LogFAQs > #974744251

You'd think they'd be called adventure /RPGs but yeah, it's to describe a game where you explore but also gain levels and abilities in addition to gadgets you pick up over the course of the game. And it doesn't have all of the skills in the game based off of the player, like Metroid, but also the skills and stats you have around the enemies.

IE, you'll never have a moment in a Metroid game where you struggle against enemies because you aren't high enough in level. If you're dying, it's strictly a skill issue.