2D Platformers / Metroidvanias

Oh it wasn't an excuse for the game, just the fact that I obsessively do that saves me from getting tripped up by it

Once I get the super bomb, it's super bomb every room. I think they reveal all kinds of destructible blocks. The games have just conditioned me

During my 3rd playthrough of Zero Mission sadly it was already wearing off. Seems like one of those games after all that instantly amaze me but don't keep me entertained that long. I hoped the final section would maybe get less annoying during subsequent playthroughs, but sadly it got even worse. If I replay the game again, I'll just quit after

Also started a 3rd go at Fusion but abandoned, I'm just not feeling it.

Then I decided to play Super again, but in a way I'd never played before. Learned a few techniques I saw in speedruns, like the mockball (rolling at running speed) which allows you to get super missiles and ice beam early and skip the bouncing plant miniboss. Or using damage knockback to get a very early energy tank. Then I decided to do a challenge run and finished it without hi-jump boots, grappling beam, space jump and screw attack. That was great.

I've seen speedrunners do that kind of stuff before, but I didn't know that those items are intended to be optional. You can get everywhere and get all weapon/energy tanks without them using more or less secret techniques like wall jump, bomb jump and shinespark (that rocket boost thing). I thought I'd known the game, but now I see all the extra work that went into designing rooms and enemy placement in a way that allows different, much less obvious approaches.

It's so great how open-ended it is, with tons of possibilities and different routes to take. Compare typical metroidvania design with simple "you need item X to proceed here" hard locks, and then look at this dinosaur of a game with its incredibly complex, multi-layered world design. I'm in awe at how brilliant this game is. Forget anything I ever said about Bloodstained or Zero Mission coming close, Super Metroid reigns supreme.

As for the somewhat floaty/clunky movement, I found a great rom hack "Super Metroid Redux" which gives it the fast action of the GBA games, and it feels even better than either of those. It also copies over the "weapon select" control scheme so you press R+fire to shoot rockets instead of switching through your arsenal all the time. It's awesome, really breathes new life into this game. It also adds a much-needed hard mode.

I think it's pretty on par with most 2D platform games that aren't Mario. One of the most renowned titles, Shovel Knight, is also around the 3 million mark if I'm not mistaken, and I think Mega Man 11 is sub 2 million and considered a commercial success--relative to expectations and development cost, while being paltry compared to Capcom's big sellers.

I can only speculate but I think their reception among enthusiasts and game journalists belies that these games don't have much mainstream appeal. It's a type of game that most gamers today are hardly familiar with and typically they're pure single player games without any online stuff going on, so they're somewhat anachronistic. I suspect the main audience is gamers who grew up in the 8/16-bit era and have enough nostalgia, and/or are fans of indie games. The mass market doesn't really care.

When I used to play 2d platformers during LAN party downtimes, there was always a crowd gathering behind me, but not one of them would ever play one themselves.

I've got that on the SNES emulator as well. Not sure why i've delved into Fusion first but it's cool, so I'll probably check out Super M as well.

I have another one on the GBA but can't recall what it's called.

Ah right. I should have read upwards more, that would have rang a bell.

I'm looking for something different after Elden Ring, and I thought I might give Metroidvanias a try - any suggestions as to where I should start, fellow forumites?

Hollow Knight seems like the obvious answer, but I dunno whether or not it's the *right* one.

Thanks!

Sorry, I should've specified that options need to be available on PS4 or PS5 - I think that rules out Super Metroid, but I'll definitely look into Symphony of the Night.

Yeah I've played Hollow Knight. It's great. Didn't do all the end stuff as the boss rush bits and some of the DLC got a bit too tricky.

Symphony of the Night is superb, and I also concur with Axiom Verge. Played through it twice. Excellent game. Still to try the sequel though but there's something off about it I can't put my finger on.

Super Metroid would also probably be my pick for first metroidvania, but Hollow Knight, SotN and Axiom Verge are great choices too. I was going to get into nitpicks about each, but you can't go wrong with either. Best is probably to watch a little gameplay footage of each and go for whichever appeals most to you just from looking at/listening to it.

I'll be honest, the music in the anime intro to Monster Boy has always put me off. Not sure if I like the look of it either. Ori is laaaaaame

I didn't think The Messenger was a proper Metroidvaina

Don't listen to Reggie. He's trying to steer you wrong

Hah, I get what you mean - the anime intro is very twee. Can't agree about the art style though; I think it's absolutely gorgeous. Once you get into the game proper it's just incredibly fun, well designed and stuffed with secrets.  I used to be a big Wonderboy fan though so may be biased.

Agree about the Messenger too but I loved it all the same (except those bloody chase sequences).

RadicalRex Have you played Alwa's Awakening? Not sure if it'd really be your kind of thing - it's quite slow - but I think it has Metroid elements. I remember having a good time with it though and it's not really spoken about much

I haven't. Not sure about it based on footage but I put it on my Steam wishlist for the next sale.