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5 Gothic Metroidvania Games Like The Last Case of Benedict Fox
This year, Xbox & Bethesda Showcase had a lot of pleasant surprises. One that sort of slipped through the cracks was The Last Case of Benedict Fox– one of the few gothic Metroidvania games that looks promising. Unfortunately, we still have to wait a year until Plot Twist releases it. Till then, you can enjoy these 5 games that have a similar atmosphere to what was shown in the trailer.
Vigil: The Longest Night
Let's start with a bit darker, Lovecraftian Indie that's a bit underrated. Aside from giving you chills, Vigil has a solid storyline and a truly open world that rewards your exploration. The game follows Leila, a brave knight that wants to save her hometown from the evil that's infesting the land. Visually, it looks fairly unique, while also taking inspiration from eldritch horror. It can be best described as a mix of Salt and Sanctuary and Castlevania, so if you've enjoyed these 2, you will feel right at home with this one.
A Lovecraftian horror story Steam
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Bloodstained is one of the more unique gothic Metroidvanias in the sense that it adds an anime aesthetic. As an orphan Miriam, your life was never easy, but it got complicated by a curse that'll slowly crystallize your body. The only way to lift it is by going to the source and exploring the massive demon-infested castle. There are tons of customizable weapons and ways in which you can tackle new challenges, so the game can be replayed ad nauseam. I think Bloodstained is the closest thing we've got to the classic Castlevania games like Symphony of the Night.
Dead Cells
Dead Cells is a soulslike Metroidvania that doesn't pull any punches. In it, you are tasked with escaping from shapeshifting castle filled with deadly creatures. You should be very careful though, as every time you die you go back to the start. As you get better, you'll unlock new upgrades and cool weapons that will make the next run a little bit easier. This is also one of the game's many appeals: it's designed with speedrunning and hectic combat in mind. All in all, Dead Cells is challenging, rewarding, and has enough content to keep you occupied for weeks.
A tough and unique retro Metroidvania Steam
Blasphemous
I can't talk about gothic Metroidvania games without mentioning Blasphemous. Set in the nightmarish land of Cystodia you take the role of The Pentinent One, a knight trapped in the cycle of death and rebirth brought on by a curse. To stop it, you'll have to explore this dangerous world and uncover its mysteries. Aside from its striking imagery, Blasphemous is also filled with intense boss fights and has a satisfying combat system. In short, it's a well-rounded game that will appeal to the fans of the genre.
Blasphemous is filled with vivid religious imagery Steam
Salt and Sanctuary
Lastly, we have a popular dark fantasy action RPG from Ska Studios. In Salt and Sanctuary, you take the role of a sailor shipwrecked on an island filled with dangerous creatures. What follows is a hectic and brutally punishing gameplay with surprisingly deep RPG elements. With 600+ weapons to try, you can create a unique build that will suit your playstyle. Salt and Sanctuary is if Dark Souls went 2D, and I've loved every minute of it.
