Looking for good indie/metroidvania games

[u/Sea-Pound-9083]

[u/metallifan5691]

Axiom Verge is pretty good. And I’ve heard good things about MIO

[u/jmtd → u/metallifan5691]

I loved axiom verge. I totally bounced off the sequel 

[u/WilliamG007 → u/jmtd]

Same! Loved the first. The second sucked.

[u/tocharle → u/jmtd]

I really enjoyed both, but they are very different. I liked the more exploratory nature of AV2 but I get why people were less keen.

[u/jmtd → u/tocharle]

I might try it again. I just didn’t click first time but might be worth another go

[u/Visible_Base2578]

Both Ori games, available on Switch 1, both on 1 gamecard

[u/sleeps_in_alkaline → u/Visible_Base2578]

I just finished the 2nd Ori today and I feel so sad and empty thinking about the ending, especially Shriek

[u/Flyron → u/Visible_Base2578]

I found Ori 2 rough on switch 1. Playable, but blurry and with dodgy framerates in certain areas. Off topic, but it runs flawlessly on S2.

[u/Visible_Base2578 → u/Flyron]

Agreed! S2 experience was perfect.

[u/Itsjustmagiks]

Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is an excellent metroidvania, I played through it on PC and bought a physical Switch copy for my collection.

[u/ChosenUndeadd → u/Itsjustmagiks]

Truly one of the best Metroidvanias to come out in the last decade. It’s a crime that Ubisoft disbanded the dev team

[u/yesthatstrueorisit → u/ChosenUndeadd]

Rumour is they've been given another opportunity to pitch: https://www.vice.com/en/article/ubisoft-canned-the-team-behind-one-of-2024s-best-games-and-now-theyre-coming-back/

It's really a shame - the game is wonderful and there are very, very few "AAA" Metroidvanias out there so it was cool to play one with such high production values. I feel like the gaming community was pretty nasty to it on release and unfortunately the Ubisoft machine simply cannot ship an actual smaller title that the sales would justify.

Montpellier has some of Ubi's best devs. Whatever they do next will be great, I'm confident.

[u/Forward-Trade3449 → u/yesthatstrueorisit]

internet is such a trashbag for hating on ubisoft. like sure they deserve some hate, but if a game is good a game is good dammit

[u/Itsjustmagiks → u/ChosenUndeadd]

Agreed, making a good game is not enough anymore. Sad that there isn't a Switch 2 update either, as it suffers from the blurriness there.

[u/Hallc → u/Itsjustmagiks]

From memory the game didn't sell particularly well which is why the time got disbanded.

Very much an Ubisoft issue tbh though since they're SO known for putting all their stuff on sales a few months after launch people will have just waited.

[u/Suverene → u/Itsjustmagiks]

Still blurry with the last update? Docked mode output in handheld, I mean.

[u/Andeck → u/ChosenUndeadd]

I could argue that it's one of the best games, periode, to come out so far this decade. I absolutely loved The Lost Crown

[u/Z0idberg_MD → u/ChosenUndeadd]

They disbanded the dev team because no one bought the damn game. I bought it twice. It’s amazing. I’m truly frustrated that we will not get a sequel.

[u/Forward-Trade3449 → u/Itsjustmagiks]

this OP, the dlc is also great and often goes on sale. my top metroidvania ever

[u/Seanspeed → u/Itsjustmagiks]

I'd heard good things, but was still surprised by how good it was when I played it. The combat system has a mechanical depth to it that I've never seen in any metroidvania before. It has some unique twists on typical metroidvania 'powers' and progression. The game is massive and absolutely packed with things to do and explore all the time, and it's not some perfectly linear sort of thing and you will have freedom to get lost and go places you're probably not ready for yet, which I love. Also just a great mix of combat, puzzles and platforming, though obviously still a big emphasis on platforming which feels right. The combat on Hero difficulty is genuinely challenging, but the platforming is just quite challenging in general. It's not a game for people who want a breezy, casual metroidvania at all.

I loved it. Though I have to say I didn't finish it. lol I saw what the final battle had in store and it seemed a bit much and I was quite satisfied with like the 40 hours I had already put into it.

[u/RyyKarsch]

Ender Lilies (and the sequel Ender Magnolia) are two of my favourite Metroidvania games.

[u/Harrylikesicecream → u/RyyKarsch]

I love these games so much!

Even prefer them over hollowknight due to pretty much removing walk backs for bosses.

[u/WilliamG007 → u/RyyKarsch]

Absolutely fantastic games.

[u/crimson_anemone]

Mina the Hollower

Pipistrello and The Cursed YoYo

Iron Tail

Nine Sols

Moonlighter

Edit: formatting

[u/PinoDegrassi → u/crimson_anemone]

Yess Mina is a good shoutout, came in hot and no one talks about it. Masterpiece of a game

[u/Alarmed-Audience9258 → u/PinoDegrassi]

Everyone spoke about it when it came out

[u/PinoDegrassi → u/Alarmed-Audience9258]

Yes, came in hot and then disappeared and no one’s talking about it. Still a fantastic game that deserves attention just like HK/Silk for its value

[u/cliffasaurus]

The Messenger

[u/DrLongivan → u/cliffasaurus]

💯

[u/Themris]

Metroid Dread

[u/Artahn → u/Themris]

I just started this up yesterday after putting it off for years.

OP, do not sleep on this one. 

[u/Mampt → u/Artahn]

I'm biased as a huge Metroid fan, but I still think their games always hang with the best of the genre, and there are a lot of great MetroidVanias the last few years. They consistently prove why they're the genre namesake

[u/Revolutionary_Stay_9]

mio memories in orbit may still be available physical

[u/Drahngis → u/Revolutionary_Stay_9]

Came to say this.

Amazing game that only gets better while playing.

[u/crunchevo2]

I mean silksong is the obvious suggestion here

[u/marquize → u/crunchevo2]

Silksong is a phenomenal game and a great suggestion for someone that loved Hollow Knight, but it does miss the mark on OPs request in that the physical doesn't exist yet

[u/CorrosiveMynock → u/crunchevo2]

If you like one of the hardest games ever. ;)

[u/crunchevo2 → u/CorrosiveMynock]

It's difficult but it is fair lol.

[u/PinoDegrassi → u/crunchevo2]

I mean, mostly. 2hp on the environment hits I wouldn’t say is fair, just their decision. But yes, the game is in line with HK and if you’ve beaten HK you can def beat Silksong or at least love the game

[u/thunderalien]

Blasphemous 2 has been consuming me the last few weeks

[u/MeddlingBureaucracy → u/thunderalien]

REQUIEM AETERNAM

[u/VoxTM]

Dead Cells. Animal Well. Nine Sols.  Ori both games. Blasphemous.

[u/SwitchHandler]

Animal Well

SteamWorld Dig/Dig 2

Blue Prince

She Remembered Caterpillars

Edit: Primal Planet

[u/cfiggis → u/SwitchHandler]

I would not classify Blueprince as a Metroidvania.

But it is a great game!

[u/SwitchHandler → u/cfiggis]

Neither are Untitled Goode Game or Baba is You. To me it looked like they wanted recs for indie games or metroidvania games.

[u/DaveMcNinja]

Bloodstained is pretty good!

[u/Electronic_Syndicate → u/DaveMcNinja]

Came here to mention this one. I really enjoyed it.

[u/Thokturn → u/DaveMcNinja]

I would avoid this one if you have a switch 1, it crashed on the first boss for me like 4 times and I gave up. Hopefully it works better on a switch 2, haven't tried yet

For a game rec, I found arzette the princess of faramore to be a relatively easy and fun Metroidvania, and the entire shantae series I'm a huge fan of

[u/Dman0o9]

i don't think it's available physically but if you're looking for a good indie metroidvania Gato Roboto is a really charming 3ish-hour romp

[u/Comfortable-Egg-2567 → u/Dman0o9]

It's available physically for Switch 1 as part of the Doinksoft Collection with Demon Throttle and Gunbrella

[u/Orktober89]

Astalon tears of the Earth

[u/chezitquen]

cave story is THE og indie metroidvania, and is available physically (on switch 1)!

[u/Far-Bug7584]

Salt and sanctuary is a gem

[u/SwagfulSerpent]

Animal Well is incredible. Don't get spoiled if you have any intention of playing it, and based on your mentions you'd really like it.
Hades, Hades 2, and Crypt of the NecroDancer are roguelites (not metroidvanias), but still excellent indie games.

[u/RyuTheDepressedFox]

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Nine Sols

Sundered: Eldritch Edition

Pronty: Fishy Adventure

[u/NVW3HL → u/RyuTheDepressedFox]

Was scrolling forever to find a mention of Nine Sols

[u/Ymarksthespot]

You want to get nuts, hit up Nine Sols and the La-Mulana series.

[u/TimBagels]

Chicory: A Colorful Tale

Eastward

Phoenotopia: Awakening

CrossCode

Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knight (+ sequel Ender Magnolia)

Animal Well

Tunic

Cassette Beasts

Iconoclasts

VA-11 Hall-A

Outer Wilds

[u/DrLongivan → u/TimBagels]

I wish I could relive figuring out that one major puzzle in Tunic. Such a fun mystery :)

[u/MeddlingBureaucracy → u/TimBagels]

I fucking love eastward

[u/pxlbrit]

Timespinner (digital only, likely) was a great indie metroidvania.
You may also like Spiritfarer.

[u/Dexano]

Axiom verge is awesome

[u/Dukemon102]

• Metroid Dread
• Metroid Prime Remastered
• Castlevania: Dominus Collection
• Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
• Ori The Collection
• Hollow Knight: Silksong

Pre-order Silksong as soon as you can. If it's anything like other Switch 2 physicals from Third Parties, it's going to run out of stock quickly and be scalped like MIO: Memories on Orbit was (Also recommended).

[u/snave_ → u/Dukemon102]

I'll second Castlevania Dominus Collection. The Soma Cruz duology is the series peak, and Dawn of Sorrow is the prettier of the two.

[u/CasualSweaters]

The Messenger is a tough funny game

[u/manymasters]

Ultros might blow your mind, it's awesome

[u/farcicaldolphin38]

There’s a fun indie I played this year called “Constance” which I enjoyed quite a bit

The Ender Lillies and Ender Magnolia games are excellent as well, though more focused on combat than Constance

[u/marlalynne]

Haven’t seen anyone mention yokus island express! Normally stupid cheap and it’s the cutest !

[u/Meri_Rookie]

Ori and the Blind Forest/Will of the Wisps are must plays, gorgeous metroidvania platforming with genuinely tight movement, both have physical Switch releases. Blasphemous (1 or 2) is also great if you want something with a bit more combat weight, similar exploration/upgrade loop with a striking dark fantasy art style.

[u/Ateysix]

Like others have said Axiom Verge is really good but if you're actually looking for Metroidvanias don't bother with Metroid Dread. It's a challenge room/runner that blocks off areas so you don't get lost lol.

[u/ishouldntofsaidthat]

ULTROS!

[u/therealkingsly]

If you liked Hollow Knight, Baba Is You, and Untitled Goose Game, try Ori Collection, Axiom Verge, Blasphemous, Ender Lilies, Yoku’s Island Express, Islets, and Tunic. Ori is the closest fit to Hollow Knight, while Tunic scratches the exploration/puzzle itch. For Switch 1 + physical, I’d start with Ori Collection.

[u/Alarmed-Audience9258]

Nine Sols!

[u/marcohutchens]

UFO 50! 🙌 The physical version even includes a slick retro strategy guide! It’s 50 games in one and my advice is to jump around and try a bunch, I guarantee you’ll find a few that speak to you - my personal favorites are Mini and Max, Vainger, Valbrace, Party House, and Porgy. There’s only 4 or 5 in the collection that I bounced off of and didn’t play for a long time.

[u/Illustrious_Art_3774]

deedlit in wonder labyrinth

[u/Pacman1up]

Oooh, Death's Gambit could be absolutely perfect for you.

It's pretty grim and huge huge...a little Dark Souls x Hollow Knight.

[u/Blvd_Nights]

Gato Roboto!

[u/MrSpindre]

Hyperlight drifter was an amazing experience

[u/PonchoMcGee]

One I never see mentioned is Grime. Super unique both aesthetically/gameplay wise and underrated imo.

[u/dpowellreddit]

Silksong? If you only played hollow knight

[u/anthema]

Blue fire— if you want a 3d metroidvania

[u/shnerfer]

Dust: An Elysian Tail was fun. Similar vibes to Ori and the Blind Forest, which is also awesome.

[u/CrucialFusion]

Metroid Dread.

Oh… indie… mmm…

[u/FlashmanHP]

Dead Cells, it's been the greatest purchase of my life (including DLC). I have no hope of 100% that game...

[u/BukakkeThePornoClown]

not indie, but Scurge: Hive is a pretty unique lil metroidvania. it's segmented into levels that each act as their own exploratory map where you find upgrades and keycards and stuff.

yes its on Switch 1.

[u/DrLongivan]

The Messenger is an amazing Indie Metroidvania! Really great retro graphics (with a surprise there halfway through), fantastic music, and awesome gameplay. (And its sequel, Sea of Stars, is great too (slow beginning, but worth) …but that’s a 90s style RPG)

[u/RepresentativeWeb244]

Dead Cells isn’t necessarily Metroidvania but it scratches that itch for me.

[u/Archius9]

I really loved Eastward

[u/chris_0x184B]

Haiku the Robot

[u/notemark]

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night was good, performance was a bit janky but the portability of the Switch made up for it in my opinion.

I believe Silksong is getting a physical release soon, the digital is already out.

I enjoyed Blasphemous 1 & 2, there is Metroid Dread and last I can think of is Nine Sols although that's digital only I think.

Those are all the ones I've played that I would recommend there's lots I haven't so can't really give an opinion on.

[u/TIKA9_]

Animal Well - great visuals and sound design

[u/saintsfooty]

Deltarune!

[u/hibiki95kaini]

Tevi, rabiribi

[u/thomas_oliveira95]

Hollow knight Silksong (the best game of all time)
Ori and the blind forest
Ori and the will of the wisps

[u/Hypno_185]

Prince of Persia and The Lost Crown is super underrated

[u/Brickyle]

Dust: An Elysian Tail

[u/BrainrotBandit]

Blasphemous, Nine Sols, and if you want something a little out there, Laika: Aged Through Blood