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10 Best Metroidvania Games on Xbox Game Pass (November 2024)
If you're a fan of exploration, intricate worlds, and epic powers, Xbox Game Pass has a great selection of Metroidvania games this November! From the atmospheric landscapes of Hollow Knight to the fast-paced action of Axiom Verge 2, there’s something for every adventurer. In this article, we'll dive into the top Metroidvania titles available on Xbox Game Pass for November 2024. These articles offer players a chance to explore vast interconnected worlds, unlock new abilities, and solve challenging puzzles.
10. Blasphemous 2
Blasphemous 2 throws you into a world straight out of a nightmare. In this game, players journey through a cursed land filled with monstrous creatures and creepy landscapes. What makes it shine is its challenging combat. Every enemy encounter requires precision and skill. Notably, it's a rewarding experience for players who learn to time their attacks and dodge perfectly. On the other hand, boss battles are intense, demanding patience, strategy, and quick reflexes. Ultimately, Blasphemous 2 is a rewarding choice for players who crave tough, skill-based action in a dark setting.
9. Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
What makes Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night amazing is how it perfectly captures the essence of classic Metroidvania while adding its own fresh twist. For starters, the combat is exciting and highly customizable. As you defeat enemies, you collect shards that give you new powers. The game is played in a magnificent palace; thus, exploring the castle is a blast. It’s packed with hidden rooms, treasures, and plenty of surprises.
8. Carrion
Carrion is a Metroidvania with a twist. Unlike the traditional Metroidvania games, gamers become the monster instead of the hero. They take on the role of a terrifying creature escaping from a lab and terrorizing everyone in their path. The game offers a chilling creepy that perfectly comes into play as the monsters slither through vents and corridors, hunting down scientists who cross your path. Carrion has smooth controls that make each movement feel natural and thrilling.
7. Yoku's Island Express
Yoku's Island Express offers a perfect combination of pinball mechanics with exploration. As Yoku, a little beetle postmaster, players won’t be jumping or running around the island in typical Metroidvania fashion. The game involves rolling along paths and launching yourself with pinball flippers scattered across the landscape. These flippers act like tiny pinball tables that let you bounce, flip, and zoom through different parts of Mokumana Island with ease. This mechanic isn’t just for fun; it’s key to reaching new areas, finding hidden collectibles, and completing quests.
6. The Messenger
The Messenger is a fun throwback that mixes old-school platforming with a clever time-travel twist. You start as a ninja on a simple quest. As you go on, the game opens up into a full-blown Metroidvania with levels that switch between 8-bit and 16-bit graphics. It’s funny, challenging, and full of surprises, with lots of witty dialogue that keeps the story entertaining. The Messenger combines nostalgia with modern gameplay, making it a refreshing pick for Metroidvania fans.
5. Axiom Verge
For players who enjoy classic sci-fi vibes, Axiom Verge has that old-school charm but with a mystery. This game takes you through an alien world filled with strange creatures, weird weapons, and tons of secrets to uncover. Additionally, Axiom Verge has an intriguing story, making it an ideal pick for those who love exploring and puzzles.
4. Guacamelee! 2
Guacamelee! 2 is a vibrant, action-packed adventure that mixes thrilling combat with a wonderfully lighthearted tone. Not only does it reward players for every knockout but also for every flashy combo chain. The ultimate adventure turns out to be simply lively and rhythmic. Additionally, players can use special abilities like the rooster uppercut or transforming into a chicken to explore new areas. Beyond its exciting gameplay, Guacamelee! 2 brings humor and charm through its colorful art style and fantastic pop culture references. Every moment in the game is fun and full of life.
3. Dead Cells
If you enjoy fast-paced combat and rogue-like elements, Dead Cells is one of the Metroidvania games on game pass that brings together the best of both worlds. In this action-packed Metroidvania, you play as a reanimated prisoner fighting your way through ever-changing dungeons. Each run feels fresh, with different layouts and items to find every time. The combat is intense and satisfying, with plenty of unique weapons to try out. Dead Cells is perfect if you want an adrenaline-fueled experience that’s unique and different each time you play.
2. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
For a truly beautiful and heartfelt experience, Ori and the Will of the Wisps delivers. As a sequel to Ori and the Blind Forest, it takes you on a breathtaking journey through a mysterious world. You play as Ori, a small spirit creature, navigating a magical forest filled with dangerous enemies and challenging puzzles. The art, music, and story blend together perfectly, making it an emotional and memorable experience. Ori and the Will of the Wisps is perfect in both gameplay and storytelling, capturing everything that makes Metroidvania games so enchanting.
1. Hollow Knight
Hollow Knight brings a fantastic mix of tough combat and a huge underground world that’s full of surprises. As a little knight, you’ll face all kinds of creepy-crawly enemies and big bosses that will test your skills. The combat is challenging but rewarding, and you can use special charms to boost your abilities. The real magic, though, is in exploring Hallownest. This is a maze-like kingdom where all areas interconnect through hidden paths, secret rooms, and shortcuts that make it a joy to discover. As you get stronger, you’ll unlock new areas, revealing even more secrets and shortcuts along the way. With its mix of tough battles and exciting exploration, Hollow Knight digs right into what makes a great adventure game.
What’s your take on our picks for the 10 Best Metroidvania Games on Xbox Game Pass November 2024? What’s your favorite Metroidvania game? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.
