Current Events > Do we need a broader genre than Metroidvania?

(+) Yeah! (+)

This genre, in its strictest of definitions, has become pretty popular recently due to a slew of indie games. But there are a ton of other games that fit the mold of large interconnected maps with a focus on backtracking, with powers and upgrades used for combat as well as for gates to a greater or lesser degree. Control is about the closest thing to a Metroidvania you can get without being a retro 2d platformer, but it feels weird calling it that because it very clearly is not really a Metroidvania. Should there be a broader name for games with these components, with true Metroidvania's being a small part, or do we just call every game with these systems a Metroidvania?

"search action" is the other name.

Questionmarktarius posted...

"search action" is the other name.

A shit name, because in a lot of the games the action isn't the point.

I don't think you can accurately call a game that isn't 2D a Metroidvania, it just feels like it's too fundamental to the genre.

FurryPhilosifer posted...

A shit name, because in a lot of the games the action isn't the point.

Right. I feel like "explorative platformer" might be a better term for it.

side-scrolling action game

TheDurinator posted...

I don't think you can accurately call a game that isn't 2D a Metroidvania, it just feels like it's too fundamental to the genre.

Exactly. The ideas of interconnected maps, power ups, and gates/keys are so broad it feels ridiculous to lump them in with such a strictly defined genre but there's no other word. Search action definitely ain't it. You would be an insane person to call the Tomb Raider reboot Metroidvania games but they check the boxes, to a lighter degree than some others.

And while we're at it, what's the deal with action adventure games? That is such a meaningless non-description. And why isn't there an umbrella term for melee focused games like there is for shooters? You can't tell me there weren't people as anal about labels as me pitching something over the years.

I call the first Arkham game Batroidvania

Zeldavania

TheDurinator posted...

I don't think you can accurately call a game that isn't 2D a Metroidvania, it just feels like it's too fundamental to the genre.

This is how I feel too, and games like Control, Arkham, etc. fit under Action Adventure IMO

specialkid8 posted...

Exactly. The ideas of interconnected maps, power ups, and gates/keys are so broad it feels ridiculous to lump them in with such a strictly defined genre but there's no other word. Search action definitely ain't it. You would be an insane person to call the Tomb Raider reboot Metroidvania games but they check the boxes, to a lighter degree than some others.

And while we're at it, what's the deal with action adventure games? That is such a meaningless non-description. And why isn't there an umbrella term for melee focused games like there is for shooters? You can't tell me there weren't people as anal about labels as me pitching something over the years.

You are coming to the issue of the genre: it really isn't one. The games universally are a couple of extremely common gameplay/narrative pieces that are "tied" by what the person playing feels is right rather than any gameplay or story mechanic.

At least it's not as bad as Rogue-like. Those have long since had nothing to do with Rogue outside of random levels. At that point they are just as similar to Tetris as Rogue.

Turbam posted...

Zeldavania

Your post just reminded me that there's like a whole nother argument for Zeldalikes not being Metroidvania's.

ellis123 posted...

You are coming to the issue of the genre: it really isn't one. The games universally are a couple of extremely common gameplay/narrative pieces that are "tied" by what the person playing feels is right rather than any gameplay or story mechanic.

It's not technically a genre but there are enough things tied together for it to be a consistent description. It's like immersive sim. No one really knows what it means but you know it when you see it and there's enough of a spiral outward of "definitely not immersive sim but, like, kind of" for it to be a useful term.

Expanding World

Backtrackers

I dunno I think calling Control a 3D Metroidvania describes the game pretty well.

Questionmarktarius posted...

"search action" is the other name.

Literally made up by Nintendo because they obviously can't call their own game "Metroidvania"

Don't bother using it.

Tyranthraxus posted...

Literally made up by Nintendo because they obviously can't call their own game "Metroidvania"

Nintendo just calls it "adventure", alongside VNs for some reason.

I have no problem calling games like Arkham Asylum (but not its sequels) and Control Metroidvanias. I would probably qualify that they are 3D Metroidvanias but still Metroidvanias all the same

Pathfinder would be my term. It could be mixed and matched too.

2D Action Pathfinder
3D Pathfinder
Pathformer

wesastro911 posted...

Pathfinder would be my term

Nooooooooooooooooooo

Also, Zeldalikes need to be officially recognized like Metroidvania at this point.

Overall, action-adventure genre needs more subgenres. Shooters have a plethora of subgenres.