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10 Best Metroidvania Games on PlayStation Plus (February 2026)
Looking for the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus? 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 PlayStation Plus Metroidvania Games in 2026
Each game on this list brings exciting combat, smart upgrades, and maps designed for deep exploration.
10. Strider
Cut down waves of machines using fast acrobatic attacks
Strider places you in control of Hiryu, a high-speed assassin slicing through a futuristic empire ruled by machines. The moment you begin, movement becomes your greatest strength. Hiryu rushes across platforms with seamless momentum, slicing mechanical soldiers and leaping from one surface to another in an instant. Enemies appear in tight groups, and his energy sword cuts through everything ahead. The overall combat carries a continuous rush that keeps momentum strong from one encounter to the next.
You feel that steady pace while dashing forward, striking foes, and chaining attacks together with flawless precision. Moreover, the stages connect through short transitions that never break the action. Once the first wave drops, another rises, giving no pause between encounters. The boss battles serve as the highlight of Strider’s fast gameplay. Large mechanical beasts dominate the screen. Overall, Strider delivers a consistent flow that celebrates agility and direct action in its purest form.
9. Salt and Sacrifice
Hunt powerful mages across a dark and dangerous world
Salt and Sacrifice places you in the role of a marked inquisitor on a mission to hunt rogue mages spreading corruption. You travel across harsh lands to track these foes, defeat them, and collect their remains to craft new weapons and armor. The main gameplay loop centers on pursuing these wandering mages, who summon monstrous allies to defend themselves. Here, combat relies on stamina, dodging, and striking at the right moment.
After every successful battle, new paths become accessible, giving you the opportunity to hunt stronger targets scattered across the map. Instead of overwhelming speed, precision determines the outcome of combat. Shields, ranged tools, and melee options all serve distinct purposes depending on enemy behavior. Cooperative features are also available for those who want to share hunts with others.
8. Celeste
Jump, climb, and dash through rooms filled with hazards
Well, Celeste is not a Metroidvania in the traditional sense, as it does not revolve around looping exploration or backtracking for upgrades. It sits on this list because the way you advance shares the same spirit as a Metroidvania – a deep focus on mastering movement and understanding structure. The game has a clear mission: reach the summit by clearing a series of handcrafted sections filled with platforms, spikes, and moving blocks. The path to the top is always visible but never straightforward.
The main character can leap, dash through the air, and hold onto walls for a short time. These moves form the core of the entire experience. The story progresses through separate areas, each introducing new rules that reshape how you approach obstacles. Here, every screen becomes a self-contained challenge that you can solve only through quick action. Later parts introduce wind, disappearing blocks, and moving hazards that push you to adapt quickly.
7. Source of Madness
Move through shifting lands and battle monsters using powerful spells
In Source of Madness, you enter a strange world ruled by bizarre creatures that move in unpredictable patterns. The game runs on a dark fantasy concept powered by artificial intelligence that changes how enemies move every time you face them. It feels more like a living system rather than a fixed series of battles. From the moment you begin, the world forms through random generation, meaning that every path you walk may appear different on another run. You control a robed figure who explores vast lands while fighting constantly mutating beasts.
Combat unfolds in fast-paced motion as you cast spells to damage creatures approaching from different directions. The core structure follows a cycle of combat, recovery, and discovery. You enter one area, defeat monsters, and then move to the next while gathering strength from what you find. The random generation ensures new surprises in every session. Therefore, if you are looking for something distinct within the Metroidvania genre on PS Plus, this game is an excellent choice.
6. Child of Light
Explore a fantasy world while fighting enemies in turn-based combat
Ubisoft, known mainly for massive open worlds, tried something very different with Child of Light. It feels like a storybook that moves by its own rules, where Aurora, a young princess, awakens in an unfamiliar realm ruled by darkness. The first thing that stands out is how the game shifts between calm exploration and turn-based combat. You glide through hand-drawn scenes, meeting allies who fight beside you through simple, turn-based commands. The battle screen features a timeline system that lets you act once your turn arrives.
Outside of battles, the game moves at a peaceful pace. You travel through various areas, collecting items, talking to companions, and uncovering more of Aurora’s story. The interactions remain light and easy to follow, making it clear what to do next. Moreover, combat grows more strategic as you encounter stronger enemies that rely on different tactics. The pace of discovery across the world moves hand in hand with learning the combat rules.
5. Rain World
Hunt for food while avoiding larger hungry creatures
Rain World is a survival platformer where you live through the food chain as a small creature called a slugcat. You travel through ancient ruins and tunnels while finding food and escaping larger creatures. The world has a living system that constantly changes, and every animal has its own role. This setup makes the environment operate under its own rules. You must learn to act quickly and know when to hide. Hunger and shelter are two key parts of survival. Before heavy rainfall, you have to reach a safe place or risk being washed away.
You use simple items like spears and stones to hunt or defend yourself. Some creatures are harmless, while others chase you once they spot you. There are no direct guides or help, so you learn by observing creature behavior and understanding the right moments to act. Knowing their behavior helps you move safely between areas. You jump, climb, and crawl to find food or reach higher ground. Without a doubt, Rain World remains one of the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus.
4. Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition
Fight enemies while jumping between surfaces in all directions
Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition secures a higher spot on our best PS Plus Metroidvania games list for its bold use of gravity as the base of its gameplay. This game breaks away from standard platform mechanics and introduces a way to move that defies usual expectations. Instead of walking or jumping in a single direction, you bounce between walls, ceilings, and floors in a free-flowing pattern. The result is a sense of constant motion that changes how you think about space and distance.
Moreover, combat uses the same foundation. You shoot at enemies from any wall or ceiling, using your jump to dodge their attacks. Fights often happen in mid-air, and forces you to shift positions quickly to gain an advantage. The enemies come in different forms, and each has a clear pattern to learn. You must watch their actions and decide on the best moment to attack. Ultimately, Dandara stands as a bold example of creative design within the genre.
3. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom
Transform into different forms to solve puzzles and fight enemies
Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom introduces Jin, a young hero who sets out to restore balance across a realm that has fallen under a strange spell. The story moves through a sequence of connected areas, each one offering puzzles and challenges. Transformation plays a central part, letting Jin shift forms as he advances through his quest. These forms bring variety to movement and combat, helping him adapt to situations in creative ways. The mix of swordplay, discovery, and puzzle-solving turns every section into a self-contained moment of excitement.
In this game, the adventure carries a nostalgic spark that connects with classic platform traditions while feeling refreshing through smooth gameplay flow. You can switch forms freely, and each one changes how you handle enemies or obstacles. Progress feels fair as new elements appear regularly, offering consistent engagement. The music complements the journey perfectly.
2. Dead Cells
One of the greatest Metroidvania games of all time
Dead Cells is a popular Metroidvania game that has remained persistent in this PlayStation Plus list. It places you in an ever-changing castle filled with enemies and paths that reshape after each attempt. The main objective is to survive long enough to defeat tough bosses and collect items that enhance your strength for the next round. Battles take place in real time as you move through different sections, striking foes with weapons that vary in speed and range.
The challenge grows as you progress, and the excitement never fades while you try new routes or strategies. You dash, jump, and strike through corridors packed with traps and enemies that react to your presence. Weapons and tools appear randomly, and that element of surprise keeps you alert. In addition, health, damage, and movement speed all depend on what you choose during each attempt, so learning how to adapt becomes key.
1. Hollow Knight
Explore vast underground tunnels and fight challenging insect warriors
The final game on our best PlayStation Plus Metroidvania games list has to be the masterpiece of this genre, Hollow Knight. You control a small knight armed with a nail, moving through tunnels and ancient structures. The world spreads across several connected zones filled with enemies, treasures, and paths that link together in surprising ways. The game centers on movement, combat, and discovery. Initially, you slash with your nail for close attacks, and later, you learn special techniques.
While exploring, you find abilities that expand your reach, letting you access previously unseen regions with ease. Furthermore, boss encounters truly stand out, and the sound design and animation combine to create an atmosphere unmatched in the genre. Besides, the continuous growth of your character builds a rewarding cycle of exploration and mastery. Altogether, Hollow Knight represents the essence of modern Metroidvania design – challenging, layered, and endlessly fascinating.