One of the advantages of the Xbox Series X / S over the traditional Xbox One console is its portability, making it easier to enjoy games like Metroidvania titles on the go.
Although not many games of the genre were released on the latest console, players can take advantage of retro compatibility to play some of the games they didn’t have a chance to enjoy before.
However, nowadays, we have way too many games on the market. Too many choices often make it hard to decide what to play.
On top of that, even after you find games of the genre you like, how will you know if the game is any good? That’s why we’ve compiled this list of the best games in this genre that are available on Xbox Series X & S consoles!
Infernax
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Berzerk Studio |
| Release Date: | February 14, 2022 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 7 hours |
Infernax looks like a Metroidvania Castlevania was made in the 8-bits era, which is pretty cool if you ask me. I know it might sound a little bit weird, but there are Castlevania games that are not Metroidvania.
This game also innovates by adding RPG elements, such as decision-making and over fifteen hours of gameplay if you decide to go after all achievements.
Having said that, I thoroughly enjoyed playing this game. The characters are interesting, and the plot is well-written.
The selling pitch, though, is that your choices do matter. For instance, they influence if quests are offered and how NPCs see you, among other things. The game also has several different endings.
You may play the game with several distinct variants of the main character, which helps to make your gameplay unique. All that makes up for a game with plenty of replayability
This is a fantastic indie game. I wholeheartedly recommend it to any Xbox owners and fans of the genre in general. Especially if you love Castlevania, cause this game is an obvious homage to that franchise.
Dead Cells
| Genre: | Metroidvania, Rogue-like |
| Developers: | Motion Twin |
| Release Date: | August 6, 2018 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 14 hours |
There is much debate over this game’s genre, especially about the fact that it considers itself a Metroidvania. Either way, Dead Cells is unquestionably among the greatest rogue-lite games released on PS5 and Steam, which makes it also one of the best on the Xbox.
This is a game that stands out as a sidescrolling rogue-lite with some RPG and Metroidvania components. If you enjoy 2D action games, this is unquestionably one of Xbox’s most thrilling independent games.
Dead Cells follows the classic rogue-lite formula in which you might be able to keep some of the resources to make the game progressively easier. Players are continuously required to decide how they want to play Dead Cells.
There’s also an exciting system in this game. There are doors that you can only open for a while. You can try to speed through a stage to get to that door since it might contain an excellent item. However, going too fast might cause you to be hit too many times.
The developer’s idea was to add choice, risk, and skill-based reward to the game. Players can do things slowly and attempt to be safe, but they can also act quickly to get more benefits.
Despite the fact that the game is skill-based, which may put some players off, it becomes more straightforward as you achieve permanent prizes.
If you disagree that Dead Cells is a Metroidvania, it is at least one of the best roguelike games out there.
Ender Lilies: Quietus Of The Knights
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Live Wire, Adglobe |
| Release Date: | June 28, 2021 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 12 hours |
In a place where a cursed rain turns living creatures into the undead, you take on the role of Lily, the sole remaining priestess. However, in order to stop the rain, you must identify where it is coming from.
Lily does not engage in actual combat directly. Instead, she calls forth the ghosts of other warriors and knights. You’ll come across additional knights along the journey who are eager to support you, especially if you’ve defeated them in battle.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights is one of the greatest Metroidvania games on the Nintendo Switch for gamers who want to take their time with a title. It’s a beautiful game with a dark mood, an excellent soundtrack, and many surprises buried deep in its universe.
The customization possibilities in Ender Lilies are plentiful, including improving your spirit’s abilities. Additionally, certain relics grant various stat benefits. You will spend some time exploring to find more spirits and items.
Mixing and matching them to make the fight fit your playstyle is also part of the fun. Exploration is essential to improving Lily’s fighting skills. As was already said, many priceless secrets are concealed, which rewards players for exploration.
Blast Brigade Vs. The Evil Legion Of Dr. Cread
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | MY.GAMES |
| Release Date: | April 12, 2022 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 16 hours |
The 2D action-adventure Blast Brigade vs. the Evil Legion of Dr. Cread is fantastic. Its inspiration came from 1980s action-adventure films, which inevitably lend the game a good dose of humor.
In order to tackle the unique biome challenges in this game, you must build a group of hard-core heroes. Metroidvania-style exploration is rigorously emphasized in this game.
This game is a nice change of pace for those who are tired of Metroidvania games that are heavily focused on combat. I do like to fight in my games, but I welcome an occasional change of pace. The idea that the developers had when making this game somewhat reminds me of Trine.
I seriously love self-aware games and Blast Brigade Vs. The Evil Legion Of Dr. Cread is precisely that. This is a game that is trying to be fun, funny, and as video-gamey as it can be — the fun way, I mean.
So if you enjoy exploration, but want something light-hearted that might appeal to your inner child who used to like action movies, give this one a try. It might surprise you.
Souldiers
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Retro Forge Games |
| Release Date: | June 2, 2022 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 24 hours |
This game makes a deliberate effort to be challenging, and it clearly shows. The boss fights are demanding, and the lesser enemies are also challenging. Since you will experience several deaths, every error might halt your advancement.
There are three beginning classes available: Conjurer, Archer, and Ranger. Each character will be given natural characteristics that will enhance their gameplay.
As for the name of the game, it is called Souldiers for this reason. This is just the developer’s method of referencing the difficulty of Dark Souls in a challenging but fair design.
Speaking of difficulty, the game might be somewhat frustrating until you get the hang of it. Once you understand how the flashing system operates, combat seems incredibly natural and intuitive.
The world-building and soundtrack in this game are incredible. Based on this alone, you can tell that the developers of this game were quite passionate about it. You genuinely get the impression that you are a part of the universe where you may interact with and assist characters.
Look, this game is not for everyone. That should be clear enough. However, if you grew up with pixelated games and Squaresoft 16-bits RPGs, there is a good chance the music and art style will be enough to make you happy. I’m sure you will enjoy Souldiers if you also like souls-like and Metroidvania games.
Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Team Ladybug, WSS Playground |
| Release Date: | December 16, 2021 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 6 hours |
When I first heard of this game, I became obsessed with it. When I finally got to try Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, I was afraid I hyped it way too much and wouldn’t enjoy it. However, I did enjoy it; it is very, very good.
In many aspects, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Moon and Castlevania Symphony of the Night are similar in spirit to this game.
That said, Deedlit’s game is much closer to Alucard’s adventure in aesthetic appeal. It also feels very much like Symphony of the Night in gameplay. Deedlit’s mobility and exploration appear to be heavily influenced by Alucard and the environment in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night.
However, considering I love that game, too, I can’t say it is a bad thing. Both Record of Lodoss War – Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth and Castlevania Symphony of the Night are some of the best Metroidvania games on Steam. Thankfully, Deedlit’s game also has a version for the Xbox.
So if you own an Xbox and are looking for a new action platformer, pick up this title cause there’s a good chance you’ll enjoy it. The game is beautiful, entertaining, and based on a highly acclaimed anime series. What is there to dislike?
Blasphemous
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | The Game Kitchen |
| Release Date: | September 9, 2019 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 13 hours |
It almost feels like cheating when I add certain games to these lists. That’s cause some of the best Metroidvania games ever made were released on all platforms. This is a good thing, but it also means they will be on all my articles about the subject.
Blasphemous is unquestionably one of the best Metroidvania games I have ever played. Not only that, but it is also among the best pixel games I’ve ever seen. Even the premise of the game sounds super exciting.
In Blasphemous, you play as the Penitent, the lone survivor of the “Silent Suffering” massacre who is trapped in an everlasting cycle of death and rebirth.
The people and country of Cvstodia have been subjected to a terrible curse known only as The Miracle. It is your mission to save the world from this horrible position and find the cause of its misery.
Explore this wicked, perverted religious realm to learn more about its numerous, dark mysteries. You will take down the armies of hideous creatures and colossal titans with methodical gameplay and some really cool skills. This is a challenging, good-looking, immersive Metroidvania, and fans of the genre will have a blast.
Hollow Knight
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Team Cherry |
| Release Date: | September 25, 2018 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 26 hours |
One of the finest Metroidvania games on Xbox One is, without a doubt, Hollow Knight is, by far, one of the best platformers I’ve ever played. This is a game with a lot of lore, an interesting plot, wonderfully cute-but-dark art direction, and amazingly fun gameplay.
As for being a Metroidvania, Hollow Knight checks all the boxes. There’s combat, some platforming, traversal challenges, unexpected boss fights, lots of exploration, blocked places that require a skill you don’t have yet, and so much more.
You lose track of how many different types of opponents and bosses Hollow Knight provides. You must learn the characteristics and patterns of each opponent type in order to defeat them more quickly in each circumstance.
It could be a little difficult to defeat even lesser adversaries before you understand what they do. Stronger enemy types exist, and you will need to master parrying and other challenging mechanics to beat them effectively.
Given that the game was created by a small team, the astounding variety of enemies combined with the excellent art direction is a fairly impressive feat to pull off. Yet, they made it brilliantly, and the game is one of the most popular in its genre.
Ori and the Blind Forest
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Moon Studios |
| Release Date: | March 11, 2015 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store and Amazon |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 9 hours |
Developed by Moon Studios and released by Microsoft Studios, Ori and the Blind Forest quickly became a hit. It is one of the most remarkable platform-adventure Metroidvania games of its time.
In this game, you follow Ori, a little white spirit, and Sein, the Forest’s Spirit Tree’s “light and eyes,” as they try to fix the problems that find the forest where they live.
To navigate Ori’s challenging platforming difficulties, players must be precise, time their actions, and have quick reactions. As you discover and develop Ori’s move set, the game’s complexity increases, making you utilize every tool at your disposal.
The innovative saving mechanism in Ori lets you choose your own checkpoints. But to achieve it, you’ll have to spend a precious resource. So, deciding where and when to save is a crucial choice.
Ori’s combat is relatively simple during his first game. However, it doesn’t mean the Blind Forest won’t offer thrilling and merciless segments. Ori puts your platforming abilities to the test when you clear an area, making you escape in a cinematic sequence that feels super satisfying to overcome.
Strider
| Genre: | Metroidvania |
| Developers: | Double Helix Games |
| Release Date: | February 18, 2014 |
| Find at: | Microsoft Store |
| Multiplayer: | N/A |
| Average Playtime: | 5 hours |
Strider is evidence that the remake of a game can be superior to the original. From beginning to end, this action game is frenetic. The gameplay is fluid and matches the character’s motions perfectly.
As for the gameplay, it will check all the boxes that make it a Metroidvania. It also has plenty of elements that seem to be placed in the game as an obvious homage to the original title. For instance, massing the button quickly to deliver as many blows as possible during boss fights is clearly an attempt to reproduce something from older games.
Like virtually every game of the genre, the protagonist, Strider Hiryu, won’t be that strong at first. As you progress through the story and in the scenarios, new skills and upgrades are released.
Some of these skills are granted by beating certain bosses, and others must be collected throughout the game. All boss battles are epic. They all feel very different, making strategy matter much more than you’d expect.
Hiryu is the archetypal character that is always highly well-prepared to handle circumstances. His entire personality composition gives us the impression that we are in charge of someone who is very competent, powerful, and badass. These little things only add up to make Strider a great game.
