METROID DREAD

THE BEST GAMES TO PLAY AFTER BEATING

By Matthew Byrd

Metroid Dread is one of the year's best games, but what do you do after you've finished the final chapter of the Metroid saga? Well, we have a few suggestions!

Don't forget to explore the other side of the "Metroidvania" genre by playing 1997's Castlevania: Symphony of the Night or any of the incredible handheld Castlevania games it inspired.

Looking for the absolute best Metroidvania games? Start with Hollow Knight. This 2017 gem is one of the best adventure games ever and one of the best games of the last five years.

For years, many fans considered Axiom Verge to be the spiritual sequel to Super Metroid. It still holds up in a post-Metroid Dread world.

If you like your Metroidvania games with a little more action, definitely try Dead Cells. It's one of the most addictive action games ever made.

If you didn’t enjoy Metroid Dread's difficulty, Shantae and the Pirate’s Curse might be the game for you. It's a fantastic introduction to the genre that still doesn't hold your hand.

If you loved Metroid Dread's difficulty, though, then you've got to try The Messenger. This throwback to retro action titles also brilliantly incorporates Metroidvania level design.

Of course, you have to play Metroid: Samus Returns if you loved Metroid Dread. Developer Mercury Steam's first Metroid game showed why this studio just "gets" this franchise.

Guacamelee is one of the easiest games to recommend after Metroid Dread. Its combination of style, action, and exploration makes it one of the most complete tributes to Metroidvania.

Played most of the major Metroidvania games already? Iconoclasts could be for you. This overlooked indie title features some of the best boss fights in genre history.

If you loved Metroid Dread's horror elements, definitely give Blasphemous a shot. It's probably the best horror-themed Metroidvania ever made and an all-around great game.