What is a Metroidvania game?
A Metroidvania is a sub-genre of action-adventure games that centres on non-linear exploration and ability-gated progression. In Japan, this style is often referred to as Search Action (Tansaku-gata akushon). Rather than advancing through levels in a fixed order, players gradually unlock new areas by acquiring key abilities or items that allow them to overcome previously inaccessible obstacles.
The term “Metroidvania” combines the names of Metroid and Castlevania, drawing inspiration from foundational titles such as Metroid (1986), Castlevania II: Simon’s Quest (1987), Super Metroid (1994), and Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997).
Through examining established titles, several core design pillars can be identified：
1. Interconnected World Structure
A defining pillar of Metroidvania design is the construction of a continuous and interconnected world rather than discrete levels. Regions loop back into one another through shortcuts, vertical shafts, and hidden passages, encouraging players to build a mental map of the space. In Super Metroid, the planet Zebes is designed as a cohesive environment where spatial relationships gradually become familiar, while Hollow Knight reinforces this pillar through layered verticality that gives Hallownest a strong sense of depth and place.
2. Ability-Gated Progression
Progression in Metroidvania games is primarily driven by the acquisition of new abilities rather than by linear story triggers or numerical upgrades. These abilities function as keys that unlock new paths and recontextualise earlier areas. For example, in Castlevania: Symphony of the Night, abilities such as double jump and transformation forms allow players to access previously unreachable spaces, turning exploration into an evolving process rather than a one-way journey.
3. Spatial Mastery and Player Knowledge
Metroidvania design places strong emphasis on spatial understanding and player memory. Progress often depends on recognising landmarks, recalling blocked routes, and identifying subtle environmental cues. Super Metroid is particularly notable for its limited explicit guidance, encouraging players to rely on observation and spatial reasoning. This focus on knowledge-based progression strengthens player agency and rewards attentive exploration.
4. Combat in Service of Exploration
While combat is present in most Metroidvania games, it typically functions as a supporting system rather than the primary focus. Enemies and bosses are designed to challenge the player’s use of movement and abilities, often guarding key progression items or transitions between regions. Ori and the Blind Forest prioritises traversal and flow over direct combat, whereas Hollow Knight places greater emphasis on precision fighting, yet in both cases, combat serves exploration rather than replacing it.
5. Environmental Storytelling
Narrative in Metroidvania games is frequently communicated through the environment rather than explicit exposition. Visual design, enemy placement, and environmental decay convey history and emotional tone. In Hollow Knight, the fallen kingdom of Hallownest is understood through abandoned architecture and fragmented spaces, allowing players to piece together meaning through exploration. This approach aligns closely with the genre’s emphasis on discovery and interpretation.
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