Metroidvania
Ongoing coverage on Metroidvania.
Latest coverage
Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster Delivers A Bloody Trip Through A Fantasy World
Barbarian Saga: The Beastmaster is a new action Metroidvania game available on Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and PC. Developed by Dormidin Studio and published by Selecta Play, the game features hand-drawn animation, classic sword-and-sorcery influences, and the ability to channel animal souls for combat customization.
Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark getting a Nintendo Switch 2 version
Inti Creates has announced a new version of Gal Guardians: Servants of the Dark for the Nintendo Switch 2, scheduled for release on January 28, 2027. This version will feature enhanced performance and resolution compared to the original Nintendo Switch release, along with local and online co-op via GameShare. The game is described as a gothic-inspired 2D action-adventure Metroidvania where players help revive the Demon Lord Maxim.
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse bears a close resemblance to another Evil Empire throwback
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, a collaboration between Konami, Evil Empire, and Motion Twin, is set to release on October 15 for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. The game follows Rose Belmont in a Metroidvania setting, featuring 2D combat and traversal mechanics that draw comparisons to Evil Empire's The Rogue Prince of Persia.
Castlevania Belmont's Curse blends the classic Metroidvania's soul with Dead Cells' immaculate style
Castlevania: Belmont's Curse, developed by Evil Empire, blends the classic Metroidvania style with the visual flair of Dead Cells. The game features a vibrant art style set in a monster-filled Paris and introduces Rose Belmont as the protagonist. Its combat system offers a dynamic mix of melee and spells, while the iconic Vampire Killer whip serves as a primary traversal tool, addressing common Metroidvania movement woes.
The Merlies appearing on Nintendo Switch
Arte France and Darjeeling Productions, with co-developer Blue Ramen Studio and co-publisher GCores Publis, announced The Merlies for Nintendo Switch, launching digitally on September 29, 2026. This combat-free Metroidvania game focuses on exploration, resource gathering, and village building with a solarpunk aesthetic.
How To Defeat All Vampire Court Bosses In The Blood Of Dawnwalker
This guide details how to defeat the four main vampire bosses in The Blood of Dawnwalker: Brencis, Ambrus, Bakir, and Xanthe. It provides strategies and attack patterns for each boss, emphasizing the importance of dodging, parrying, and utilizing specific game mechanics to overcome their challenges.
How To Romance Crake In The Blood Of Dawnwalker
This guide details how to romance the character Crake in the game The Blood of Dawnwalker. Players must first join the Manumits rebel group, increase their Infamy level, and complete specific quests like 'What Hunts the Night' and 'What Moves the Dead' to build trust and unlock dialogue options. The romance culminates in the 'A Closer Look' quest, where players learn about Crake's past and can initiate a romantic relationship.
You Can Extend The Blood Of Dawnwalker’s Time Limit By Finding Sanzhani Fairies
This guide details how players can extend the time limit in The Blood of Dawnwalker by finding and assisting Sanzhani Fairies. Completing quests like 'Good Home' and 'Letters to Lunka' allows players to interact with these fairies, who ultimately reward them with an extra day, effectively granting more time to save their family.
All Endings In The Blood Of Dawnwalker, Including Both Secret Endings
This guide details all possible endings in the game The Blood of Dawnwalker, including secret, good, bad, and 'douchebag' endings, as well as epilogues and a post-credits scene. It explains the conditions for achieving each outcome, such as defeating the antagonist Brencis within a time limit or betraying allies.
Ananta Hands On Impressions
Ananta, an upcoming open-world game with Metroidvania elements, is set to release on PC, PlayStation 5, and iOS. Early impressions suggest its massive open world could be a significant strength or a major drawback.
Some Of The Best Metroidvanias Have Gone Criminally Overlooked
This article highlights the exceptional but often overlooked metroidvania games developed by Team Ladybug, including Touhou Luna Nights, Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, and Blade Chimera. It praises their unique mechanics, engaging stories, and high-quality presentation across various platforms.
Your Can Get Trapped In A Time Loop In The Blood Of Dawnwalker – Home Sweet Home Guide
This guide for The Blood of Dawnwalker explains how to navigate the 'Home Sweet Home' quest, which features a time loop mechanic within Ambrosius Tower. It details how to escape the loop by facing Coen's guilt and unlock a secret ending by repeatedly reliving the events.
Die, Learn And Try Again In Fear The Timeloop
Fear The Timeloop, a third-person survival horror game, is now available on Xbox Series X|S and PC for £12.49. Players are dropped into a mysterious hospital with a fifteen-minute death countdown, where each death allows them to learn and progress through the time loop mechanic. The game features Metroidvania-inspired elements and branching dialogue.
Moonlighter 2 Feels Like An Entirely Different Game, For Better And Worse
Moonlighter 2: The Endless Vault significantly rethinks the original game's formula, introducing a new 3D art style, isometric roguelike dungeons, and a complex inventory puzzle system. While these changes make it feel like a distinct experience rather than a direct sequel, they may alienate players who preferred the original's focus on action-RPG and shopkeeping elements.
Next Week on XBOX: New Games for September 7 to 11
This week's Xbox releases include NHL 27, Halloween: The Game, Mewgenics, and Train Sim World 7, among many others. Several titles are optimized for Xbox Series X|S and available on Game Pass, including The Royal Writ and Dumb Ways to Build.
The Blood Of Dawnwalker – Guides Hub
This guide hub for The Blood of Dawnwalker provides comprehensive information on various aspects of the RPG, including basics, character quests, romance options, progression, gear, skills, and exploration. It aims to help players navigate the game's open world and vampire mechanics.
Where To Find The Hidden Uriash Village In The Blood Of Dawnwalker
This guide details how to find the hidden Uriash Village in The Blood of Dawnwalker. Players must complete the 'A Friend Like This' quest and then undertake the 'Song of the Mountain' questline, which involves interacting with an uriash prisoner and the vampiress Lacra, to gain access to the village.
How To Save Mert In The Blood Of Dawnwalker – The Firebrand Guide
This guide details how to complete "The Firebrand" quest in The Blood of Dawnwalker to save Mert, a miller imprisoned in Stoneward Post. Players can choose to infiltrate the post during the day or utilize Coen's vampiric abilities at night to rescue Mert and his wife Renna.
The Metroidvania Is Decades Old, But One Year In Particular Is The Undisputed King
The Metroidvania genre, while decades old, experienced its peak in 2018 with a diverse slate of innovative titles. This year saw games like Hollow Knight, Dead Cells, and Yoku's Island Express push the genre's boundaries by incorporating elements from souls-likes, roguelikes, and even pinball, making it an ideal year for both newcomers and veterans.
Hidden Gems of Game Design Vol 51
This article highlights three overlooked games: Phantom 2040, a choose-your-own-adventure Metroidvania with ambitious gameplay for its time; Soukyuu Gurentai, a fast-paced Sega Saturn shooter with a unique lock-on mechanic; and Sky Destroyer, a challenging NES rail shooter with a novel 3D perspective. The pieces celebrate these titles as hidden gems deserving of recognition.
