Metroidvania like 3D games

[kelsoanim]

I love metroidvania games. We all know and love the great 2D games in this genre: Metroid, Castlevania SotN and DoS (etc), Cave Story, Shadow Complex, Blaster Master, etc. But what about the games that share many qualities that make these games addictive, but present the gameplay in a 3D world? Specifically the features I think of are lock and key exploration (can't reach area X until you collect a specific item), interconnected game word and maps, collectible and upgradable weapons, armor and other items, and a basic levelling system. Some that come to mind are:

- Batman Arkham Asylum (this game had me *hooked* on getting 100%)
- Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver series
- Metroid Prime series (of course)

The line between Metroid-vania and Zelda games gets a bit blurry to me as well. Both "genres" share elements of exploration, lock and key items, and collectible and upgradable weapons and armor.
- The Zelda series
- Darksiders

What other 3D games are there out there that might fit or relate to this category? What 3D games remind you of the feeling you get while playing a metroidvania game?

[Xeogred]

Here's an old topic that kind of covers a lot of this stuff:
http://www.racketboy.com/forum/viewtopi ... 15&t=11595

Blaster Master is still one of the best in my opinion.

I definitely agree that Arkham Asylum kind of had a similar vibe as well.

Also definitely more of a long shot, but when I played Unreal Gold last year I couldn't help but think of Metroid Prime pretty often... I mean there's like no collectibles whatsoever in that game and it's pretty simplistic stuff, but the world was massive and there was really no narrative at all, so it was just you dumped on this huge alien world with amazing atmosphere. Absolutely loved it, and I wonder if it was somewhat of an inspiration for Metroid Prime in some ways.

[J T]

Borderlands kind of has Metroid feel to it. I've never made that connection until just now, but maybe that's why I like that game. Same is true for Fallout 3. Dead Space also feels a bit like Metroid to me.

[Gamerforlife]

Just to add a thought to this, does anyone consider 3D Metroidvania-like environments to be better than the sandbox styles worlds that are so popular right now? I do

[brunoafh]

I can barely think of any 3D games in the Metroid fold but yes, I'm not big on sandbox games either. It's not like there's an abundance of them anyway though. Nothing compared to the FPS flood, at least.

[J T]

Just to add a thought to this, does anyone consider 3D Metroidvania-like environments to be better than the sandbox styles worlds that are so popular right now? I do

I'm not sure I can tell the difference, except maybe sandbox games give you more things you can do.

[Xeogred]

I just realized this was about 3D Metroidvania styled games... haha.

Well on that note, I seriously don't even want to compare anything to the Prime series in this regard. Nothing comes close. Perhaps System Shock 2, but that's about it. That and Unreal would be my recommendations.

And I also wouldn't compare sandbox games to this style at all. I mean I guess I can see the comparison, but eh... nah. It's just sad how perfectly Prime nailed it, that probably eternally killed the competition or shoddy attempts at that style in 3D for me. lol

[Gamerforlife]

Just to add a thought to this, does anyone consider 3D Metroidvania-like environments to be better than the sandbox styles worlds that are so popular right now? I do

I'm not sure I can tell the difference, except maybe sandbox games give you more things you can do.

Well, I feel like sandbox games just give you a big environment in which to do lots of side missions in

Metroidvania-inspired worlds are more about the exploration, finding hidden locations, items and making use of new abilities you acquire to help you accomplish that as well as uncover new environments.

It's an interesting question to me because Arkham Asylum was very Metroid-ish while some are saying the second game might become a bit more sandbox like with a large city for you to play around in and side missions for you to take on

[Xeogred]

Metroidvania-inspired worlds are more about the exploration, finding hidden locations, items and making use of new abilities you acquire to help you accomplish that as well as uncover new environments.

It's an interesting question to me because Arkham Asylum was very Metroid-ish while some are saying the second game might become a bit more sandbox like with a large city for you to play around in and side missions for you to take on

Funny we're talking about Arkham in the other thread, this is actually what I DON'T want to happen... I loved that Metroid-esque vibe the first game had. But I have faith in them, so hopefully this new one is good.

I agree about your first points though and that's why I wouldn't compare sandbox games to Metroidvania stuff, 3D or not. Like I went on and on in that huge "lisalover loves Other M" thread or something, to me Metroidvania games aren't about the narrative at all or missions, it's all about being on your own in these huge new worlds or area's, exploring, and just pretty much a pure gameplay experience. Sandbox games end up being very mission oriented if you want to progress further, there's a lot of character interaction, and things like that... so not super comparable in my eyes.

[MidnightRider]

The line between Metroid-vania and Zelda games gets a bit blurry to me as well. Both "genres" share elements of exploration, lock and key items, and collectible and upgradable weapons and armor.

In 3D the line between them may as well be gone. In 2D it was a visual difference that happened to affect the game-play as well.