Hmm is Metroidvania the best video game genre at the moment?

[Richard Nixon]

So first things first I don't own this game but I wan't to get it. At the moment I feel like 2d metroidvania's fit well with 16-bit (take AM2R as a good example) and also they are taking over the gaming industry with giant Metroidvania games like Metroid, Steamworld dig 1-2 and any other along the line. Metroidvania's have spread to most series because everyone wants that sweet metroidvania sales (which if you do a whole series it will sell well).

[[MDI]]

I think everyone that likes the genre likes it for different reasons, and "best" is totally subjective, but its a fun topic so I'll give my two cents.

From a visual and audio standpoint I have a bit to say about the genre

Super Metroid and Symphony of The Night work so well because they have the great gameplay which a lot of modern games in the genre have done pretty well and maybe even better, but they also have great aesthetics which can't be said of too many of these same modern games. Great music, sprite work, and animation for both games, and also very easy to understand visuals.

Many of these Metroidvania games nowadays tend to try and conceal the lack of say, a cool Library, Clocktower, Vegetation area/Brinstar, Fire area/Norfair, etc. etc. with more abstract and undefineable backgrounds or excessive use of high res effects and such.

Character sprites aren't any better. I swear I've seen Metroidvanias with what I can describe as a stick figure with some pretty glitter on it.

This game is extremely appealing because you can look at any given screenshot and go, "Oh cool, thats a blue haired warrior running through a bridge in a cyberpunk city." as opposed to most other Metroidvanias (I really hate that term but I kind of have to keep using it for lack of another) available where it'd be, I dunno, "Oh look..its a bunch of sparks and effects...I think...and its 2d?"

Anyway. Uh. Yeah the genre can be good. Sometimes? Ok I'm done.

[Richard Nixon]

Originally posted by CPS2 Barda MDI:

I think everyone that likes the genre likes it for different reasons, and "best" is totally subjective, but its a fun topic so I'll give my two cents.

From a visual and audio standpoint I have a bit to say about the genre

Super Metroid and Symphony of The Night work so well because they have the great gameplay which a lot of modern games in the genre have done pretty well and maybe even better, but they also have great aesthetics which can't be said of too many of these same modern games. Great music, sprite work, and animation for both games, and also very easy to understand visuals.

Many of these Metroidvania games nowadays tend to try and conceal the lack of say, a cool Library, Clocktower, Vegetation area/Brinstar, Fire area/Norfair, etc. etc. with more abstract and undefineable backgrounds or excessive use of high res effects and such.

Character sprites aren't any better. I swear I've seen Metroidvanias with what I can describe as a stick figure with some pretty glitter on it.

This game is extremely appealing because you can look at any given screenshot and go, "Oh cool, thats a blue haired warrior running through a bridge in a cyberpunk city." as opposed to most other Metroidvanias (I really hate that term but I kind of have to keep using it for lack of another) available where it'd be, I dunno, "Oh look..its a bunch of sparks and effects...I think...and its 2d?"

Anyway. Uh. Yeah the genre can be good. Sometimes? Ok I'm done.

Yes really depends how it is done like SM

[Exidan Fa'ol]

Fist I'd like to say that I always loved "metroidvania" games because of the "feel" of playing it, fluid, challenging, and a good fuel for imagination. And maybe because I grew up playing these games.

Originally posted by CPS2 Barda MDI:

Many of these Metroidvania games nowadays tend to try and conceal the lack of say, a cool Library, Clocktower, Vegetation area/Brinstar, Fire area/Norfair, etc. etc. with more abstract and undefineable backgrounds or excessive use of high res effects and such.

And that my friend, is why I'm terrified of what will come out of bloodstained. I really want IGA to make a great game and revive his legacy with something that will leave a mark on the genre again. But following their kickstarter vlogs I can only feel disappointment. those graphics do not look good, the movement and fights don't give the feel of "attrition". I can only hope it will turn out well and this is just me being paranoid.

Timespinner is a example of a "castlevania" done right, the game's only problem is the length (for me some dialogues and part of the map felt rushed), which is understandable it being indie and all.

[Richard Nixon]

Originally posted by Exidan:

Fist I'd like to say that I always loved "metroidvania" games because of the "feel" of playing it, fluid, challenging, and a good fuel for imagination. And maybe because I grew up playing these games.

Originally posted by CPS2 Barda MDI:

Many of these Metroidvania games nowadays tend to try and conceal the lack of say, a cool Library, Clocktower, Vegetation area/Brinstar, Fire area/Norfair, etc. etc. with more abstract and undefineable backgrounds or excessive use of high res effects and such.

And that my friend, is why I'm terrified of what will come out of bloodstained. I really want IGA to make a great game and revive his legacy with something that will leave a mark on the genre again. But following their kickstarter vlogs I can only feel disappointment. those graphics do not look good, the movement and fights don't give the feel of "attrition". I can only hope it will turn out well and this is just me being paranoid.

Timespinner is a example of a "castlevania" done right, the game's only problem is the length (for me some dialogues and part of the map felt rushed), which is understandable it being indie and all.

yes I like one with care like AM2R that took 10 years to make and is really good or SM that a lot of effort was put in and when you have time and effort you get an amazing game

[AmazingPenis]

It's the only SotN clone I know of. All the other metroidvanias try to copy Metroid one way or the other but this one does all the rpg stuff I like. Are there more game like this one?

[Richard Nixon]

Originally posted by AmazingPenis:

It's the only SotN clone I know of. All the other metroidvanias try to copy Metroid one way or the other but this one does all the rpg stuff I like. Are there more game like this one?

Hollow Knight maybe

[AmazingPenis]

Originally posted by Metroid Pie 2015:

Originally posted by AmazingPenis:

It's the only SotN clone I know of. All the other metroidvanias try to copy Metroid one way or the other but this one does all the rpg stuff I like. Are there more game like this one?

Hollow Knight maybe

That ones look more like a 2d dark souls clone. Not what I'm looking for.

[Exidan Fa'ol]

Originally posted by AmazingPenis:

Originally posted by Metroid Pie 2015:

Hollow Knight maybe

That ones look more like a 2d dark souls clone. Not what I'm looking for.

as a castlevania fan, hollow knight is the best metroidvania out there. it might be dificult and "souls like" but it is a master piece no doubt.
but still, I think timespinner is the closest to castlevania of the modern metroidvanias out there.

[Mr Fantastic]

This game rocks, I hated hollow night. Chasm was nice but too short, still worth playing. Guacamelee is another good example of metroidvania, but to do it 100% you need to do some harcore platforming using the characters powers to the limit of perfect control.

[Richard Nixon]

Originally posted by Exidan:

Originally posted by AmazingPenis:

That ones look more like a 2d dark souls clone. Not what I'm looking for.

as a castlevania fan, hollow knight is the best metroidvania out there. it might be dificult and "souls like" but it is a master piece no doubt.
but still, I think timespinner is the closest to castlevania of the modern metroidvanias out there.

metroidvania are supposed to be hard and then you backtrack for 100% and then you can beat the next boss

[Redblaze27]

Metroidvania's scratch many types of game itches, and those that let you level up have an option for players if they find certain segments too challenging (level-up, find health increases, etc).

[Richard Nixon]

Originally posted by Redblaze27:

Metroidvania's scratch many types of game itches, and those that let you level up have an option for players if they find certain segments too challenging (level-up, find health increases, etc).

I do it in AM2R

[Aquillion]

I think partially they're very popular with indies, because:

1. A metroidvania is something that a determined, dedicated small team (or even just one person, essentially) can do well, if they have the time and energy.

2. The genre is underserved by AAA gaming, creating a niche for indies to step in without having billion-dollar projects by huge teams eating their lunch.

3. There's a lot of room for variation within the genre while still keeping its basic conceits. Hollow Night, Timespinner, and La-Mulana 2, to name some recent entries, are all very different games despite building on the same basic ideas.

4. There's a strong nostalgia factor for the genre (this is obviously part of the design for La-Mulana and Timespinner, although they're nostalgic for different eras and aspects of the genre.) Also, along the same lines, because the genre has had such a wide variety of games, often stuff that would seem obvious hasn't been done before - Timespinner doesn't actually have a huge amount of competition right now for "direct Symphony of the Night successor."