Some Of The Best Metroidvanias Have Gone Criminally Overlooked

The original Metroid and Castlevania both turn 40 years old this fall. As the two series most responsible for creating the “metroidvania,” we’re taking this occasion to take a comprehensive view of the popular genre. This is Metroidvania Week. Metroidvanias are very popular among indie developers, and small studios have produced some of the genre's finest examples. Just one look at Steam presents a dizzying array of search-action games, many of which you probably didn't know existed. Among all of these titles, however, there are a few that are special: They're made by Team Ladybug, a Japanese development group whose expertise in the genre is outstanding. While they've made games in other genres--like the excellent arcade shooter Drainus--Team Ladybug specializes in the metroidvania, and they are undisputed masters of their craft. Yet when I hear others wax on about great games in this genre, their works are rarely mentioned. I'd like to do something about that. I'm going to recommend you three of Team Ladybug's metroidvania masterpieces: Touhou Luna Nights, Record of Lodoss War: Deedlit in Wonder Labyrinth, and Blade Chimera. Touhou Luna Nights, first released in 2019 on PC and si…