The PS Plus Catalog may be an offshoot from the terrible Playstation Now service, but let me tell you from experience, this service is leaps and bounds ahead of the old model, and plays host to averitable treasure trove of great games.
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I’ll concede that the service isn’t always the best at catering for those who like very specific genres, and as such, it can be difficult to find games that scratch a certain itch, which is often the case for Metroidvania fans.
The service isn’tbursting at the seams with Metroidvanias, so I won’t get your hopes up in that regard. But what select few the service does have are well worth checking out. So allow me to highlight those so you don’t need to go hunting for yourself.
9Child of Light
A Turn-Based Metroidvania
Child of Light
While Child of Light is a game that probably overpowers some other games on this list in terms of overall quality, I can’t in good conscience bump it up the rankings, simply because it is only a Metroidvania in the very loosest sense.
It qualifies as a Metroidvania, just about, on account of some backtracking and puzzles requiring certain powers to solve. But, in truth, this is a fairly linear platformer withturn-based combat at the heart of the action.
The turn-based, ATB-style system is a joy to engage with, as is the chalky, atmospheric world you inhabit. The fact that the story is told in Iambic pentameter is a bit of a tough pill to swallow, but hey, maybe the poetry nerds and bards in the chat will get a kick out of that.
It’s a novel title that surprisingly came from under the Ubisoft umbrella. Showcasing that new, innovative ideas are actually quite a good business strategy.
8Castlevania: Lords of Shadow
Vania By Name, Less So By Nature
Of all the Castlevania titles in existence, I wish I had a better one to include on this list than Lords of Shadow, because I think even the staunchest Castlevania sympathizer will admitthe 3D titleswere far from brilliant.
It’s essentially Castlevania doing its best impression of a Devil May Cry game, or a retro God of War game, and while that may rumble some of the CV purists out there, if you can deal with the whiplash of that directional shift, there is a great action adventure experience to be had here.
The story, at least for me, is pretty decent, but I acknowledge that this is a pretty divisive thing to say. But come on, Patrick Stewart lends his pipes to the voice cast. What’s not to love about that?
If you’re on the hunt for thoughtful and focused Metroidvania design, you’re barking up the wrong tree, as this is Metroidvania-adjacent at best, but seeing as this is a series that makes up half of that moniker, it’s only right it gets a mention.
7Tales of Kenzera: Zau
A Tribal Tale
Tales of Kenzera: Zau
I have a bit of a love/hate relationship with Tales of Kenzera: Zau, mainly because despite the fact that the platforming is tight, and the visuals are out of this world, it gets as much right as it gets wrong.
On the positive side of the equation, it’s one of the most beginner-friendly Metroidvanias on the market today, offering platforming and puzzles at its core, with just a smattering of combat. The platforming is tough at times, but everything else is a breeze, which will suit newbies but might see veterans bounce off this one.
However, you might just stick around anyway because of the amazing tribal-focused setting and storyline and the impeccable visuals that would give AAA metroidvanias like Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a run for its money.
It’s a criminally short game,and it fumbles at times with lukewarm boss encounters, but as a sum of its parts, it’s still a very polished Metroidvania that’s worth playing, at least for as long as it stays on the PS Plus Catalog.
6Dandara: Trials of Fear
Off The Hook
Now for something a little niche, even within Metroidvania fanboy circles, but one that deserves a moment in the spotlight, mainly due to itsnovel gimmick that changes the way you’ll approach platforming.
Dandara is a game that takes the age-old Metroidvania power-up, the grappling hook, and makes it your sole means of getting around, as you’ll need to use this power to ping from floor to ceiling, dodging obstacles as you go.
It’s as much a precision platformer as it is a Metroidvania, but it’s also a souls-like in many ways, as it’s punishing, you’ll die a lot, and if you don’t make it back to your corpse, then kiss your upgrade materials goodbye.
Combat is a little stiff, but otherwise, it’s a superb game and a real hidden gem that you’re able to dive into via the PS Plus Catalog.
5Journey To The Savage Planet
An FPS Metroidvania Of All Things
Journey to the Savage Planet
Let’s keep this show on the road with a 3D Metroidvania that many might not know falls into that category on account of it looking like a weird love-child of The Outer Worlds and Borderlands.
Gameplay-wise, that’s not a bad way to describe Journey to the Savage Planet, as the gunplay and exploration feel a stone’s throw away from those mentioned, but the key differences here are the fact that the player needs certain abilities to get to new areas and biomes. Plus, the humor is more in line with something like High on Life.
This means that the humor will be hilarious to some, and obnoxious to others. But if you can get past that, you’ll be treated to a surreal planet full of wonder, weapons, and wicked ways to get around.
Plus, you can team up with a pal for a rich and rewarding co-op Metroidvania experience if that’s your thing. So grab a pal, and get going.
4F.I.S.T. Forged In Shadow Torch
Awful Name, Great Game
F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch
If the name of this game put you off, I honestly don’t blame you, as it’s why it took me so long to finally get around to checking out this action-packed Metroidvania. But in the end, I’m very glad I did.
Despite the awful name, the story contained within is actually very well-written and paced, with sublime visuals and audio to back it up. Including voice acting, which is a rare inclusion in a game such as this.
Combine this with great combat,a huge map that slowly unfolds over the course of about 15 hours, and a decent amount of playstyle variety, and you have something that is well worth diving into.
It is a little clunky in places and the difficulty is a little all over the place. But, the good far outweighs the bad here. So, if you have the opportunity to play this one, we urge you to make a good fist of it.
3Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
As Close To Modern Castlevania As You’ll Get
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
It’s weird that we have a true Castlevania game and a spiritual successor on this list, and the latter far outperforms the other. But, credit where it’s due, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is one of the best Castlevania games in history, provided you’re not looking to play as Simon Belmont.
This is perhaps because Castlevania stalwart Koji Igarashi led the charge on this one, and it shows. Incorporating CV staples while also carving out a place in the medium for the Bloodstained series with unique features and a cool setting.
It has a wealth of build options, thanks to the variety of weapons, accessories, and shards. The exploration is strong thanks to the varied biomes and interconnected map, and overall, it just feels like everything you would want from a modern Castlevania game. Not that we will ever get one of those.
The bosses leave a lot to be desired, but outside of that, this is a superb game that respects its Castlevania roots, while still pushing the genre forward in many ways.
2Animal Well
A Metroidbrainia That’s Actually A Metroidvania
Animal Well
Our runner-up is none other thanthe Metroidbrainia hitthat took the indie scene by storm in 2024. The mysterious menagerie known as Animal Well.
Animal Well is a game that is as much about exploring and acquiring new powers as it is about gathering knowledge and understanding, as powers only facilitate further learning, but your big ol' brain is your ace up your sleeve when it comes to puzzle-solving and progression.
The world design is amazing, and the sheer sense of freedom on show is amazing, as player discovery is championed above all else here. Which, I concede, will alienate a few less patient players, but those that embrace the slow burn will be rewarded.
If it weren’t for another out-of-nowhere success story, namely Balatro, Animal Well would have been a shoo-in for indie game of the year in 2024. Which is just one of many reasons why this is a must-play Metroidvania.
1Hollow Knight
Team Cherry’s Magnum Opus
Hollow Knight
I always say that it’s unfair to compare any other Metroidvania to Hollow Knight because, quite frankly, anything will pale in comparison to this absolute masterpiece.
It’s the Metroidvania that makes people fall in love with Metroidvanias, luring them in with the promise of cute visuals and an intricately designed world, but they often stick around to master the tough platforming and combat challenges the game poses.
With a collection of some of the best 2D boss encounters on record, some of the most memorable moments and locations in Metroidvania history, and the most lovable mascot you could ever hope for, Hollow Knight is the complete package.
Its brilliance is perhaps why Silksong has been continually pushed back to ensure that there’s a chance for a sequel that matches that quality, which has led to an agonizing wait. But, in the end, it will be worth it if it’s anything like the original.
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