10 Most Exciting Metroidvanias to Look Forward to in 2026

Not to toot my own horn, but I live and breathe Metroidvanias. I love the systematic approach they take, letting you explore, learn the ropes, and gradually improve what you can do via power-ups. No matter if a Metroidvania is super easy or super challenging, that dynamic is highly engaging and brings me back for more.

As a fan of the genre, I'm really excited about what 2026 has to offer. This list isn't just a fantastic crop on the heels of a great 2025 season, but they truly deserve your attention right now. Not only are they visually distinct and full of unique flair, but some of them look poised to take the crown as GOTY in 2026. But since none of these are out yet, the ranking is dictated by a combination of my interest, as well as good chatter I've heard about them.

While many of these games were already on my radar, even I was surprised by some of these Metroidvania adventures. There are super retro offerings, stealth souls-like combos, anime-styled powerhouses, and much more besides. Put simply, 2026 has the potential to be a banner year thanks to these incredible Metroidvanias.

10 Maseylia: Echoes of the Past

A Techno-Organic World

Generally speaking, I tend to prefer my Metroidvanias to be two-dimensional. There's just less that can go wrong with fewer dimensions available. That said, I've played some amazing 3D platformers over the years. And since the noble platformer is a big part of Metroidvania DNA, I'm usually willing to give 3D Metroidvanias a shot. Which brings us to Maseylia: Echoes of the Past.

The entire game was crowdfunded on Kickstarter by Sol Brothers. It takes place in a techno-organic world that's expressed with light pastel colors. Like any good example of the genre, you'll get powerful abilities like a 360-degree dash and phasic transformation, which lets you walk through walls.

Also fascinating, what little we know about the game thus far shows a bow and arrow as a primary means of offense. If the game is able to nail the mystery vibe and make exploring seamless and fun, then Maseylia: Echoes of the Past could be a breath of fresh air for the genre in 2026.

9 Aggelos 2

Angels and Demons

I know what you're thinking when you see Aggelos 2. This is a retro platformer, it's not a Metroidvania! But thankfully, it's actually both. The first Aggelos was more of a pure retro platformer, but this sequel is highly ambitious. Not only will it feature two massive realms to explore, but it will also have you shifting between angelic and demonic forms to explore and fight!

Also different, whereas the first game was 8-bit, Aggelos 2 is a 16-bit adventure, and it's already gorgeous-looking. You'll explore the Kingdom of Lumen, where the gods themselves are under siege. Best of all, your different forms approach combat in distinct ways, with the angelic being slower and more defensive, and the demonic form fast and brutal.

I'll admit that I only recently learned about Aggelos 2, but as a fan of the original game, I have exceptionally high hopes for this retro, Metroidvania adventure!

8 Mira and the Legend of the Djinns

Make a Wish

We've all become accustomed to the mythological genies, but we've never seen them in an authentic source. Originally, they were called Djinn. Now, one game looks to bring a new perspective to them in Mira and the Legend of the Djinns. It's a game full of Moroccan folklore and fluid elemental combat.

Despite the title, the game actually has two protagonists, an explorer named Yuba and a Djinn named Mira. They form a bond with the hopes of uncovering Mira's lost memories. That's only the start of their epic quest in Fallen Amazgesh, a land of ruins and danger.

Stylistically, Mira and the Legends of the Djinn almost reminds me of Muramasa: The Demon Blade. Which means it's attractive and very retro-inspired. What's neat is that the game promises exploration abilities that can also be utilized in combat, which could make everything in this Metroidvania feel utterly seamless.

7 Cathedral: Crow's Curse

Shadowy Assassin

Although I enjoyed the original Cathedral game, it was also a bit of a hot mess, trying to do everything and not succeeding. But with that said, I'm already invested in the upcoming prequel, called Cathedral: Crow's Curse. It's a very focused Metroidvania adventure with a heaping helping of stealth combat and souls-like mechanics.

Though I was worried about the Soulslike part of the game, I actually grew to like it when I played a demo of the adventure. It's very fast-paced and dynamic, but also pretty fair. And it's really rewarding when a successful parry takes an enemy out in one fell swoop. Regarding the stealth elements, it's clear Cathedral: Crow's Curse is embracing them as well. Shadows are your friend in a game full of brutal foes.

As for the plot, it's one steeped in ancient magic and dark secrets. So even though I'm usually not a fan of stealth or souls-like features, this Metroidvania might make me change my mind later this year.

6 Dumbriel: Magnificent Adventure in Hell

God Help Him

Generally, angels are stern and awe-inspiring entities with names like Metatron, Raphael, and even Samael. But when they have the word "dumb" in their name? That's the sign of a game that doesn't take itself too seriously, which is pretty unique in a Metroidvania. That game has the amazing title of Dumbriel: Magnificent Adventure in Hell.

Stylistically, it looks like the obscure game is drawing from games like Hollow Knight, with lightning-fast, challenging combat. Throw in interconnected areas with sneaky puzzles, bosses whose personality serves a purpose in the story, and much more.

Can a stupid angel survive the layers of Hell and find a way to succeed? We'll all find out together later this year in Dumbriel: Magnificent Adventure in Hell!

5 Alruna: End of History

Dryad in a Dying World

Every once in a while, an amazing game evades my notice despite my best efforts. Which is why I hadn't heard of Alruna and the Necro-Industrialists before discovering the upcoming sequel, Alruna: End of History. Both games are about a dryad in a world that's on the brink of catastrophe, broken by greed and full of skeleton soldiers.

In Alruna: End of History, they improve the series to full-screen resolution, making an already gorgeous style even more compelling. The game looks to be a mix of methodical puzzle platformer and Metroidvania, full of deep secrets hidden in plain sight. Better yet, in this sequel, Alruna gets elemental transformations, allowing her to explore even deeper.

Throw in gigantic boss fights and a plot that's mature and dark, and Alruna: End of History might prove to be an unforgettable Metroidvania adventure in 2026.

4 Fallen Tear: The Ascension

Bonded Together

Ever since I demoed Fallen Tear: The Ascension at PAX West, I've been hyped about it. It's a very story-driven Metroidvania full of colorful anime style, with deep combat that's equal parts nuanced and highly customizable. It tells the tale of Hira, a mysterious orphan whose life gets upended when his family disappears.

One of the best things about Fallen Tear: The Ascension is that you're able to form Fated Bonds with characters, and then use them in combat like summon attacks. You can equip 4 at once to different face buttons, which helps Hira surprise foes with powerful attacks, burning them, trapping them, or even slowing down time.

The world of this game is also incredibly vast, full of dangerous monsters to hunt and secrets to uncover. Throw in the promise of multiple endings, and this could honestly be an amazing Metroidavnia we remember for years.

Halberd Strikes Again

A few years back, I helped fund a game by Halberd Studios called 9 Years of Shadows. It was a visually stunning adventure with a deep story that was held back only by somewhat lackluster combat. Now, that same team is working on a new adventure that looks to ramp things up, called Mariachi Legends.

You're Detective Pablo Cruz, and you've been chosen by Death herself. That means you can transform into the supernaturally strong La Sombra, bringing bloody death to Madre Catrina. The combat features parries and finishers, and looks much more fluid and nuanced than 9 Years of Shadows. You can even personalize your style with a variety of weapons, including guns, swords, and whips.

Mix in Tarot cards, a dual map, and even a day/night cycle, and Mariachi Legends looks to improve on the first game in almost every conceivable way. A beautiful celebration of Mexican culture and mythos.

2 Well Dweller

Glimmer Versus a Dark Queen

I've become a fan of Kyle Thompson's work in recent years, and he's proven adept at giving us unique Metroidvania visions. Those range from pacifist adventures to top-down ones, but they all have his unique mark on them. Now, we might be getting his best one yet in a dark fairy tale Metroidvania called Well Dweller.

You're a tiny bird named Glimmer, and your family was taken by a hunter. All you have is a matchstick, and you'll have to use that to take on an evil queen and her entire empire. Well Dweller is set in a rotten empire of filthy, degenerate monsters, with some legitimate body horror. Which only makes me that much more intrigued to get fully invested in the adventure.

Can you solve puzzles, defeat brutal bosses, explore vast worlds, and maybe even save your family? Or will Glimmer become an appetizer for the Queen? Only time will tell.

1 LUCID

Crystalline Perfection

LUCID was first brought to my attention as Celeste if it were a Metroidvania. And that perfect description belied a much more impressive experience, at least based on my time demoing the adventure. Put simply, this is a game where movement is key, and it's already a joy exploring this vibrant world.

In a crystal-punk world torn apart, you play a young sentinel named Oenn. You'll gather powerful abilities that allow amazing traversal, and further upgrade your capacity as you play. There are a ton of platforming puzzles to solve, and while that might be frustrating for some, it's already so well-honed that I'm confident LUCID will be something special.

But don't just take my word for it. LUCID is coming to PC later this year, and to consoles afterward. So if an early snapshot is any indication, this Metroidvania has the potential to change the game soon.