8 PS3 Metroidvanias That Respect Your Time

Over the last couple of generations, Metroidvanias have established themselves as a fundamental part of the indie ecosystem, becoming one of the most beloved genres in the entire video game industry.

However, what we take for granted today was an anomaly a couple of decades ago, as the number of titles inspired by the lessons of both Metroid and Castlevania was quite limited.

Consequently, while examples of this type of experience have existed since the turn of the century, it wasn't until the 2010s that the term truly took hold as a necessary label, given the surge in titles that fit the description.

That being said, this doesn't mean there weren't sporadic representatives on older consoles, as I aim to highlight in this list of eight PS3 Metroidvanias that respect your time.

8 Rogue Legacy

Neither Metroid nor Vania

Rogue Legacy Platformer Roguelike Released June 27, 2013 ESRB e Developer(s) Cellar Door Games Publisher(s) Cellar Door Games Engine FNA / Microsoft XNA Game Studio Genre(s) Platformer, Roguelike

Given the extreme scarcity of Metroidvanias on the PlayStation 3, and the surprising amount of online confusion regarding exactly what Rogue Legacy is, this is an excellent opportunity to set the record straight.

While the influence of the Nintendo and Konami franchises is palpable in its perspective, RPG elements, level design, and platforming action, the title is primarily a pioneer of the roguelite subgenre—that is, roguelikes with permanent progression.

I can easily see why a Metroidvania fan would find great value in Rogue Legacy, as I myself have been captivated by its rewarding replayability, so the confusion stems from an understandable source.

Therefore, considering the limited number of Metroidvanias on Sony's console and the fact that Rogue Legacy is worth every penny, it's well worth including as a special mention, which shares enough similarities with the genre to make a fan feel right at home, albeit like a holiday one.

7 Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze

Four Evolving Chelonians

Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger Of The Ooze Action-Adventure Platformer Released November 11, 2014 ESRB t Developer(s) Wayforward Publisher(s) Activision Engine EngineBlack Genre(s) Action-Adventure, Platformer

The Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles have lost some popularity over time, but the franchise has given us numerous entries across generations, including Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Danger of the Ooze.

While it sits at the more modest end of the IP's lineup, it's a stable Metroidvania I remember fondly as one of my first real forays into the genre, featuring an appealing art style and letting you switch protagonists at any moment to keep the combat fresh.

Dashing, double-jumping, wall-jumping... Nothing we haven't seen before, yet nothing that fails to deliver that satisfying feeling when you unlock a move and gain access to more of the game, which requires only a single-digit number of hours to complete fully.

Would I recommend it to a genre veteran? Probably not. However, for anyone with a PlayStation 3 who wants to explore the genre's evolution chronologically, it’s an entertaining way to pass the time.

6 Strider

Reimagining the Classic

Strider Action Platformer 8.5/10Released February 18, 2014 ESRB E 10+ // Fantasy Violence, Mild Blood, Mild Language Developer(s) Double Helix Games Publisher(s) Capcom Engine stride Genre(s) Action, Platformer

Capcom’s ability to reinvent its franchises to suit modern times is one of its standout strengths, and Strider serves as a perfect example of this.

Fifteen years after his last outing, Hiryu makes a seamless return in a stylish 2.5D action title featuring more acrobatics and combos than the genre typically sees, making for a truly phenomenal experience.

Satisfying and varied platforming, adrenaline-fueled combat mechanics, excellent pacing... Were it not for its rather linear nature, I'm certain it would be far less underrated, though there's also value in its straightforward design.

It may shine more as a side-scroller than as a Metroidvania, but Strider always deserves a chance from fans of the genre, even if many do not consider it to be on par with the classics.

5 Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate

MercurySteam on Home Turf

Castlevania: Lords of Shadow - Mirror of Fate HD Action Adventure Hack and Slash Released October 25, 2013 ESRB M For Mature Developer(s) MercurySteam Publisher(s) Konami Genre(s) Action, Adventure, Hack and Slash

MercurySteam excels at many things, but the Metroidvania genre is their true forte, given they have been responsible for some of the best entries in both the Metroid and Castlevania series.

With that in mind, Castlevania: Lords of Shadow – Mirror of Fate is actually quite modest in its approach to the genre's defining elements, standing out far more as a side-scrolling action game than as a traditional Metroidvania.

It's more reminiscent of the 2010 hack-and-slash installment than Symphony of the Night; consequently, linearity takes center stage over exploration and backtracking, which are relegated to the background.

While not the developer's highest-rated title, it remains a solid addition to the team's trilogy, particularly thanks to its magnificent setting and varied gameplay, which ensure there isn't a single dull moment in the entire campaign.

4 Knytt Underground

An Unconventional Specimen

Knytt Underground Adventure Platformer 9.5/10Released December 18, 2012 ESRB M For Mature: Sexual Themes, Strong Language Developer(s) Nifflas' Games Publisher(s) Ripstone Games Genre(s) Adventure, Platformer

Although we now associate Metroidvanias with action-adventure titles,Knytt Underground arrived early last decade with a concept so unique that it was impossible not to be captivated.

Lacking combat or progression-based abilities to unlock inaccessible map areas, its classification within the genre remains a topic of debate, yet it perfectly captures that unmistakable sense of discovery found in getting lost in a vast world whose functioning you gradually unravel.

While its genre purity may be open to question, there's no disputing the quality of its puzzles and atmosphere, as it offers a magnificent non-linear experience where you constantly revisit the same locations not to backtrack, but simply to continue to expand your understanding of its various chambers.

Knytt Underground is expansive and packed with secrets; though, when it comes to platformers, few titles have managed to keep me so captivated for so long without relying on power-ups or enemies.

3 Teslagrad

Electrifying Puzzles

Teslagrad Puzzle Platformer Released December 23, 2013 ESRB E For Everyone: Mild Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Rain Games Publisher(s) Rain Games Genre(s) Puzzle, Platformer

At a time when the Metroidvania genre had not yet fully established itself, Teslagrad set a precedent by embracing the genre's lessons while rejecting its standard victory conditions, focusing instead on physics-based puzzles and platforming.

With just a dash of action rather than an overload, the game offers a refreshing formula where you feel like an inventor discovering the world, not a warrior destroying it.

Thanks to its beautiful art, impressive audiovisual effects, and rich, varied environments, it feels like a childhood fable brought to life on screen, and it knows exactly when to end to avoid the pitfall of artificially dragging out its great ideas.

It can be far more challenging than it looks, partly due to occasional control hiccups, though nothing that truly detracts from the experience Teslagrad presents in order to remain captivating from start to finish.

2 Outland

Between Light and Darkness

Outland Action Adventure Indie Released September 29, 2014 ESRB E 10+ // Fantasy Violence Developer(s) Housemarque Publisher(s) Housemarque Genre(s) Action, Adventure, Indie

Ubisoft once became my favorite company in the world thanks to projects like Outland, which demonstrated the versatility and talent the studio brought to a wide range of genres, including the Metroidvania.

Housemarque showcased its mastery of the bullet hell genre by blending it into a 2D action-platformer defined by its light-and-darkness mechanics, systems that fundamentally alter how you interact with the environment and your enemies.

Constantly switching polarities to attack foes, pass through barriers, or dodge projectiles is a simple yet incredibly rewarding concept, especially given the outstanding visuals where minimalism and atmosphere take center stage.

With its spectacular boss battles and satisfying gameplay regarding both combat and movement, Outland is a shooting star within the Metroidvania genre and, if I may say so, one of its most underrated gems.

1 Guacamelee!

Mexican Blows to Dish Out

Guacamelee! Platformer Beat 'Em Up 9/10Released April 9, 2013 ESRB e Developer(s) DrinkBox Studios Publisher(s) DrinkBox Studios Genre(s) Platformer, Beat 'Em Up

My affinity for Latin American culture may well play a part in the devotion Guacamelee! inspires in me, though I genuinely consider it among the most special indie titles the genre has ever produced.

Its fusion of Metroidvania and beat 'em up mechanics delivers the fun of an arcade game, yet offers far greater depth in terms of progression and exploration, thus providing the dynamism needed to ensure that every hour is more entertaining than the last.

Its striking visual style and colorful setting are matched only by the spectacular nature of its combat encounters, where Juan Aguacate shows off his fighting prowess through a plethora of perfectly animated moves and powers.

It offers unbridled action, highly agile movement, and a rich vein of folklore to back it all up, so, frankly, I can think of no reason why Guacamelee! shouldn't be a universally beloved title.

Calling it the best Metroidvania on PlayStation 3 might sound bold, but I can confidently say it fully belongs in the conversation, especially since it holds its own against even the biggest names in the genre.