Metroidvania

What is a Metroidvania?

A game like Metroid or Castlevania

Gamers use Metroidvania to describe 2D platformers that are similar to early games in the Metroid and Castlevania series. For example, the original Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night are pillars of this gaming genre.

What makes a game a Metroidvania?

To qualify as a Metroidvania, a game must:

Be a side-scrolling 2D platformer
Feature a large, open game world that players can explore non-linearly (with some areas blocked until players acquire new skills or items)
Reward players for discovering new or unconventional ways of interacting with the game

What are some notable Metroidvanias?

Some notable Metroidvanias include:

Cave Story
The Ori series
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Axiom Verge
Hollow Knight

Example

What's your favorite Metroidvania?

I really, really love Axiom Verge

Gamers discussing their favorite Metroidvanias on Reddit

Soulslike	A video game like Dark Souls
Roguelike	A video game like Rogue
RPG	Role-playing game
FPS	First-person shooter
OHKO	One-hit knockout
Loot	Treasure
Loot drop	The items an enemy drops after you kill them
lvl	Level

Metroidvania

A game like Metroid or Castlevania

What makes a game a Metroidvania?

What are some notable Metroidvanias?

Example

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Metroidvania definition by Slang.net - The Slang Dictionary