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Revision History

Revision of the genre for Metroidvania

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Revised Thing	Revision of the genre for Metroidvania
Revision Type	edit
What Changed	Genre Description
Genre Name	Metroidvania
Description	Metroidvania is a subgenre of Action games. The term is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania and refers to games that feature the most distinctive gameplay concepts of the Metroid games and most later Castlevania games, starting with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (although Castlevania II: Simon's Quest is sometimes considered to be in the same category). Games of this genre feature platforming gameplay in an explorable world that is gated in content mainly by specific abilities that need to be acquired by the player, and which gradually opens up more as the player overcomes its obstacles. Generally these games have a central hub from which the player can move to various interconnected areas or levels, some degree of persistency to their game worlds and some degree of non-linear progression while subtly guiding the player towards the next intended path. The vast majority of Metroidvania games use a side scrolling perspective like the games the term derives from and the term was for a long time used to describe only such games, but this is no longer a requirement. Top-down or bird's-eye view (e.g. The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening) or 3D games (e.g. Batman: Arkham Asylum) can also share these concepts. Metroidvania games often feature mild RPG elements such as stat-based character development (upgradable health, strength and luck for example), respawning enemies, NPCs that talk to the player and trading for gear and items.

Change Comparison

Genre Name
Metroidvania
Description
Metroidvania is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania and refers to games that feature the most distinctive gameplay concept of the <moby gamegroup="Metroid">Metroid</moby> games and later <moby gamegroup="Castlevania">Castlevania</moby> games. Games of this genre feature a freely explorable world that is gated in content by specific abilities that need to be acquired by the player. Generally these game have a central hub from which the player can move to various interconnected levels which gradually unlock as the player acquires new skills. A large number of Metroidvania games use a side scrolling perspective like the games the name derives from but this is not a requirement. Top-down or bird's-eye view (e.g. <moby game="The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past">The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past</moby>) or 3D games (e.g. <moby game="Batman: Arkham Asylum">Batman: Arkham Asylum</moby>) can also share these concepts. Metroidvania games usually feature mild RPG elements such as upgradable health.

Genre Name
Metroidvania
Description
Metroidvania is a subgenre of Action games. The term is a portmanteau of Metroid and Castlevania and refers to games that feature the most distinctive gameplay concepts of the <moby gamegroup="Metroid">Metroid</moby> games and most later <moby gamegroup="Castlevania">Castlevania</moby> games, starting with Castlevania: Symphony of the Night (although Castlevania II: Simon's Quest is sometimes considered to be in the same category). Games of this genre feature platforming gameplay in an explorable world that is gated in content mainly by specific abilities that need to be acquired by the player, and which gradually opens up more as the player overcomes its obstacles. Generally these games have a central hub from which the player can move to various interconnected areas or levels, some degree of persistency to their game worlds and some degree of non-linear progression while subtly guiding the player towards the next intended path. ¶ ¶ The vast majority of Metroidvania games use a side scrolling perspective like the games the term derives from and the term was for a long time used to describe only such games, but this is no longer a requirement. Top-down or bird's-eye view (e.g. <moby game="The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening">The Legend of Zelda: Link's Awakening</moby>) or 3D games (e.g. <moby game="Batman: Arkham Asylum">Batman: Arkham Asylum</moby>) can also share these concepts. ¶ ¶ Metroidvania games often feature mild RPG elements such as stat-based character development (upgradable health, strength and luck for example), respawning enemies, NPCs that talk to the player and trading for gear and items.¶

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Revision	Rev #	When	What Changed	Revised By	Status	Revision Type
view changes	4	Oct 01, 2019	Genre Description	Sciere (599276)	Approved	major update
view changes	3	Sep 24, 2019	Genre Description	Alianger (231)	Rejected	edit
view changes	2	Nov 26, 2016	Genre Description	Sciere (599276)	Approved	minor edit
view changes	1	Nov 26, 2016	Genre Description	Sciere (599276)	Approved	minor edit