No matter what sort of game genre you prefer, I think we can all agree that music is an important contributing factor to our enjoyment.
For some genres, such as rogue-likes or RPGs, their games can get away with subpar soundtracks. But not the noble Metroidvania.
From the opening credits ofSuper Metroid, I learned how important music was in this particular genre. So it probably won’t surprise you that there are several examples of the genre with incredible soundtracks.
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These can range from erratic chiptunes to orchestral symphonies, and everything in between. They can be uplifting, ominous, and downright weird. But when you hear these soundtracks, you’re going to love them.
With all that in mind, here’s our list of 10 Metroidvanias with amazing soundtracks!
10Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Mournful Tunes in a Derelict World
I’ll just start by saying this. If we were ranking this list based on visual style or overall vibe,Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knightswould be way closer to the top.
It’s a gorgeous Metroidvania with a unique visual hook in the black, white, and red approach to the design.
When it comes to the actual music, however, it’s a somewhat different story.
WhileEnder Lilieshas a great and mournful soundtrack, with highlights such as Lily, Holy Land, The Witch’s Breath, and Grudge, there’s not nearly enough variety or versatility of musical styles.
That said, I do appreciate the frequent use of pianos to ground the game in its unique vibe. And don’t worry, it only gets better from here!
9Blasphemous II
Salsa and Suffering
As someone proud to have a little salsa in my blood, I had to includeBlasphemous IIon this musical list. Not only is it a stunning and evocative adventure, but it features kinetic music with a Spanish flair.
Much likeEnder Lilies, many of these tracks can be on the mournful side.
Butthere’s a lot more with rousing energy, featuring the click-clack of castanets and jazzy guitar work. And yes, you’ll find some pianos in the mix as well.
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Some of my favorites fromBlasphemous IIinclude Largas Sombras, Del Santo Nombre, Corona de Siete Azahares, and Empedrado de los Suspiros.
Get jazzed up as you fight off horrifying, Miracle-spawned monsters.
Déjà vu All Over Again
If you’re saying to yourself “I swear I’ve seenUltroson a Metroidvania list before”, there’s a reason. It was a well-received example of the genre with psychedelic colors and a unique Groundhog Day premise.
While I wasn’t a giant fan of the actual gameplay, I will admit it features some incredible art and evocative music.
Stylistically, it reminds me a lot of the recentDunemovies.There’s a quality of urgency that the music conveys, as well as a dreamy quality for more eclectic moments.
Some of my favorite tracks inUltrosinclude Shadow Sister (feat. El Huervo), Ultros' Himsa, Pensive Qualia, and Dark Sleep.
A great soundtrack, but there are plenty that rank higher.
7Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
Shanoa’s Triumph
I don’t know what it is about Gothic games and amazing music, but they grab me every time.
A perfect example is the entirety of theCastlevaniaseries, but even then there are some noteworthy high points. One recent example isOrder of Ecclesia.
These tunes range from hard-rocking to mysterious and full of dread. Some perfect examples are the key refrain, Ecclesia, but I also really enjoyed An Empty Tomb, Chapel Hidden in Smoke, and the boss track, Symphony of Battle.
Fret not ifOrder of Ecclesiaisn’t your first choice from this incredible series, since it’s not the only contender on this list!
6Axiom Verge
Ghost in the Machine
There’s a really special quality to the music found inSuper Metroidthat most other games can’t touch. One of the rare exceptions was Thomas Happ’sAxiom Verge.
The game’s soundtrack does a fantastic job of immersing you in an alien, mysterious worldwhere everything is trying to kill you. There’s also a liberal number of chiptunes, which I love.
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Some of my favorite tunes inAxiom Vergeinclude The Axiom, Trace Awakens, Trace Rising, and Inexorable.
While I wish the game’s sequel was half as well crafted, you owe it to yourself to check out the game that started it all.
5Metroid Dread
Something’s Stalking You
When I include the Title Screen music, you know that the game has done something special. WhichMetroid Dreaddid.
Not only was this a Metroidvania that most of us never expected to get made, but it managed to successfully modernize the classic series in exciting ways.
The titular dread is ever present in the game and finds its way into the musicas well. One of the most iconic examples is the track E.M.M.I. (Patrol Mode).
There’s also more traditional fare like Cataris Depths and Kraid (Phase 1). But no matter how you cut it,Metroid Dreadhas some amazing and tense music.
4The Messenger
Jumping Between Future and Past
While we can argue whetherThe Messengercounts as a full Metroidvania (though it certainly does in my book), what you can’t argue with is how incredible the music in the game was.
Rainbowdragoneyes is, quite simply, a musical prodigy. Not only does their music embody the NES era perfectly, but they manage to craft nuanced and rambunctious tunes.
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No matter whether you’re running through the past or the future inThe Messenger, there are some amazing tracks.
Some of my favorites include Ninja’s Respite (Ninja Village Past), Hills of Destiny (Autumn Hills Past), The Demon King (Forlorn Temple/Underworld Boss) and Harnessing the Wind (Howling Grotto Future).
Make the present better by playing this game from the recent past. You won’t regret it!
3Super Metroid
The OG Metroidvania
You could easily make the argument that withoutSuper Metroid, there would be no Metroidvanias to follow.
Even though the classic adventure came out way back in 1994, it still has an iron grip on us fans of the genre.
Not content to be the origin of the species,Super Metroidalso features an amazing alien world to explore that’s held up by a stunning soundtrack.
The aforementioned alien mystery tunes got started here, but there are plenty of rousing and dynamic soundtracks to power Samus’s quest to victory.
There are no bad tracks in this collection, but the ones I am still captivated by include Ridley / Draygon Boss Battle, Crateria (Zebes Planetfall), Brinstar (The Jungle Floor) and Norfair (The Fires of Zebes).
2Demon’s Crest
Only Monsters Here
While pretty much everyone has heard of Super Metroid in the genre, there are fewer gamers familiar with an SNES entry calledDemon’s Crest.
It’s the last game in theGargoyle’s Questseries and one of the best Metroidvanias I’ve ever played.
As a frame of reference,Demon’s Crestcame out the same year asSuper Metroid, which probably didn’t help. Butthose who played it were treated to a dark, Gothic world where only monsters reigned.
While the gameplay was a sort of Metroidvania / platformer mix, it features an incredible soundtrack that holds up today.
Much likeSuper Metroid, there are no bad songs here. But the following are some of the very best offered - Opening, Metropolis of Ruin, The Enchanted Forest, and Within the Tidal Reefs.
Be sure and play the game with the volume turned way up. You can thank me later.
1Castlevania: Symphony of the Night
Alucard Triumphant
Earlier, I said that there wouldn’t be a Metroidvania genre withoutSuper Metroid. And while that’s true, that’s only half of the equation.
After all, you need a “vania” in Metroidvania, and that came courtesy ofCastlevania: Symphony of the Night!
Not only does this amazing game feature Gothic gold, butthere are hard-rocking tunes that will make your ears bleed, majestic orchestral notes, dire and terrifying tunes, and everything in between.
Some of my favorites include the following - Dracula’s Castle, Door of Holy Spirits, Dance of Pales, Door to the Abyss, and Death Ballad.
If all that wasn’t enough, this is also a really fun game with luscious artwork. This is one of the few games I’ve played multiple times, other than those in the Rogue-like genre.
If you love games at all, find the time to playSymphony of the Night. Do it for Alucard!
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