PS Plus in 2026: My Quest for the Ultimate Metroidvania Experience

Let me tell you, as a professional gamer in 2026, the PS Plus Catalog is my digital playground, my treasure chest, my... well, my everything. It's come a long, long way from that clunky old PlayStation Now service—trust me, I suffered through that era! Now, it's a sprawling, magnificent library. But here's the thing: I have a very specific, very demanding itch. I crave that perfect blend of exploration, ability-gating, and interconnected world design. I am a Metroidvania fiend. And while the service isn't exactly bursting at the seams with them, the gems it does hold? Oh, they are worth their weight in digital gold. So buckle up, because I'm about to take you on a tour of the absolute best Metroidvanias you can play right now on PS Plus. Forget hunting; I've done the digging for you.

Let's start with something that surprised me. Child of Light. Now, don't get it twisted—this game is beautiful, poetic, and has a turn-based combat system that's an absolute joy. But calling it a Metroidvania? That's like calling a bicycle a spaceship. It's in the loosest possible sense! Sure, there's some backtracking and puzzles that need specific powers, but at its heart, this is a linear, story-driven RPG with platforming elements. The whole iambic pentameter thing? Yeah, that was a choice. A bold, confusing choice for someone like me who just wants to slash monsters and find secrets. Still, it's a lovely, unique title from Ubisoft that's worth experiencing, even if it barely scratches my Metroidvania itch.

Then there's Castlevania: Lords of Shadow. Ah, the name carries so much weight! The legacy! The... disappointment? Look, I wish I could put Symphony of the Night on here, I really do. But Lords of Shadow is what we've got. It's Castlevania trying very hard to be God of War or Devil May Cry. And you know what? It's not a bad action game! The story is decent, Patrick Stewart's voice is a delight, and the combat can be fun. But as a Metroidvania? It's adjacent at best. If you're here for intricate map design and ability-based progression, you're looking in the wrong crypt. It gets a mention out of respect for the 'Vania' half of the genre name, but my soul aches for a true, modern 3D Castlevania.

Now, Tales of Kenzera: Zau is where things get interesting, and also a little frustrating. I have a love/hate relationship with this one. On one hand, the visuals are STUNNING. I mean, jaw-droppingly gorgeous. The Bantu mythology-inspired setting is fresh and captivating. On the other hand... it's criminally short, and the boss fights can feel a bit lukewarm. It's arguably the most beginner-friendly Metroidvania on the service, which is great for newcomers but might leave veterans like me wanting more challenge. The platforming is tight, the puzzles are the focus, and the combat is light. It's a polished, beautiful experience that feels like it ends just as it's getting started. Still, for its visual spectacle alone, it's a must-play while it's on the catalog.

Ever played a Metroidvania where your only movement tool is a grappling hook? Welcome to Dandara: Trials of Fear. This game is niche, punishing, and absolutely brilliant. It takes the classic grapple mechanic and builds the entire world and movement system around it. You're not running and jumping; you're pinging from surface to surface, floor to ceiling, in a surreal, gravity-defying dance. It's a precision platformer, a souls-like (you will die, and you will lose your stuff if you're not careful), and a Metroidvania all rolled into one. The combat can feel a bit stiff, but mastering the movement is so incredibly satisfying that I forgave it everything. This is a hidden gem in the truest sense.

Okay, hold on to your hats, because Journey to the Savage Planet is a first-person shooter Metroidvania. Yes, you read that right. It looks like a quirky, colorful lovechild of Borderlands and No Man's Sky, but under that silly, humorous exterior lies a solid 3D Metroidvania structure. You explore a weird planet, scan alien life, and most importantly, you need to find specific abilities and upgrades to access new areas and biomes. The humor is very 'internet meme' style—you'll either love it or find it obnoxious. But the sense of exploration and discovery is top-notch. And the best part? You can bring a friend for the whole co-op adventure. Grappling hooks, jetpacks, and a buddy to share the laughs with? Sign me up.

Let's talk about a game with a truly terrible name: F.I.S.T. Forged In Shadow Torch. I avoided this for so long because of that name. It sounds like a bad 90s comic book. But let me be clear: this is one of the best action Metroidvanias on the service. You play as a rabbit with a giant mechanical fist in a dieselpunk world inhabited by anthropomorphic animals. The story is surprisingly well-written and well-paced, the voice acting is excellent (a rarity!), and the combat with the titular F.I.S.T. is chunky and impactful. The map is huge, the visuals are sublime, and it offers a good 15+ hours of exploration and combat. It's a bit clunky in places, and the difficulty spikes can be weird, but the good absolutely smashes through the bad. Don't let the name fool you.

If you're craving that classic Castlevania feel but in a modern package, Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is your answer. This is the spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night, led by Koji Igarashi himself, and it shows. It's everything I want from a modern Igavania: a gothic castle to explore, a million different weapons and spells (the Shard system is incredible), and that perfect loop of fighting, exploring, and getting stronger. The build variety is insane. Want to be a sword-wielding knight? A gun-toting alchemist? A summoner? You can do it all. The interconnected map is a joy to navigate. Sure, some of the bosses are a bit forgettable, but that's a minor gripe. This is, without a doubt, one of the greatest Metroidvanias ever made, and it's sitting right there on PS Plus. It's the Castlevania game Konami refuses to give us.

Now we're entering the hall of fame. Animal Well. This game isn't just a Metroidvania; it's a Metroidbrainia. It took the indie world by storm back in '24 for a reason. This game is about knowledge as much as it is about power-ups. Your biggest tool isn't a double jump or a dash—it's your brain. The puzzles are cryptic, the world is dense with secrets, and the sense of discovery is unparalleled. The atmosphere is thick, mysterious, and slightly unnerving in the best way possible. It champions player intuition over hand-holding, which can be alienating if you want direct guidance, but for those who embrace it, the rewards are immense. It's a masterpiece of minimalist design and would have been my indie GOTY if not for... well, you know.

And here we are. The pinnacle. The king. The game against which I measure all other Metroidvanias: Hollow Knight. Comparing anything else to Hollow Knight feels unfair. It's not just a game; it's an experience. Team Cherry crafted a world so deep, so melancholically beautiful, and so challenging that it has defined the genre for a generation. It lures you in with its cute, bug-based art style and then proceeds to test your skills, your patience, and your resolve with some of the tightest combat and platforming imaginable. The bosses are legendary. The world of Hallownest is a labyrinthine wonder. The little Knight is the most endearing silent protagonist. It's the complete package. The fact that we're still (im)patiently waiting for Silksong in 2026 is a testament to its quality—they know they can't release a sequel that doesn't live up to this. If you play only one game from this entire list, make it Hollow Knight. It's not just the best Metroidvania on PS Plus; it's one of the best games ever made.

So there you have it. My personal, passionate, and slightly obsessive rundown of the Metroidvania treasures hiding in the PS Plus Catalog. From the poetic oddity of Child of Light to the brutal mastery of Hollow Knight, there's a world of interconnected maps and ability-gated progression waiting for you. The service might not be overflowing with them, but the quality on offer is, in my professional opinion, absolutely top-tier. Now if you'll excuse me, I have a date with a certain well full of animals. The mysteries won't solve themselves!