Metroidvanias
Metroidvania is a subgenre of platformers. It refers to jump ’n’ runs, where the focus is on running, jumping, and climbing. The uniqueness of Metroidvanias lies in the player moving through a large, interconnected world. Parts of this world are blocked and must be unlocked through special tools, weapons, or abilities.
The two games that founded the genre are also responsible for the name “Metroidvania.” These are the games Metroid and Castlevania, both released in 1986, with only one month apart.
Modern representatives include Hollow Knight and Ori and the Will of the Wisps. In addition to games with typical 2D graphics, titles like Batman: Arkham Asylum also belong to the genre.
Another extremely important genre is that of platformers. Here, the main focus is on moving across platforms, jumping, and climbing with your character. Although the genre is not named after it, Donkey Kong from 1981 was a significant title. It notably shaped an apparently simple but all the more vital mechanic: A simple mechanic founded a whole genre – But which game “invented” jumping?
