My 2025 gaming resolution is to play more of a neglected genre

As 2025 is here, it’s only right I make a gaming resolution for the new year. It was going to be that I’d simply try to play more indie games this year, but looking at 2024, I already manage that. So, instead, I’m going to embrace a genre I thought I disliked.

I always thought I hated MetroidVanias. To be honest, this was my thinking until I played Hollow Knight, which I only tried out because of the style. The world of bugs was enough for me to give it a shot, and it became one of my favourite games. Then, I tried more of the genre and bounced off again. The idea that I simply hated the genre was an easy one to reach, I’d never enjoyed what I played of Metroid or Castlevania when I was growing up, so I simply ignored any game that fell under the umbrella.

Team Cherry

This is despite loving the core ingredients of the genre - platforming and 2D combat. I think, a big part of my issue with MetroidVanias is my poor memory. I can barely remember what I got for Christmas a week ago. Having to mentally note down which areas to return to upon discovering a new weapon or ability is a genuine struggle and frustration.

Having said all of this, over the Christmas break I played Axiom Verge, mostly because one of my good friends considers it her favourite game and practically every time we meet up the game is slipped into conversation. I’d grabbed it in a Nintendo eShop sale for less than £2 a couple of months ago and thought I’d gamble on it.

I’m about halfway through Axiom Verge and honestly, it’s bloody superb. With shock taking over me, I decided to look back at my gaming history to see if any other games from the genre excited me. It suddenly dawned on me that I scored Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown a 9 out of 10. Last year. I told you my memory was bad. And Animal Well was easily in my top five games of 2024, so there’s another, if you consider it a part of the genre.

Nintendo

‘Have I just been playing bad MetroidVanias?’ I asked myself. Well, I can’t have been. I’ve tried Super Metroid and that’s arguably the best game in the genre according to fans. Beyond the frustrations with my own memory, I can’t quite put my finger on why the genre has been such a sticking point for me over the years, so the resolution starts now. This year, I will be going back through a list of the best the genre has to offer and trying them, including everything from the Metroid and Castlevania series, that I can reliably play.

I’ve begun compiling a list of games I already have access to, because despite my foolish thoughts and opinions, I’ve been buying these games in sales on the off chance one will hit the spot, and now it’s time to play them. So, along with games like Owlboy, Ori and the Blind Forest, and Nine Sols, I’m going back through the Nintendo Switch Online catalogue to play some retro bangers.

Of these, Metroid Fusion is top of the list simply because it comes highly recommended, but also because it has a hook that I like the sound of. An evil version of Samus running about the place might be enough to pull further in.

Scrolling through the catalogue for Nintendo Switch Online, I’ve also spotted a couple of Castlevania games, and I dipped into the sale to pick up the Castlevania Advance Collection, which I’ve heard countless good things about. Plus, I like vampires and vampire lore, so it should really be a win-win.

Thinking on this project and my past thoughts on the genre, it has brought me to a conclusion that some part of this new-found respect for these games comes from where I play them. Aside from Animal Well, all the MetroidVanias I’ve enjoyed were played in handheld. It’s a genre that seems to fit the scrolling nature of the worlds a little more, perhaps making it feel a more book-like adventure that I can lose myself in. Of course, it has helped that worlds like that of Prince of Persia and Hollow Knight are so transportative.

Thomas Happ Games

My plan is also to be more forgiving with myself when it comes to playing these games and take into account my poor, old, ageing memory. With one particular boss fight in Axiom Verge, I just couldn’t find a tactic to beat it. None of the weapons I used seemed to get me any further. So, unlike myself, I looked up help online and found a decent strategy. I swiftly did the same when I’d found a new ability and couldn’t remember where I would be able to use it.

Thinking back to previous attempts at playing these kinds of games, that’s where I’d usually bounce off. Perhaps it was because I’d found a weapon and couldn’t think of where to use it, or I’d find a section that would test my skills, and I’d give up easily. This time, I want to freely look for help and enjoy these games.

Writing this little article has put my gaming new year resolution in writing, so I can’t go back on it. And now I’ve got more to explore while I wait the interminable wait for Hollow Knight: Silksong.