I elected Circle of the Moon, confident I'd be the first to vote for it... but I was wrong, it seems. Who is that nameless hero who did so before me?
But here's the problem: I share an equally fervent enthusiasm for each (true) Metroidvania game on this list. CoD and LoI are, I agree, closer to dungeon crawlers. SQ, well, doesn't really fit the category. And as for MoF... I'm speechless.
Now, the Metroidvania genre is invariably dominated by SoTN, and for very good reason. But I have mine for loving CoTM.
For one, it's the first Castlevania game I'd ever played. An ordinary visit to a friend's house, at the time it came out, had granted me that honor. And so, half a decade later, I had "Awake" still ringing off in the depths of my memory long after I'd forgotten up to its very name. A miracle had me encounter it at the end an aimless internet search...
But, objectively, here's how Concerto of the Midnight Sun can stand out from amongst its compatriots:
- It's the only Metroidvania (along with OoE) that had a truly challenging level of difficulty.
- Its Dual Setup System was one of a kind, offering an abilities system more diverse than Sorrow's.
- Its music was nothing short from incredible.
- Its visuals, while blurred by the GBA's dark screen, were artistically gorgeous.