10 Metroidvanias Where Backtracking Feels Genuinely Rewarding Instead of Annoying

While it's true I love the Metroidvania genre, here's a pretty open secret — I hate getting lost. In fact, I'll take it a bit further and say I have anxiety about getting lost so completely that I can't progress in a game. As such, I prefer Metroidvanias where backtracking feels genuinely rewarding instead of frustrating.

Sometimes, those are games with a more linear structure, like Metroid Fusion. Other times, it's just because they're so well-made that getting lost feels like discovering something new and refreshing. It's hard to quantify, other than you know it when you see it. Thankfully, there are many examples of the genre where everything comes together seamlessly, and wandering isn't a chore.

Even though they're all Metroidvanias, the games on this list are pretty eclectic. Some are bubbly and cartoony, others are eldritch and creepy, and some are modern interpretations of iconic series. Regardless, they're all really great adventures where the exploration never feels frustrating. As for how they're ranked, it's a mixture of their aggregate review reception and my own personal tastes.

10 Voidwrought

Blood of the Gods

Generally speaking, the characters you play in Metroidvanias are good guys. Not so in Voidwrought. There, you play an awoken Simulacrum whose job is to slay the gods and collect their divine ichor. Though it probably helps that these "gods" are more akin to Lovecraftian monstrosities than bearded men wearing halos.

While it's true that Voidwrought was inspired by many recent examples of the genre, that doesn't take away how smooth and satisfying the controls are. That's necessary for the fast-paced combat, as well as navigating platforming challenges through dangerous domains.

The only reason this game is so low on the list is that the other contenders outshone it. But that doesn't mean this Metroidvania isn't worth your time. It's a great, dark, and twisted take on the genre.

9 Ghost Song

Deadsuit in a Strange World

Ghost Song is a visually stunning Metroidvania where you play an entity called the Deadsuit. It's unclear exactly what or who you are, but your purpose is clear. You need to find parts for your ship, the Gambler, to venture further and escape.

Ghost Song features a unique combat system where you have a blaster and melee weapons. When the blaster is used too much, it overheats, during which your melee attacks are fully powered up. Thus, it's a great balance of utilizing your weapons intelligently to survive.

This game is so fun to explore is how gorgeous and eerie the environments are. You'll dive headfirst into an alien world that longs to kill you. The only downside to exploration is that sometimes it's tricky to traverse small platforms without slipping. Other than that, though, this is a stellar adventure.

8 Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown

Time and Space

I generally don't think of Prince of Persia games as "not frustrating". After all, the series is all about death traps and vicious enemies. But in the more modern takes on the series, they managed to tinker with the trademark challenge and make it feel enjoyable instead. A great example of this phenomenon is Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.

The ability to bend time to your will, as well as gaining progressively more complex techniques and attacks, made every platforming challenge in The Lost Crown thrilling instead of annoying. Sure, you're probably going to die a few times, but good use of save points and learning how to platform better means it's a satisfying process.

Really, the only reason this adventure doesn't sit higher on the list is that sometimes the bosses in The Lost Crown can be a pain. But that aside, this is still a Metroidvania where exploration gets top marks.

7 Animal Well

Secrets of the Labyrinth

In some ways, Animal Well almost doesn't feel like a Metroidvania. It's not a game with actual combat, and it's very focused on puzzle-solving. That said, the genre is known for exploring strange places, and that's a high point of this secret-filled adventure.

Put simply, backtracking here is the only way you'll progress. There are so many hidden nooks and crannies that you need to get lost more than once. But doing so reveals not only eerie vistas, but also provides you with bountiful secrets and helpful new items like fireworks.

As neat as Animal Well was, I had to rank it lower because I'm not much for puzzle-solving, even in Metroidvanias. Still, fans of unusual takes on the genre owe themselves to check it out.

6 Islets

Eyes in the Sky

Islets is a charming Metroidvania about unlikely heroes and floating islands. It's the second game I played by Kyle Thompson, and it proved that he could make more than one game with a unique hook, like Sheepo, a pacifist Metroidvania.

What's most engaging about Islets is how fun it is to explore. Yes, you'll be backtracking a lot, but it always makes the world feel deeper and more connected. And I mean that last part literally, since as you progress, Iko will find ways to tether islets together and forge new paths forward, which is really neat.

Much as I enjoyed the game, its overall review score kept it from loftier peaks. But if you're a fan of the genre and enjoy inventive takes, you'll want to float through the skies with Iko in Islets.

5 Shinobi: Art of Vengeance

Furious Ninja

What's a ninja master to do when his clan is turned to stone and his village is razed to the ground? Go on a killing spree, naturally. That's the basic premise of Shinboi: Art of Vengeance, a bloodthirsty combat-centric Metroidvania.

As a Nintendo boy, I didn't really get into the Shinobi series until much later. But what I know is that it's a platformer more than a Metroidvania. Thankfully, Art of Vengeance tweaked the formula just enough that I felt confident to include it in this list.

Backtracking never feels like a chore here, since Joe is so fast and efficient. That said, you will get locked into battle with dangerous humans and demons alike as you progress, which can occasionally be annoying. But overall, this is a sleek and confident Metroidvania experience.

4 Hollow Knight

Nothing Hollow About It

One way I know when a game has made its mark on me is when I look back at all the screenshots I took as I played, and find it's a ridiculous amount. That's absolutely the case with Hollow Knight, an achingly sorrowful Metroidvania I helped crowdfund way back when.

As anybody who has played it can attest, Hollow Knight is not an easy game. But it's so well-made that you don't mind dying again and again as you traverse this insectoid world. You'll want to backtrack all across the expansive world map just to see all the weird sights and folks who populate it.

Really, the only reason I didn't rate Hollow Knight higher on this list is that some of the boss battles towards the end of the game were so frustrating that I almost quit. But none of that changes how much of an impact this Metroidvania made on fans.

3 Shantae and the Seven Sirens

Tropical Adventure Beckons

Even though Shantae and the Pirate's Curse is my favorite game in the series, I think it's fair to say that Shantae and the Seven Sirens was the most effortlessly streamlined. I only got stuck once as I played the game, and that was more of a me-not-paying-attention problem than a result of flawed game design.

As such, it's easy to just focus on enjoying the bubbly visuals, clever storytelling, and snappy combat. And as fans expect, you'll get new animal transformations that allow our favorite genie to explore this wonderful world.

Honestly, Shantae and the Seven Sirens is a lot of fun, even if it's not the best example of the series. It's easily the most visually stunning, with gorgeous cutscenes and great artwork to enjoy.

2 Haiku, the Robot

Dystopian Poetry

One era I miss was that of the Game Boy Color. There was just something special about the visual flair of those games, and it's something that's expertly showcased in a Metroidvania called Haiku, the Robot. Not only was it a game I backed, but it was an incredibly cute and yet dark robot adventure.

It all takes place in Arcadia, once a paradise, now turned into a hellscape by infected robots. Thankfully, Haiku has what it takes to survive and maybe even fix what went wrong. The game also features a neat chip system to help you customize how the little guy plays.

This is one of those games I was so engrossed by that backtracking never felt like a chore. That led me to find strange, hidden paths and even odder mechanical friends.

1 Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

Momo's Divine Mission

I had only played one of the games in the surprisingly lengthy Momodora series before jumping on Momodora: Moonlit Farewell. But that was enough to convince me that I thoroughly enjoyed this series by creator rdein, and that it was worth experiencing the finale.

Put simply, Moonlit Farewell is like a watercolor painting brought to life. It's ethereal, beautiful, and full of dangerous secrets. The combat is great, but exploring the world of the game was an addiction. I had to reach every nook and cranny, which usually led to me battling against giant monsters and angry demons.

Even though Momodora: Moonlit Farewell isn't an easy game, it's one that's very easy to recommend. It's the perfect mix of precise platforming, challenging combat, and an engaging story. While it's sad this is the last of the series, there's no reason you can't go back and check out the first games on PC and consoles.