These 2D Metroidvania games reward a detour that changes how you get to the next place. You might choose which region to visit, use a familiar move in a new way, or return through a shortcut that changes the map. Each…
Items 56 The creator’s order
1 Hollow Knight (2017) ★ 9.2 IGDB Released Feb 24, 2017 Hallownest has several entrances to important regions. Reaching the City of Tears one way can feel very different from entering through a later route. Movement tools such as the wall jump give familiar shafts new exits the next time you pass through. 0 2 Super Metroid (1994) ★ 9.2 IGDB Released Mar 19, 1994 Wall jumps and the Speed Booster change how you can move through Zebes. Learn the regular route first, then try one of the shortcuts those moves open around Brinstar. Players can use the same rooms in a different order without needing a different map. 0 3 Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997) ★ 9.2 IGDB Released Mar 20, 1997 Alucard’s forms make old rooms connect when you return with new abilities. A tall gap and a small passage can send you toward different parts of the castle. If you uncover the game’s second castle, look for its routes as a fresh map. 0 4 Animal Well (2024) ★ 8.2 IGDB Released May 9, 2024 The four flames send you into different parts of the well. The tools can solve several kinds of problem, so try another direction when a room seems to require something you have yet to find. A cue you remember may take on a new meaning with a new toy. 0 5 Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025) ★ 9.2 IGDB Released Sep 4, 2025 The opening leads toward a few shared places, then Pharloom offers more ways to move between regions. Try another ascent when one route is asking for a skill or upgrade you still want to find. Some of the connections become useful long after the first visit. 0 6 Yoku's Island Express (2018) ★ 8.2 IGDB Released May 29, 2018 Roll through pinball lanes and choose which island quest to follow while other destinations are still open. A different set of flippers and gates makes a return trip play differently from its first approach. Choose it for route choice you can see on the board. 0 7 Metroid (1987) ★ 7.2 IGDB Released Aug 1, 1987 The NES game gives you a small set of goals and lets you learn how its tall shafts and tunnels connect. Routes to Kraid and Ridley can be explored in different orders. Getting a new suit improvement changes the routes worth revisiting. 0 8 Metroid Dread (2021) ★ 8.5 IGDB Released Oct 7, 2021 The main route is easy to read, while clever use of movement and weapons can make some rooms accessible in a different order. Study the slopes, Speed Booster space and walls in a familiar room if you want to find another way through. 0 9 Metroid: Zero Mission (2004) ★ 8.6 IGDB Released Feb 9, 2004 Chozo hints point toward a straightforward early route. Samus’s jumps, bombs and later movement upgrades offer ways to reach some rooms or pickups from another side. It is a good choice if you want to learn the obvious path and then try changing it. 0 10 Lone Fungus (2023) ★ 7.0 IGDB Released Apr 7, 2023 Explore an open mushroom kingdom where harder jumps and optional side paths are separated from much of the route you need to finish. Choose another reachable region when you hit a wall. Turn on the map hints if you want already visited rooms to show pickups you missed. 0 
Hollow Knight (2017)Released Feb 24, 2017Hallownest has several entrances to important regions. Reaching the City of Tears one way can feel very different from entering through a later route. Movement tools such as the wall jump give familiar shafts new exits the next time you pass through.0
Super Metroid (1994)Released Mar 19, 1994Wall jumps and the Speed Booster change how you can move through Zebes. Learn the regular route first, then try one of the shortcuts those moves open around Brinstar. Players can use the same rooms in a different order without needing a different map.0
Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (1997)Released Mar 20, 1997Alucard’s forms make old rooms connect when you return with new abilities. A tall gap and a small passage can send you toward different parts of the castle. If you uncover the game’s second castle, look for its routes as a fresh map.0
Animal Well (2024)Released May 9, 2024The four flames send you into different parts of the well. The tools can solve several kinds of problem, so try another direction when a room seems to require something you have yet to find. A cue you remember may take on a new meaning with a new toy.0
Hollow Knight: Silksong (2025)Released Sep 4, 2025The opening leads toward a few shared places, then Pharloom offers more ways to move between regions. Try another ascent when one route is asking for a skill or upgrade you still want to find. Some of the connections become useful long after the first visit.0
Yoku's Island Express (2018)Released May 29, 2018Roll through pinball lanes and choose which island quest to follow while other destinations are still open. A different set of flippers and gates makes a return trip play differently from its first approach. Choose it for route choice you can see on the board.0
Metroid (1987)Released Aug 1, 1987The NES game gives you a small set of goals and lets you learn how its tall shafts and tunnels connect. Routes to Kraid and Ridley can be explored in different orders. Getting a new suit improvement changes the routes worth revisiting.0
Metroid Dread (2021)Released Oct 7, 2021The main route is easy to read, while clever use of movement and weapons can make some rooms accessible in a different order. Study the slopes, Speed Booster space and walls in a familiar room if you want to find another way through.0
Metroid: Zero Mission (2004)Released Feb 9, 2004Chozo hints point toward a straightforward early route. Samus’s jumps, bombs and later movement upgrades offer ways to reach some rooms or pickups from another side. It is a good choice if you want to learn the obvious path and then try changing it.0
Lone Fungus (2023)Released Apr 7, 2023Explore an open mushroom kingdom where harder jumps and optional side paths are separated from much of the route you need to finish. Choose another reachable region when you hit a wall. Turn on the map hints if you want already visited rooms to show pickups you missed.0