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10 Best Metroidvania Games on PlayStation Plus (August 2025)

Side-scrolling combat in a dark, hand-drawn world from the PS Plus Metroidvania game

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 PlayStation Metroidvania games on you can play right now.

What Defines the Best Metroidvania Game on PS Plus?

To build this list, a few key things were considered. The games had to offer strong exploration, smooth controls, and a clear sense of progress. Each one includes a connected world where unlocking new powers lets you reach new areas. Combat needed to feel satisfying, with enemies and boss fights that test your timing and skills.

Level design also played a big role. Games with smart layouts, hidden paths, and creative environments stood out the most. Art style, music, and overall polish were also important. Lastly, each game had to be available through PlayStation Plus and offer good value for players. These picks highlight what makes the Metroidvania genre so fun and rewarding on PS Plus.

List of 10 Best Metroidvania Games on PS Plus in 2025

Each game on this list brings exciting combat, smart upgrades, and maps designed for deep exploration. They offer a mix of challenge, discovery, and progress that keeps players coming back. All of them are available through PS Plus and deliver a complete Metroidvania experience. Now let’s take a look at the top 10 titles worth playing right now.

10. F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch - Launch Trailer | PS5, PS4

First up, we have a side-scrolling action game where a rabbit with a giant metal arm takes on robots across a city filled with machines. F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch has fast-paced combat with punch combos, air attacks, and heavy hits that knock enemies around. The big arm isn’t just for fighting, it also helps in solving puzzles and moving through the environment. Enemies come in all types, some with shields, some with big weapons, so each fight feels different. Boss battles are large and intense, often needing quick dodges and smart attacks. Heavy combat, smart enemy design, and a strong world setup help it stand out as one of the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus.

9. Salt and Sacrifice

Salt and Sacrifice - Announcement Trailer | PS5, PS4

Salt and Sacrifice is a 2D action RPG where a character called a Marked Inquisitor hunts powerful mages. The world is full of danger, and each mage hunt turns into a chase through different zones. Mages summon creatures to fight, and every fight becomes a long battle across changing paths. Defeating them drops parts that are used to craft new weapons and armor. There are different weapons and classes to choose from, each with its own style. The way mage hunts play out is what makes it different from other games in the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus list.

8. Strider

Strider - Launch Trailer

Strider’s a fast-paced action platformer where you play as Hiryu, a ninja with a laser sword. It’s all about speed, jumping, climbing, and slicing through high-tech enemy bases. Hiryu cuts down enemies fast, flips over walls, and dashes across platforms without slowing down. The sword attacks look cool and never stop, giving off a strong arcade vibe. Enemies come from every direction, but quick reflexes help stay in control. You also get upgrades that help deal with tougher fights. The game’s energy stays high the whole time, with wild boss battles and nonstop movement making every part feel intense. It’s one of the best Metroidvania games on PS Plus if you’re into fast action and stylish combat.

7. Celeste

Celeste - Launch Trailer | PS4

Celeste isn’t a full-on Metroidvania, though it has a few things that fans of the genre might enjoy. The whole game’s about climbing a mountain using a few simple moves like jumping, air-dashing, and grabbing onto walls. Every level throws new stuff at you like strong wind, moving platforms, or blocks that disappear when you touch them. Each screen is its own little puzzle, and you gotta figure out how to get through it. There’s no fighting, just tough jumps and quick timing. You’ll mess up a lot, but the game restarts you super fast so it never gets annoying.

6. Source of Madness

Source of Madness | Release Date Trailer | May 11, 2022

Source of Madness offers something that looks and plays completely different from most side-scrollers. The enemies are created by AI, which means they move in strange ways and no two fights look the same. Combat uses magic instead of weapons, and spells can be upgraded and mixed for stronger attacks. The world changes each time the game is played, so areas look new even if you've been there before. Enemies drop loot that helps make your next run easier. Movement is floaty, and the game has a weird, physics-based feel that makes everything feel unstable. The whole experience is built around chaos and learning through repetition.

5. Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition

Dandara: Trials of Fear Launch Trailer | PS4

When gravity flips the rules, movement turns into the main challenge. In Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition, jumping doesn’t work the usual way. The character warps between walls, floors, and ceilings using fixed points. There’s no walking or running here. Fights happen while jumping too, so timing matters a lot. Enemies come from all directions, so fast thinking is key. Every room needs a bit of planning before you start moving. The controls feel super different since everything’s based on angles and rhythm. The world is hand-drawn, full of secret rooms and floating platforms. Attacks are ranged, so dodging while shooting becomes the core of every fight.

4. Rain World

Rain World Trailer | Fate of a Slugcat | Adult Swim Games

Rain World is a survival game where a small creature called a Slugcat is trying to stay alive in a dangerous world filled with hungry predators. The world reacts on its own, and enemies act like real animals that hunt, hide, and fight. Every time the rain comes, it’s a race to find shelter or start over. Slugcat can climb, crawl through pipes, and jump. Some creatures ignore you, while others will chase you without warning. It doesn’t hold your hand, so learning how each part of the world works takes time. The survival feel and the way enemies behave on their own make it stand out from the best Metroidvania games on PS Plus.

3. Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

Monster Boy - Gameplay Trailer | PS4

Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom is a bright and fun adventure where the main guy goes on a journey full of action, puzzles, and magic. The cool part is he doesn’t stay in just one form. All through the game, he changes into different creatures, and each one changes how he moves around and explores. Some spots are easier to get to with a certain form, while other parts need you to switch forms to solve puzzles or deal with enemies. The world’s full of secrets, hidden paths, and smart little challenges that stay fun without getting too frustrating. With all the creative stuff packed into the gameplay, it’s an easy pick when talking about the best Metroidvania games on PlayStation Plus.

2. Dead Cells

Dead Cells - Animated Trailer

How can we not mention Dead Cells when talking about the best Metroidvania games? Every run plays different since the levels change each time. The main goal is to fight through areas packed with enemies, traps, and strong bosses. During each run, players find weapons, skills, and items, and choose what suits their style. Combat moves fast, and quick reactions make a big difference. If the character dies, the run ends, and most things reset, except for a few upgrades that stay. Every death teaches something and makes the next run better.

1. Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight - Release Trailer

Finally, we have a game where every area is packed with hidden paths, secret enemies, and strange characters. Hollow Knight puts the focus on exploring a huge underground world while fighting all kinds of insect-like creatures. Combat is fast and close, using a nail as a weapon to strike, jump, and dodge at the right time. Some enemies are simple, but others take real skill to beat. New abilities like double jump, dash, and wall climb help reach tougher spots and survive stronger bosses. The world changes as new areas open and harder enemies show up.

Amar is a gaming aficionado and freelance content writer. As an experienced gaming content writer, he's always up-to-date with the latest gaming industry trends. When he's not busy crafting compelling gaming articles, you can find him dominating the virtual world as a seasoned gamer.

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