Metroidvania
Metroidvania is a suitcase word from the video games Metroid and Castlevania . Their game design is characterized by a coherent environment through which the player navigates without a clear objective.
The levels are limited by initially insurmountable hurdles. With the help of new equipment, new skills and locomotion methods that are acquired during the game, the hurdles can ultimately be overcome. The game actively promotes "backtracking" in the sense of a return to known places where previously inaccessible treasures are located or which allow shortcuts. However, Metroidvanias is not primarily about exploration games, rather the action part is in the foreground. Fights against bosses are also typical of the genre .
While the eponymous models were 2D platformer , the term is now also used for 3D games with aspects of a platformer such as Batman: Arkham Asylum or Darksiders .