To see my full, up-to-date tierlist, head to www.demajen.co.uk/tierlist.html - I put it together specifically for people who ask how I personally would rate the many metroidvania games I've played and mapped, but do remember: it is ALL utterly subjective, personal opinion.
UPDATE: Afterimage = S tier. Last Case of Benedict Fox = low C tier (sadly) Doomblade = C tier. Curse of the Sea Rats = bottom of C tier after patch 1.3.7 (they've fixed some of the stuff I had issues with)
serious props to you man, this is one of the best videos I've seen for metroidvanias. Go to channel for maps and opinions from now on. Ashamed I haven't seen you before.
@@demajen I finally can get a feeling uniqueness and not knowing what's next after super metroid, Hollow Knight and the others just like Double Jump and Dash, etc. And they always depends on like skill tree or charms or some sort, but Axiom Verge is different. I agree with Axiom Verge 2, I will put it in C, but the exploration in AV2 is way better than one of the games in B rank
I'm new to metroidvanias and am just finishing bingeing the whole 2d metroid series and I really don't get the super Metroid hype, it was good for its time and all but every other game in the series built on supers foundation and I think super is actually one of the weaker Metroid games, at least among the 5 main games
I was looking for some video rating Metroidvania maps and I stumbled upon your video. You name sounded familiar, and it was because I've used your map many time for quick answers about Blasphemous. I'm the Level Designer behind the Blasphemous map and dude, thanks, you just made my entire year with that funny reaction when you had to rate the game. I really hope you liked the map on the sequel almost as much as you liked the first one. 😅
Hi! I loooooved the sequel. In fact, I loved the sequel so much that it made me re-evaluate my whole tierlist slightly and it pushed the original game down to the A-Tier (sorry!). I've not got an updated tierlist because I don't wanna be *that* channel that just pushes out a new tierlist every time a game comes along for clickbait views, but I do have an ever-evolving MV tierlist webpage at www.demajen.co.uk/tierlist.html if that is of any interest to you! Sterling work on both Blasphemous games! ❤️
@@demajen I have to agree with the Blasphemous map demotion! 😂 I mean, the map for the first game was made on top of questionable decisions, late agreements on the narrative and progression pacing and really bad shortcuts that only made sense because some areas were pretty close together. It's a miracle that the final result was any good. For the sequel almost everything was measured and planned from the beginning, to the point that almost at the end of the production the LD department ran out of ideas like "ok, this is our best... we cannot improve this based on the current game design". Thanks for the list! Definitely I need to play your S tier recommendations. I heard wonders of the new Prince of Persia. 😉
Salt and sanctuary is amazing. Some of my absolute favorites are salt and sanctuary, ender lillies, Ghost song, super metroid, metroid prime and rebel transmute.
it's a slow paced combat style. i liked cause if you are a button smashing noob you ll get beated like a drum. You have to think what to do, when to attack, always take a look to the stamina (which drops very fast), not to be baited into fail parries. I loved it, plus it was so original on the concept
I feel like I'm building up a little resentment towards Hollow Knight as the 'gold standard' for MV games. It's definitely S-Tier for me, but it isn't miles above the other games in that rank like the diehard HK fans suggest. I watched a sneak peak on Blasphemous 2 yesterday - well, I skimmed through it, really - and I'm even more hyped now than I was. Argh!
Interesting choices. Definately different than what you usually see in the community. I agree with some less popular picks like Vigil being A tier. People don't give that game much thought but the atmosphere and design and story are amazing. Melee combat lacks, but overall a solid A. What surprised me is Deaths Gambit at B while for me it's def S. the game is perfect in almost every aspect. Except for that long ass travelling before you finally get fast travel mechanic. Also, You just have to play Salt. It is very original in design and atmosphere, so I reccomend it, but do not expect much. I love the game, but the community has mixed feelings about it. I am sure it's because of the second half of the game, which feels a bit empty and rushed (tho it makes sense storywise). The Ori games are albsolute treats. Also Sundered is so beautfully atmospheric you have to give it a shot. And the replay value is quite high + the story. Also, maby I missed it, but you gotta play Skautfold: Usurper. The game is a love letter to metroidvanias and is a one man project. Quite a massive one for just one dev.
Hi, it's not Alwa's Legacy on NES, it's Alwa's Awakening. Aria of Sorrow is the last GBA castlevania, Dawn of Sorrow is the first NDS castlevania. I think you are mixing them up. Other than better graphism, Dawn of Sorrow new features use the touchscreen in an annoying way and that makes Aria of Sorrow more enjoyable. As NDS Castlevania, Portrait of Ruins has definitly more to offer than Dawn of Sorrow, I think you'd agree if you play them again. I recommand Blast Brigade if you didn't play it yet.
I tried CHASM. In fact, I maybe even uploaded some of it. But the procedural generation aspect of the levels made it feel kinda soulless to me. I've tried to keep the list to "hand-crafted" metroidvanias rather than the small number that have procedural generation to them - basically, if I can't map it, I don't play it (even if I have no intention OF actually mapping it). Does that make sense?
Hey, an idea for future tier lists. Please lead up with your sensibilities. For sure most of your regular viewers will know what you value in games and what is not all that important to you. However, these videos will bring new people (like me) who don't know anything about your taste. Judging by the video you like more combat oriented metroidvania games, definitely value length (or should I say massiveness) a lot. It seems that you do not care that much for movement sets. It seems like somber and/or dark tone is a bonus for you. I derived all those based on comments and overall score trends. However, knowing those in advance would have helped me know better where this is going and would have made me appreciate the video more.
Hey, thanks for the feedback. I confess, I hadn't even thought of that -- which is annoying as I actually DID do a section like that on the previous year's video, where I outlined my 3 Metroidvania Pillars >_< It's actually really interesting getting feedback like that, as actually I'm very much exploration and traversal focused - I love a great big bag of tools for getting around a map. But you're right about the combat as well: I like a certain type of combat that is fun, has variety, but isn't too technical (which is why, for example, I never got anywhere with Vernal Edge). I actually think I'll work on a video I can link people to (or a short section I can drop into any future videos like this) which explains what I generally look for. Thanks so much!
At the end you mention you've leave a link to the tier list so that we can see changes? The only link I see is an empty tier list. Is the one you made accessible somewhere?
Hmmm, there's one in a comment below this that goes to tiermaker.com/create/demajens-metroidvanias-april-2023-15742985 but that maybe doesn't work?! Either way, if you wanted to see my actual tierlist, I ended up getting really fed up of tiermaker and made my own from scratch instead using HTML. You can find my latest, constantly evolving page @ www.demajen.co.uk/tierlist.html
@@demajen thanks, kind of sad you put Hollow Knight back at the very top of S tier though in your linked tier list, I guess I'll have to give it one more real shot, because to this day I still don't get the hype, to me it's more painful than fun, and I think of it as appealing players who take pride in completing challenging games and feel special doing so, but it's so popular that I must be wrong and there has to be more to it.
@@goblack3661Oh, just be aware there's no real order within the tiers. They're not ranked that way. They're literally just the order I added them in. Hollow Knight is a great game, but only if you like the more soulsy elements, and only if you ignore the community, many of whom have become increasingly toxic the longer they've had to wait for the vaporware that is the announced-far-too-early Silksong. If I wanted to put them in an order (which I kinda don't, really) I'd put GRIME and Blasphemous 2 over Overhyped Knight.
Oh crap, I missed that one out! Why did it not show up in my library when I searched for the metroidvania tag?! Will add that in. (Though I never finished it 🥲)
I found out why! It's because I played Timespinner on gamepass and I didn't think about checking Gamepass for any metroidvanias that I also don't own on Steam. Going through my gamepass library now just to check!
Are you going to be making a map for The Last Case of Benedict Fox and afterimage? Also pretty sure Cursed Castilla is just a Ghost & Goblin clone and not a MV.
Maps for the demos of both games are already created and listed on demajen.co.uk - I am super hyped for expanding them to the full game! (Didn’t know that about Cursed Castilla. I just searched my library for games with the MV tag. Will clean it up a bit in the future if I can figure out how.)
According to Steam I played 11.2 hours of it, got all of 6 achievements (including "Beat the Game as Wyatt"), and last played it in 2014. I couldn't tell you a damned thing about the game, but I don't have a category for "I've forgotten everything about this title", unfortunately, so D-Tier is where it landed.
Nope, it is not. It's mid-to-high A tier at best as far as I'm concerned. It's good, but Fusion is a more interesting game in my opinion, and Dread just feels so much better to play. It does have the best soundtrack though (outside of the Prime games, anyways, but this is a 2D list).
I have big disagreements with the list, but I really enjoyed the video and all the arguments. It has been a good time getting to know the tastes of an experienced player in the genre. Personally for me: - Will of the Wisp, was a big disappointment for me, and I think it made Blind Forest worse in everything. It was refocused on combat, and I think the studio isn't very good at that. - The Mummy... is easily one of the worst metroidvanias I've ever played. I prefer not to say anything else because you have enjoyed it a lot. - Valdis Story has been one of the best for me and together with Super Metroid one of the most times I have replayed. - Also I'm in love with Tohou Luna Nights and his combat system. xD - I also think that games that technically aren't metroidvanias shouldn't be included in the list... but hey... you don't have to be a purist. :D and despite all these disagreements, I have really enjoyed the video. I have also wishlisted many games on Steam and look forward to playing them. Greetings and like.
I can't get over how ugly Bloodstained looks. I know it's shallow of me, but I can't help it. I think the game would have been much prettier if they'd gone for 2d sprites. If only because they were not able within their current budget/engine limitations to get the 3d looking quite right. Bloodstained has this overly shiny, spandex leather coating on everything. And eye-searingly bright colors. Whereas any screenshot of Aria of Sorrow looks good, y'know? Looks consistent, of a same style and atmospheric. Curse of the Moon wasn't a metroidvania but I thought it looked much better for what it was trying to be.
I coulda sworn I'd replied to this comment; so sorry! Yeah, I'm not a fan of Bloodstained's look. I much preferred the version of Miriam that we got in the Blasphemous crossover content. Bloodstained looks VERY "unreal engine" doesn't it, with that slight light glare on a lot of surfaces.
The art style and narrative are a big part of what elevates Blasphemous for me, so if you aren’t a fan of those you’re left with a fairly challenging soulsy exploration game. Without the twisted religious mythos the game is set against, and the visual style, the gameplay would probably be high-B/low-A for me.
@@demajen So, i took a look at some gameplay and the game looks like a simpler version of Salt and Sanctuary, but with less verticality in level design. This game has a flashy dash that I guess looks cooler than S&S 's very souls-y roll, but in S&S you get to carry 2 weaponsets that you can switch with a button at any time. If you like this game so much maybe give S&S a try.
@@sadsongs7731 I've tried to get into S&S multiple times but I don't like the 'feel' of its controls, unfortunately. It feels imprecise and floaty in a "puppet on a string" kind of way, which is exacerbated by how the main character 'sprite' is put together. I get why so many people like it, though; it just isn't for me.
To see my full, up-to-date tierlist, head to www.demajen.co.uk/tierlist.html - I put it together specifically for people who ask how I personally would rate the many metroidvania games I've played and mapped, but do remember: it is ALL utterly subjective, personal opinion.
UPDATE:
Afterimage = S tier.
Last Case of Benedict Fox = low C tier (sadly)
Doomblade = C tier.
Curse of the Sea Rats = bottom of C tier after patch 1.3.7 (they've fixed some of the stuff I had issues with)
Doomblade c tier! Afterimage s! Blasphemy
do Blast Brigade vs. the Evil Legion of Dr. Cread
@@Arcadiabey Already done :) >>> ua-cam.com/video/Al9f4d7vkUA/v-deo.html or search at www.demajen.co.uk 👍🏻
serious props to you man, this is one of the best videos I've seen for metroidvanias. Go to channel for maps and opinions from now on. Ashamed I haven't seen you before.
Personal S Tier : Blasphemous, Super Metroid, Axiom Verge, SoTN, Hollow Knight, Ori and The Will of The Wisp and Ender Lilies.
What are your opinions on Axiom Verge 1 vs 2 just out of interest (if you've played the sequel)?
@@demajen I finally can get a feeling uniqueness and not knowing what's next after super metroid, Hollow Knight and the others just like Double Jump and Dash, etc. And they always depends on like skill tree or charms or some sort, but Axiom Verge is different. I agree with Axiom Verge 2, I will put it in C, but the exploration in AV2 is way better than one of the games in B rank
Totally agreeee, Id include Bloodstained as well on S tier ;)
I'm new to metroidvanias and am just finishing bingeing the whole 2d metroid series and I really don't get the super Metroid hype, it was good for its time and all but every other game in the series built on supers foundation and I think super is actually one of the weaker Metroid games, at least among the 5 main games
Oh man! I had requested this a few videos ago, super excited for this
I was looking for some video rating Metroidvania maps and I stumbled upon your video. You name sounded familiar, and it was because I've used your map many time for quick answers about Blasphemous. I'm the Level Designer behind the Blasphemous map and dude, thanks, you just made my entire year with that funny reaction when you had to rate the game. I really hope you liked the map on the sequel almost as much as you liked the first one. 😅
Hi! I loooooved the sequel. In fact, I loved the sequel so much that it made me re-evaluate my whole tierlist slightly and it pushed the original game down to the A-Tier (sorry!). I've not got an updated tierlist because I don't wanna be *that* channel that just pushes out a new tierlist every time a game comes along for clickbait views, but I do have an ever-evolving MV tierlist webpage at www.demajen.co.uk/tierlist.html if that is of any interest to you! Sterling work on both Blasphemous games! ❤️
@@demajen I have to agree with the Blasphemous map demotion! 😂
I mean, the map for the first game was made on top of questionable decisions, late agreements on the narrative and progression pacing and really bad shortcuts that only made sense because some areas were pretty close together. It's a miracle that the final result was any good. For the sequel almost everything was measured and planned from the beginning, to the point that almost at the end of the production the LD department ran out of ideas like "ok, this is our best... we cannot improve this based on the current game design".
Thanks for the list! Definitely I need to play your S tier recommendations. I heard wonders of the new Prince of Persia. 😉
Good job 👍😎 Thank you for this💥
Salt and sanctuary is amazing. Some of my absolute favorites are salt and sanctuary, ender lillies, Ghost song, super metroid, metroid prime and rebel transmute.
I definitely have to play Grime, the only S tier on this list I haven't played.
I loved everything about Grime....except the combat. Just felt so sluggish.
I like the idea of absorbing enemies though, that was kind of neat.
it's a slow paced combat style. i liked cause if you are a button smashing noob you ll get beated like a drum. You have to think what to do, when to attack, always take a look to the stamina (which drops very fast), not to be baited into fail parries. I loved it, plus it was so original on the concept
Catmaze is jolly good janky and very fun. You will like it. ESA is AMAZING. And Vigil Longest Night is the hidden gem.
Aeterna Noctis and Ghost Song in the same tier is wild.
Yup. I'd argue that I had a more fun time with Ghost Song too, even with the issues I had in terms of scaling and narrative pacing in Ghost Song.
Yea Ghost Song is 10 times better
@@halowillneverbegoodagain1868 Rediculous
for me: Blasphemous , Ender Lilies , Moonscars >> Hollow Knight , Unworthy >> Minoria (I still have many left to play and am hyped for blasphy 2 haha)
I feel like I'm building up a little resentment towards Hollow Knight as the 'gold standard' for MV games. It's definitely S-Tier for me, but it isn't miles above the other games in that rank like the diehard HK fans suggest.
I watched a sneak peak on Blasphemous 2 yesterday - well, I skimmed through it, really - and I'm even more hyped now than I was. Argh!
Interesting choices. Definately different than what you usually see in the community. I agree with some less popular picks like Vigil being A tier. People don't give that game much thought but the atmosphere and design and story are amazing. Melee combat lacks, but overall a solid A. What surprised me is Deaths Gambit at B while for me it's def S. the game is perfect in almost every aspect. Except for that long ass travelling before you finally get fast travel mechanic. Also, You just have to play Salt. It is very original in design and atmosphere, so I reccomend it, but do not expect much. I love the game, but the community has mixed feelings about it. I am sure it's because of the second half of the game, which feels a bit empty and rushed (tho it makes sense storywise). The Ori games are albsolute treats. Also Sundered is so beautfully atmospheric you have to give it a shot. And the replay value is quite high + the story. Also, maby I missed it, but you gotta play Skautfold: Usurper. The game is a love letter to metroidvanias and is a one man project. Quite a massive one for just one dev.
Hi, it's not Alwa's Legacy on NES, it's Alwa's Awakening. Aria of Sorrow is the last GBA castlevania, Dawn of Sorrow is the first NDS castlevania. I think you are mixing them up. Other than better graphism, Dawn of Sorrow new features use the touchscreen in an annoying way and that makes Aria of Sorrow more enjoyable. As NDS Castlevania, Portrait of Ruins has definitly more to offer than Dawn of Sorrow, I think you'd agree if you play them again. I recommand Blast Brigade if you didn't play it yet.
Loved Ghost Song
No CHASM? Would recommend.
I tried CHASM. In fact, I maybe even uploaded some of it. But the procedural generation aspect of the levels made it feel kinda soulless to me. I've tried to keep the list to "hand-crafted" metroidvanias rather than the small number that have procedural generation to them - basically, if I can't map it, I don't play it (even if I have no intention OF actually mapping it). Does that make sense?
You are a legend sir!
Hey, an idea for future tier lists. Please lead up with your sensibilities. For sure most of your regular viewers will know what you value in games and what is not all that important to you. However, these videos will bring new people (like me) who don't know anything about your taste.
Judging by the video you like more combat oriented metroidvania games, definitely value length (or should I say massiveness) a lot. It seems that you do not care that much for movement sets. It seems like somber and/or dark tone is a bonus for you.
I derived all those based on comments and overall score trends. However, knowing those in advance would have helped me know better where this is going and would have made me appreciate the video more.
Hey, thanks for the feedback. I confess, I hadn't even thought of that -- which is annoying as I actually DID do a section like that on the previous year's video, where I outlined my 3 Metroidvania Pillars >_<
It's actually really interesting getting feedback like that, as actually I'm very much exploration and traversal focused - I love a great big bag of tools for getting around a map. But you're right about the combat as well: I like a certain type of combat that is fun, has variety, but isn't too technical (which is why, for example, I never got anywhere with Vernal Edge).
I actually think I'll work on a video I can link people to (or a short section I can drop into any future videos like this) which explains what I generally look for. Thanks so much!
@@demajen I am glad I could help.
Momodora was one of the earlier vanias i played and I don't remember it being that hard, and I only play with mouse/kb.
At the end you mention you've leave a link to the tier list so that we can see changes? The only link I see is an empty tier list. Is the one you made accessible somewhere?
Hmmm, there's one in a comment below this that goes to tiermaker.com/create/demajens-metroidvanias-april-2023-15742985 but that maybe doesn't work?! Either way, if you wanted to see my actual tierlist, I ended up getting really fed up of tiermaker and made my own from scratch instead using HTML. You can find my latest, constantly evolving page @ www.demajen.co.uk/tierlist.html
@@demajen thanks, kind of sad you put Hollow Knight back at the very top of S tier though in your linked tier list, I guess I'll have to give it one more real shot, because to this day I still don't get the hype, to me it's more painful than fun, and I think of it as appealing players who take pride in completing challenging games and feel special doing so, but it's so popular that I must be wrong and there has to be more to it.
@@goblack3661Oh, just be aware there's no real order within the tiers. They're not ranked that way. They're literally just the order I added them in. Hollow Knight is a great game, but only if you like the more soulsy elements, and only if you ignore the community, many of whom have become increasingly toxic the longer they've had to wait for the vaporware that is the announced-far-too-early Silksong. If I wanted to put them in an order (which I kinda don't, really) I'd put GRIME and Blasphemous 2 over Overhyped Knight.
missing Phoenotopia and REDO! entirely, smh my head
Do you ever play Timespinner?, That's a good game.
Oh crap, I missed that one out! Why did it not show up in my library when I searched for the metroidvania tag?! Will add that in. (Though I never finished it 🥲)
I found out why! It's because I played Timespinner on gamepass and I didn't think about checking Gamepass for any metroidvanias that I also don't own on Steam. Going through my gamepass library now just to check!
Time spinner was pretty cool!
Great list!!
Prove me you are a Metroidvania hardcore, and go 100% Aeterna Noctis and Afterimage in a rush :)
😂 I'm never touching Aeterna Noctis again. You'd have to pay me millions.
Are you going to be making a map for The Last Case of Benedict Fox and afterimage? Also pretty sure Cursed Castilla is just a Ghost & Goblin clone and not a MV.
Maps for the demos of both games are already created and listed on demajen.co.uk - I am super hyped for expanding them to the full game!
(Didn’t know that about Cursed Castilla. I just searched my library for games with the MV tag. Will clean it up a bit in the future if I can figure out how.)
@@demajen awesome!
Putting Valdis Story in D is a crime.
According to Steam I played 11.2 hours of it, got all of 6 achievements (including "Beat the Game as Wyatt"), and last played it in 2014. I couldn't tell you a damned thing about the game, but I don't have a category for "I've forgotten everything about this title", unfortunately, so D-Tier is where it landed.
Super Metroid isn't in Tier S? Really? lol
Nope, it is not. It's mid-to-high A tier at best as far as I'm concerned. It's good, but Fusion is a more interesting game in my opinion, and Dread just feels so much better to play. It does have the best soundtrack though (outside of the Prime games, anyways, but this is a 2D list).
@@demajen That was honestly a rhetorical question, it most definitely is. but I'll check out Fusion.
@@demajen zero mission though? That and dread are the only ones that might beat super
Oh and the subversion hack beats them all :)
I have big disagreements with the list, but I really enjoyed the video and all the arguments. It has been a good time getting to know the tastes of an experienced player in the genre.
Personally for me:
- Will of the Wisp, was a big disappointment for me, and I think it made Blind Forest worse in everything. It was refocused on combat, and I think the studio isn't very good at that.
- The Mummy... is easily one of the worst metroidvanias I've ever played. I prefer not to say anything else because you have enjoyed it a lot.
- Valdis Story has been one of the best for me and together with Super Metroid one of the most times I have replayed.
- Also I'm in love with Tohou Luna Nights and his combat system. xD
- I also think that games that technically aren't metroidvanias shouldn't be included in the list... but hey... you don't have to be a purist. :D
and despite all these disagreements, I have really enjoyed the video.
I have also wishlisted many games on Steam and look forward to playing them.
Greetings and like.
I can't get over how ugly Bloodstained looks. I know it's shallow of me, but I can't help it. I think the game would have been much prettier if they'd gone for 2d sprites. If only because they were not able within their current budget/engine limitations to get the 3d looking quite right. Bloodstained has this overly shiny, spandex leather coating on everything. And eye-searingly bright colors. Whereas any screenshot of Aria of Sorrow looks good, y'know? Looks consistent, of a same style and atmospheric. Curse of the Moon wasn't a metroidvania but I thought it looked much better for what it was trying to be.
I coulda sworn I'd replied to this comment; so sorry! Yeah, I'm not a fan of Bloodstained's look. I much preferred the version of Miriam that we got in the Blasphemous crossover content. Bloodstained looks VERY "unreal engine" doesn't it, with that slight light glare on a lot of surfaces.
Play Sundered
What's so good about Blasphemous? The art style doesn't appeal to me at all.
The art style and narrative are a big part of what elevates Blasphemous for me, so if you aren’t a fan of those you’re left with a fairly challenging soulsy exploration game. Without the twisted religious mythos the game is set against, and the visual style, the gameplay would probably be high-B/low-A for me.
@@demajen So, i took a look at some gameplay and the game looks like a simpler version of Salt and Sanctuary, but with less verticality in level design.
This game has a flashy dash that I guess looks cooler than S&S 's very souls-y roll, but in S&S you get to carry 2 weaponsets that you can switch with a button at any time.
If you like this game so much maybe give S&S a try.
@@sadsongs7731 I've tried to get into S&S multiple times but I don't like the 'feel' of its controls, unfortunately. It feels imprecise and floaty in a "puppet on a string" kind of way, which is exacerbated by how the main character 'sprite' is put together. I get why so many people like it, though; it just isn't for me.
Love seeing someone being honest about SotN and Super Metroid.