Topic: Metroidvanias that aren't CV or Metroid

[PFG9000]

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?

[Profbeanburrito]

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.

[X]

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 

[Maedhros]

Aquaria, for PC.
Monster Tale, on DS.

[Abnormal Freak]

Mega Man ZX
Mega Man ZX Advent

[Claimh Solais]

Pretty much any Mega Man game.

...

...Almost.

[PFG9000]

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.

[Aridale]

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

[Flame]

Mega Man ZX
Mega Man ZX Advent

The very first Mega Man Zero.

Pretty much any Mega Man game.

...

...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.

[Claimh Solais]

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.

[Pemburu Vampir]

Ninja Turtles 3 radical rescue for the GameBoy.

[Munchy]

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.

[Abnormal Freak]

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.

[Jorge D. Fuentes]

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.

[PFG9000]

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.