Metroidvania
Ongoing coverage on Metroidvania.
Latest coverage
Greak 2: Alliance of the Storms Announced
Greak 2: Alliance of the Storms, a sequel to Greak: Memories of Azur, is set to launch in 2027 for Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. The game will introduce local and online co-op gameplay, allowing two players to control Greak and his sister Adara as they navigate parallel dimensions. Developer Navegante and publisher team17 are bringing back the hand-drawn art style and adding new abilities and puzzles.
Wilderings: The Lost Spring coming to Nintendo Switch this Spring
Herobeat Studios announced that Wilderings: The Lost Spring, a creature-collecting roguelite with Metroidvania exploration elements, is set to release on Nintendo Switch in Spring 2027. The game features befriending and commanding native creatures called Hântu to restore a corrupted world. The studio previously developed the BAFTA-winning game Endling.
Greak 2: Alliance of the Storms is a Co-Op Metroidvania Coming to PC, Consoles in 2027
Developer Navegante and publisher Team17 have announced Greak 2: Alliance of the Storms, a co-op Metroidvania set to release in 2027 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch. The sequel to Greak - Memories of Azur will feature unique abilities for each of the two playable characters, supporting both local and online co-op modes alongside a solo option.
Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement Delayed to 2027, Begins Final Production Phase
ArtPlay has announced that Bloodstained: The Scarlet Engagement has been delayed to 2027, moving from its previously planned 2026 release window. Series creator Koji Igarashi stated that the game has entered its final development stages and gameplay footage will be shown soon. The title will continue the metroidvania style of Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, featuring a new protagonist named Leo.
The Metroidvania I've wanted for 3 years is finally out next year, and it looks like Mexican Castlevania: "Alucard's suit is like 90% of a mariachi suit already"
Mariachi Legends, a Metroidvania heavily inspired by Mexican folklore and cuisine, has announced a release date of April 27, 2027. A new trailer showcased its pixel art, combat animations, and vibrant Mexican street market settings. Creative director Miguel Hasson drew parallels between Alucard's suit and a mariachi outfit.
Metroidvania Action Adventure Magical Blush Reveals Its Release Date on PC
Alkacer Game Studio and DANGEN Entertainment announced that the Metroidvania action-adventure game Magical Blush will be released on PC on September 10th, 2026, via Steam, GOG, and itch.io. Players will control Arnin, a mage tasked with saving the world of Wyn from devastated Elemental Lords and uncovering the mystery behind her brother's disappearance.
Well Dweller gets release date, Nintendo Switch 2 version
Well Dweller, a dark fairy-tale Metroidvania developed by Kyle Thompson and published by Top Hat Studios, will launch on September 22, 2026. The game will be released for both the Nintendo Switch and a "Nintendo Switch 2" version featuring enhanced graphics. Players control a small bird named Glimmer on a quest to defeat a wicked queen.
Castlevania: Belmont’s Curse voice actors revealed
Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin have revealed the voice cast for Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, featuring actors like Liam O’Brien reprising his role as Isaac. The game, set in 1499 Paris, will launch on Nintendo Switch on October 15, 2026, and emphasizes satisfying whip action, diverse bosses, and customizable battle styles.
"The Ori 3 rumors are nonsense," Metroidvania series creator says, and that Halo has taught Xbox you'll "undoubtedly get more slop" without the right talent working on beloved series
Thomas Mahler, CEO of Moon Game Studios, has debunked rumors of a third Ori game, stating that no such project is in development. He expressed interest in Moon Game Studios potentially buying back the Ori IP from Microsoft to develop a sequel themselves, citing concerns about other studios' ability to capture the series' magic, referencing Halo's struggles under 343 Industries.
Rumours of a third Ori game are "nonsense", confirms series creator
Moon Studios CEO Thomas Maher has debunked rumors of a third Ori game, stating they are "nonsense." He confirmed the studio's focus remains on their action-RPG, No Rest for the Wicked, which recently launched into Early Access and is scheduled for a 1.0 release in October for PC and PlayStation 5. The last Ori title, Ori and the Will of the Wisps, was released in 2020.
The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time leaker says Xbox is working on a new Ori game, 6 years after its last excellent…
A prominent leaker suggests that Xbox is working on a new installment in the Ori series, a franchise known for its Metroidvania gameplay and stunning visuals. The original developer, Moon Studios, is currently focused on their ARPG 'No Rest for the Wicked', indicating an external studio may be involved in the new Ori project.
The Sunday Papers
This roundup of videogame criticism covers various topics including the evolution of the shooter genre, the challenges of publishing games with sexual content on Steam, and the impact of capitalist technoculture on digital media. It also touches on genre marketing, the rise of 'search action' games, and player communities in titles like No Man's Sky.
Rover's Tale developer Observer Interactive parts ways with Team17 as it moves to self-publishing
Observer Interactive and Team17 have mutually agreed to part ways, with Observer Interactive now self-publishing its debut title, Rover's Tale. The creature-collecting metroidvania, originally slated for release with Team17, has had its release date moved to 2027. The studio plans to showcase the game at Gamescom, including a look at its Nintendo Switch 2 version.
Akatori Review | TheXboxHub
Akatori is a pixel-art platformer with a strong narrative about a young monk journeying across five realms to prevent corruption. However, the game suffers from unsatisfying movement controls, floaty jumps, and frustrating level design, particularly with its one-hit-kill spikes. While the presentation and ambient music are pleasant, the Metroidvania elements, such as backtracking, are sidelined, leading to an overall mediocre experience despite its compelling story.
Phasmophobia devs Kinetic Games mosey into publishing with a witchy delivery game, a parasitic Metroidvania, and more
Phasmophobia developer Kinetic Games is expanding into publishing, announcing several new titles. These include Crescent County, a magic-tech delivery game; Shellbound, a parasitic Metroidvania; Contact Protocol, a retrofuturistic spaceship security game; and Aether Wizard Life, a mage apprentice simulator. Kinetic Games also announced a partnership with Sam Barlow for his next game, featuring Brandon Cronenberg.
Plungeez – A Puzzling Trip Through The Sewers
Plungeez is a puzzle-platformer Metroidvania game set in the sewers of Salvador, Brazil, featuring pixel-art graphics and environmental puzzles. Players control Bôni, who uses plungers to navigate the interconnected underground world. The game is available on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One for £8.39.
Shellbound is a new Metroidvania, set on the back of a living giant snail
Kinetic Publishing and Fake Lobster have revealed Shellbound, a new Metroidvania game set on the back of a giant, living snail. Players control a parasite that can possess enemies to gain new abilities, with the world dynamically reacting to the player's actions. Shellbound is slated for a Summer 2028 release on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch.
Kinetic Publishing Showcase Recap: Every Reveal, Including the New Sam Barlow Game
Kinetic Publishing revealed five upcoming indie games at its first showcase, including Contact Protocol, Crescent County, Shellbound, Aether Wizard Life, and PRECOGNITION, the latest from Sam Barlow. The showcase also highlighted five development teams, with games slated for release between 2027 and 2028, primarily for Xbox Series X|S and PC.
Phasmophobia Studio Launches A Publishing Label With These Five Exciting Games
Phasmophobia developer Kinetic Games has launched a new publishing label, Kinetic Publishing, and announced its initial lineup of five games. The diverse slate includes the FMV thriller Precognition, the cozy mage life-sim Aether Wizard Life, the unique metroidvania Shellbound, the tense space simulator Contact Protocol, and the witchy racing game Crescent County. These titles are slated for release between 2027 and 2028 on PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Shellbound coming to Nintendo Switch 2
Shellbound, a Metroidvania game where players control enemies on a giant snail, is coming to Nintendo Switch 2 in Summer 2028. Developed by Fake Lobster and published by Kinetic Publishing, the game features exploration, puzzle-solving, and a unique ecosystem evolution mechanic.
