The State of Metroidvanias in 2024: Quality Games, Diminishing Buzz
New Metroidvania Releases Still Shine
Last week on Steam, two high-quality "search action" platformers quietly launched: Shattered Divinities, a Chinese-developed fantasy title, and Clockwork Ambrosia, a pixel-art gem that has already captivated early players. Yet, amid the hype surrounding Subnautica 2 and the search for fresh angles on Mixtape, these releases struggled to gain traction. This pattern raises a question: have metroidvanias lost their cultural currency, even as excellent titles continue to appear?
Clockwork Ambrosia: A Detailed Look
Clockwork Ambrosia serves as a prime example of the genre's enduring quality. After spending about five hours with it, one can appreciate its lovingly detailed pixel art, reminiscent of Iconoclasts or Owlboy. The game blends chrome-hued sci-fi with cheerful steampunk aesthetics, creating a dreamy visual treat. It is unmistakably top-tier work.
Combat and Customization
Borrowing from Mega Man, Clockwork Ambrosia features gun-centric combat but elevates it with a substantial modding system. Each of the four main weapons can be extensively tweaked with add-ons found throughout the world. Loot is abundant, and every chest tends to hold something consequential—for instance, a mod that allows firing missiles vertically instead of horizontally, or one that splits pulse rifle projectiles into three. Even in the first quarter of the game, players find themselves frequently fiddling with loadouts, especially before boss encounters. This system sometimes evokes the feel of Armored Core.
The Changing Landscape of Indie Buzz
Ten years ago, a game like Clockwork Ambrosia would have generated widespread enthusiasm. But the metroidvania no longer holds the same prominence it enjoyed in the late 2010s, when titles like Axiom Verge, Hollow Knight, Guacamelee, Ori, and Chasm released at a steady clip. Even exceptional presentation does not guarantee buzz today. Few have heard of MIO: Memories in Orbit or know that Grime received a sequel this year. These games, alongside Clockwork Ambrosia, are as good as anything from the last decade—or the 1990s. MIO, in particular, boasts an art style that would have marketed itself during the genre's peak.
Data on Recent Metroidvania Chart Performance
Aside from the long-awaited Silksong, the last major metroidvania to break into the top 50 was Animal Well, which debuted at number 10. Below is a look at how other notable releases fared on Steam's top seller list (Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is excluded as it launched as an Epic Games Store and Ubisoft Store exclusive):
| Game | Release Date | Chart Debut | Second Week |
|---|---|---|---|
| Animal Well | May 2024 | 10 | 29 |
| Blasphemous 2 | August 2023 | 9 | 28 |
| Nine Sols | May 2024 | 29 | 86 |
The data shows a clear drop-off after the first week, indicating that even well-reviewed metroidvanias struggle to maintain visibility in a crowded market.
Lessons for Indie Developers
It is not unusual for genres to enjoy a moment in the sun before receding. The current craze for King's Field-like games will likely fade, and retail simulators may eventually exhaust their appeal. However, the decline of metroidvania buzz highlights how risk-prone and capricious indie development can be. When Realmsoft launched the Kickstarter for Clockwork Ambrosia in 2018, the project must have seemed like a deadset winner—a time when the genre was white-hot. Today, developers face an audience that has moved on, despite the continued output of high-quality titles.
For more analysis on indie gaming trends, explore our coverage of Clockwork Ambrosia and chart performance data.