Whether you’re hacking and slashing with your nail in Hollow Knight or playing as the Pentient One and cutting monsters down to size in Blasphemous, the general trend among Metroidvania games isthat melee combat is king.
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Real-time action is great, but some of us need a little more thinking time!
However, you do get a few games within the genre that don’t completely champion the way of the blade and add a little bit of gunpowder to the equation. Which, in most cases, these games are all the better for.
So, in honor of these games filled with blunderbusses, rifles, and double-barrelled decimators, we want to showcase a handful of amazing Metroidvanias where players can wield firearms, shoot first, and ask questions later.
10Journey to the Savage Planet
3D Metroidvania Action
Journey to the Savage Planet
Many would begrudge the idea of meincluding a 3D Metroidvania,but if you’re on the hunt for great gunplay and Metroidvania staples, you can’t go wrong with this zany space epic.
This game succeeds due to the wacky, irreverent humor that punctuates the short but sweet story. But the game also makes sure combat is dynamic, exploration is rewarding, and there are a lot of vibrant vistas that serve as eye candy as you go.
It’s essentially The Outer Worlds, High on Life, and Borderlands rolled up into one neat little ball. The only downside is that it’s over before you know it, so savor every gag as you go.
9Shadow Complex
An Xbox Arcade Gem
Shadow Complex
The Xbox Live Arcadeplayed host to many an indie hit,but while games like Fez and Super Meat Boy found an audience, others like Shadow Complex never got the acclaim they deserved. But hey, better late than never, right?
This is a game that marries the core gaming principles of Metroid with the espionage themes and action-thriller approach of games like Splinter Cell and Metal Gear Solid. This sounds like an odd mix, but in practice, it works a treat.
The 2.5D visuals frequently flip to a full 3D view for amazing action sequences, and everything from the traversal, to the lighting, to the world design feels well ahead of its time.
It’s a shame Shadow Complex never got its flowers, but it certainly deserved them, as this is a top-tier title.
8Axiom Verge
On The Verge Of Greatness
Axiom Verge
If you’re looking for something that feels like the good ol' days when Samus was just getting going in the Metroid series, then you can’t go wrong with Axiom Verge.
This game gives you all the weapons, powers, and backtracking opportunities to make it feel like a fitting Metroid alternative.
But that’s not to say that this is just a cheap copy, as Axiom Verge offers a campaign that steps things up in terms of difficulty, provides a slew of tricky, memorable bosses to take down. Plus, the weapon variety is something to be applauded, as is the tight platforming.
The visuals and map segments that blend into one another are a bit of a bummer. But that aside, Axiom Verge is a classic run-and-gun Metroidvania that will keep even the most weathered gaming veteran on their toes.
7Guns of Fury
Metroidvania Slug
Speaking of 2D running and gunning, there are few series that have managed to achieve longevity in this field than the Metal Slug series.
So, to pay homage to the explosive 2D great, Guns of Fury does its best Metal Slug tribute act while tweaking the format to play more like anexpansive and open-ended Metroidvania.
If you do plan on checking this one out, I hope you like action and explosions, because man, is there a lot of that going on in Guns of Fury.
It’s all-out action, bullets flying non-stop, and while the story is pretty interesting, it’s this focus on bombastic action that keeps you hooked throughout.
It captures that feel of controlling a seemingly invincible 90s Stallone character, with modern meets retro visuals, and a punchy soundtrack.
So, if you want that quintessential super soldier experience, but with rewarding Metroidvania exploration and progression, Guns of Fury is your weapon of choice.
6Omega Strike
One For The Newbies
If you fancy playing a run-and-gun Metroidvania but don’t want any of the potential difficulties that often come part and parcel with that, then Omega Strike just might be the game you’re looking for.
This title features a simple and accessible Metroidvania world, straightforward combat and boss battles, and clearly telegraphed backtracking opportunities for when you get your hands on a new character with a new Power-up.
Essentially, it’s a Metroid meets Contra combo that is perfect for beginners to either sub-genre.
The ability to change characters on the fly does add some gameplay variety to proceedings. But all in all, this is one I wouldrecommend for beginnersand less so for more weathered Metroidvania fanatics.
However, if you’re looking to introduce someone to the world of Metroidvanias, this one is a fun, frenetic option.
5The Mummy Demastered
An Unlikely Modern Movie Tie-In
The Mummy Demastered
Even if you aren’t a huge fan of The Mummy, the film franchise this game is based on, I assure you that anyone who likes Contra-style gunplay and Metroidvania design will get a kick out of this unlikely movie tie-in.
The powers and progression are all pretty run-of-the-mill in truth, but the game makes up for this with tight platforming, satisfying gunplay, and some neat features like needing to kill your zombie corpse to get your gear back when you die, making this a bit of a Souls-lite Metroidvania.
I have some minor hang-ups with the ammo system, particularly when fighting bosses. But these are never enough to stop this game from offering a rewarding and fun action-packed experience.
4Gato Roboto
Kitty Gundam
Gato Roboto
I love minimalist visuals andI love monochrome design.Both of which are present in Gato Roboto, a short but sweet Metroidvania where you play as a kitty looking for its master. But don’t panic; you’ll have a giant mech to get around and blast anyone who would dare try and stop you on your quest.
The game does a fantastic job of balancing moments of high-octane gunplay, and moments of vulnerability as you hop out of your mech to reach places only an agile feline could possibly get to.
The only complaint I have about Gato Roboto is that I wish there was more of it. So hop in your mech and savor every moment of this Metroidvania hidden gem.
3Laika: Aged Through Blood
A Bullet Time Motorvania
Laika: Aged Through Blood
I consider Laika to be one of themost unique Metroidvanias on the market today,offering a blend of Trials Fusion-esque motorcycle mechanics, and Max Payne adjacent bullet time mechanics.
Effectively making this game into an action-packed motorvania with unorthodox precision platforming and epic slow-motion encounters.
It’s one that takes a while to master, as it pulls no punches in terms of difficulty, but if you can break through and get into a flow state, you’ll be treated to a mature and gritty affair that has a powerful story of vengeance to tell.
The gunplay is dynamic and satisfying as you pick off enemies with pinpoint vision. All the while doing a sick backflip. So, if you want a bloodbath where style points matter, this is just the ticket.
2The Last Faith
Shoot & Slash
The Last Faith
We kick things off with a Metroidvania I lovingly refer to as 2D Bloodborne. If you know how much I love the OG Gothic Souls game, it indicates just how amazing this modern Metroidvania is.
This game places you in an ominous and oppressive setting, forcing you to embrace souls-like mechanics, engage in each encounter with at least a modicum of caution, and create a bespoke build that will facilitate this bloodshed.
One option is to do away with spells and embrace the firearms within the game, which allows you to attack from range and pump beasts and corrupted souls full of lead.
I would argue that the spells are a better option across the board, but the option is there, and in a game where build versatility is key, that’s all that matters.
1Metroid Dread
The Longer The Note, The More Dread
Metroid Dread
It would be pretty inappropriate to place anything other than the original Metroidvania run-and-gun epic in the top spot, and quite frankly, any Metroid title could easily slot in. But, I’ve decided to go with my personal pick of the bunch, Metroid Dread.
While Prime might be a lot of people’s champion, I feel Dread is the most technically proficient game in the series, captures the essence of being a supersoldier best, offers the smoothest mechanics that allow you to enter a flow state as you explore, and, it has arguably the best story of all Metroid titles produced.
The upgrades were perhaps a little under par, but that aside, this is a truly monumental Metroid hit, and my pick for the best Metroidvania with guns on the market. At least, until Metroid Prime 4 finally arrives.
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