Metroidvaniashave a bit of a reputation to uphold, as, rather unsurprisingly, the games that make up their namesake are Metroid and Castlevania, and both games are pretty dang hard.
Most indies that carry the genre to this day follow that same level of difficulty, and sometimes, they push the boat out even more.
Top 10 Best Metroidvania Games of All Time
Time to backtrack.
The most difficult Metroidvanias especially love offering a good balance of complex exploration, precise platforming, and really difficult combat encounters that put your skills to the test, and this list dives into those that strike the best balance of intense difficulty on all these factors.
A Tough Metroidvania-ish Roguelike
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a pretty difficult little game, but it’s perhaps a stretch to call it a traditional Metroidvania, given that it largely omits the branching paths and rewarding open exploration Metroid is lauded for.
But my argument is that if Steam tags it as Metroidvania, and it has as muchCastlevaniacrossover as it does, then I can certainly classify it as one.
While the game demands you master the Metroidvania-esque mechanics; the real difficulty comes through the RNG baked right into the bread, so to speak. As each run can either be blessed or cursed from the start. But, as any Roguelike fan will know, that’s part of the fun.
9Rain World
A Hostile Ecosystem
Rain World
Rain World is less of a Metroidvaniacompared to everything ahead of it on this list, but given that it has a lot of the traditional Metroidvania staples, and some Metroid-style world design, it seemed like a fair inclusion, even if the fan base will loathe me doing so.
It’s practically a simulation of nature and zeroes in on the fact that nature is cruel and unfair to the critters just trying to survive by scavenging what little they can get.
It imbues you with that feeling of dread seeing any creature larger than you. It’s an awesome, terrifyingly hard game, well worth sticking with, even when the going gets tough.
8Pseudoregalia
Demanding 3D Platforming
WhilePseudoregalia, on the surface, features little combat, much less difficult combat, it’s a game fully focused on 3D platforming and exploration in terms of design, which is a decision that pays off immensely.
Through the slow build-up of platforming skills throughout the course of the game, players are given the unique parkour tools to wall-run, gainer backflip, and much more, effectively making these platforming tools your keys to progression.
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That being said, having the skills is only half the battle, as you need to understand their nuances and combine them to great effect, and only then will you be able to move around with the fluidity to push toward the end credits.
So, if you’re into challenging platforming segments that put your skills to the test with a bunch of fun abilities, Pseudoregalia is ready to test you.
7Cave Story+
The Original Indie Metroidvania
Cave Story
Cave Story is a game truly ahead of it’s time, and is often referred to as the grandfather of indie gaming. It created a Metroid-inspired environment that doesn’t relent on the challenging bosses, difficult platforming bosses, and an insane mix of both in the Bloodstained Sanctuary, one of the hardest gauntlets in gaming history.
This game gives you quite a few options and different ways to play through everything, which means that some fights might get a bit easier the more you explore, which is how it should be.
It’s the OG benchmark for hard indie Metroidvanias and the blueprint that many others on this list would use to garner their own success, so for legacy alone, Cave Story earns its spot among the greats.
6Axiom Verge
Very Metroid, Very Hard
Axiom Verge
If you’re a fan of the original 2DMetroidgames, you might have heard of Axiom Verge, but if not, just know that it’s a stone’s throw away from its inspiration, but with all the lovely conveniences of modern indie Metroidvanias.
But just because it has a plucky indie label doesn’t mean that this game pulls any punches. In fact, it tends to land consistent heavy blows to humble you time and time again.
It’s a game you could arguably label as a Metroidbrainia, as the game’s difficulty is largely tied to the knowledge you gain throughout. Meaning, in a second or third playthrough, things will likely be dramatically easier than before.
That said, it’s still quite a fun challenge to try and crack the code to conquer every boss, challenge, and obstacle in your way.
5Blasphemous
As Punishing As Catholic Guilt
Blasphemous
Airing on the side ofthe Vania half of the genre, Blasphemoustakes Dark Souls' harsh but fair combat and meshes it perfectly with the typical aspects of a Metroidvania, making for a pretty difficult game where you have to memorize every boss pattern to a tee.
This game is gritty, dark, and completely unforgiving, making it a souls-like well worth its weight in gold alongside its status as a solid Metroidvania.
The original is probably the pick of the pair, but a special mention also goes to Blasphemous II, a fitting sequel that irons out many minor flaws while keeping the difficulty as punishing as ever.
4Metroid Dread
The Longer The Note, The More Dread
Metroid Dread
Next up, we have the best in the Metroid Series, in my opinion, and also easily the hardest when you factor in its built-in sequence breaking and difficulty options, even on a standard playthrough, with hard Shine Sparking, bosses, and some tense stealth segments.
Weirdly, unlike the other games on this list, it’s a game casual players may find harder to finish, as not exploring thoroughly will likely see you grossly unprepared for what’s ahead.
Those extra health upgrades and missile packs go a long way, and this is a game that forces you to engage with every branching path and optional route, or suffer the consequences of cutting corners. Which, to be fair, is excellent Metroidvania design.
It’s a game that feels extremely tough, but fair in equal measure, making it a top-tier option for Metroid fans looking for a real test.
3Laika: Aged Through Blood
Get On Your Bikes And Ride
Laika: Aged Through Blood
Laika: Aged Through Bloodis a game I’m not super fond of personally, but I can at least vouch for its outstanding art and sound design, and the intense difficulty that’s present even from the very start of the game.
Right from the off, the game isn’t afraid to gate players out of content until they have a firm grasp of the biking-based platforming and bullet time shooting mechanics. However, because the player has to control these concurrently, this proves to be a very tough ask for most.
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It’s like trying to multitask constantly throughout the entire game, which often leads to your brain letting you down, and then promptly being blown to bits.
But this is all forgotten when it all finally clicks, and you get a satisfying, smooth run of backflips and slow-motion headshots. It’s a steep barrier of entry, but one worth clambering over regardless.
2Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Let There Be Blood
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
If you’re someone who leans toward the ‘Vania’ side of the equation, this is the one for you.Bloodstained is a very on-the-nose spiritual successorthat strives to recreate pretty much everythingSymphony of the Nighthad going for it, and one of its biggest draws is the intensely difficult combat.
Exploration and Platforming are palatable enough, but when you meet a boss, you better pray you’re skilled enough to beat it. Which, unless you take the time to grind beforehand, you probably won’t be.
It’s a game that pulls no punches right from the initial moments, and continues this onslaught of pain and suffering right until the closing credits. So, for a bloodletting experience like no other, this is just the ticket.
1Hollow Knight
Only For Brave Little Knights
Hollow Knight (Dupe)
Hollow Knight is one of the most famous and infamous Metroidvaniasout there, and for good reason. It’s famous due to the immersive, beautifully bleak world of Hallownest, the incredible art and sound design, and the incredible combat and platforming present.
However, it’s infamous due to how deceptive difficult this cute little indie is, and while the main game isn’t immensely difficult, the Pantheons of Godhome more than make up for that.
But if that wasn’t enough, you also have the Path of Pain, an optional area focused entirely on really tough platforming gauntlets, something you don’t see too often in Metroidvanias.
It’s genuinely one of the most demanding, enthralling, charming, punishing and pristine Metroidvanias in existence. I could list superlatives all day about this one, so I’ll sign off in the only appropriate way.
Silksong, when?
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