LogFAQs > #966899271

plasmabeam posted...

HK has the best exploration of any Metroidvania I've played. Whereas most games in the genre encourage you to "beat" an area then return later for bonuses/powerups, HK sends you through areas you're not equipped to explore (the jellyfish section) or not equipped to complete (City of Tears) and creates this "setup/payoff" style of exploration. I love it.

also yeah HK is my favorite Metroidvania by a long shot and this is a huge reason why. Not only do I just love the visual and sound design of the map, but more than just a maze or obstacle to navigate, many parts of the map feel actively hostile to the player. Deepnest is the biggest example but what you're describing counts too. It makes it extremely satisfying not just for exploration but also for mastering traversal. Cautious traversal is why fresh playthroughs take so long (plus the relatively sparse warp points), but it's really remarkable how much faster game knowledge makes it play.