Castlevania Dungeon Forums
The Castlevania Dungeon Forums => Hardcore Gaming 101 => Topic started by: PFG9000 on July 03, 2011, 09:29:46 PM
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So I'm always looking for more games that follow the Metroidvania formula. Everybody seems to have a different idea of what exactly makes a game a Metroidvania. In my mind, the most important elements are a side-scrolling point of view, one large open world that allows backtracking, and the acquisition of new items and abilities that open up that world little by little. By this definition, non-CV and non-Metroid games that qualify as Metroidvanias are games like Goonies 2 on the NES and Shadow Complex on XBLA. I'm fairly sure I've played others, but I can't think of them off the top of my head.
So I was wondering what other games are like this. I've got my eye on Cave Story and La Mulana, but haven't tried them out yet (I don't believe La Mulana has been released yet on the Wii, but it's coming). I've also heard that Scurge: Hive on the GBA and DS is a Metroid clone, although it's not a sidescroller. Some people are calling Soul of Darkness on the DSiware a Metroidvania, and while it's very reminiscient of the later CVs, it's strictly level-based, not open-world.
Does anybody know of any other games like this? Any recommendations?
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I've been looking for some good ones too, so this is a nice suggestion area. I'm looking for one for the iPad so if anyone knows of one that'd be great.
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There's a fangame out there that employs the Metroidvania formula. It's called "Return of Egypt". It's actually a very good game and solid to play. I still haven't finished it even though I'm at the final segment of the temple. It just need to know where to go next then I can finish the game :P
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Aquaria, for PC.
Monster Tale, on DS.
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Mega Man ZX
Mega Man ZX Advent
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Pretty much any Mega Man game.
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...Almost.
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I had heard good things about Mega Man ZX when it came out. Isn't that level based though?
Also, I forgot about Aquaria. I really need to try that one of these days.
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ZX is weird you can go into the background in doors and explore all over. It was ok but I didnt really like it too much
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Mega Man ZX
Mega Man ZX Advent
The very first Mega Man Zero.
Pretty much any Mega Man game.
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...Almost.
Nooooo, not at all. The only ones are the previously mentioned.
And even then ZX Advent is a stretch because 4 of the stages can only be accessed via transerver, and 2 cant be returned to.
I would argue Mega Man X Command Mission, but despite having large maps, they arent really interconnected, and not THAT maze like. But I guess it still counts a bit. Its more of the Lament formula. teleport to the map.
I had heard good things about Mega Man ZX when it came out. Isn't that level based though?
it is all one interconnected map. It isnt level based like the Classic X and Zero Series. You can more or less tackle any of the first 4 bosses in any order, and any of the next 4 in any order. (although there are areas restricted at first. you need to get keys and such, or the biometal necessary to get up to somewhere)
Only thing it's map system was terrible.
The very first ZX despite that, is an AMAZING game.
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The very first Mega Man Zero.
Nooooo, not at all. The only ones are the previously mentioned.
And even then ZX Advent is a stretch because 4 of the stages can only be accessed via transerver, and 2 cant be returned to.
I would argue Mega Man X Command Mission, but despite having large maps, they arent really interconnected, and not THAT maze like. But I guess it still counts a bit. Its more of the Lament formula. teleport to the map.
I said almost, as the maps are built similarly to the basic Metroidvania levels, like the castle entrance and alchemy lab of SotN. Has a lot of platforming, too. But I said almost, as it's not interconnected and such like an actual MV game.
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Ninja Turtles 3 radical rescue for the GameBoy.
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Ninja Turtles 3 radical rescue for the GameBoy.
This game rocks.
Also The Goonies 2, sort of Adventures of Rad Gravity (hoo boy is it bad though), sort of Tails Adventure... I guess you could count the earlier Resident Evils since they have a non-linear map kinda thing.
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Only thing it's map system was terrible.
Uuuuugghhh, is it ever. I never finished the game because after several hours I started getting lost. They shoulda just ripped off the Super Metroid/SOTN map system. The one in ZX makes no sense.
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Kirby & The Amazing Mirror does this.
However, because the interconnections are door-based, it has the same problem as MegaManZX (ZX Advent improves upon this sooooo much), in that the doors seem to take you to unusual locations so you have to keep checking the map to see where the interlock took you to.
I gotta think about others that do this, but I've played a few.
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I played a few hours into Kirby and the Amazing Mirror. I liked it, but I couldn't figure out the map system and ended up getting lost. If Megaman ZX is like that I can understand the map problems. I'll still give it a shot though. TMNT3:RR sounds promising too.
Has anybody played The Guardian Legend or Faxanadu on the NES, or the Wonderboy/Monsterworld series on Master System and Genesis? I did some internet searching for Metroidvanias and people on other forums have mentioned them.
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Has anybody played The Guardian Legend or Faxanadu on the NES
Played 'em both and loved 'em. Guardian Legend took some time to get through due to those doors with the riddles that you had to figure out. I didn't do too bad with them though. Faxanadu I also found quite entertaining to play and it's one of those early NES games that have that classic vibe to them.
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Wonderboy/Monsterworld series
I've played The Dynastic Hero and that's a whole lotta fun. I oughta return to it soon and finish that beast.
Does The Subspace Emissary in Super Smash Bros. Brawl count as this kind of game? :p
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Shadow Complex for XBLA.
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Faxanadu and Battle of Olympus are good candidates, as well as the sidescrolling parts of Zelda II, probably.
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The problem with ZX, is that unlike Metroidvanias, it's map actually has a theoretical 3rd dimension. EG- there are doors in the background that you can also go into. not just on the left and right sides.
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Has anybody played The Guardian Legend or Faxanadu on the NES, or the Wonderboy/Monsterworld series on Master System and Genesis? I did some internet searching for Metroidvanias and people on other forums have mentioned them.
All of the above. And all are really good. Monsterworld 3 is prolly the best outta those but it was never released here. Its alot like that Monster Tale game on DS. Guardian Legend is one of the best overlooked games on NES. Its a shooter and an adventure game and both are good lol. Faxanadu is just crazy. Its got some outlandish ideas even for then but its good. Hard but good. Its always reminded me of Kid Icarus
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Shantae. A game inspired by CV2 and Zelda II.
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i finally purchased aquaria and i can say that as a metroid fan, the game its awesome as an indie title.
it really manages to get the "metroid" vibe while being completly original story, art and gameplay.
plus.. the ost really helps it.
Aquaria Soundtrack 08 Big Boss (2007, Bit Blot) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CKtkUHaDL_4#ws)
Aquaria OST - Technique (The Cave) (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vmyJkDsekrs#)
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The problem with ZX, is that unlike Metroidvanias, it's map actually has a theoretical 3rd dimension. EG- there are doors in the background that you can also go into. not just on the left and right sides.
The doors would work with Metroidvania maps, though. Just have like a letter or number linking a door to another section on the map. Subspace Emissary kinda did something like that, except they used lines drawn between the two doors. Actually, that would make finding out where a door leads much easier. Argh, I wish ZX had a good map. ;p A Subspace Emissary style map would be prime.
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I would argue Mega Man X Command Mission, but despite having large maps, they arent really interconnected, and not THAT maze like. But I guess it still counts a bit.
I'd argue against it since MMXCM is an RPG.
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Adventure Island 4 (NES)
Ufouria (NES)
Blaster Master (NES)
Those are more or less Metroidvanias with backtracking and interconnected world.
Also, there're two games on the GBA called Shaman King. I think there are even more games in Japan, but the two I've played were similar to the GBA Castlevania games. I even think they're running on the same engine as Aria of Sorrow. However, while the games are similar to Castlevania, I couldn't get into either of them. The levels are connected via an overworld map, Ecclesia style, though not quite. Exploration is VERY annoying and at times downright confusing. It's hard to keep track of where you've been and where you haven't. These games should've had the classic Metroidvania map system, and skipped the overworld map altogether, IMO.
EDIT: Maybe old NES Rygar would count too?
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yeah rygar def counts! Its another one of those overlooked NES classics. Amazing soundtrack too
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I'd argue against it since MMXCM is an RPG.
Fair enough.
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No one's mentioned Cave Story?
Cave Story Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Cr0CCkH49g0#)
Original Cave Story (PC, WiiWare, DSiWare)
Cave Story 3D Trailer for the Nintendo 3DS (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BKea6P6ub_o#)
Cave Story 3D for 3DS
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Adventure Island 4 (NES)
Speaking of this^^ I should also throw in Super Adventure island 2 for the SNES. All the stages are interconnected, though not at first.
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-Demon's Crest.
-Wario Land 2 and 3.
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^ Those game have top-down world maps. They're from Super Mario World's school of 2-D exploration, not Metroid's.
Anyway, there's Knightmare II: The Maze of Galious (http://www.generation-msx.nl/msxdb/softwareinfo/916) and Dragon Slayer IV: Drasle Family (http://www.generation-msx.nl/msxdb/softwareinfo/1377) for the MSX and NES, the first of which in particular was an inspiration for La-Mulana.
I've only messed around a little with Galious/Drasle/Mulana, however, so I don't know which is best.
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Super Mario 64!
Just kidding, but the foundations of this game could've easily turned into a Metroidvania, had the levels been ..uhm... completely different. It's actually designed a lot like Portrait of Ruin if you think about it, lol. (Yeah, I know I'm really streeeetching it here :D)
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Actually that sounds about right. Super Mario 64 - A 3D version of PoR.
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How about the Tomba games? Tomba's 1 and 2. I played the second one, and it was my favorite Playstation game back in the day. I never got the chance to play the first though, but I understand it's pretty similar. The games are open-world, and you collect new equipment/upgrades/etc which help you along your way.
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Well, if Super Mario 64 can count, and IT SHOULD!
You should play Brave Fencer Musashi! Totally should be a chibi cv game.
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Hmm...this may be a little inappropriate, so feel free to delete this if you think you should, Jorge or any other mods, but...
At the risk of seeming risque, there are actually some *porn* games which are...genuinely solid Metroidvanias. The first I'm thinking of is "Nightmare Sphere." Here's the website (NSFW):
http://mickmanx.blog71.fc2.com/ (http://mickmanx.blog71.fc2.com/)
I don't know what the plot is, but you're this girl who gets raped by the monsters when they kill her. To keep that from happening, though, you have a very solid Metroidvania platformer mechanic with a few interesting twists of its own. The basic gist is alost exactly like that of a Metroidvania--you start out only being able to perform basic attacks and single jumps, and you start out with just a basic sword, but you can get spears, magic, and hammers, as well as ability orbs which let you double jump and dash to reach previously inaccessible areas. Much like a metroidvania game, there are save rooms, warp rooms, and a map that works in pretty much the same way as SoTN's. It's a bit more "action-y" than many CV games due to the wide variety of actions you can perform, and how bosses can get "stunned" if you hit them hard enough. Of course, if you lose to them, you get raped. :rolleyes: As a game, though it's entertaining. There are even multiple endings!
Secondly is "Unholy Sanctuary." This is another "play a female character who gets raped when she dies" game, but this time everything is based off...Ragnarok Online! The main character is a priestess and all the enemies are from that game. It's not as polished or innovative as Nightmare Sphere, but again, it's a fun game in its own right--there's no map, but backtracking, platforming, etc. is clearly based off Castlevania, and even the music is very Castlevania esc. Check it out here:
http://hatahataragnarok.blog.shinobi.jp/ (http://hatahataragnarok.blog.shinobi.jp/)
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this thread is confusing
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At the risk of seeming risque, there are actually some *porn* games which are...genuinely solid Metroidvanias. The first I'm thinking of is "Nightmare Sphere." Here's the website (NSFW):
Only you would post that, Gunlord. :)
this thread is confusing
Why?
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Maybe because Metroidvania is basically Castlevania games that followed the Metroid .... exploration style. So it probably should be "games like metroid"
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Hehe, I manage to run across the craziest stuff, PFG. XD
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Kirby and the Amazing Mirror for GBA, the game left me thoroughly confused for awhile, but I finally put that baby to bed last week. Sprawling world with multiple paths, all based on a hub.
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Ys III: Wanders from Ys:
PC Engine Gaming: Ys III - Wanderers from Ys (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DQH0vXSkbXg#)
Wizards & Warriors III:
Wizards & Warriors 3 - part 1 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3VZw0bKysY#)
Super Pitfall:
Super Pitfall 6:20.22 (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UOKMNK-pXCo#)
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oh man Ys 3... I havent seen that game in YEARS. It is really good tho.
Ill throw in a note for Terreria a new indie game. On the surface it looks like a minecraft ripoff but in 2d... but once you dig into it abit its waaaaaaaaay more. I was thinkin all yesterday while playin it that it was like a metroidvania but theres no castle (unless you build one) but its HUGE 2d worlds with everything from Hell down at the very bottom to deserts and jungles and floating islands above and everything inbetween. Cept ice... I havent seen any ice yet. Anyway its like a metroidvania because you can go anywhere ya want as long as you can figure out how to get there and you basically keep advancin to harder and harder areas as you collect stuff from the area your in to improve your char (armor weapons etc)
Last night I found Hermes Boots so I can run fast and a mirror that lets me warp back to my spawnpoint. I also crafted a full set of copper and iron armors and some new weapons. My next mission is the jungle! =D
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In my opinion, the best bet you have out there is a downloadable Xbox Live / PsNetwork game called Outland.
Take a look:
Outland - Debut Trailer [HD] (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_gbkHaq5Eo8#ws)
The zone maps are quite the same as in a metroidvania, with the inclussion of a "hub" zone, teleporters, etc. It is a purer platformer than Shadow Complex, with no inventory and relying on multiple abilities rather than weapons or items.
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I forgot about Outland. I've only played the demo, and only briefly at that, but I've heard that the game is very much a Metroidvania.
After a similar topic was posted years ago (not sure if it was at the CVDF), I tried Wanderers from Ys on the SNES. It really wasn't a Metroidvania as far as I could tell. I guess I was supposed to try the PC Engine one. It looks pretty cool.
Also, I tried Wizards and Warriors 3 around that same time. I got confused and put it down, but it looks like I really need to give it another shot.
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The Wanders from Ys for the SNES is really clunky feeling. As for being Metroidvania, it's more like OoE in a sense(exit location and you see the main map and various locations are nodes on the map, and enter them). I think the remake of Wanders from Ys looks better(better paced):
Ys III Wanderers from Ys (PS2) - Opening/Level Collage (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMz1GQlY4ng#)
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Sorry for the bump, but I just finished Shantae: Risky's Revenge on DSiWare and it is absolutely a Metroidvania. The map is 2D but has multiple layers, sorta like an advanced version of Goonies 2 NES. As you play through the game, you find new transformation abilities that allow you to traverse previously inaccessible parts of the map. You get the ability to climb walls and jump high like Grant in CV3, break through stone barriers like in CotM, swim like AoS and DoS, etc. In fact, the basic attack mechanic is a hair whip, so the gameplay is a little CV-esque. It's a very polished game. I picked it up because I was blown away by Wayforward in Contra 4, and I was looking for their other stuff. I highly recommend Shantae to any Metroidvania fans. It's a beatifully animated 2D piece of artwork.
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I've been thinkin' of buying that for my 3DS.
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Hmm...this thread is old, but it's only on the third page, so I thought it might be better to resurrect it rather than start a whole new thread just for a Wiiware game.
Specifically, look at this:
http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/IfQuaJ0a5ztkrmJQwUemnZu73EoPviIN (http://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/IfQuaJ0a5ztkrmJQwUemnZu73EoPviIN)
Anima: Ark of Sinners. You apparently play as this scantily-clad white-haired lass in a game that's as Metroidvania as you can get. Mite b cool...at least for Wiiware. XD
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beingthehero made a topic here about Return To Egypt, a MetroidVania with Egyptian themes. Also, Wayforward's Aliens: Infestation is out now. It's basically a Metroid-style Aliens game. It's pretty well done, but not quite up to the high standards set by other Wayforward titles, in my opinion. Still recommended for any fan of Metroidvanias and Aliens, especially since Metroid owes a lot to Aliens from the start.
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Anybody else ever play the free PC Game "Eternal Daughter"? It's a total Metroidvania with a dash of Popful Mail.
Eternal Daughter (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9n3LP-sCi4#)
Or how about the more refined and polished "Aquaria" made by the same small team a couple of years later?
Aquaria Trailer (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YqY9mDOw-UI#)
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Ys : Origin
Ys III : Oath in Felhana
Ys IV: Ark of Naphiism
not only these three did metroidvania style, it's also a 3d metroidvania.
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I love aquaria (best soundtrack in a video game, ever) but I've never tried Eternal Daughter.
Where can I get it? NVM, i found it.
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Oh yes, Eternal Daughter, it was a great game, but i have never finish it......as for aquaria, great sound track and amazing graphics game play!!!! Thanks for sharing it's existence!!!
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Here's another obscure free PC game by the name of "Seiklus". The vid below explains the game in more detail but overall it's a huge exploration game where you traverse through a 2D world that interconnects like a metroidvania and you collect things that eventually let you get further in places that you couldn't explore early in the game. However, the game is pretty simplistic and you mostly collect items and there is no real actual combat, monsters or bosses... so I don't think it's exactly fitting like some of the other games in this thread but a few of you may still like to check it out. I never beat it fully but it was a good experience.
seiklus 01 - Introduction (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QuewDfkyD-4#)
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I have one little question about Monster Tale on the DS, for anyone who's played it; Does it have a map system like Castlevania/Metroid? I'm thinking about importing this game (it was never released in Europe) but I can't stand these type of games when they don't have a functional in-game map.
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Here's one that I just picked up today. Aliens: Infestation for the DS. The game is 2D, the layout like Metroid and you need to collect things like key cards, ammo, etc. in order to progress. This game was done by Wayforward studios and even though I've only started playing it I think it's swell! I kind jumped when a stray cat dropped out of a roof vent and that James Horner music piece chimed in at just the right time too. It's already off to a good start! ;D
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Super Mario World! All stages are interconnected! :p
It's not side-scrolling so it's not Metroidvania, but if you like exploratory action games with puzzle elements, play the Story Of Thor series (Legend Of Oasis and Beyond Oasis, as they're known outside of Japan). It's like old-school Zelda with some fun features thrown in (you can stand on enemies' heads and make them attack each other! Or use the enemy's head as a platform to reach higher ground.) It gets confusing though if you take a few days or a week away from it and forget where you left off, because you backtrack through the world so many times.
And let us of course not forget the Chorus of the Undead! Or using the wand on zombies so you can free their accursed souls so they may find redemption in Heaven. :D