Morning Star is an atmospheric Metroidvania that plunges you into a mysterious world filled with both haunting darkness and breathtaking beauty. As a cloaked figure with no memory of your past, you wield a powerful weapon and embark on a journey through a vast, interconnected realm. Along the way, you'll uncover secrets, confront terrifying creatures, and piece together a story that forces you to question your identity.h

Salt and Sanctuary is a challenging 2D action-platformer with a deep, interconnected world and Souls-like combat. Players must navigate a mysterious, hand-drawn world, overcome treacherous foes, and uncover the secrets of a forgotten land.

Blasphemous is a challenging and atmospheric 2D action-platformer set in the dark, gothic world of Orthodoxia. Players take on the role of the Penitent One, a mysterious and tormented figure, on a quest to uncover the secrets of the Miracle and put an end to the endless cycle of death and rebirth.

Owlboy is a visually stunning 2D platformer that immerses players in a richly detailed, interconnected world filled with environmental puzzles, challenging platforming, and aerial combat. The game's unique mechanics, such as grappling hooks and double jumps, add depth to the exploration and combat.

Haiku the Robot is a 2D metroidvania-style action-platformer developed by Mister Morris Games and released in 2022 for PC, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. The game is set in a post-apocalyptic world where robots have taken over, and you play as Haiku, a small robot trying to uncover the mysteries of this mechanical world. As typical for the genre, the game features interconnected areas to explore, ability-based progression, and backtracking to access previously unreachable areas. What sets Haiku the Robot apart in the metroidvania genre are a few key elements: 1. Its distinct pixel art style, which blends cute robot designs with a somber, decaying world. 2. A unique upgrade system where you collect and equip different cores to enhance your abilities. 3. A hacking mechanic that allows you to take control of certain enemies and objects in the environment. 4. A soundtrack that dynamically changes based on your location and actions in the game. The game also features challenging boss battles and a variety of enemy types that require different strategies to defeat. While it adheres closely to many metroidvania conventions, its charming aesthetic and specific mechanical twists offer a fresh take on the genre for experienced players.

Hippoxxus is an immersive Sci-fi adventure game that follows the journey of a teenage boy who wakes up in a massive alien spaceship with no past memories. As the protagonist, you must navigate the creepy halls of this spaceship, piecing together parts of your lost memories while uncovering the disturbing truth about your abduction. Along the way, you will find unusual lifeforms, and hidden mysteries that will help you discover the dark experiments carried out by the alien species. Every step closer to the truth will expose the evil forces at work and your role in the bigger mystery, which could decide the fate of both humans and the alien species.

Emilia's life turns into chaos as her family members disappear, one by one. Forced to put her trust in a wolf spirit, Emilia sets off to search the land while pressured into feeding a monstrous power. Will the enigmatic figure she encounters offer guidance, or is Emilia diving head-first into peril?

Dead Cells is a critically acclaimed roguelike action platformer developed by Motion Twin. While the game features procedurally generated levels, a hallmark of the roguelike genre, it distinguishes itself with its exceptional combat system and tight controls. The game's combat mechanics are highly praised for their fluidity and responsiveness. Players can seamlessly chain together various attacks, dodges, and parries, creating a combat flow that feels both challenging and deeply satisfying. The game features a vast array of weapons, each with unique movesets and playstyles, allowing for significant replayability and experimentation. One of Dead Cells' standout features is its unique cell-based progression system. Instead of a traditional leveling system, players collect cells from fallen enemies and use them to unlock permanent upgrades and new equipment blueprints. This system encourages players to explore and take risks, as the rewards can significantly enhance their capabilities in subsequent runs. The game's art style is a blend of pixel art and hand-drawn elements, creating a visually striking and distinct aesthetic. The levels are intricately designed, with intricate details and environmental hazards that add depth to the gameplay experience. Dead Cells also features a robust customization system, allowing players to tailor their gameplay experience by selecting various mutations and equipment loadouts. This system encourages experimentation and provides a high degree of replayability, as players can discover new synergies and strategies with each run. Additionally, the game offers a variety of challenging boss encounters and optional content, such as secret areas and hidden paths, which cater to players seeking an extra level of difficulty and exploration. Overall, Dead Cells is a meticulously crafted action platformer that combines tight combat mechanics, a unique progression system, and a visually stunning art style, offering a highly replayable and challenging experience for fans of the roguelike genre.

Hollow Knight is a critically acclaimed Metroidvania-style action-adventure game developed by Team Cherry. Set in the sprawling, subterranean kingdom of Hallownest, the game offers a rich and atmospheric world filled with intricate lore and environmental storytelling. One of the standout features of Hollow Knight is its challenging yet tight and responsive combat system. Players can wield a versatile nail (sword) and utilize a variety of charms (equippable abilities) to enhance their playstyle and adapt to different enemy encounters. The game features an impressive roster of bosses, each with unique attack patterns and mechanics that demand mastery of dodging, striking, and strategizing. The game's world design is exceptional, with interconnected areas that encourage exploration and backtracking. Hallownest is a beautifully hand-drawn and meticulously crafted world, filled with secrets, hidden paths, and environmental puzzles that reward players for their curiosity and observation skills. Hollow Knight's soundtrack, composed by Christopher Larkin, is a standout feature, perfectly capturing the game's melancholic and haunting atmosphere. The music seamlessly transitions between areas, adding depth and emotion to the player's journey. While the game has a minimalistic approach to storytelling, the lore and narrative are rich and multilayered, often conveyed through environmental details and conversations with NPCs. Players uncover the tragic history of Hallownest and its inhabitants, including the mysterious beings known as the Vessels. The game also offers a significant challenge, with a punishing yet fair difficulty curve that rewards perseverance and skill. Players can expect to face difficult boss battles, challenging platforming sections, and resource management challenges, especially in the later stages of the game. Overall, Hollow Knight is a masterpiece of indie game design, offering a captivating world, challenging gameplay, and a hauntingly beautiful atmosphere that has resonated with players and critics alike.

Ori and the Blind Forest is a critically acclaimed platform-adventure metroidvania game developed by Moon Studios and published by Microsoft Studios in 2015. The game is renowned for its breathtaking hand-drawn visuals, immersive storytelling, and challenging yet rewarding gameplay. Set in the mystical forest of Nibel, the game follows the journey of Ori, a young spirit guardians, as they embark on a quest to restore the lost light and life force to the decaying world. The narrative unfolds through beautifully crafted cutscenes and environmental storytelling, exploring themes of sacrifice, friendship, and the delicate balance of nature. One of the standout features of Ori and the Blind Forest is its intricate level design. The interconnected world of Nibel is meticulously crafted, with intricate platforming challenges that require precise execution and mastery of Ori's abilities. Exploration is rewarded with hidden areas, upgrades, and collectibles that enhance Ori's abilities and reveal deeper layers of the game's lore. The combat system, while not the primary focus, is well-designed and seamlessly integrated into the platforming mechanics. Players can utilize a variety of offensive and defensive abilities, ranging from basic attacks to powerful spirit weapons, to overcome the game's challenging enemies and bosses. Ori and the Blind Forest is also celebrated for its emotionally resonant soundtrack composed by Gareth Coker. The music perfectly complements the game's tone and atmosphere, seamlessly transitioning between serene, melancholic, and intense tracks that evoke a range of emotions. While the game can be challenging, particularly in later areas, it offers a fair and rewarding difficulty curve. Players are encouraged to master Ori's abilities and carefully navigate the treacherous environments, with well-placed save points and a forgiving checkpoint system. Overall, Ori and the Blind Forest is a masterclass in indie game development, blending exceptional artistry, compelling storytelling, and tight gameplay mechanics into an unforgettable experience that has captivated players and critics alike.