For a balanced first Metroidvania, start with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. It brings together exploration, platforming, puzzles and combat, with equippable amulets that let you shape your playstyle. That range makes it a useful all-round introduction, but it does not prove the game is easy. If you want the clearest recommendation explicitly described as approachable, consider SteamWorld Dig 2; for fluid movement and striking presentation, try Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
What makes a Metroidvania beginner friendly?
Metroidvanias typically pair exploration with progression: you move through an interconnected world, and new abilities or discoveries open routes that were previously out of reach. That structure often involves backtracking, navigation, platforming and combat, but the balance varies from game to game.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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ULTROS - Nintendo Switch | $34.53 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Voidwrought Standard Edition - Nintendo Switch | $34.43 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Dead Cells: Return to Castlevania Edition Nintendo Switch | $28.40 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Shadow Labyrinth Nintendo Switch Standard Edition | $19.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
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The Messenger - Nintendo Switch | $26.99 | Buy on Amazon |
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There is no single measure of “beginner friendly.” A game may suit you because it has forgiving combat, clearer guidance, less exacting platforming, a story-focused main route or upgrades that let you adjust how you play. Use the recommendation that matches the part of the genre you want to learn.
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- Combat: Are frequent fights and demanding bosses enjoyable, or a barrier?
- Platforming: Do you want precise jumps and movement challenges, or a gentler emphasis?
- Story: Would you rather follow a main narrative than search for every secret?
- Flexibility: Do upgrades and selectable playstyles help you adapt?
For a useful genre overview and editorial comparisons, see GamesRadar’s Metroidvania recommendations.
#1 Best Overall
- ULTROS is set in a multifaceted realm - a vast alien landscape teeming with life
- Experience brutal, intimate, close-quarter combat with cosmic lifeforms, driven by a sense of urgency
- Intense combat is juxtaposed with cultivating the greenery and tending to plant life in The Sarcophagus, providing precious moments of contemplation & peace
- A unique loop-based mechanic will allow you to start over at key moments in the story, providing opportunities to unfold secrets
- Experiment with and master your own specific fighting style as you explore the world of ULTROS
Best Metroidvania games for a first playthrough
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown — best balanced starting point
Ubisoft identifies The Lost Crown as a Metroidvania and describes a mix of interconnected exploration, quests, puzzles, acrobatic combat, boss fights and time powers. Equippable amulets let you shape your playstyle, giving a newcomer several parts of the genre to try in one game. That breadth supports its place as a balanced starting recommendation; it is not evidence that it is the easiest choice.
Ubisoft’s official game page describes the mechanics and current edition information. Check the page for the latest purchase options and edition contents, which can change.
Rank #2
- Descend below the star-scorched surface and explore multidimensional depths filled with secrets and lore. Witness the corrupted revelry of the Court, lose yourself in the icy tunnels of the Old Waters, and discover the grim fate of the Abandoned Expedition.
- The world is filled with treasures sought by the learned, the brave, and the mad. Scour the halls of your shrine, rend the corpses of defeated deities, and hunt in the hidden corners of the cosmos to find objects capable of granting unique powers.
- Excavate into the rubble of the Gray City to construct a shrine filled with loyal followers. As you expand your shrine and followers, new secrets, rewards, and horrors come to light.
- In-game text languages: English, French, German, Hungarian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese (Brazil), Russian, Simplified Chinese, Spanish, and Traditional Chinese.
SteamWorld Dig 2 — gentler exploration and upgrades
If combat difficulty is your main concern, this is the most directly supported choice here: PC Gamer describes the SteamWorld Dig games as approachable and “not too difficult.” The sequel centers on digging, exploration, gadgets and upgrades, with a larger world and more varied environments than the first game. PC Gamer also recommends it as the place to start in the series.
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Outbyte PC Repair FREERepair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFix Now →Outbyte Driver Updater FREEFix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitchesFind Drivers →That accessibility judgment comes from PC Gamer’s older guide, so check current platform and edition availability before buying.
Rank #3
- 17 Levels - Each one with its own atmosphere, foes and secrets to discover
- 5 Bosses - Made by the most sadistic of the devs, raised on the salt of the testers
- 150 or so weapons and skills - Spears, swords, bows, magic spells, shields, pets, frying pans etc; You name it, we got it
- Unlock the four original Dead Cells DLCs, giving you late-game content plus an entire new pathway to follow, with an alternative ending and tons of new enemies, weapons & outfits
- Battle through the corridors of Dracula’s Castle; Wield weapons against monsters to reach the throne room of the Dark Lord
Ori and the Will of the Wisps — movement and presentation
Choose Ori and the Will of the Wisps if fluid platforming and audiovisual presentation matter most to you. GamesRadar says it refines the platforming and combat and smooths over some difficulty spikes from the first Ori. That is a comparison with its predecessor, not a claim that this game is easy in absolute terms.
GamesRadar lists PC, Nintendo Switch and Xbox among its platforms. For its assessment and platform listing, see the current roundup.
Rank #4
- Includes Base Game
- Search the remnants of an age-old intergalactic conflict, started long before your arrival, and discover new powers and abilities
- Master the fluid combat and combine powerful skills to create a playstyle of your own
- Team up with PUCK, and dive deeper into the maze of a mysterious alien world
Dust: An Elysian Tail — a story-led option
If you want to focus on the main story instead of searching for every secret, Dust: An Elysian Tail may fit. GamesRadar describes its side-scrolling beat-’em-up combat as not frustrating and presents it as an option for newcomers. Treat that as an editorial characterization, not a measured difficulty rating.
GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox One. Check the roundup and your chosen store for current availability.
Best Value
- Includes the Picnic Panic DLC!
- Dynamic, acrobatic gameplay and ultra tight controls worthy of an epic ninja adventure.
- Character upgrades, new abilities, hidden levels, and branching paths to discover.
- Meticulously designed 8-bit and 16-bit sprites, animations, and backgrounds in the spirit of the classics.
- Original soundtrack by renowned chiptune composer Rainbowdragoneyes, handmade using Famitracker.
Shantae – Half-Genie Hero — a shorter, lighter-feeling option
GamesRadar describes the game’s transformations as essential traversal skills and calls it a few hours of uncomplicated fun; it also notes a separate hardcore mode for more challenge. That makes it worth considering if you want a shorter introduction. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, PS5, Switch and Xbox One, but platform availability can change, so verify it before purchasing.
See GamesRadar’s roundup for its assessment.
Hollow Knight — acclaimed benchmark and possible next step
Hollow Knight is a strong example of the genre’s appeal: GamesRadar praises its large world, progression, combat, platforming, charm system and art, and ranks it first in its roundup. Those qualities make it a natural follow-up if you want deeper exploration. The ranking does not establish that it is the gentlest first Metroidvania, so choose it for its depth rather than an assumed low difficulty.
Read the GamesRadar assessment before deciding whether its strengths match what you want.
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Quick Recap
Which game should you choose?
| If you want… | Try | Why it fits |
|---|---|---|
| A broad introduction to the genre | Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown | Exploration, platforming, puzzles, combat and adjustable amulet playstyles. |
| The clearest source-backed approachable pick | SteamWorld Dig 2 | PC Gamer describes the series as approachable and not too difficult; play centers on digging, exploration and gadgets. |
| Movement and audiovisual presentation | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | GamesRadar highlights refined movement and says some difficulty spikes from the first game were smoothed over. |
| A story-first route | Dust: An Elysian Tail | GamesRadar says you can concentrate on the main story rather than every secret. |
| A shorter, lighter-feeling introduction | Shantae – Half-Genie Hero | GamesRadar describes it as a few hours of uncomplicated fun, with a separate hardcore mode. |
| A deep, acclaimed genre example | Hollow Knight | GamesRadar praises its world and systems, but does not establish it as the easiest entry. |
How to make your first Metroidvania a better fit
- Pick for your main friction point. If you worry about combat, SteamWorld Dig 2 has the clearest source-backed approachable description. If navigation, platforming or story matters more, use the recommendations above to choose accordingly.
- Don’t treat popularity as a difficulty rating. Hollow Knight is highly regarded, but acclaim alone does not show that it is the gentlest introduction.
- Check the current platform listing. Platform catalogs and editions can change, particularly for older releases. Confirm availability on the store for your device and region before you buy.
- Choose a game that makes you curious about exploring. The genre’s connected-world structure means revisiting places and following newly opened routes is part of the experience, not a detour from it.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
