Best Metroidvania Indie Games to Play While Waiting for Silksong (2026)
Team Cherry's Hollow Knight fundamentally reshaped what players expect from an exploration platformer. Its labyrinthine map of Hallownest, melancholic lore, insectoid civilization, and unforgiving boss gauntlets set an extraordinary high-water mark for the Metroidvania genre. And while the community continues its patient vigil for Hollow Knight: Silksong, a magnificent wave of independent studios has stepped up to deliver world-class Metroidvanias of their own.
These are not cheap clones: they are ambitious masterpieces featuring precise parry-based combat, surreal non-combat puzzle micro-worlds, and breathtaking hand-drawn environments that rival Hallownest in atmospheric depth.
If you are experiencing Silksong withdrawal, here are the absolute best indie Metroidvanias to play right now, with complete notes on combat fluidity, map complexity, and handheld performance on Steam Deck and PC.
1. Nine Sols
Developed by Red Candle Games (Devotion, Detention), Nine Sols is an extraordinary triumph that blends Asian Taoist philosophy with cyberpunk sci-fi in a style the studio calls 'Taopunk.' You play as Yi, a vengeful cat-like hero on a quest to execute the nine rulers of a mysterious alien realm.
Why Hollow Knight fans love it: Nine Sols adopts Sekiro-style deflection as its core mechanic. Instead of relying purely on evasion, you stand your ground, deflecting blade flurries with razor-sharp timing and detonating explosive talisman charges in enemy chests. It offers some of the most exhilarating, rhythmically demanding boss battles ever created.
2. Animal Well
Billy Basso spent seven years crafting Animal Well, and the result is a dense, haunting puzzle box unlike anything else in modern gaming. Stripping out conventional combat entirely, you explore a dark subterranean ecosystem armed only with childhood toys: a yo-yo, a slinky, a bubble wand, and a frisbee.
Why Hollow Knight fans love it: It captures that intoxicating sense of true, unguided discovery. Animal Well respects your intelligence, hiding multi-layered ARG secrets, hidden rooms, and alternate endings behind pure observational ingenuity.
3. Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown
While published by Ubisoft, The Lost Crown was crafted with deep indie Metroidvania sensibilities by the Montpellier team. Starring Sargon, an elite warrior blessed with time-manipulation powers, it features lightning-fast combat combos and some of the most creative platforming gauntlets in recent memory.
Standout feature: The 'Eye of the Wanderer' mechanic lets you screenshot puzzle rooms and pin them to your map, completely solving the traditional Metroidvania frustration of forgetting where inaccessible doors were located.
4. Blasphemous 2
The Game Kitchen's sequel takes the visceral, gothic Spanish religious horror of the original and elevates its platforming and combat mechanics. Playing as The Penitent One, you now wield three distinct weapon archetypes (a dual rapier and dagger, a heavy incense flail, and a balanced broadsword) that double as traversal tools.
5. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Binary Haze Interactive delivers a haunting dark fantasy world devastated by the 'Rain of Death.' As Lily, a fragile priestess who cannot fight herself, you purify fallen knights whose spirits fight beside you as loyal guardians.
With a melancholic piano soundtrack composed by Mili and fluid animation, Ender Lilies captures the somber beauty of Hollow Knight's City of Tears with breathtaking elegance.
6. Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus
Squid Shock Studios' hand-drawn journey draws inspiration from traditional Japanese folklore. Playing as Bo, a celestial blossom sprite, your staff strikes against enemies and airborne lanterns reset your double-jump and dash, turning boss arenas into mesmerizing aerial ballets where your feet rarely touch the floor.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Which game on this list has combat most like Hollow Knight?
Nine Sols matches Hollow Knight's demanding boss intensity, while Bo: Path of the Teal Lotus closely mirrors the downward nail-bouncing momentum and aerial acrobatics that made the White Palace iconic.
Are these Metroidvanias verified on Steam Deck?
Yes. Nine Sols, Animal Well, Blasphemous 2, and Ender Lilies all run at a locked 60 FPS on the Steam Deck with exceptional battery efficiency.
Conclusion: The Labyrinth Awaits
The beauty of the Metroidvania genre lies in the journey from vulnerability to mastery: entering an intimidating labyrinth with a fragile weapon, and emerging as an unstoppable phantom dancing through boss patterns.
Discover more high-intensity action titles in our Action Indie Games Hub, or check out our official
Are you an independent developer creating an interconnected adventure? Claim your Creator Badge to showcase your project.