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How to choose a Metroidvania
Metroidvania is a broad label for games built around exploring an interconnected world, finding routes or abilities that open new paths, and revisiting places with new capabilities. The balance varies: one game may reward patient exploration, another may foreground precise combat or fluid platforming. Use the comparisons below to match the game to what you want to do, rather than treating any outlet’s ranking as a universal verdict.
- For exploration and atmosphere: Hollow Knight is the clearest starting point among these picks.
- For movement and presentation: Ori and the Will of the Wisps emphasizes flowing platforming and visual storytelling.
- For action with navigation support: Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown combines combat and platforming with Memory Shards and a guided option.
- For timing-focused combat: Nine Sols is the pick for players drawn to deflections and demanding encounters.
- For a sequel with a new lead and setting: Hollow Knight: Silksong follows Hornet into a new kingdom.
Best Metroidvanias by what you want to play
| Game | Best fit | What stands out | Platforms reported by the cited sources |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hollow Knight | Exploration and atmosphere | A challenging, exploration-heavy journey through an atmospheric world. | PC, PS4/PS5, Switch/Switch 2, Xbox (GamesRadar, September 25, 2026). |
| Hollow Knight: Silksong | Players seeking a demanding sequel | Hornet explores an ancient insect kingdom, fighting foes and solving mysteries. | PS4/PS5 (PlayStation page). Check other platform stores for current listings. |
| Ori and the Will of the Wisps | Fluid platforming and presentation | Smooth movement, visual storytelling, and combat that GamesRadar describes as tuned. | PC, Switch, Xbox One, Xbox Series X (GamesRadar, September 25, 2026). |
| Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown | Action, platforming, and supported exploration | Time powers, acrobatic combat, puzzles, hidden treasures, and navigation aids. | PC, PS4/PS5, Switch, Xbox (Ubisoft store). |
| Nine Sols | Deflection-driven combat | GamesRadar characterizes its combat as deflection-focused and inspired by Sekiro. | PC, PS4/PS5, Switch, Xbox One/Series X (GamesRadar, September 25, 2026). |
| Ender Magnolia | Combat customization | GamesRadar highlights a mix of parries, ranged attacks, and special moves. | PC, PS4/PS5, Switch, Xbox One/Series X (GamesRadar, September 25, 2026). |
| SteamWorld Dig and SteamWorld Dig 2 | Compact exploration and progression | GameSpot highlights destructible environments and tools that enable progress. | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch (GameSpot, 2025). |
| Dead Cells | Fast action with a genre blend | GameSpot describes it as a “roguevania”: an action-focused neighboring pick rather than a straightforward example of the genre. | PC, PlayStation, Xbox, Switch (GameSpot, 2025). |
Exploration-first picks
Hollow Knight: a challenging world to get lost in
Choose Hollow Knight if the appeal of a Metroidvania is uncovering a large, atmospheric world at your own pace. Its reputation as a leading example is reflected in GamesRadar’s September 25, 2026 list, which ranks it first; that placement is one outlet’s editorial judgment, not an objective measure. The same list reports versions for PC, PS4/PS5, Switch/Switch 2, and Xbox. Its challenge makes it a strong pick for players who welcome demanding encounters, but not a guaranteed beginner-friendly choice.
SteamWorld Dig: progression through the environment
For a more compact exploration loop, GameSpot’s 2025 list points to SteamWorld Dig and its sequel. Their destructible environments and progression tools make the act of opening up the world central to the experience. GameSpot lists them for PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch; verify the specific game and edition in your store.
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Movement and action-forward choices
Ori and the Will of the Wisps: fluid platforming
Pick Ori and the Will of the Wisps when movement and presentation matter as much as combat. GamesRadar highlights its smooth platforming, visual style, wordless storytelling, and tuned combat, and ranks it third in its September 25, 2026 list. It reports PC, Switch, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X versions. These are the outlet’s listed platforms; current regional storefront availability can differ.
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown: action with tools for finding your way
Ubisoft explicitly markets Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown as a Metroidvania, describing a 2D action-adventure platformer set around exploration of Mount Qaf. Its listed features include time powers, acrobatic combat, boss battles, puzzles, hidden treasures, quests, and equipment customization through amulets. Ubisoft’s store lists PC, PS4/PS5, Switch, and Xbox versions. Ubisoft also says the game runs at 60 fps on all platforms; that statement does not establish resolution or other performance details.
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If you enjoy exploring but dislike losing track of a lead, GameSpot’s 2025 list highlights The Lost Crown’s Memory Shards and guided option as navigation aids. The game’s Complete Edition includes the base game, the Mask of Darkness story DLC, outfits, an amulet, and a digital adventure guide, according to Ubisoft. Check the store page for the edition and platform you intend to buy.
Combat-heavy and more demanding picks
Hollow Knight: Silksong: Hornet’s new adventure
Silksong is the follow-up to Hollow Knight, but it stars Hornet rather than the original game’s protagonist. PlayStation’s description places her in an ancient insect kingdom to explore, with foes to fight and mysteries to solve; it also mentions weapons, traps, and mechanisms. GamesRadar ranks it second on its September 25, 2026 list and judges it darker and more challenging than its predecessor. That comparison is the outlet’s assessment, not a guarantee about how every player will experience the difficulty.
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- Become intergalactic bounty hunter Samus Aran and explore an alien planet in this critically-acclaimed first-person adventure
- Use and upgrade abilities like the Morph Ball, Missiles, and an array of beams to survive the harsh environments and lethal creatures of the planet Tallon IV
- Gain abilities and revisit areas to uncover the different routes and secrets hiding in a beautiful-yet-threatening interconnected world
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The PlayStation page covers PS4/PS5. The platform claims for the other games in this list should not be read as confirmation of Silksong availability elsewhere: check the relevant PC or console store for its current listing.
Nine Sols: deflections at the center of combat
Choose Nine Sols if the prospect of timing-focused encounters is a draw. GamesRadar describes its combat as deflection-driven and inspired by Sekiro, and ranks the game fifth in its September 25, 2026 list. That description signals a different emphasis from a pick chosen primarily for relaxed exploration; the cited coverage does not establish that the combat is easy or especially approachable. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4/PS5, Switch, and Xbox One/Series X.
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Ender Magnolia: varied combat options
GamesRadar’s list includes Ender Magnolia, describing combat that can combine parries, ranged attacks, and special moves. Consider it if you want multiple ways to approach fights rather than a recommendation based on a specific difficulty level. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4/PS5, Switch, and Xbox One/Series X.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When a neighboring genre blend is a better fit
Dead Cells: a “roguevania” option
Dead Cells is worth considering if you want fast, action-focused play and are open to a blend rather than a conventional Metroidvania. GameSpot’s 2025 list calls out its “roguevania” qualities and action focus, and reports PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Switch versions. The label is useful here: it flags that the game’s mix may not match what someone means by a map-led, ability-gated Metroidvania.
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What the rankings can—and cannot—tell you
GamesRadar’s September 25, 2026 list places Hollow Knight first, Silksong second, Ori and the Will of the Wisps third, and Nine Sols fifth. Those positions help identify the outlet’s favorites, but lists from different publications use different criteria and do not establish a definitive order. For a useful choice, prioritize the experience you want—exploration, movement, navigation support, or combat—and then confirm that the edition is currently listed for your platform.
Platform lists in editorial roundups and publisher pages are not a promise of current stock, subscription access, or availability in every region. Store listings can change; check your local PC or console storefront for the exact platform and edition before purchase.
Quick Recap
Sources
- GamesRadar’s best Metroidvania games list (September 25, 2026).
- PlayStation’s Hollow Knight: Silksong page.
- Ubisoft’s Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown page.
- Ubisoft’s store listing for Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown.
- GameSpot’s Metroidvania list (2025).
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
