Metroidvaniagames are a dime a dozen now, and with how saturated the video game industry is now, it’s hard to find ones that actually deliver a worthwhile experience that feels fresh and satisfying to endure. Good combat mechanics are hard to come by with narrative-driven games.
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Hence, finding the right blend can feel like a daunting task if you’re scrolling through the Steam library looking for the next big thing to add to your video games collection. Be that as it may, some games actually end up meeting your expectations too, provided you search hard enough.
11Indivisible
Half Metroidvania and halfRPG, Indivisible is a beautiful homage to games of the past with its side-scrolling explorative platforming segments and combat-heavyturn-based battlespectacles. It may not let you perform the combos, but if it’s a spectacle you’re seeking, then that’s exactly what you’ll get with this game.
The voice acting is superb, and the story is no pushover either. It’s a breathtaking interesting take on the genre that feels fresh and innovative.
10Salt And Sanctuary
Brutal is an understatement for this game, often defined as theDark Soulsof Metroidvania games, Salt and Sanctuary will have you rage-quit more often than you’d like. This side-scrolling brawler with some underwhelming graphics in comparison to other similar games still covers some ground as far as combat is concerned.
The gameplay is laid back, somewhat slow at times, but the animations are particularly gruesome and the parrying system is satisfying to a fault. you may mix up your attacks, launch enemies in the air and juggle them, and also use finishers to put an end to their misery.
9Sundered
Sundered features some rather unique-looking enemies and satisfying combo chains that look great and are hard to pull off. This video game may be exploration-heavy, but it delivers when push comes to shove, and you’re surrounded by a horde of enemy attackers.
The gorgeous attack animation and intense battles get your heart pumping, making this a challenging endeavor that feels too short for its own good. It’s a blend of Metroidvania-style gameplay that features rogue-like elements.
8Dust: An Elysian Tale
Even though it’s rather dialogue-heavy, and the art is most of the spectacle, this video game still features some fun combat mechanics on top of the engaging story at your disposal. The weapon-based combos feel satisfying to pull off and the boss fights don’t hold back at all.
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Eventually, even though you get swamped by enemy forces, you may find it enjoyable getting to wipe them all out at once using a powerful skill in your arsenal or chaining them mid-air.
7Valdis Story
Don’t letthe cutesy graphicsfool you into thinking this game’s not going to deliver, because when it comes down to it, Valdis Story features a complicated skill tree and very engaging combat mechanics, even though most of it is hitting and running.
Despite it being tough to maneuver around and juggle enemies with your attacks when it lands,it lands. The mana system and spells come in rather handy during a conflict and evading a counter-attack is fairly easy too.
6Blasphemous
Inspired by Dark Soulsis one way to define this game’s aesthetic, butBlasphemouscan hardly be considered some cheap knock-off, with its captivating high-quality pixilated graphics and impeccable voice acting sequences that pair up fairly well with the gruesome combat mechanics and parry system.
The game does not hold back when it comes to punching you down, and throws some exceptionally hard foes your way right off the bat, expecting you to catch on quickly or perish like the mountain of corpses you start your journey on.
5The Messenger
If you’re aNinja Gaidenfan, then The Messenger will satisfy your craving for another modern-day installment of the series since it delivers with its retro art style, sound design, and combat. The difficulty creeps up on you as enemies gang up, but the story motivates you to keep pushing through.
It’s genuine and unique in its approach. You don’t even play as the titular hero of prophecy, but instead, a mere messenger employed by him to safeguard your clan’s existence. It’sDoommeets ninjahack-and-slashin the most fun ways possible. The game even features a combat tech tree and swimming segment to make matters even more complicated.
4Vernal Edge
Absolutely stunning pixilated graphics and a beautiful soundtrack come together to bring you an unforgettable experience when you load up Vernal Edge. A Metroidvania with roots that harken back to the retro era of video games.
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The gameplay is fairly combat-driven and features some rather engaging juggling mechanics that feel satisfying to execute effectively. The countering mechanic is also easy to pull off and with a little practice, it’s hard to not get immersed and invested, especially with all the spells at your disposal and a colorful overworld to explore chock-full of secrets.
3F.I.S.T Forged In Shadow Torch
If bare-bones grunty fist-fighting combat and superior graphics are your things, thenF.I.S.T Forged In Shadow Torchis the number one contender that fits the bill. The immersive stylized atmosphere and large weapon selection, coupled with the upgradable tech trees make the combat feel fairly satisfying.
Not only that, but the game also features some basic yet fun puzzle-solving segments, genuinely engaging voice-acting, and capable sound design. It’s an enjoyable experience overall with gameplay that won’t infantilize you.
Half Metroidvania and halfrogue-like action platformer,Dead Cellsis a complicated game with stunning artwork and some of the best combat mechanics you will find in the genre. The ports on PC and mobile devices work fairly well, and the controls are simple enough to master quickly.
Despite not being able to chain combos, you get a large variety of weapons to play with that come with their own custom move sets that look visually appealing and satisfying to pull off.
