Steam week in review: metroidvanias are still coming thick and fast, but has the world moved on?
Two high-quality metroidvania games released on Steam last week amid a busy week for gaming, though they were largely overshadowed by more prominent releases. Shattered Divinities, a Chinese-developed fantasy metroidvania, and Clockwork Ambrosia, a pixel-art platformer with sci-fi themes, both launched to minimal fanfare compared to releases like Subnautica 2 and Mixtape.
Clockwork Ambrosia stands out visually with meticulously detailed pixel art reminiscent of titles like Iconoclasts and Owl Boy, combining chrome-hued sci-fi aesthetics with vibrant blue skies and steam-punk elements. Despite their quality, the metroidvania genre appears to be struggling for visibility on Steam’s crowded release schedule.
The article questions whether Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release may have impacted interest in other metroidvanias, or if the genre has simply been overshadowed by other gaming trends and popular releases. Regardless, developers continue to release solid entries in the genre, suggesting the metroidvania remains alive despite facing increased competition for player attention.