It’s hard to imagine a time before the Metroidvania wasn’t a go-to for developers. For smaller teams in particular, it's the perfect genre for letting players explore without the need to create massive open worlds. It evokes a sense of discovery while allowing creators to carefully control progression for a curated experience. For over a decade, there’s been no shortage of games that emulate the sense of exploration and steady power progression both Super Metroid and Castlevania: Symphony Of The Night perfected in the ‘90s. And this year alone, titles like Tales of Kenzera: Zau and Animal Well continue to iterate on the tried and true formula in fresh new ways.
