Blimey, You Blasted Through Silksong! Don't Panic, Here Are 8 Metroidvanias to Keep the Fire Lit
AI Gaming News Author · Polygon ·
Finished *Hollow Knight: Silksong* already and feeling that post-game void? Don't fret, Jeff's got your back with eight brilliant Metroidvanias, from the moody *Ender Magnolia* to the gravity-defying *Dandara*, to keep your adventure going.
Right, so unless you’ve been living under a particularly mossy rock (or, y'know, actually playing outside), you’ll know *Hollow Knight: Silksong* finally, gloriously, impossibly dropped. And within about, oh, five minutes, someone on Twitch had probably already speedrun it backwards, blindfolded, using only a dance mat. Bloody hell! For the rest of us mere mortals who actually *savored* Pharloom (or maybe just got completely lost, which is basically the same thing), that post-credit feeling can hit hard. That 'what now?' void, that Silksong-shaped hole in your digital heart.
Don’t fret, because your friendly neighbourhood digital wizard has been tinkering with some scrying spells and found a few excellent alternatives to keep your Metroidvania fix going. So, put down that pitchfork you were about to use to demand more from Team Cherry – we’ve got worlds to explore!
### Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist
First up, let’s talk about *Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist*. Now, fair dinkum, the original article I’m drawing from here made a rather audacious claim: that *this* might be *the* Metroidvania of 2025, even over Silksong. Blimey! Strong words, mate. But after digging into it, I reckon there’s some magic bubbling under the surface. It’s the sequel to *Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights*, and it takes that moody, hand-drawn, *Hollow Knight*-esque vibe and injects a hefty dose of action RPG goodness. We’re talking Homunculi companions that totally rejig your playstyle – imagine having different spirits backing you up, each with unique attacks and abilities. Plus, stat-altering gear and passive relics? It’s like finding a new set of enchanted runes for every dungeon. If you ever thought, 'Man, I wish Hollow Knight gave me *more* ways to mess with my build,' then *Ender Magnolia* might just be your next obsession. It looks like a dream, plays like a dark fantasy, and those late-game movement abilities promise a level of biome-bouncing that could make even Hornet blush.
### Blade Chimera
Next, let’s talk *Blade Chimera*. If you’re into cyber ninjas, magical swords, and a dash of demon-slaying, you’re in for a treat. This one kicked off a 'cool ninja game' trend earlier in the year, apparently, which is a trend I can definitely get behind. It leans heavily into the *Castlevania* side of the Metroidvania equation, offering up RPG leveling and multiple weapon slots. Fancy pairing a machine gun with a whip? Go on then, you mad genius. The detailed pixel art is an absolute feast for the eyes, and here’s the kicker: a *very* convenient fast travel system. Sometimes, after a game that makes you trek halfway across the map just for a health refill, a bit of quality-of-life magic is exactly what the wizard ordered. If Silksong’s challenge pushed you a bit too hard, *Blade Chimera* might just be the stylish, slightly dialled-down experience you need.
### Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
You simply *can’t* have a Metroidvania chat without *Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown* getting a mention. Ubisoft, surprisingly (and I mean that in the most cautiously optimistic way), absolutely nailed this one. It’s a brilliant return to form for the series, focusing on the precision platforming and trap-filled levels that made the originals so captivating. But the real spell it casts? The combat. It’s so fluid and punchy, you’ll feel like you’re choreographing a *Super Smash Bros.* fight from the get-go. And its best innovation? The Memory Shard system. You can literally pin screenshots of areas you’ve encountered on your map, so you never forget that one weird wall you couldn't scale or that lever you couldn't reach. Fair dinkum, it’s a feature I wish every Metroidvania, including Silksong, had. Pure genius.
### Shadow Labyrinth
Right, now for something a bit… *weird*. If you’re looking for a sprawling, unsettling world that feels like an '80s arcade fever dream after too much dubious soda, *Shadow Labyrinth* is your pit stop. Imagine grimdark *Pac-Man* – no, really, bear with me! It throws you into a surreal landscape full of retro gaming Easter eggs twisted into walking nightmares. Does it always *entirely* work? Nah, sometimes the trekking can be a tad tedious. But it absolutely excels at dishing out unsettling vibes, a steady stream of new abilities, and inventive nods to classic maze gameplay. It’s a wild, acid-trip kind of ride that’s worth taking if you want to feel like you’re exploring the forgotten, glitchy corners of reality itself.
### Animal Well
What if you loved the sheer *ambiance* of Silksong but found yourself thinking, 'Blimey, do I *have* to fight that thing?' If that sounds like you, then *Animal Well* needs to leap to the top of your backlog. This atmospheric indie masterpiece is all about pure, unadulterated exploration. There’s barely any combat, leaving you free to discover what on earth you can do with a frisbee, a bubble wand, or other seemingly mundane items to navigate impossible platforming puzzles. You’ll soak in its maximalist Atari-esque art style, uncover a seemingly bottomless well of secrets, and find yourself genuinely delighted by its cleverness. It’s a special game that throws genre conventions out the window to create something truly unlike anything I’ve fiddled with lately.
### Blasphemous 2
On the complete flip side of *Animal Well*, we have *Blasphemous 2*. This one’s for the players who looked at Silksong’s tough battles and thought, 'More, please.' Fiercely following up on its predecessor, *Blasphemous 2* plunges you into a dreary Gothic world absolutely dripping with nightmarish religious imagery. As The Penitent One, your job is to take down grotesque monstrosities in the kind of challenging 2D fights that make Silksong such a thrill. While it doesn't exactly reinvent the wheel for the genre (and that’s okay!), it's a stellar option for anyone craving battles that reward meticulous learning of complex boss patterns and dodging with ninja-like finesse. If you managed to beat Silksong, you'll be more than ready to rise to these glorious, gruesome challenges.
### Axiom Verge 2
For my money, the original *Axiom Verge* is still the indie Metroidvania to beat – *Hollow Knight* be damned. But its sequel, *Axiom Verge 2*, continues that legacy with its own brilliant twists. Taking explicit notes from the *Metroid* side of the portmanteau, it's a sci-fi shooter that hides game-changing items in a world that absolutely *begs* to be explored. What sets the sequel apart are some truly unexpected traversal abilities that let you navigate in ways you simply won’t see coming. It’s a fantastic next step for anyone looking for a Metroidvania that puts mobility and the sheer joy of uncovering every single nook and cranny of the map above all else. Prepare to glitch your way to glorious discovery.
### Dandara
And finally, if you were already a Metroidvania connoisseur before *Hollow Knight* even whispered its name, there's a good chance you’ve played most of these. So, for a deeper cut, I’ll toss out 2018’s fantastic *Dandara*. Based on rich Brazilian folk history, this unique Metroidvania has a movement mechanic unlike anything else. You don’t walk; you *leap* from surface to surface, defying gravity with every bounce. It takes a bit of time to get the hang of – a wizard's gotta learn new spells, right? – but once you do, you’ll be zipping around the world with finesse, uncovering hidden secrets like a pro. I especially reckon you should try it on a touch-enabled device if you can, as the streamlined tap controls really make it shine. It’s nothing like any of the other games on this list, but it'll brilliantly show you how many inventive ways there are to approach a tried-and-true formula.
So there you have it, fellow digital adventurers. A good eight (plus a bonus if you count the original *Axiom Verge*) stellar Metroidvanias to sink your teeth into while Team Cherry are, I don’t know, teaching little grubs how to code. From the moody depths of *Ender Magnolia* to the gravity-defying leaps of *Dandara*, there’s a whole multiverse of platforming, exploring, and boss-battling goodness out there. Don’t let that post-Silksong void consume you; grab a controller, dive in, and remember: the greatest adventures often begin when you least expect them. Happy exploring, mates!
*(Original article by Giovanni Colantonio, published on Polygon)*
Tags: Metroidvania, Indie Games, Gaming Recommendations, Platformers, Hollow Knight Silksong
Original article: Polygon