10 Best Metroidvania Games on PlayStation Plus (January 2026)

Looking for the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus in 2026? Metroidvania games bring a perfect mix of action, platforming, and deep exploration. They let you unlock new powers, backtrack through hidden paths, and discover new areas as you grow stronger. With so many great options on PS Plus, it’s the right time to dive into this exciting genre. Here’s a list of ten fun and standout Metroidvania games you can play right now.

What Defines the Best Metroidvania Game?

A good Metroidvania game should give a sense of discovery through a connected world where paths link back to each other. Combat needs to be engaging, with enemies and bosses that test skill without becoming unfair. Progression works best when new abilities or tools open fresh areas, encouraging you to revisit earlier zones with a new purpose. Visual style and music play a big part too, which sets the right mood for long sessions. Considering all these things, we have put together this list of the best Metroidvania games that you can enjoy on PS Plus.

List of 10 Best Metroidvania Games on PS Plus

Each game on this list brings exciting combat, smart upgrades, and maps designed for deep exploration.

10. Strider

Play as a swift ninja cutting through mechanical enemies

Strider follows Hiryu, a futuristic assassin who cuts through enemies with style and power. is blade slices in smooth arcs that light up every encounter. Movement is seamless as Hiryu leaps between walls and enemies, chaining strikes with absolute precision. Each zone offers layers of enemies and hazards that increase in scale the deeper you move. The blade cuts clean through mechanical foes, while acrobatics let you evade danger with speed.

Moreover, Strider rewards exploration through vertical spaces and branching paths that lead to secret routes. Robots, turrets, and soldiers strike from multiple angles, leaving no room for hesitation. Instead of long pauses or waiting segments, the game runs with an unbroken flow. Additionally, bosses dominate massive arenas, each one defined by distinct attack styles and aggressive motion. Besides, the soundtrack syncs beautifully with the visuals, giving battles and movement an extra rush.

9. Salt and Sacrifice

Hunt powerful mages across a dark and dangerous land

In Salt and Sacrifice, you play as a marked inquisitor sent into a ruined land crawling with strange mages. The tone stays serious from the first moment, and survival is far from easy. Weapons feel weighty and precise, with multiple styles to learn. Some are fast and short-ranged, while others crush enemies with a single heavy strike. Also, every mage you defeat drops special resources that help you craft stronger tools and gear for the next encounter.

Enemies differ in speed, attack type, and movement style. You face them in close battles where quick reflexes decide the outcome. In addition, mage hunts shift the pace of play. These are longer encounters spread across large areas where the mage escapes and later reappears with new patterns. Furthermore, the cooperative system lets others join and share the hunt, so difficult zones become shared challenges. If you are searching for the best co-op Metroidvania games in the PS Plus library, Salt and Sacrifice is a solid pick.

8. Celeste

Jump, dash, and scale pixel worlds with perfect timing

It is not a Metroidvania in the traditional sense because it does not use maps, backtracking, or ability-based exploration. Still, it fits here because it shares the same spirit of gradual growth through skill. The game opens with a young girl deciding to climb a vast mountain. What starts as a simple challenge soon turns into a deep and layered journey across zones that grow tougher and more complex with time. Each section introduces new mechanics, obstacles, and small details that teach you without long explanations.

The mountain grows taller, and the terrain changes from icy slopes to windy cliffs and collapsing bridges. You jump, dash, and climb across tight spaces that stretch your skill a little further with every level. The controls are simple but allow incredible precision once mastered, and the air-dash mechanic ties the entire system together perfectly. Also, death resets you instantly, so you can retry without losing pace.

7. Source of Madness

Battle through dark worlds that change each run

Here, Source of Madness offers a strange blend of roguelite design and Metroidvania structure. The game uses procedural generation to craft creatures and paths that shift every time a new run begins. Players step into the role of a hooded acolyte who moves through distorted lands shaped by strange forces. It’s a 2D action experience where no session repeats the last. Its art direction leans heavily on surrealism, using rough shapes and unpredictable motion to give every creature its own logic.

This use of AI makes exploration dynamic and keeps players guessing what form of nightmare will appear next. The acolyte gathers powers and relics that shape how each encounter unfolds, and the constant randomness ensures long replay value. The player unlocks new abilities that expand how they can approach later stages. However, rather than straightforward improvement, these upgrades lead to wider experimentation.

6. Child of Light

Guide a princess through a painted world of puzzles and battles

Well, Ubisoft is known for large-scale action titles, yet Child of Light goes in a completely different direction. It blends role-playing elements with a poetic twist that is distinct in its own category. The game tells the tale of Aurora, a young girl transported to a strange kingdom where she seeks to find her way home. It avoids the usual formula of fast action and instead slows things down in a graceful way. The hand-drawn visuals give it an identity that separates it from other titles on PS Plus.

What makes it stand out is how it combines traditional turn-based battles with light exploration elements. The player commands Aurora and her allies as they take turns to strike and defend. Furthermore, short puzzles appear between encounters and add moments of reflection. The entire flow feels well-structured, with exploration, discovery, and tactical planning sharing space in equal measure.

5. Rain World

Survive as a small creature in a harsh world

Rain World places you in a strange, unfamiliar land where a small creature fights for survival in an environment ruled by instinct. You take control of a small slugcat – a fragile yet agile creature separated from its family. Here, you exist within a food chain where you can hunt smaller creatures but must avoid stronger ones. Each region features unique lifeforms that behave differently from one another. Unlike many other PS Plus Metroidvania games, Rain World relies more on awareness and observation than on guided progression.

You climb, leap, and slide through complex paths that hide shortcuts and safe spots. Food is essential for survival, and finding it becomes part of your exploration routine. However, danger always lurks nearby, as predators can appear from any direction without warning. Once the rain starts to fall, you must reach shelter quickly or risk losing progress. In this game, you never truly master the environment; instead, you adapt by learning patterns and outcomes.

4. Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition

A gravity-defying experience that bends traditional movement

If you are searching for something completely different on our PlayStation Plus Metroidvania games list, Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition is that surprise you do not expect. It breaks away from traditional movement. Instead of walking or running, you leap across surfaces by defying gravity. The whole concept changes how players think about direction and distance. You move from floor to wall to ceiling through bursts of motion. It takes a few minutes to understand, but once you do, the rhythm becomes second nature.

Now, onto how it plays. In Dandara, the action flows through sections connected by seamless leaps. Enemies attack from multiple angles, and your projectiles must hit with precision. Puzzles use the same gravity-based movement to block or reveal paths. As you move forward, the areas expand in complexity. However, the simple leap-and-shoot loop always remains engaging.

3. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

Transform into different creatures to solve puzzles and progress

What could be more interesting than jumping into a fantasy world where you shift forms to handle challenges your own way? Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom revives a classic series with modern polish and a sense of variety. It expands the original formula by letting transformations shape progression in fresh ways. The ability to change forms opens multiple possibilities for how you interact with the surroundings. You don’t need to know the older titles to enjoy it, as this one stands well on its own.

Gameplay focuses on mastering transitions between forms to move further. Boss encounters stand out as they push you to adapt mid-battle without breaking the flow. The soundtrack energizes the action and matches the intensity perfectly. Above all, Monster Boy delivers that rare balance of simplicity and challenge that keeps you hooked for hours. It’s one of those best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus that reminds players why classic-style design never loses its charm.

2. Dead Cells

Battle through ever-changing dungeons filled with traps and enemies

Whenever there’s a discussion on the best Metroidvania games of all time, Dead Cells always slides into the conversation. In this game, you play as a mysterious fighter who moves through a castle full of enemies and traps that shift after every run. You fight, dodge, and use different weapons to cut through opponents that stand in your path. As you move forward, you collect resources that help unlock new equipment and routes for later attempts. This loop of progress and defeat gives every run purpose without losing excitement.

Combat is sharp and fast-paced, with new tools always waiting to be discovered. You strike, roll, and use gadgets to handle groups of enemies. Weapons come in many forms, from blades to ranged tools that suit different approaches. Also, death never feels final since progress opens new options for the next attempt. The controls respond instantly, giving room for quick attacks and sudden dodges. Overall, this makes you want to jump back in and push further.

1. Hollow Knight

Explore vast underground kingdoms and battle insect-like enemies

The final game on our list of the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus is Hollow Knight. You take control of a small warrior armed with a nail-like weapon, ready to strike anything that moves. The combat is sharp and simple at first glance, but there’s depth hidden beneath that surface. You hit, dodge, and strike again until patterns start to make sense. Soon, your reflexes adapt to how enemies behave, and every victory feels earned through skill alone. Upgrades come steadily, and they change your fighting style in new ways.

However, the deeper you go, the more tactical it becomes. Enemies vary in movement, attack range, and aggression, so observation and adaptation become crucial here. You start recognizing small cues that help you decide when to attack or retreat. Boss encounters push that awareness further, often forcing quick reactions in split seconds. Over time, you master the rhythm of combat by balancing offense and defense.