10 Best Bullet Hell Metroidvanias

I wasn’t a right away fan after I first performed a mix of the Bullet Hell and Metroidvania genres. I just like the gradual development of Metroidvanias, and anxious the frenetic nature of Bullet Hell could not coexist in that setting.

However over time, I slowly turned extra satisfied that this mashup might work. Which is why I made a decision to write down this listing of the very best Bullet Hell Metroidvanias.

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Admittedly, there aren’t many examples of the combination, with lots of them being purer Metroidvania with some gentle Bullet Hell thrown in, however regardless, these are all enjoyable and ingenious adventures.

Get your dodging boots prepared, and let’s dive in.

10

A Robotic Named Battle

Down With the Flesh!

A Robotic Named Battle is many issues in a single surprisingly cohesive package deal. It is a rogue-like, a Metroidania, and infrequently, it turns into one thing of a Bullet Hell as effectively.

Typically that is because of the minions of the Megabeast arrayed towards you, however with the proper upgrades, you possibly can turn out to be a stampeding engine of Bullet Hell.

Among the bosses that go all out in true Bullet Hell style embody the White Wyrm, Steel Patriarch, and the devastatingly highly effective Megabeast Core.

9

Gestalt: Steam & Cinder

Steampunk Mayhem

Whereas the final recreation does an inexpensive job of together with Bullet Hell, this subsequent recreation is not a rogue-like. That means there’s nothing random about it, together with the handful of Bullet Hell bosses.

The primary boss of Gestalt: Steam & Cinder, a big mechanical arachnid, throws annoying electrical balls at you. However in a while, there are some absurdly highly effective examples of Bullet Hell gone wild.

One which involves thoughts is the livid rage of the reworked Indra, who teleports round and harries you with lasers.

The largest downside is the ultimate boss, which not solely assaults you in an enormous mecha, however does so whilst you’re dodging bullets from a secondary supply.

Sadly, the Bullet Hell right here is not as well-balanced as I might like, however there are many higher examples on this listing.

8

Minoria

Witches and Heretics

Even in the event you’ve heard of an indie Metroidvania sequence known as Momodora, you may need missed Minoria. It is by the identical workforce, nevertheless it’s extra of a non secular successor revealed by DANGEN Leisure.

Whereas the journey wasn’t excellent, it featured a fascinating story about witches and faith, in addition to some really harrowing boss battles—most of which concerned greater than a bit Bullet Hell mechanics.

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Among the greatest examples embody the primary boss, Blossoming Witch Lissette, in addition to the flora fiend, Witch Deity Saora.

There’s additionally the ruthless battle towards Harina, which forces you to dodge by streams of indestructible spheres.

All really difficult examples of what makes Bullet Hell so fulfilling, but in addition so intimidating.

7

Absence of Mild

I Hope You Love Bullets!

Whereas the previous couple of video games had been primarily Metroidvania with a bit Bullet Hell thrown in, Absence of Mild flips that sample on its head.

It is styled primarily round Bullet Hell mechanics, although it does function exploration and primary Metroidvania performance.

It exhibits how a lot of a Bullet Hell it’s everytime you face a boss. Anticipate complicated, overwhelming streams of bullets you may must weave between.

Whereas the sport is enjoyable when you get the hold of issues, it is a bit of a bummer that this journey is simply accessible on PC.

6

Islets

Iko’s Floating Islands

In some ways, Islets is the very best of each worlds. It has pure Metroidvania sections, full with Bullet Hell-styled bosses.

However it additionally has sections the place you may soar by the sky in your rickety aerial contraption, defeating harmful pirates to progress.

As you make your manner by the sport, you may tether the floating islands collectively whereas uncovering a harmful plot.

Among the greatest examples of the Bullet Hell nature of the sport are the bosses Tomb of 1000 Spirits, Buried Beast, and The Stone Witch. A captivating little hybrid journey.

5

Laika: Aged By way of Blood

Racing Into the Apocalypse

Within the midst of this dialogue of 1 loopy style hybrid, enter one other—the Motorvania.

That is what Laika: Aged By way of Blood calls itself, and it is a becoming moniker for this post-apocalyptic journey.

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What’s distinctive about this Metroidvania is that you just’re not working round on foot. As an alternative, you are continuously jetting round on a bike.

This enables for distinctive strategies of fight, as you are dodging bullets and responding in midair along with your gun. It is greater than a bit difficult, however a worthwhile try.

4

Rabi-Ribi

The OG Bunnyvania

By all rights, I ought to get pleasure from Rabi-Ribi extra. It is a type of relic of a time when Japanese video games had been extra about reveling of their fandom and silliness.

It is also a Metroidvania that goes wild within the boss battles, throwing streams of bullets your manner.

Most rabbits could not deal with it, however a rabbit reworked right into a human? That is one other story totally.

Whereas I might point out the bosses, there are too many to cowl. This recreation options greater than 40, which is an insane quantity.

The one factor holding this Bullet Hell Metroidvania again from a better placement is how unbalanced it tends to be. However exterior of that, it is a enjoyable time.

3

Minishoot’ Adventures

The Shock Challenger

I hadn’t truly heard of Minishoot’ Adventures till very lately. However after familiarizing myself with the sport, I used to be glad to incorporate it.

The sport is type of what would occur if a Shmup had been thrown right into a top-down world like that in The Legend of Zelda. This sounds totally weird, nevertheless it works effectively.

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As you progress, you may come throughout new Primoridal Powers, which not solely empower you, but in addition let you open up new areas to discover.

Very similar to with Absence of Mild, it is a actually neat recreation that may profit from being on consoles.

2

Touhou Luna Nights

Beautiful Staff Ladybug

The mad geniuses at Staff Ladybug have given us many superb adventures over time, from Report of Lodoss Warfare – Deedlit in Surprise Labyrinth – to Drainus, and even the lately launched BLADECHIMERA.

However one of many easiest of them is a Bullet Hell Metroidvania known as Touhou Luna Nights. And even in the event you’re not that acquainted with the Touhou universe, it is a super-challenging and trendy journey value trying out.

Sakuya could also be a maid, however she’s one capable of manipulate time itself. That is a tremendous capability, and one you may must survive the waves of bullets coming her manner.

There will not be a ton of bosses in Touhou Luna Nights, however they’re all bursting with sufficient energy to cut back you to a pile of ash. And did I point out you may get rewarded in the event you let the bullets graze you?

An exquisite and onerous Bullet Hell Metroidvania, however we have saved the very best for final!

1

The Knight Witch

Nighty Knight

In some ways, this listing would not have existed with out The Knight Witch. So it is maybe not that shocking that it took high honors.

This can be a recreation that mixes Metroidvania and Bullet Hell into each facet of the sport, from the twin-stick controls to the upgrades Rayne will get as you progress.

One particularly neat component about The Knight Witch is the way you assemble a deck of magical playing cards that empower you.

The principle problem is protecting every part working easily whereas dodging all kinds of mayhem.

Nonetheless, no one mentioned a Bullet Hell Metroidvania could be simple, and it is a recreation that really embraces each genres on this distinctive journey.

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