This stylish Metroidvania is 2025’s first true game of the year contender

digitaltrends.com:

If I was forced to choose my favorite type of game, I’d likely go with the Metroidvania. When done well, there’s little in gaming that I find as satisfying. Whether delivered in 2D or 3D, my favorite games in the genre hook me with freeform exploration that rewards my curiosity with well-hidden secrets. That love comes with some high standards, though. I have a very defined idea of what makes a great Metroidvania. I can be picky about games that don’t fully conform to those rules if they aren’t bending them in a meaningful way. But when a game hits all the right notes, there’s nothing better.

Only one month into the new year, Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist has already delivered exactly what I crave. It’s a fantastic sequel that understands what makes the best Metroidvanias tick, all while threading in its own distinct voice and RPG systems. If you’re still impatiently counting the days until Hollow Knight: Silksong’s mysterious release date, consider popping into one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve played this decade.

Ender Magnolia: Bloom in the Mist is a sequel toEnder Lilies: Quietus of the Knights.Ender Lilies was a bit of a cult hit when it left early access in 2021. It was the kind of hidden gem that hardcore genre fans would take any chance they got to talk your ear off about it. It’s a 2D action RPG filled with tough boss battles, deep customization, and memorably moody art. I really enjoyed my time with it back when it launched, but I had my nitpicks as a genre purist. It felt a bit more invested in combat than exploration, almost teetering into Soulsborne territory.

It’s as if developers Adglobe and Live Wire heard my gripes, because Ender Magnolia addresses every issue I had with its predecessor. That starts with its tone. Ender Lilies took place in a dark fantasy setting filled with muted grays that didn’t do its art style justice. Ender Magnolia delves deeper into sci-fi, creating more