The best Metroidvania games are often associated with high-precision movement and fast and engaging combat. However, a lot of the games also come with tricky puzzles that will have players staring at their screens doing mental gymnastics — and some being so devious that players decide to just check for the answer on the internet after an hour.
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Puzzles come in a myriad of different forms, and this can make some games more enjoyable than others for different players. However, having access to all of these games gives said players the widest variety and an assortment of various difficulties. This is what makes all of them worth playing rather than deciding on just one.
5 Phoenotopia: Awakening
Metacritic Score: 72
- Release: August 20, 2020
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S
Phoenotopia: Awakening has a beautiful world setting that tells of an epic war and the hardships caused by the aftermath. Players will acquire numerous items and upgrades to help in combat and to progress through the game, such as bombs and a flute — these items will also play a part in solving some of the puzzles. The puzzles are not that hard, and those looking for more of a challenge should consider one of the other entries on this list.
One of the most common elements players will use is a slingshot that fires white pellets that will lose momentum over time. These can be used to trigger purple orbs to change the environment. Players will find a large array of puzzles that will have them timing their movements in order to overcome them. There are also plenty of sub-mechanics that will come when players attempt to cook or fish.
4 Alwa's Legacy
Metacritic Score: 80
- Release: June 17, 2020
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, Microsoft Windows, macOS, PlayStation 4, Linux
Alwa’s Legacy is a smooth and pretty Metroidvania, and that works well in its favor for players looking for a game with the classic 2-D side-scrolling Metroidvania gameplay that also looks great. The protagonist, Zoe, will acquire many abilities and spell upgrades along the way that will be key to solving some of the game’s puzzles. This is straightforward, unlike other highly developed magic systems in games.
Some puzzles will have players flipping gravity or affecting the flow of time — which can affect plant growth. There are also dark rooms with limited sources of light that will have players moving back and forth to figure out where everything is before they are able to find the solution and move along to the next screen.
3 La-Mulana 1 & 2: Hidden Treasures Edition
Metacritic Score: 80
- Release: March 17, 2020
- Platforms: Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
While the gameplay for the La-Mulana games is on the steeper side to test one’s reflexes, they both come packed with plenty of puzzles to test one’s mind as well. Players will move around from screen to screen, defeating monsters, flipping switches, and opening up new parts of the games. The aesthetics are a real treat, paying homage to films such as The Mummy and Indiana Jones with an exploration of ancient ruins filled with surreal and fantastical creatures.
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The second game features the daughter of the first game’s protagonist, both having lots of interesting bits of lore to discover and delve into. There is a wide range of different puzzles that can require multiple attempts to solve. Some involve well-timed platforming movements, while others require defeating enemies in specific ways (or in a specific order). There are several puzzles that will completely stump most players and have them checking the internet for guides on what to do next.
2 Iconoclasts
Metacritic Score: 83
- Release: January 23, 2018
- Platforms: Linux, macOS, Windows, PlayStation 4, PlayStation Vita, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, Amazon Luna
Just like Alwa’s Legacy, Iconoclasts is a Metroidvania with a vibrant and enjoyable art style. Like any Metroidvania, it has its fair share of backtracking in order to progress through the game, but there is rarely any sense of wondering where players will need to go next or running in circles.
Players will need to time when they use certain mechanics in order to accomplish objectives while exploring, but also while they make attempts to take down oversized boss characters. Some of these puzzles have little room for error, meaning players will need to know what to do while constantly moving and triggering parts of the environment.
1 Animal Well
Metacritic Score: 90
Animal Well
- Platform(s)
- PS5 , PC , Nintendo Switch
- Released
- May 9, 2024
- Developer(s)
- Shared Memory
- Genre(s)
- Metroidvania , Puzzle
Animal Well is a pixelated style Metroidvania that delivers a brilliant atmosphere thanks to its use of lighting and eerie music — as well as the extremely surreal visuals that will persist throughout the game.
Players will get many different items to make use of, such as a frisby and a yo-yo, that will allow them to progress through different parts of the well that they otherwise would not be able to. Flipping switches in different ways is utilized more inventively than any other game in the genre, and figuring these out gives a great sense of accomplishment.
7 Great Metroidvania Games Like Animal Well
Animal Well is an unusual, intriguing Metroidvania game; however, there are a few games that scratch the itch for players looking for s similar title.
