Metroidvania 2025 - The Best Upcoming Games to Watch
TOP TEN METROIDVANIAS COMING IN 2025
2024 was another great year for the Metroidvania genre. There were incredible indie experinces like Animal Well, Nine Sols, and Bo Path of The Teal Lotus, but even AAA with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown, which was our pick for Best Metroidvania of 2024. However, 2025 has a lot in store for fans of the genre too, and here are the TOP TEN UPCOMING METROIDVANIAS IN 2025 and let’s see how many times Silksong gets mentioned.
Silksong
Let’s get it out the way first and rip it off like a band-aid. Silksong is without a doubt on this list, along with every other list for upcoming games, upcoming indie games and upcoming Metroidvanias. One of the first pieces of content I created about Silksong said that there was a “good chance it doesn’t release in 2022”. I was right, but it also didn’t release in 2023 or 2024 either, but for those who think the silence isn’t working, all you have to do is look at Google Trends to see that Hollow Knight: Silksong has only grown in popularity over the years.
I don’t think this was the original intention from Team Cherry, but they are a tiny team, making quite possibly one of the most anticipated indie games of all time. The pressure is high externally and I would bet that they are applying just as much pressure on themselves inside the studio to deliver an immaculate experience.
As for why the wait will be worth it, there is already plenty of information that we knew years ago and we can only imagine what has been added since. Hollow Knight: Silksong will feature “crafting” that according to Team Cherry “could vastly change each experience” Hornet will also have hunting and quests that sound like they are going above what the original did. It sounds like quests will offer you a chance to use your wits to solve puzzles based on what you have seen on your journey and hunting will see you track down rare beasts, which will likely come with a hefty reward.
Hollow Knight had over 150 types of enemies and years ago, it was revealed that Silksong would feature over be matching the scope, as it would have 150 new enemies, but this was year ago. There was no mention of bosses, but based on how Team Cherry is going above and beyond, you could expect over 50 bosses as well. Finally, there is Silk Soul mode, according to Team Cherry will “spin the game into a unique and challenging experience”. Without a doubt, Silksong will be worth the wait, whenever it releases.
Crowsworn
It also wouldn't be a Metroidvania list without mentioning Silksong and Crowsworn. Back in 2024, I was given access to the backers and press exclusive demo, which was incredible. After spending a few hours with the Crowsworn demo, it might sound slightly sacrilegious, but it’s our most anticipated Metroidvania at the moment. Yes, even more than Silksong. There is no doubt, both of these games are likely to be incredible, but I think it comes down to tonal preferences and Crowsworn won me over.
Crowsworn initially planned on having a December 2023 release date, but after their Kickstarter was a huge success, things evolved. Mongoose Rodeo raised more than 10x the amount they were expecting with the initial goal being 125k and according to the studio “the level of quality isn’t on the same scale anymore. This money affects everything. Animations, enemy design, level design, mechanics, size of world etc. Quality takes time”
I had to constantly remind myself that the demo contains areas that didn’t make the final game, which begs the question, how good is the content that is in the final game? The demo feels clean and highly polished. The sound of your feet as you dash thorough dark puddles, the way your shadow bounces of certain elements in the background with its parallax environments, how tight the controls feel, and how weighty the combat feels. Drawing from their Bloodborne inspiration, every single enemy is challenging. They react different every time and it’s just as easy to be overwhelmed very quickly from low level mobs.
Once again, none of this will be included in the final game and the demo is representative of the state of the game likely at least a year or two ahead of its release.
I’m over the moon as excited about Hollow Knight: Silksong as most of you are too. There is no doubt after playing the demo, that Crowsworn and Silksong will both have the juice. However, the tone of Crowsworn just resonates with me on a deeper level. It’s grungier, it’s more gothic, and it’s more foreboding. The score of the game is constantly ominous and uneasy. It feels much more akin to dark experiences like Bloodborne and Darkest Dungeon. This is harder to put into words, but there is just a feeling that you have when experiencing the game.
MIO: Memories in Orbit
Mio or Memories in Orbit is being developed by Douze Dixiemes, which translates to twelve/tenths who are now part of Focus Entertainment after being acquired back in 2021 after their first game. This would indicate a commitment to publishing high quality indie style games similar to the EA Originals program. A huge company, but a small project inside that wants to generate goodwill, give chances to original ideas and has a much better chance at turning a profit, albeit a smaller one, due to the size and scope.
The studios first game in 2020, which was also published by Focus Entertainment was Shady Part of Me, a narrative filled, artistic, puzzle platformer and was beloved. With almost 2000 reviews on steam being overwhelmingly positive at 94%. PC Invasion called Shady Part of Me “One of the best puzzle platformers of the year” and Screen Rant said it was “delightful”.
Douze Dixièmes are also very aware of how it will draw comparisons to Hollow Knight: Silksong. The obvious comparisons are there from the beautiful hand drawn 2D art, the genre, the female protagonist and the high level of difficulty, but the studio says they are “convinced that MIO has a lot to give”
In one of their recent devlogs, the studio has said to not let the beautiful and serene art style fool you, as the game is very challenging, but fair.
As for the game itself, it all began with the concept of a Metroidvania with a science fiction hook. After some prototypes, the studio was happy with how it was coming along. You play as MIO, a nimble robot with extraordinary abilities. You awaken aboard a spaceship lost in the sea of the stars. What happened aboard is unknown, but now the spaceship has become overgrown with lush vegetation and robots have began to think for themselves. In a world inspired by paintings, comics and anime, MIO is determined to understand what happened.
Shadow Labyrinth
One of the most strange episodes in Secret Level was the Pac-Man level, because it was such a huge departure from the series that people had become familiar with since 1980. I appreciated the attempt to try something unique with the series, but came away confused….until The Game Awards 2024, when Secret Labyrinth was announced as a bold new direction for the franchise.
I think financially, trying something radically different has a chance to work for Pac-Man, and if it wasn’t loosely based on this IP, people wouldn’t even be talking about this side scrolling adventure game from Bandai Namco. Players take on the role of a Swordsman no 8 who awakens on hostile alien planet. If you haven’t seen the Secret Level episode, it will explain what serves as a precursor to the game in 10 minutes better than I can explain it.
In the game, you will traverse a maze filled world where enemies and puzzles, both old and new will challenge you at every step. To survive you will need to master combat, explore to uncover increasingly powerful abilities and skills and conquer challenging bosses to discover their true purpose. The press release also said that Shadow Labyrinth will feature connections to other iconic Bandai Namco arcade titles.
Possessor(s)
Heart Machine looks to have a busy 2025 ahead of them. To begin with, Hyper Light Breaker is launching into early access in January, which will then likely be constantly supported and updated, but then they will likely also be releasing Possessor(s), their new side scrolling action adventure collaboration with Devolver Digital.
Heart Machine isn’t the only studio on this list who is making what strongly sounds like a metroidvania, but has an aversion to labeling as one. The Steam description certainly sounds like a metroidvania, “Find and unlock a wide array of powerful weapons and upgrades to bolster your arsenal and explore previously inaccessible areas”.
Possessor(s) takes place in a flooded mega city with stunning art and atmosphere, which is now two things that have become status quo for Heart Machine. According to the studio, Possessor(s) is inspired by games like Inside, Signalis and Control as well as shows like Severance. In true Heart Machine style, the game goes deeper than surface meanings “possessors is about relationships, specifically the ones that hurt us and how we navigate through them”
Echo Weaver
Most Metroidvanias released are now reductively called Hollow Knight ripoffs or Silksong wannabes, which isn’t fair to a lot of Metroidvanias that are trying new things. The good news is that Echo Weaver is nothing like Hollow Knight. Echo Weaver feels truly original due to its visuals and time loop premise.
The time loop is implemented in such a genius manner as you have health, but you also have time bar that tells you how much time you have left before your run is over. You then restart the cycle again, but this time with the information that you gained on your last loop. You’ll discover shortcuts, where items you need are and what paths aren’t worth your time.
In a unique implementation of the time mechanic, you’ll also encounter blocked off areas that you can unlock by sacrificing a certain amount of your time bar, which is a great risk/reward proposition. The visuals and premise are unique and time traveling and time loop games still feel like an under-utilized genre.
Earthblade
What is known is that the team behind Celeste and Towefall, who are now called EXOK games, know how to make a tight controlling, precision based game. It is now safe to assume that they will deliver another great feeling experience with Earthblade. What remains unknown is if the team will be able to match the emotional impact of the story of Celeste. The story of Celeste took on mental health and told a story in a very relatable way.
In Earthblade, you play as Nevoa, a child of fate who is returning to earth and that is all that is known at the moment as far as the plot goes. As for the gameplay, EXOK games are calling it an explor-action platformer. During an interview about Earthblade a few years ago, they were asked if it was a Metroidvania and the team basically confirmed that it was, but they don’t love being boxed in by labels. Going by this statement, we can assume that they have big ambitions for Earthblade outside of the traditional metroidvania scope, but will still likely feature a lot of familiar elements.
Celeste released in 2018, which means that Earthblade will have been in development almost as long as Hollow Knight: Silksong, which begs the question, why aren’t people saying Earthblade is in development hell
The Eternal Life of Goldman
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before. Breathtaking, hand drawn, 2D side scrolling Metroidvania/platformer. From the team behind This Is The Police comes a Metroidvania/platformer that looks stunning, which is due to the attention to detail and what the studio says is frame by frame drawn and colored without cutting any corners. The Eternal Life of Goldman takes place on a beautiful archipelago full of vibrant colors, and ancient mysteries to solve.
Dripping with inspiration from the classic 16 bit platformers, you are on a mission to destroy an ancient diety and to do so you must unlock new powers on your cane that will help you explore the island to the fullest. The studio is also trying to avoid a lot of the pitfalls of the genre. “It demands precision, but is never grueling, it encourages exploration, but doesn’t have you backtracking and it has a complex story, but it doesn’t feign pretension”. All of which is easier said than done and only time will tell.
Metroid Prime 4: Beyond
If there is at least one game on this list that people cant compare to Hollow Knight: Silksong, it’s Metroid Prime 4: Beyond. Details are sparse on Metroid Prime 4 at the moment with the official Nintendo page only saying “The galaxies greatest bounty hunter Samus will embark on a new mission in Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, coming to Nintendo Switch in 2025”
After that we can go by assumptions and what we can pick out of the trailer. It does state that it it coming to the Nintendo Switch, which likely means that it will be a title that launches on both Nintendo Switch and Nintendo Switch 2. Typically, the series doesn’t sell well as Metroid Dread, the Switch exclusive from 2021 was nominated for Game of The Year, became the best selling title in the long running franchise, but still only managed just above 3 million.
I think Nintendo has a chance for even better success with Metroid Prime 4: Beyond, not only because Retro took over development from Bandai Namco in 2019, but also because it’s launching on two systems simultaneously. One system is almost the best selling console of all time with nearly 150 million and the new system will have people hungry to buy a few games alongside their new console. It’s almost guaranteed to take over the mantle as the best selling Metroid of all time, especially when prior to Dread taking over as best selling that title was previously held by the original Metroid Prime with 2.84 million, a moniker that stood for nearly 20 years.
As for the gameplay itself, it looks like it will be sticking closely to the Metroid Prime formula and hopefully will give us more of what we loved decades ago.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound
Revealed at The Game Awards preshow, Ninja Gaiden Ragebound is a blending of both eras of Ninja Gaiden. The Game Kitchen, the team behind the massively successful Metroidvania series Blasphemous is handling development while Dotemu will be handing the publishing. Ragebound has not officially been called a Metroidvania, but I have to assume that since The Game Kitchen is devoloping the game, there will at least be Metroidvania-lite elements involved.
Ninja Gaiden was released in 1988 for the arcade as a beat-em up and the NES as an action platformer, which is the version that most people are familiar with. The story of the original is about a Ninja named Ryu Hyabusa, who travels to America to avenge the death of his father and in the process try to stop the assassin from opening up a portal and unleashing an ancient demon onto the world. Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound tells the untold chapter of what happened when Ryu went to America, as you play as young ninja Kenji Mozu, who is from Hyabusa Village and must deal with the army of demons that has been released from another dimension.
Ninja Gaiden: Ragebound combines that old school pixel aesthetic, and action of the original and blends it with modern precision and layers of depth from the modern Ninja Gaiden titles. The hope is that Ragebound honors the originals by including plenty of animated cutscenes as they were a large part of what felt so special about Ninja Gaiden. The trailer featured some great animated cutscenes, which bodes well.