Best metroidvania games on PC: which to pick by difficulty

If you're looking for the best metroidvania games on PC, it helps to know what you're getting into: a big, interconnected map where almost everything starts locked. Each new ability (a double jump, a dash, a key) opens routes you couldn't cross before, which is why you keep going back to places you've already seen. What differs most from one game to the next is how punishing it is, so here are eight from the catalogue, ordered from the gentlest to the toughest.

To start without suffering

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  Dust: An Elysian TailMetroidvania · 2D action · Hand-paintedWhen you want a beautiful, fluid 2D action adventure for a few afternoons.When to play it and when not to
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  SteamWorld Dig 2Metroidvania · Platformer · MiningWhen you want a spell of digging and upgrading with no complications: every trip down the mine brings something new.When to play it and when not to

Dust: An Elysian Tail is a hand-painted 2D action metroidvania with fluid combos and side quests. Its game details recommend it to anyone after a more accessible one that focuses on combat, and warn that it isn't for those looking for a tough challenge.

SteamWorld Dig 2 swaps jumping for the pickaxe: a robot digs beneath a Wild West town, sells what she finds and upgrades her tools to reach new areas. It's a friendly, short metroidvania; if you want a long, hard one, it will feel small. If you like the idea of digging and upgrading, the first SteamWorld Dig is a four-to-five-hour adventure.

Medium difficulty: beautiful, with a moderate challenge

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  Ori and the Will of the WispsMetroidvania · Platformer · EmotionalWhen you want to explore a stunning world with a moderate challenge and sessions of one or two hours.When to play it and when not to
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  Bloodstained: Ritual of the NightMetroidvania · Gothic · ExplorationWhen you fancy exploring a big map at your own pace, trying out new powers and weapons after every boss.When to play it and when not to

Ori and the Will of the Wisps is the most striking way into the genre: fairy-tale animation and music, movement that gets nimbler with every ability, and a moving story without long dialogue. Its game details put it at a moderate challenge, with sessions of an hour or two. Some escape sequences do ask for precision and patience.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is the spiritual successor to Castlevania: you explore a castle as Miriam, steal powers from monsters and craft weapons from what you collect. It suits anyone who enjoys trying out gear and abilities; reviews warn of a puzzle or two with a very convoluted solution.

For a real challenge

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  Hollow KnightMetroidvania · Platformer · 2D actionWhen you feel like exploring thoroughly and have the energy for a challenge: discovering a shortcut or a secret area is a constant reward.When to play it and when not to
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  BlasphemousMetroidvania · 2D action · GothicWhen you want a boss challenge for several evenings: if you're skilled and head straight through, it takes under ten hours.When to play it and when not to
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  Hollow Knight: SilksongMetroidvania · 2D action · HardWhen you have energy and hours to lose yourself in a huge map where every corner hides something.When to play it and when not to

Hollow Knight is the benchmark: a huge insect kingdom you explore with no hand-holding, memorable bosses and combat that demands learning patterns. It can be tough, especially at the start. It's Verified for Steam Deck.

Blasphemous is a Spanish metroidvania inspired by the religious art of Seville, with a dark world and plenty of bosses. Its game details warn about backtracking: if you hate retracing your steps, it will drag. If you're skilful and head straight through, it takes under ten hours.

Hollow Knight: Silksong is the follow-up: Hornet, faster and more acrobatic, in a huge world full of quests, secrets and bosses. The challenge is high from the start, so if you've never played the genre, begin with the first game.

To think more than fight

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  ANIMAL WELLMetroidvania · Puzzle · MysteryWhen you feel like exploring and thinking calmly, letting curiosity guide the session.When to play it and when not to

ANIMAL WELL shares the map full of secrets but has no combat: you progress with unexpected items and by solving puzzles. It guides you through nothing, so if not knowing what to do stresses you out, it isn't for you; if you like noticing everything, it rewards curiosity more than most.

How to choose yours

• Never played one: Dust: An Elysian Tail or SteamWorld Dig 2.
• Want beauty and emotion: Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
• Looking for a serious challenge: Hollow Knight and, after it, Silksong.
• Prefer puzzles to fights: ANIMAL WELL.
• Playing on Steam Deck: apart from Ori and Bloodstained (Playable), everything on this list is Verified.

If what appeals is the mix with repeatable runs, see our guide to which roguelike to start with: Dead Cells is in it, and it borrows the structure of a metroidvania.

Which one is for you today?

Tell us how much energy and time you have and we'll suggest one. If you connect your Steam account, we choose from the games you already own.