a game with such a strange premise. Highly recommended On more obsucre kinda-metroidvania games i'd recommend Wuppo. Also, while being a whole different genre i would say that if you like La-Mulana you would probably like Grimmrock 2 and Vaporum. It's a different genre with different roots but i does have the same general idea of combining combat, puzzles and exploration in a good balance.
I LOVE Legend of Grimrock and its sequel so much. I went through and re-played both of them about a year and a half ago in my free time, and I probably will again in the future. Those games are so good.
@@ingeniousclown You should try Vaporum then, in my rating Grimmrock 2 > Vaporum > Grimmrock 1. It's really well-made and have a fun steampunk setting.
Okay I thought you might like to know that I grabbed Vaporum, got addicted, and then beat it in like 2 sittings. I enjoyed it a lot, but I still think I'd rank Grimock 1 above it. The build variety in Vaporum is a little shallow compared to Grimrock, and I really enjoyed Grimrock's party system. Also Lara Rike's voice actress had a really badly done accent that I couldn't get over. Overall though I had a really good time with it. I went the tech route and it felt really strong.
Like you talked about, I think Environmental Station Alpha is one of the most obscure metroidvanias out there. I can see why it got overlooked (very low res graphics, brutal difficulty for most peoples' standards, etc...) but it still looks like a great game...I'm thinking of getting it so I tried the demo but, even as someone who's beaten metroid fusion about 20 times now......I died in 5 minutes XD
Dinar 87 I came into ESA on the heels of Hollow Knight so I found the difficulty roughly on par with HK. That said I never beat the game’s main boss, instead bashing my way through a tough sequence break and completing a pretty brutal platforming challenge to get one of the other endings instead. My main criticism of ESA is that it is needlessly difficult to sequence break. There’s only like two or three areas in the entire game that reward going out of your way to go off script, whereas there are HUNDREDS of little areas you can get to before you’re supposed to by way of clever use of the mechanics of the game that go NOWHERE and have NO REWARD. The game doesn’t really suffer from you getting things out of order, so I’m not really sure why it throws so many brick walls against you for having the GALL to abuse the knockback mechanics to reach a higher place than you were supposed to.
@@DX795Q I beat hollow knight before I played the demo of ESA but the demo still made me uneasy about buying it since it seems like this... 1. Hollow knight gives you different combinations of charms and stuff, as well as lots of areas to explore, if you get stuck on a difficult bit. 2. ESA is all about execution/skill iirc with the lack of health drops and stuff. Though bare in mind I've only watched the game and played a demo for 5 mins, but it does seem very challenging and frustrating. Despite this, all this means is that ESA likely just isn't for me, not that it's a bad game by any means. I could manage to get through hollow knight because of the options it usually provided when you got stuck up against a difficult part most of the time. Anyways, seeing as you've beaten the game (?) I'm wondering if you could tell me more about it and if it gets easier later on? Or maybe it's just not for me?
@@dinar8749 The demo is like a little encapsulated version of the whole game. It starts off quite easy and straightforward, then you get more abilities and the game demands quite a bit from you. By far the most difficult part of the game is the boss fights. There are also a few hidden areas that are necessary to finishing the game that are pretty obtuse without a guide. It is a very demanding and difficult game and it gets harder faster than it gets easier. It is still a very good game, but it comes from challenge and mastery, not from feeling like a badass.
I love Metroidvania games,, but I hate platforming games and hate when platforming is shoved into my Metroidvania. I also don't like really challenging games. I don't like dying over and over, and I hate losing even 10 minutes of progress. I mean, the difficulty of Metroid was okay since I was having so much fun exploring and discovering new things that either made me more powerful or adds to my movement capabilities allowing me to explore even more. In fact, that loop is so much fun that if I hit I difficulty wall (such as a hard boss fight) I just restart the game and continue having fun from the beginning, and I would do that over and over until one day I would get past the part I was having difficulty with. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that if I restarted the game again, I would all of sudden be able to get past that part in the future. My biggest problem with action games is that my mind doesn't process things quickly enough in order to react to things coming my way, and so I get hit over and over again. In fact, getting hit in an action game for me is a given because of that. It's even worse when the attacks come even faster because even though there are tells that they are coming (like in Hollow Knight0 so tells go so fast that I don't even see them. For most other gamers with this problem, this would turn them off to action games (and thus Metroidvania games) all together, but again since I am having much fun with the explore-discover-get more powerful loop, I am more willing to keep going (even though I might put down the game for a few weeks to come back refreshed.) Castlevania games are different. They are not as fun to explore (though can be somewhat fun) because there's no power gained from making discoveries. Instead, you gain more power by either leveling up (like an RPG) or finding new abilities from enemies you defeat. Thus if I find a difficult boss that I can't defeat, my solution is to just go back and grind from more levels (like an RPG) or to grind enemies for more abilities. Overall, the grind is not that much fun but needed for me to continue forward, and starting over doesn't have that much value. Thus finding a good Metroidvania game that I would enjoy is quite a challenge, because nowadays they all lean on challenging platforming, or really fast and challenging bosses, but there is not really that power curve through exploration and discovery that I love so much.
I'm mostly in the same boat and wonder what if any games have you found that you do enjoy? Also joqlepecheur.itch.io/every-metroidvania-ever is just a short game jam game but is an interesting look at how a non-action metroidvania might work.
I would also recommend Toki Tori 2, which is a puzzle metroidvania that uses information for progress gating. Similarly, Out There Somewhere and Teslagrad are fun puzzle metroidvanias. So is a free browser game, Redder - and speaking of free browser metroidvanias, I'd recomend Snailiad and Antichromatic and KOLM.
I played all of these already 😂 But I have to congratulate you on the great choices! All of them are great. ESA and Yoku's Island Express are favorites of mine, followed closely by the La Mulanas
I would say Mini Ghost should be there as well. For those playing La Mulana, dont look for solutions, it is a game where it is ok to be stuck for hours, it is a game you have to figure out yourself or you wont have any fun playing, its that good.
I've not come across Environmental Station Alpha or Castle in the Darkness before. Two new games to add to my list! The La Mulana games are very likely my favorite games of all time. I did use a guide a couple times on the first game, but the really well made randomizer makes up for that. UnEpic is a bit janky and has some really unfortunate dialogue choices, but it's still a great game with a rather huge and surprisingly well detailed and difficult castle to explore. And Yoku's Island Express...when I first found that game, I fell in love with it almost immediately. Sure, the stakes are low between the lack of difficulty (with a couple exceptions in optional bits) and the inability to actually die, but it is such a beautiful and relaxing game with wonderful music.
Are you familiar with Axiom Verge by any chance? I found your channel based on your Metroidvania content. Then scrolled your videos & didn't see a video highlighting it. Me personally, it's my 2nd favorite indie game behind Inside & has my 3rd favorite soundtrack (all-time) behind Metroid Prime (1) & Super Metroid (2). I bought the soundtrack on iTunes, I was so addicted to it. But I'd definitely like to see your take on Axiom Verge, if you've played it or after you play it. But if you have played it, I'd like to know which video to check out.
Nice content and a interesting video. Though have you ever thought about going other metroidvanias like SMT Synchronicity Prologue and Muramasa Rebirth (remastered version of a wii title). I would interested on what you would have to say on them on other things like 3d metroidvanias such as Metroid Prime 1-4 (yeah can't wait for 4) and Castlevania Lament of Innocence and Curse of Darkness.
I think he is planning/testing things for the sequel. He also works with the people behind the game "Noita", which looks VERY promising and just announced the Early Access release date.
i would add Valdis Story: abyssal city it's definitely worth your time and the combat mechanics feels great once you mastered it. And also, Iconoclasts ;-)
I'm surprised that Iconoclasts didn't make it on this list. It's a great metroidvania that came out in January last year. Unfortunately, it came out at a bad time, it came out right around the time that Celeste came out and so not many people gave it a chance, but that did play it tend to really enjoy it. And on a side note, I'm kind of surprised that La Mulana and it's sequel were mentioned, because whereas the others in the list I hadn't heard about those two games are always brought up when talking about Metroidvania games. I never really thought of them as obscure games.
"And at times, it can feel really unfair, especially when you fall into a trap that just instantly kills you without really knowing that was going to happen." Bro, you just destroyed the only thing supporting a giant boulder that was right above you, what did you think was going to happen?
La-Mulana is insane with its puzzles. I own the second one as well but haven't started it yet but did beat the 1st one. La-Mulana is not as obscure as it is old. I've never played the original but La-Mulana 1 has some nice easter eggs surrounding the original. Castle in the Darkness is really amazing. I'm looking forward to its sequel that is coming out. Yoku's Island I own but have yet to play. Learned about it from another youtuber a few years ago. UnEpic is a Metroidvania? Thought it was a roguelike. I skipped on it as it never looked interesting to me. I really love Enviromental Station Alpha. I agree the graphics makes it a bit questionable but they grew on me. Love exploring the entire station and getting the secret endings were so much fun. One of the optional bosses scared me shitless because it arrives as I expected but at the same time I did not see it coming. If you haven't already played it I recommend checking out Cathedral. It's a Metroidvania that was released in October 2019 and while it's not the most advanced Metroidvanias it's one of the more challenging ones. Loved every second of it. Great video even if I had heard of all of the games. :)
There is a metroidvania based on Yume Nikki, called Memories of Replica. It's free to download from the developer's website. I think you might enjoy it.
The La Mulana games are so impressive. And intimidating. It’s one of the few games I enjoy watching speedruns of. And I still can’t figure anything out. LOL.
I bought castle in the darkness on a steam sale forever ago but never touched it, you might have just convinced me to give it a try :P Same applies to unepic, the referential humor put me off playing it but it's in my library. That said environmental station alpha has been on top of my metroidvanias to play list for a while Have you played "an untitled story" ? that's my favorite obscure metroidvania!
You should try Valdis story. Great combat (if you use keyboard and like fighting games), rewarding skill checks and sprawling lore. The characters feel different and the individual build paths nuanced (enough for me anyway) though the gear system isn't the best. The world building is some of the best in any metroidvania and the reason why it's one of my all time faves.
I stumbled across Unepic during a Switch eshop sale, and I was very pleasantly surprised. I only scratched the surface of it, but now I really want to dive in because this is the first I have heard of how good it is.
La-Mulana 1 & 2: Sounds like a great game, which I might check out when I got the money and it is on sale. Caslte in the Darkness: I think I played that one a LONG time ago, but nearly forgot everything. Might need to replay it. I remember having a decent time with it. Unepic: Great, very fun...until 3/4 into the game and this one boss ruined everything. When I have to google how to beat a boss, because its mechanic is dumb, that is a VERY bad thing. I wouldn't recommend it or at least at a very low price. Environmental Station Alpha: Amazing through and through. Just stunning and as you said, an incredibly dense map, which I don't think any game has done before. Multiple endings are great too. And with most Metroidvanias when you got all the upgrades, you feel like a god traversing in the end game. Thanks for the video
Im so glad you brought up ESA, its just an amazing, intricate game and has quite the story for feeling at times like a basic metroidvania, yet its not.
Lamulana sounds like it would be a nightmare unless the savepoints are very frequent. I'd be done with a game if I'd made 10 minutes of progress only to die to a cheap, untelegraphed trap Yoku was definitely great, but 100% is stupid; I quit trying to 100% once I got to some "puzzles" where I had to get a slug on my ball, and manage to get in a very precise location with the slug on a very precise point on my ball... which is basically just luck
There are not that many death traps in the first game and most, if not all can be spotted IF you pay attention to things like floor switches or maybe learn about them from skeletons/hint tablets. In LM2 there are a lot more instant death traps but there is a checkpoint/savepoint next to all of them. Getting caught by one is hilarious in my opinion. They even added a trap that most likely will only kill you if you played the first game but I dont want to spoil anything. If you want to play these games I suggest starting with the sequel because it is much more polished, has better jumping controls, a tutorial section and you can save text right from the start. Using screenshots/notes can be helpful because mid-lategame puzzles can span across multiple areas.
One of the best obscure metroidvania I've ever played is Vision Soft Reset. It has very interesting game mechanics about time travel and time stop ; it's like a mix of Majora's Mask and Zero Escape. Seriously, check it out on Steam.
I played ESA based on this video (just finished today). It really is quite good and is definitely one of the better MV's on Steam. Also, those endings? ...WTF
I bought Unepic way back but for some reason I never played it. Got a reason to now. Btw you can tell your sponsors they can tell you thanks since I'll try out that app and get my friends to play too!
I've commented this on another video of yours about Metroidvanias before, but you should totally check out An Untitled Story. It's a Metroidvania by the guy who made Celeste back in 2007 when he was a teenager. It's got a surprisingly open world for a freeware game and is pretty dang hard, too.
An obscure metroidvania I personally greatly enjoy is Unworthy. It's actually more of a soulslike with heavy metroidvania elements, but outside of the lack of proper platforming elements it manages to provide the same degree if item-gated exploration that you'd find on other metroidvanias. Throw in a strikingly unique art style and extremely rewarding but fair combat, and it easily became one of my favorite games, let alone my favorite metroidvania.
Valdis story needs to be in this list !!! the most complete combat system imo, great world design and general atmosphere, the story is cool and beating the game 100% is a real challenge.
@@ingeniousclown we all have different things that catches us, it's just sad you won't experience the full game but it proves that even in metroidvanias, there's a lot of diversity and anyone can find a game that fits him. For me it was Iconoclasts that didn't click ... but when i was watching other playing it the game looked real good
I played Unepic's demo on my laptop way back when, and a year or so ago I was thinking, "what was the name of that game? It was kinda fun." Lo and behold, it was in the great deal tab on the Eshop for like 2 bucks. I haven't played it since I beat it then, but it was a pretty good game. also: GRUB PLUSH AWWW!!!
I don't know how "obscure" this is. I feel unepic, la mulana and Yookoos (spelling) Island express were kinda big when they came out. Unepic i played the demo, la mulane didn't grab mee and the last one I finished (not 100%) on switch. The only one I nevr heard of was the second one, and given the demographic of your channel I feel like not many people were surprised. PS: Bist du deutsch? In einem deiner anderen Videos war ein Screengrab von einem deutschen Steam Review :-)
Unepic is ironically a really epic game, kindoff slow, easy to get lost and hard a lot of the times but I really loved it enough to buy it first on the WiiU and now on Switch
Really great video. I knew about all the games in the list but I dont have Lamulana 2 and Environmental Station Alpha. Im also planing to get and finish both Lamulana gamen on the Switch, because i left the first Lamulana in about the middle.
This game isn't really a metroidvania for a large portion of the game, I'm currently 8 hours in and it's only really just become a metroidvania. It's called Horace, it's much more of a cinematic story driven game than a metroidvania but it sort of reminded me of how The Messenger did it, in-case people don't know about it (though I guess mild spoilers ahead or somethin idk), it's a game where you go through levels and once you've beaten a level you go to the next and are unable to go back. That is until at some point in the game where some story stuff happens you're all of a sudden able to go wherever you want and see that every stage has been woven together this whole time. Except in Horace there's nothing stopping you from realising that at some point it would become a metroidvania.
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I think the reason you can not get enough of the loop of exploration with returns is due to impaired long-term memory because of the likes of MAOA-deficiency.
RUclips asked me how I felt about the adds. I told them I wasn't happy cause the adds were too frequent and interrupted mid-video. Their answer was to put UNSKIPPABLE ADDS MID VIDEO. Come on, RUclips..
@@ingeniousclown as a game dev student looking to make a MetroidVania, I highly value your insight into the genre. I don't very much enjoy being forced to pay for a service I can't afford just to be rid of adds. I don't dislike the adds, I know youtube and content creators need them in order to make revenue. What I highly dislike is when the advertisement (s) entirely disrupts the flow of the video I'm watching, forcing at crucial moments that my attention be diverted for 5 seconds to hit the skip button. It's even more annoying when the add is over one minute in length and unskippable, leading to a complete interruption of viewing in an inopportune moment for something that takes up way too much time that I'm simply not interested in. Were adds like they are on TV, between videos and episodes rather than right in the middle at the worst times, I wouldn't mind them. Hell, I'd let them play if it meant someone else would get add revenue for it if I like their content, but it's not good as it currently is. Much less so if the adds are lengthy and unskippable. Again I say though, I enjoy the content of your videos, and value the insight you're able to give on the topic. So thanks for even taking the time to respond to a comment that was meant as more a semi-rant in regards to a system that's been broken for years.
Obscure Metroidvanias.. heh, I knew about all of these, and beat most of them. Guess I'm too obsessed with the Genre, aren't I? Anyway, here's my list of Recommendations that go beyond those listed in the Video: Momodora: Reverie under the Moonlight There isn't much to be said about it - very tight combat, great upgrades, an interesting world and satisfying bosses. There is some amount of customization (For Combat, not Visuals). It often feels like a 2D Dark Souls, in that it has a Dodge Roll, it's Atmosphere and story are somewhat dark and on harder difficulties, the game is absolutely brutal. Greatly recommended. In Verbis Virtus This game barely feels like a Metroidvania, though I suppose it would qualify based on definitions. It does have Upgrades, and you do often go back to places you were already in thinking 'I can do this now!'. These aspects get overshadowed by the game's core mechanics, though. I would describe it as a 3D Exploration/Physics-based Puzzle solving game - sort of like a more open Portal. The core mechanic is that as you play, you pick up different Spells, which you cast by speaking the Incantations into your Microphone. This works surprisingly well, and I still have every spell memorized years after playing the game. Metroid Super Zero Mission I've gone through many Super Metroid Hacks looking for more Metroidvanias to play, and I think this is one of the best there is. Sure, it is trying to be Zero Mission within the Super Metroid engine, but it is not afraid to take some liberties. It doesn't quite live up to Redesign, but that one is fairly well known... right..? Either way, Super Zero Mission to me remains the most memorable Super Metroid hack, and so I have chosen to list it here.
Yoku's Island Express is obscure? I mean, I guess... but compared to the other games on the list, I don't really know if it's THAT obscure. Great video anyways, if I hadn't already bought Astral Chains I'd check out Environmental Station alpha. Oh and, if you're reading this Alex, could you also discuss about the problems with the Switch version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night? I was extremely disappointed with how horrible it both ran and looked, and as of right now still have not gotten any updates fixing the problem (although I do know they're working on it).
To celebrate Noita coming out soon, all the people involved in the development of that game have put their past games on pretty deep sale, including ESA! It's 60% off as of right now and that puts it at a measly 3.19 USD And yeah I plan to mention how negligent the Switch version is/was for Bloodstained, even if just briefly.
idk if you know of it or not since you never mention it but Valdis Story: Abyssal City is a top quality metroidvania of almost Hollow Knight quality, it is a tad old and forgotten but it is a strong 2nd after HK for me so maybe check it out (it is worth it)
Yeah, it's really good. The only main downside is that I've occasionally gotten lost, the majority of the time I'd spend like a min or two searching and then find out where to go, but one time it took me like 3 hours to find out where to go (and that's not an exaggeration). Turns out I was supposed to be a snake and crawl under a place you can't even see. If you're wondering what place I'm talking about, it's the darn haunted mansion, at the far right in the weird room thing. Besides that, I loved collection all the gems and stuff, was a really fun game (especially since I picked it up with zero expectations).
I would have to add a couple of other obscure metroidvanias. Axiom Verge. Tries to be like a metroid game. But does its own thing. Shadow complex. A game i was really looking forward to play. But it was an Xbox 360 exclusive for a long time. Untill i got it for free on the Epic games store. I think 2 years ago. Great game. As it feels like a Metroid style progression. You get powerups. You change the apearence of yourself. You get stronger. Are able to do new things. Even has a speed boost upgrade like in metroid. The messenger. A recent metroidvania, where you play as a ninja.. 8 bit and 16 bit style world. You can change between them. And climb up a mountain. Guacamelee. A charming Luchador game with many upgrades and powerups. A bit interconnected world to explore and 2 sides to explore. Blaster Master. Also a nice game. You explore worlds. Get powerful upgrades for yourself and your vehicle.
I wouldn't call Axiom Verge, The Messenger, or Guacamelee obscure. I found Shadow Complex relatively bland but unoffensive. I haven't played Blaster Master but I have played Blaster Master Zero, and I thought the metroidvania elements were kinda boring even if the genre-shifting and combat were somewhat unique.
Is "Strider" a metroidvania ? I can't find it if it is or not, I played it and it's kind of metroidvania, but i'm not an expert and wanted to ask one :)
Man, I remember Unepic. That game did click for me too but it also got kinda bullshit toward the end. I had to respec to make one of the bosses even possible to beat. Still was good fun though. It was also kinda funny that the main guy looked pretty much exactly like me. XD Who needs a character creator when that happens?
More Metroidvania content please
Thanks
Seconded.
What impresses me the most about Yoku Island Express is that not only is the concept totally original, but also brilliantly executed and stunningly beautiful. I love hard games like Hollow Knight as much anybody else here, but I certainly appreciate the chill vibe when playing Yoku Island.
Despite never beating it, Unepic stuck with me so hard. Such a good game.
Same. It was harder than I expected.
HOLLOW KNIGHT PLUSHHHHHHH. Didnt even start the vid properly
grub plush best fren
I think Salt and Sanctuary doesn't get as much love as it deserves as well.
Salt and Sanctuary is more a Dark Souls inspired game, than Metroidvania. But a great game non the less.
@@harkenrebirth From a game and level design perspective it is a Metroidvania but with the DS formula: It has an interconected world, powerups/new abilities that will make you go back to places you couldn't access before and allow you to progress, different possible routes and a good pack of sequence-breaks. So yeah it does stick to the Metroidvania formula, some people even compare it to Symphony of the night :) .
Dark Souls is a 3D ARPG with a semi-open interconnected world. Without any kind of ability gating, it can't be considered a metroidvania.
@@ingeniousclown Golden Gates require a Lord Vessel to be opened, getting into the Abyss requires a ring that allows you to walk in the Abyss, exploring a vital part of Lost Izalith requires a ring that allows you to walk on lava. These can be considered as abilities.
Plus Dark Souls was basically a NES/SNES game on modern hardware. Felt a lot like Castlevania to me. Especially with the shortcuts
Obscure metroidvania?
Rabi-Ribi
If you ignore the "moe cute totally not perveted weird" part you can see it's an extremely good metroidvania game with some extreme replayability
it has more than 200 achievements, needing you to beat the entire game a lot of times, even that the game is pretty long
It's literally my favorite game of all time, just ignore the -fetishes- preferences of the creator and have a good time
OBS: Fuck you Irisu
Rabi-Ribi is great. There's so much content, I'm not sure if I'll ever get 100% completion lol. I haven't met anybody else who's heard of it before now.
Not sure if you'd be interested, but if you liked Rabi-Ribi, you might like Nowhere Patrol. It's the only other game I've found which pulls off the bullethell/platformer combo. Though, it doesn't have any metroidvania or exploration elements, it's just the fights.
Yes
oh sweet I'm both into metroidvanias and creepy anime fetishism
@@Tymbee Wait, Rabi-Ribi is a bullet hell platformer metroidvania? This looks like exactly the sort of thing I'd like.
Did you take a look at Koumajou Densetsu 2 or Touhou luna nights? I feel like those are both good bullet hell platformers, and Touhou Luna Nights is also a good metroidvania.
I thought la mulana was a roguelike because of how long the letsplays of it are
Nope... just hard.
I was 100% sure that Environmental Station α would in this list and I was not disappointed! The game is very very good and more people should play it. As the should also play Salt and Sanctuary, another very good Metroidvania inspired by Dark Souls.
The creators are working on a roguelike called Noita and it looks amazing!
the dev of ESA also made baba is you
I played Rabi-Ribi last year and it quickly became one of my top ten favourite games for any console. It’s a bullet-hell Metroidvania with some kickass areas, some amazing music, and some incredibly challenging bosses.
I recommend this game to everybody.
Environmental Station Alpha is one of my favorite, most personally inspirational games of all time! The post-game stuff is really profound and rewarding!
La Mulana is fantastic, really happy to hear it getting a shoutout here!
Also, they are hard af without a guide.
Me: sees that Blasphemous is a metroidvania with some juicy aesthetics and combat.
*blows in the call-for-a-review horn to call upon the Ingenious Clown*
My favorite obscure Metroidvania and possibly my favorite Metroidvania period is An Untitled Story. It is a freeware game made in 2006 by Matt Thorson, the guy that recently became famous for Celeste. An Untitled Story is a game that starts you with very little, but pulls you forward by your curiosity and just keeps going. Tons of great secrets, fun boss fights, great music and charm. The platforming is very reminiscent of Celeste and you can tell that making challenging platforming segments was important. That's an area of the genre that tends to be weak, but not here. I urge any Metroidvania fans to play An Untitled Story. It's free. Like Hollow Knight, it starts a little slow, but once you get past the first town, you'll be hooked. Play it. You'll be glad you did.
"Timespinner" is also a really good one
Other than the character writing and the samey enemies and bosses I liked it.
It looked great, played decently well. But after a while it started feeling pretty samey.
Timespinner is probably the best I’ve played. The only downside is that it is a bit too short 👍
I 100% love Timespinner and I’ve seen it used on this channel for footage. I honestly don’t think it’s long enough to feel “samey” and that shorter length is perfect for on-the-go with the Switch port. It’s one of my favorite games of the year on that console. Maybe I’m crazy though!
Have you tried A Robot Named Fight? It's really interesting in that it combines rogue-lite and metroidvania together and even though the two genres should be completely incompatible it succeeds at both. In the early days the maps always ended up being some variation of an upside down backward "e" but that's gotten a lot better and the game has evolved a lot since initial release. It came out around the same time as Dead Cells though and it definitely wears it's Super Metroid influence on it's sleeve but because of the procedurally generated maps (including variable zones), assortment of possible bosses for each zone, variable types of power ups, etc. each run feels different enough that it's one of those games that I start up once every month and a half or so and play for a weekend and thoroughly enjoy it.
He has: ruclips.net/video/LpceV7GD6fg/видео.html
I 100% yoku's express island in one session and it was totally worth it, I think it was about 8 hours long
Such a good game, damn. One of the few games I 100%ed without any hesitation.
@@PsychologistPlays Why I prefer indies, you end up with games that at least do try something different, for good or for worse.
have you ever played Valdis Story, i dont see it on your gameplays or reviews thumbnails..
its one of my favorites metroidvanias, its combat focused with 4 different characters, each one of them with their own skill trees and weapons.. has stats and equipments and loots..
edit: ive played every metroidvania in this video but environmental station alpha, i will try it..
Yes, so disappointed Valdis story didn't make the list. A really great experience for me
Valdis Story is so ridiculously underrated. The devs are making a strategy game now that is super Final Fantasy Tactics inspired which I am also hella down for.
La-Mulana 1&2 and ESA is my fav games of all time!
Didn't really enoyed Castle in the Darkness and Unepic.
Yoku is great, i was very surprised by how much i enjoyed a game with such a strange premise. Highly recommended
On more obsucre kinda-metroidvania games i'd recommend Wuppo.
Also, while being a whole different genre i would say that if you like La-Mulana you would probably like Grimmrock 2 and Vaporum. It's a different genre with different roots but i does have the same general idea of combining combat, puzzles and exploration in a good balance.
I LOVE Legend of Grimrock and its sequel so much. I went through and re-played both of them about a year and a half ago in my free time, and I probably will again in the future. Those games are so good.
@@ingeniousclown You should try Vaporum then, in my rating Grimmrock 2 > Vaporum > Grimmrock 1. It's really well-made and have a fun steampunk setting.
Okay I thought you might like to know that I grabbed Vaporum, got addicted, and then beat it in like 2 sittings. I enjoyed it a lot, but I still think I'd rank Grimock 1 above it. The build variety in Vaporum is a little shallow compared to Grimrock, and I really enjoyed Grimrock's party system. Also Lara Rike's voice actress had a really badly done accent that I couldn't get over.
Overall though I had a really good time with it. I went the tech route and it felt really strong.
Like you talked about, I think Environmental Station Alpha is one of the most obscure metroidvanias out there.
I can see why it got overlooked (very low res graphics, brutal difficulty for most peoples' standards, etc...) but it still looks like a great game...I'm thinking of getting it so I tried the demo but, even as someone who's beaten metroid fusion about 20 times now......I died in 5 minutes XD
Dinar 87 I came into ESA on the heels of Hollow Knight so I found the difficulty roughly on par with HK. That said I never beat the game’s main boss, instead bashing my way through a tough sequence break and completing a pretty brutal platforming challenge to get one of the other endings instead.
My main criticism of ESA is that it is needlessly difficult to sequence break. There’s only like two or three areas in the entire game that reward going out of your way to go off script, whereas there are HUNDREDS of little areas you can get to before you’re supposed to by way of clever use of the mechanics of the game that go NOWHERE and have NO REWARD. The game doesn’t really suffer from you getting things out of order, so I’m not really sure why it throws so many brick walls against you for having the GALL to abuse the knockback mechanics to reach a higher place than you were supposed to.
Also I used mouse and keyboard controls because I am masochistic. I recommend not doing that.
@@DX795Q I beat hollow knight before I played the demo of ESA but the demo still made me uneasy about buying it since it seems like this...
1. Hollow knight gives you different combinations of charms and stuff, as well as lots of areas to explore, if you get stuck on a difficult bit.
2. ESA is all about execution/skill iirc with the lack of health drops and stuff. Though bare in mind I've only watched the game and played a demo for 5 mins, but it does seem very challenging and frustrating.
Despite this, all this means is that ESA likely just isn't for me, not that it's a bad game by any means. I could manage to get through hollow knight because of the options it usually provided when you got stuck up against a difficult part most of the time.
Anyways, seeing as you've beaten the game (?) I'm wondering if you could tell me more about it and if it gets easier later on? Or maybe it's just not for me?
@@dinar8749 The demo is like a little encapsulated version of the whole game. It starts off quite easy and straightforward, then you get more abilities and the game demands quite a bit from you. By far the most difficult part of the game is the boss fights. There are also a few hidden areas that are necessary to finishing the game that are pretty obtuse without a guide. It is a very demanding and difficult game and it gets harder faster than it gets easier.
It is still a very good game, but it comes from challenge and mastery, not from feeling like a badass.
I love Metroidvania games,, but I hate platforming games and hate when platforming is shoved into my Metroidvania. I also don't like really challenging games. I don't like dying over and over, and I hate losing even 10 minutes of progress.
I mean, the difficulty of Metroid was okay since I was having so much fun exploring and discovering new things that either made me more powerful or adds to my movement capabilities allowing me to explore even more. In fact, that loop is so much fun that if I hit I difficulty wall (such as a hard boss fight) I just restart the game and continue having fun from the beginning, and I would do that over and over until one day I would get past the part I was having difficulty with. Unfortunately, it doesn't mean that if I restarted the game again, I would all of sudden be able to get past that part in the future. My biggest problem with action games is that my mind doesn't process things quickly enough in order to react to things coming my way, and so I get hit over and over again. In fact, getting hit in an action game for me is a given because of that. It's even worse when the attacks come even faster because even though there are tells that they are coming (like in Hollow Knight0 so tells go so fast that I don't even see them. For most other gamers with this problem, this would turn them off to action games (and thus Metroidvania games) all together, but again since I am having much fun with the explore-discover-get more powerful loop, I am more willing to keep going (even though I might put down the game for a few weeks to come back refreshed.)
Castlevania games are different. They are not as fun to explore (though can be somewhat fun) because there's no power gained from making discoveries. Instead, you gain more power by either leveling up (like an RPG) or finding new abilities from enemies you defeat. Thus if I find a difficult boss that I can't defeat, my solution is to just go back and grind from more levels (like an RPG) or to grind enemies for more abilities. Overall, the grind is not that much fun but needed for me to continue forward, and starting over doesn't have that much value.
Thus finding a good Metroidvania game that I would enjoy is quite a challenge, because nowadays they all lean on challenging platforming, or really fast and challenging bosses, but there is not really that power curve through exploration and discovery that I love so much.
I'm mostly in the same boat and wonder what if any games have you found that you do enjoy?
Also joqlepecheur.itch.io/every-metroidvania-ever is just a short game jam game but is an interesting look at how a non-action metroidvania might work.
The hack at 2:07 showed me the beauty of wall jumping in video games.
Super Metroid Rotation is beautiful.
I would also recommend Toki Tori 2, which is a puzzle metroidvania that uses information for progress gating. Similarly, Out There Somewhere and Teslagrad are fun puzzle metroidvanias. So is a free browser game, Redder - and speaking of free browser metroidvanias, I'd recomend Snailiad and Antichromatic and KOLM.
I played all of these already 😂
But I have to congratulate you on the great choices! All of them are great.
ESA and Yoku's Island Express are favorites of mine, followed closely by the La Mulanas
I would say Mini Ghost should be there as well.
For those playing La Mulana, dont look for solutions, it is a game where it is ok to be stuck for hours, it is a game you have to figure out yourself or you wont have any fun playing, its that good.
Blasphemous is absolutely my favorite new metroidvania and you should all play it!
Finally someone that appreciates Unepic for the amazing game it is... great video. Cheers
I wish you'd make your top 10 favorite metroidvania games.
3:37 that's the first time I've heard someone unironically use the phrase 'Pride and accomplishment' sense the Battlefront 2 debacle.
I've not come across Environmental Station Alpha or Castle in the Darkness before. Two new games to add to my list! The La Mulana games are very likely my favorite games of all time. I did use a guide a couple times on the first game, but the really well made randomizer makes up for that. UnEpic is a bit janky and has some really unfortunate dialogue choices, but it's still a great game with a rather huge and surprisingly well detailed and difficult castle to explore. And Yoku's Island Express...when I first found that game, I fell in love with it almost immediately. Sure, the stakes are low between the lack of difficulty (with a couple exceptions in optional bits) and the inability to actually die, but it is such a beautiful and relaxing game with wonderful music.
Unepic.This was the game i fell in love with during a really shitty period in my life.This game along with Faxanadu for the NES are my best.
Are you familiar with Axiom Verge by any chance? I found your channel based on your Metroidvania content. Then scrolled your videos & didn't see a video highlighting it. Me personally, it's my 2nd favorite indie game behind Inside & has my 3rd favorite soundtrack (all-time) behind Metroid Prime (1) & Super Metroid (2). I bought the soundtrack on iTunes, I was so addicted to it. But I'd definitely like to see your take on Axiom Verge, if you've played it or after you play it. But if you have played it, I'd like to know which video to check out.
4:32 Shoulda tried to catch that pikachu.
Nice content and a interesting video. Though have you ever thought about going other metroidvanias like SMT Synchronicity Prologue and Muramasa Rebirth (remastered version of a wii title). I would interested on what you would have to say on them on other things like 3d metroidvanias such as Metroid Prime 1-4 (yeah can't wait for 4) and Castlevania Lament of Innocence and Curse of Darkness.
ESA really needs more appreciation. It’s just too good. (also a sequel is planed?)
I think he is planning/testing things for the sequel. He also works with the people behind the game "Noita", which looks VERY promising and just announced the Early Access release date.
instantly bough ESA when i saw it in here, that looks bloody great!
I would recommend too Timespinner and Momodora Reverie under the moonlight
i would add Valdis Story: abyssal city it's definitely worth your time and the combat mechanics feels great once you mastered it. And also, Iconoclasts ;-)
I'm surprised that Iconoclasts didn't make it on this list. It's a great metroidvania that came out in January last year. Unfortunately, it came out at a bad time, it came out right around the time that Celeste came out and so not many people gave it a chance, but that did play it tend to really enjoy it.
And on a side note, I'm kind of surprised that La Mulana and it's sequel were mentioned, because whereas the others in the list I hadn't heard about those two games are always brought up when talking about Metroidvania games. I never really thought of them as obscure games.
Here are a few more: Aquaria, GunGirl 2, An untitled story, Code: Evolved, Odallus, Castlevania The Lecarde Chronicles 2, Hero Core...
"And at times, it can feel really unfair, especially when you fall into a trap that just instantly kills you without really knowing that was going to happen."
Bro, you just destroyed the only thing supporting a giant boulder that was right above you, what did you think was going to happen?
La-Mulana is insane with its puzzles. I own the second one as well but haven't started it yet but did beat the 1st one. La-Mulana is not as obscure as it is old. I've never played the original but La-Mulana 1 has some nice easter eggs surrounding the original. Castle in the Darkness is really amazing. I'm looking forward to its sequel that is coming out. Yoku's Island I own but have yet to play. Learned about it from another youtuber a few years ago. UnEpic is a Metroidvania? Thought it was a roguelike. I skipped on it as it never looked interesting to me. I really love Enviromental Station Alpha. I agree the graphics makes it a bit questionable but they grew on me. Love exploring the entire station and getting the secret endings were so much fun. One of the optional bosses scared me shitless because it arrives as I expected but at the same time I did not see it coming. If you haven't already played it I recommend checking out Cathedral. It's a Metroidvania that was released in October 2019 and while it's not the most advanced Metroidvanias it's one of the more challenging ones. Loved every second of it.
Great video even if I had heard of all of the games. :)
I clicked on this video thinking "Environmental Station Alpha better this list, on a good spot."
Not disappointed. :)
There is a metroidvania based on Yume Nikki, called Memories of Replica. It's free to download from the developer's website. I think you might enjoy it.
The La Mulana games are so impressive. And intimidating. It’s one of the few games I enjoy watching speedruns of. And I still can’t figure anything out. LOL.
I feel like Touhou Luna Nights just gets overlooked too often
If i see hollow knight, i click quickly, simple
I bought castle in the darkness on a steam sale forever ago but never touched it, you might have just convinced me to give it a try :P
Same applies to unepic, the referential humor put me off playing it but it's in my library.
That said environmental station alpha has been on top of my metroidvanias to play list for a while
Have you played "an untitled story" ? that's my favorite obscure metroidvania!
I actually beat the first La Mulana. It’s like Dark Souls meets Indiana Jones.
You should try Valdis story. Great combat (if you use keyboard and like fighting games), rewarding skill checks and sprawling lore. The characters feel different and the individual build paths nuanced (enough for me anyway) though the gear system isn't the best. The world building is some of the best in any metroidvania and the reason why it's one of my all time faves.
I stumbled across Unepic during a Switch eshop sale, and I was very pleasantly surprised. I only scratched the surface of it, but now I really want to dive in because this is the first I have heard of how good it is.
Yoku's Island has one of the most fun 'fast travel' mechanic.
I recommend Swords of Ditto: Mormo’s Curse it’s like the 2D Zelda games
You should’ve mentioned Scooby-Doo: Night of 100 Frights. It’s actually really good.
La-Mulana 1 & 2: Sounds like a great game, which I might check out when I got the money and it is on sale.
Caslte in the Darkness: I think I played that one a LONG time ago, but nearly forgot everything. Might need to replay it. I remember having a decent time with it.
Unepic: Great, very fun...until 3/4 into the game and this one boss ruined everything. When I have to google how to beat a boss, because its mechanic is dumb, that is a VERY bad thing. I wouldn't recommend it or at least at a very low price.
Environmental Station Alpha: Amazing through and through. Just stunning and as you said, an incredibly dense map, which I don't think any game has done before. Multiple endings are great too. And with most Metroidvanias when you got all the upgrades, you feel like a god traversing in the end game.
Thanks for the video
Yeah I admit there's a few janky bosses in Unepic that were really weird or confusing.
Im so glad you brought up ESA, its just an amazing, intricate game and has quite the story for feeling at times like a basic metroidvania, yet its not.
Lamulana sounds like it would be a nightmare unless the savepoints are very frequent. I'd be done with a game if I'd made 10 minutes of progress only to die to a cheap, untelegraphed trap
Yoku was definitely great, but 100% is stupid; I quit trying to 100% once I got to some "puzzles" where I had to get a slug on my ball, and manage to get in a very precise location with the slug on a very precise point on my ball... which is basically just luck
There are not that many death traps in the first game and most, if not all can be spotted IF you pay attention to things like floor switches or maybe learn about them from skeletons/hint tablets. In LM2 there are a lot more instant death traps but there is a checkpoint/savepoint next to all of them. Getting caught by one is hilarious in my opinion. They even added a trap that most likely will only kill you if you played the first game but I dont want to spoil anything.
If you want to play these games I suggest starting with the sequel because it is much more polished, has better jumping controls, a tutorial section and you can save text right from the start. Using screenshots/notes can be helpful because mid-lategame puzzles can span across multiple areas.
One of the best obscure metroidvania I've ever played is Vision Soft Reset. It has very interesting game mechanics about time travel and time stop ; it's like a mix of Majora's Mask and Zero Escape. Seriously, check it out on Steam.
I played ESA based on this video (just finished today). It really is quite good and is definitely one of the better MV's on Steam.
Also, those endings? ...WTF
He's back!
Better comparison might've been, "Castle in the Darkness is like Chess - easy to play, but hard to master."
Hornet music at the end. Just love.
I LOVE Yoku's Island Express so very, very much and I desperately want a sequel.
I bought Unepic way back but for some reason I never played it. Got a reason to now.
Btw you can tell your sponsors they can tell you thanks since I'll try out that app and get my friends to play too!
I've commented this on another video of yours about Metroidvanias before, but you should totally check out An Untitled Story. It's a Metroidvania by the guy who made Celeste back in 2007 when he was a teenager. It's got a surprisingly open world for a freeware game and is pretty dang hard, too.
An obscure metroidvania I personally greatly enjoy is Unworthy.
It's actually more of a soulslike with heavy metroidvania elements, but outside of the lack of proper platforming elements it manages to provide the same degree if item-gated exploration that you'd find on other metroidvanias.
Throw in a strikingly unique art style and extremely rewarding but fair combat, and it easily became one of my favorite games, let alone my favorite metroidvania.
Valdis story needs to be in this list !!! the most complete combat system imo, great world design and general atmosphere, the story is cool and beating the game 100% is a real challenge.
I've tried two separate times (once when I had the idea for this video) and I really, REALLY couldn't get into it for some reason.
@@ingeniousclown we all have different things that catches us, it's just sad you won't experience the full game but it proves that even in metroidvanias, there's a lot of diversity and anyone can find a game that fits him.
For me it was Iconoclasts that didn't click ... but when i was watching other playing it the game looked real good
I played Unepic's demo on my laptop way back when, and a year or so ago I was thinking, "what was the name of that game? It was kinda fun." Lo and behold, it was in the great deal tab on the Eshop for like 2 bucks. I haven't played it since I beat it then, but it was a pretty good game.
also: GRUB PLUSH AWWW!!!
UnEpic is such an excellent game. I found the Thames by chance a few years ago and instantly fell in love with everything about it.
Also Ingenious, it'd be epic as hell if you could make some more metroid game design videos as they're like crack and cocaine for me 👀👀👀
After Salt and Sanctuary and Hollow Knight I am now a Fan of Metroidvanias. I played Chasm and now the fantastic Ori and the blind Forest.
Ori 1 and 2 are my favorite have followed by hollow Knight. How does salt and sanctuary hold up next to those games??? I have yet to play it.
I don't know how "obscure" this is. I feel unepic, la mulana and Yookoos (spelling) Island express were kinda big when they came out. Unepic i played the demo, la mulane didn't grab mee and the last one I finished (not 100%) on switch.
The only one I nevr heard of was the second one, and given the demographic of your channel I feel like not many people were surprised.
PS: Bist du deutsch? In einem deiner anderen Videos war ein Screengrab von einem deutschen Steam Review :-)
The booth looks stellar. Maybe use this to build upon a channel theme?
Phoenotopia? It's a pretty neat metroidvania on the browser, once you get used to the controls and odd combat.
Unepic is ironically a really epic game, kindoff slow, easy to get lost and hard a lot of the times but I really loved it enough to buy it first on the WiiU and now on Switch
Oh god he took a raid sponsorship
Really great video. I knew about all the games in the list but I dont have Lamulana 2 and Environmental Station Alpha. Im also planing to get and finish both Lamulana gamen on the Switch, because i left the first Lamulana in about the middle.
This game isn't really a metroidvania for a large portion of the game, I'm currently 8 hours in and it's only really just become a metroidvania. It's called Horace, it's much more of a cinematic story driven game than a metroidvania but it sort of reminded me of how The Messenger did it, in-case people don't know about it (though I guess mild spoilers ahead or somethin idk), it's a game where you go through levels and once you've beaten a level you go to the next and are unable to go back. That is until at some point in the game where some story stuff happens you're all of a sudden able to go wherever you want and see that every stage has been woven together this whole time. Except in Horace there's nothing stopping you from realising that at some point it would become a metroidvania.
Yeah, ESA's post game was absolutely insane
Nice video, I didn't know about Environmental Station @ gotta give that a try. I'm super interested in hearing your perspective on Blood Stained.
Thanks to Raid: Shadow Legends for sponsoring this video!
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Yoku's Island Express is one of the best unique metroidvanias I've played. Highly suggested.
Are you going to be doing Blasphemous? It’s one of the finest MVs I have ever played.
I just completed it today and I'm starving for more MV, can't believe people are not talking about Blasphemous. I loved it, but it wasn't perfect.
I think the reason you can not get enough of the loop of exploration with returns is due to impaired long-term memory because of the likes of MAOA-deficiency.
RUclips asked me how I felt about the adds. I told them I wasn't happy cause the adds were too frequent and interrupted mid-video. Their answer was to put UNSKIPPABLE ADDS MID VIDEO.
Come on, RUclips..
You can get RUclips Premium if it is available in your area ;)
@@ingeniousclown as a game dev student looking to make a MetroidVania, I highly value your insight into the genre. I don't very much enjoy being forced to pay for a service I can't afford just to be rid of adds.
I don't dislike the adds, I know youtube and content creators need them in order to make revenue. What I highly dislike is when the advertisement (s) entirely disrupts the flow of the video I'm watching, forcing at crucial moments that my attention be diverted for 5 seconds to hit the skip button.
It's even more annoying when the add is over one minute in length and unskippable, leading to a complete interruption of viewing in an inopportune moment for something that takes up way too much time that I'm simply not interested in.
Were adds like they are on TV, between videos and episodes rather than right in the middle at the worst times, I wouldn't mind them. Hell, I'd let them play if it meant someone else would get add revenue for it if I like their content, but it's not good as it currently is. Much less so if the adds are lengthy and unskippable.
Again I say though, I enjoy the content of your videos, and value the insight you're able to give on the topic. So thanks for even taking the time to respond to a comment that was meant as more a semi-rant in regards to a system that's been broken for years.
I have a few more to add: Dex, Teslagard and Ghost 1.0... had fun playing those on Steam.
Yeah i only recently have heard of the La Mulana games and i am already excited for their upcoming release on the Switch.
hey! cubeworld's coming out tomorrow , are you going to do a review on it?
I'm considering it! I'm still trying to finish the bloodstained review
@@ingeniousclown nice i'll check it out
Obscure Metroidvanias.. heh, I knew about all of these, and beat most of them. Guess I'm too obsessed with the Genre, aren't I?
Anyway, here's my list of Recommendations that go beyond those listed in the Video:
Momodora: Reverie under the Moonlight
There isn't much to be said about it - very tight combat, great upgrades, an interesting world and satisfying bosses. There is some amount of customization (For Combat, not Visuals). It often feels like a 2D Dark Souls, in that it has a Dodge Roll, it's Atmosphere and story are somewhat dark and on harder difficulties, the game is absolutely brutal. Greatly recommended.
In Verbis Virtus
This game barely feels like a Metroidvania, though I suppose it would qualify based on definitions. It does have Upgrades, and you do often go back to places you were already in thinking 'I can do this now!'. These aspects get overshadowed by the game's core mechanics, though. I would describe it as a 3D Exploration/Physics-based Puzzle solving game - sort of like a more open Portal. The core mechanic is that as you play, you pick up different Spells, which you cast by speaking the Incantations into your Microphone. This works surprisingly well, and I still have every spell memorized years after playing the game.
Metroid Super Zero Mission
I've gone through many Super Metroid Hacks looking for more Metroidvanias to play, and I think this is one of the best there is. Sure, it is trying to be Zero Mission within the Super Metroid engine, but it is not afraid to take some liberties. It doesn't quite live up to Redesign, but that one is fairly well known... right..? Either way, Super Zero Mission to me remains the most memorable Super Metroid hack, and so I have chosen to list it here.
Yoku's Island Express is obscure? I mean, I guess... but compared to the other games on the list, I don't really know if it's THAT obscure. Great video anyways, if I hadn't already bought Astral Chains I'd check out Environmental Station alpha. Oh and, if you're reading this Alex, could you also discuss about the problems with the Switch version of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night? I was extremely disappointed with how horrible it both ran and looked, and as of right now still have not gotten any updates fixing the problem (although I do know they're working on it).
To celebrate Noita coming out soon, all the people involved in the development of that game have put their past games on pretty deep sale, including ESA! It's 60% off as of right now and that puts it at a measly 3.19 USD
And yeah I plan to mention how negligent the Switch version is/was for Bloodstained, even if just briefly.
@@ingeniousclown Oh it is? Well, I might check it out after all. Anyways, keep up the great work! 👍
Great list! Played them all but yeah fantastic stuff!
Deffinately unepic and station alpha.. they caught off guard with how good they were
Boy do I have news for you relating to cube world! It’s releasing on steam 30th of september
Yoku’s island is the shit. Loved 100%ing it. Also wont take a lifetime to finish.
idk if you know of it or not since you never mention it but Valdis Story: Abyssal City is a top quality metroidvania of almost Hollow Knight quality, it is a tad old and forgotten but it is a strong 2nd after HK for me so maybe check it out (it is worth it)
Where the hell.... is MONSTER BOY AND THE CURSED KINGDOM?!?!
Like seriously go play it it’s great shit...
Yeah, it's really good. The only main downside is that I've occasionally gotten lost, the majority of the time I'd spend like a min or two searching and then find out where to go, but one time it took me like 3 hours to find out where to go (and that's not an exaggeration). Turns out I was supposed to be a snake and crawl under a place you can't even see. If you're wondering what place I'm talking about, it's the darn haunted mansion, at the far right in the weird room thing. Besides that, I loved collection all the gems and stuff, was a really fun game (especially since I picked it up with zero expectations).
I would have to add a couple of other obscure metroidvanias. Axiom Verge. Tries to be like a metroid game. But does its own thing. Shadow complex. A game i was really looking forward to play. But it was an Xbox 360 exclusive for a long time. Untill i got it for free on the Epic games store. I think 2 years ago. Great game. As it feels like a Metroid style progression. You get powerups. You change the apearence of yourself. You get stronger. Are able to do new things. Even has a speed boost upgrade like in metroid. The messenger. A recent metroidvania, where you play as a ninja.. 8 bit and 16 bit style world. You can change between them. And climb up a mountain. Guacamelee. A charming Luchador game with many upgrades and powerups. A bit interconnected world to explore and 2 sides to explore. Blaster Master. Also a nice game. You explore worlds. Get powerful upgrades for yourself and your vehicle.
I wouldn't call Axiom Verge, The Messenger, or Guacamelee obscure. I found Shadow Complex relatively bland but unoffensive. I haven't played Blaster Master but I have played Blaster Master Zero, and I thought the metroidvania elements were kinda boring even if the genre-shifting and combat were somewhat unique.
La-Mulana rules! And yet, it kills me so much.
Is "Strider" a metroidvania ? I can't find it if it is or not, I played it and it's kind of metroidvania, but i'm not an expert and wanted to ask one :)
The NES Strider and the modern ps3/360 era reimagining are definitely metroidvania style.
Great list!
Man, I remember Unepic. That game did click for me too but it also got kinda bullshit toward the end. I had to respec to make one of the bosses even possible to beat. Still was good fun though. It was also kinda funny that the main guy looked pretty much exactly like me. XD Who needs a character creator when that happens?
I haven't played either yet, but if you like Unepic, maybe try out Ghost 1.0. It's a more true Metroidvania by the same developer.
I really liked Ghost 1.0, and fun fact I have a couple of voice roles in it as well! I didn't find it as memorable as Unepic though, personally.