The Most Captivating Metroidvania of 2025 Might Defy the Genre

The year 2025 is shaping up to be huge for Metroidvania enthusiasts. The much-anticipated “Hollow Knight: Silksong” is finally making its appearance, while “Metroid Prime 4: Beyond” is set to launch on the new Nintendo Switch 2. Meanwhile, fans can also expect “Shadow Labyrinth,” a spin-off from Pac-Man, to hit the shelves. On the indie front, there’s plenty to be excited about too. The crowdfunded gothic action game “Crowsworn,” the hand-drawn adventure “The Eternal Life of Goldman,” and the sci-fi platformer “MIO: Memories in Orbit” are all targeting a 2025 release.

Amidst all these, another intriguing Metroidvania-inspired title is in the works from an unexpected developer. Heart Machine, best known for their hit action RPG “Hyper Light Drifter,” has teamed up with Devolver Digital to create “Possessor(s).” Although it appears similar to many Metroidvanias, Heart Machine asserts that it’s not part of the genre in the traditional sense. The game is described as an action side-scroller with combat reminiscent of Super Smash Bros.

In a conversation with Gamesradar during GDC 2025, Alx Preston, founder of Heart Machine, shared his thoughts on the Metroidvania genre label. He explained his dissatisfaction with how the term fails to accurately describe “Possessor(s).” For context, Metroidvania combines the essence of ‘Metroid’ and ‘Castlevania,’ iconic franchises known for their side-scrolling and nonlinear gameplay. Recently, however, the term seems overused for games that share little commonality. Preston mentioned that many so-called Metroidvanias are more Metroid-like, lacking the ‘Vania’ aspect altogether. He leans towards the term “search action game,” a label more commonly used in Japan.

“Possessor(s)” does indeed incorporate numerous classic elements of Metroidvania. The game features a nonlinear design, an interconnected world, and elements like backtracking and fast-paced 2D platforming with an anime-inspired aesthetic. Yet, its narrative intricately weaves through these elements, significantly influencing the game’s outcomes based on player decisions. The storyline unfolds in a visual novel style, layered with sci-fi and horror motifs.

Unlike their previous games “Solar Ash” and “Hyper Light Drifter,” which conveyed stories through visuals rather than dialogue, “Possessor(s)” embraces a different direction. This shift aligns with its unique design philosophy. The game marries Metroid’s open-ended worlds with platform fighter combat and the evolving narrative style typical of nonlinear RPGs. This genre-blending approach defies categorization as a mere Metroidvania, capturing what Preston might describe as having a lot of Metroid in it, but not much Vania.