Hidden Gems: The Best Indie Metroidvanias You Haven’t Played Yet

If you’ve already completed Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps (and maybe even Axiom Verge), here are some lesser-known indie metroidvanias that deserve your attention. These games tap into the genre’s core — exploration, ability-driven backtracking, non-linear world design — but each brings fresh ideas, strong aesthetics, and honest fun.

1. Momodora: Moonlit Farewell

A beautifully crafted pixel-art metroidvania from Bombservice, this title picks up the story from the Momodora series with sharp combat, tight platforming, and an evocative, gothic world. The minimalist design doesn’t sacrifice depth — you’ll unlock abilities, revisit areas, and unravel the atmosphere piece by piece.

• Why it hits: Polished, focused, and emotionally grounded — it proves you don’t need hyper-budget to deliver genre excellence.
  

2. Pseudoregalia

Pulling inspiration from late ’90s 3D platformers, this indie gem blends old-school visuals with metroidvania mechanics: Sybil explores a dreamlike castle, upgrades her movement, and unlocks alternate paths in a surprisingly open structure for its scale.

• Why it hits: It plays like a nostalgic throwback that still surprises — movement is addictive, the world is compact but full of secrets.
  

3. Biomorph

A “souls-like” twist on the metroidvania formula: this indie game focuses on absorbing enemy powers, upgrading abilities, and traversing hostile environments full of tight combat. While it flies under many radars, it delivers a satisfying loop of exploration and growth.

• Why it hits: Combines metroidvania structure with serious challenge and progression — perfect for players who want more grit.
  

4. Ghost Song

Set on the alien moon of Lorian, you awaken as the Deadsuit in this atmospheric, exploration-heavy metroidvania. The world is mysterious, the upgrades deep, and the mood reminiscent of the best of the genre without leaning on easy nostalgia.

• Why it hits: It blends haunting aesthetics with exploration focus — a strong choice if you loved the mood of Metroid and Valentine’s deathless tone.
  

5. Animal Well

Less action-centric and more about vibe, this indie metroidvania becomes a cult hit with its surreal world, subtle puzzles, and layering of secrets. Designed by a solo creator, it’s as much exploration of wonder as it is game.

• Why it hits: Unique, strange, and deeply sticky — perfect pick if you want something different but still firmly metroidvania

Why these picks matter

These five games share the best indie metroidvania blueprint: rewarding exploration, meaningful upgrades, and worlds that invite you to come back. They dodge the familiar holy-trinity of big names and instead highlight what the genre does best when indie devs push its boundaries.

FAQs

Q1: What counts as a metroidvania?
A game with open-ended levels, ability-gated progression (you unlock something that lets you revisit areas), and a platform-combat-exploration loop.

Q2: Are these games easy to pick up if I’ve never played a metroidvania?
Yes. Each title here offers varying difficulty — from accessible to challenging — so you can choose based on your comfort level.

Q3: Which platform are these best on?
Most of these are available on PC and many on Switch. Check each game’s store page for platform availability in your region.

Q4: Why haven’t I heard of these before?
Indie games don’t always get the same marketing as big titles. These hidden gems live in curated lists, reddit threads, and game-lover circles.

Q5: What should I play first if I’m new to the genre?
Start with something more accessible like Momodora: Moonlit Farewell, then dive deeper with Animal Well or Biomorph when you’re ready to explore further.