Hollow Knight Silksong has been one of the most eagerly anticipated Metroidvanias since its announcement in 2019. The game is yet to receive a release date, but fans remain hopeful for its arrival, with 2024 being a potential launch year.

While awaiting the release of Silksong, there are other exciting Metroidvanias to explore, many of which feature female protagonists. From classics to modern gems, the genre is filled with captivating adventures led by women, continuing the legacy of the iconic Samus Aran from Metroid.

10 Alice Escaped

Best Metacritic Score: 81

Alice Escaped features not one, but two female heroines, Usada and Kotora. Usada wields a large cartoonish hammer, while Kotora carries an equally impressive gun. The game allows players to seamlessly switch between the two characters, each possessing unique traversal skills and abilities.

With an in-depth skill tree offering various traversal abilities and stat boosts, the game ensures a challenging yet rewarding experience without a traditional leveling-up system, instead focusing on collect-a-thons for rewards.

9 Bloodstained: Ritual Of The Night

Best Metacritic Score: 84

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night serves as a spiritual successor to Castlevania, featuring Miriam, a demon hunter capable of assimilating powers from monsters. With its classic RPG Metroidvania formula and a captivating cel-shaded art style, the game offers an enthralling experience, providing fans with a worthy successor to the acclaimed Castlevania.

8 Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia

Best Metacritic Score: 85

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night draws direct inspiration from Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia, featuring Shanoa as the main protagonist. Known for its challenging gameplay, the game offers a compelling narrative and demanding gameplay requiring dedication to master, celebrating Shanoa as one of the prominent female leads in the Castlevania series.

7 Rusted Moss

Best Metacritic Score: 78

Rusted Moss follows Fern and her companion, Puck, as they explore city ruins overrun by plants, robots, and witches wielding void-based magic. With captivating pixel art and a focus on gun-based combat, the game presents a compelling world along with a unique grappling device that adds an exciting dynamic to the gameplay.

6 Touhou Luna Nights

Best Metacritic Score: 84

Part of the Touhou series, Touhou Luna Nights introduces Sakuya, a maid with a formidable arsenal of kitchen knives, employing time manipulation to overcome obstacles. Offering an engaging blend of combat and exploration, the game provides an enriching experience with progressive skill acquisition and power-ups.

5 Super Metroid

Best Metacritic Score: N/A

Super Metroid stands as a timeless classic, contributing significantly to the development of the Metroidvania genre with its iconic protagonist, Samus Aran. The game offers a compelling blend of intense exploration and challenging battles, solidifying Samus as a trailblazing female protagonist within the gaming industry.

4 Shantae And The Pirate's Curse

Best Metacritic Score: 86

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse presents a vibrant adventure with Shantae exploring various islands while combating a resurrected pirate ghost. Incorporating unique gameplay elements such as transformative dances and diverse power-ups, the game offers a lighthearted yet compelling experience for players.

3 Tevi

Best Metacritic Score: 87

Tevi centers around the titular character, Tevi, accompanied by Celia, an angel, and Sable, a demon. Offering a delightful and humorous experience, the game distinguishes itself with its charming aesthetic and engaging gameplay, providing an enjoyable and entertaining Metroidvania experience.

2 Timespinner

Best Metacritic Score: 84

Embark on a captivating journey with Lunais in Timespinner as she navigates a new world following an invasion by an evil empire. With its innovative time manipulation mechanics and engaging combat, the game offers a memorable and underappreciated addition to the Metroidvania genre.

1 Yohane The Parhelion: Blaze In The Deepblue

Best Metacritic Score: 75

Yohane the Parhelion: Blaze in the Deepblue offers a captivating adventure with the heroine, Yohane, and her loyal wolf companion, Lailaps. As players delve into diverse biomes and engage in thrilling combat, the game provides an accessible and rewarding Metroidvania experience, ensuring an enjoyable and immersive journey for all players.