I wanna get into 2d games a bit more. Mainly things like RPGs or metroidvanias (or just single palywr games in general) For devices I can emulate older systems and I also have a switch. Any recommendations?
Ghost 1.0 It’s an indie game much in the style of older games, and it’s made with love
Signalis is a 2.5d top down 3rd person single player survival horror title available for switch, it is probably one of the best modern examples of the genera taking clear inspiration from older titles like silent hill and resident evil 2. It’s very story based and currently on sale for the switch, I would highly recommend it.
It is a new game, but it very much has an old school vibe and is clearly leaning strongly on what made older titles great.
Been just thinking about one of my favorite SNES era games – Illusion of Gaia. If you’re doing emulation, highly recommend. I’m in the process of picking up a SNES and functioning cart to play it myself for the first time in a decade.
Axiom Verge 1 is a great metroidvania. I also tried 2, but it didn’t click with me at all. Cave Story is great as well. Dead Cells, but that’s more of a rogue lite game. Binding of Isaac is also one of my favorites, but it’s a top down rogue like.
Hollow Knight and blasphemous are a couple of great metroidvanias and also a pretty good challenge.
Obligatory short list of great old school RPGs:
Fallout 1 & 2
Baldur’s Gate 1 & 2
Icewind Dale
Planescape Torment
(I think Neverwinter Nights belongs on the list as well, but I can’t attest to it as I’ve never played it.)
You can pick up most of them from GOG.COM for cheap.
There should be enough to keep you occupied for a while.
What systems they run on?
Just Windows PC. There’s a few of them that people have tried to get to run on Linux over the ages, but success rates varies.
Fallout 1 and 2 should definitely run on Linux even with some patches
BG1&2 I heard some success stories but haven’t tried myself
Well no can do :c
Mainly looking for stuff for an android gmainb machine
Mainly oldish console stuff
Maybe a dumb suggestion, but since you mentioned older systems, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night is a PS1 classic that helped create the Metroidvania genre. There’s also Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night, which is a spiritual successor by one the key developers behind SOTN. Dead Cells and Hollow Knight are solid games that have been recommended already, but if you find yourself enjoying the rogue-lite elements of those you might enjoy Cult of the Lamb. Admittedly it’s top down 2.5d, but it’s a nice blend of rogue lite and town management as your tasked with building up a cult and turning it into a thriving community in between fighting your way through dungeons.
Yea, j should try castlevania, maybe metroid too
I liked Metroid Dread a lot. I feel like it’s a good starting point for Metroidvanias too because the game does a good job nudging you in the right direction e.g. by closing off certain areas but still letting you explore and figure out where to go. I especially enjoyed the movement, it feels very fluid and satisfying.
The only major issue I had with the game was that performance is really bad in a few encounters. Most of the time it runs fine though. It’s also not super long. I prefer a game that doesn’t overstay its welcome, but if you’re looking for something that is good value for money in terms of playtime there might be better options.
Yea, I should play my copy of it
Baba is You - simplistic graphically, but immensely satisfying mechanically. Amazing puzzle game.
Celeste - gorgeous graphics and buttery smooth controls, a platformer that is encouraging and supportive all the way through but ranges from “easy as pie” to “hard as nails” as you progress. One of the most satisfying games to complete every level for. One of the best soundtracks ever. Trans rights!
Fez - another simple-ish at face value platformer game, but this time with puzzles as the main thread instead of action. Super satisfying puzzles and an amazing soundtrack.
Omori - an RPG which eventually deals with some heavy subject matter but does so tastefully and maturely. It’s a splendid story either way you spin it, and lots of fun.
Undertale - same as above, but shorter and more “punchy”. One of the best soundtracks in gaming, and a cast of characters you’ll come to feel like your family. It’s quite subversive for the genre, so it’s a fun experience. It has an episodic sister game Deltarune which is still in the works.
Void Stranger - a block-pushing styled game, but incredibly subversive for the genre. Gorgeous visuals, great soundtrack, and some truly mindbending puzzles. It gets super hard, but it’s also super satisfying to beat.
Stardew Valley - cozy farming game, really just oozing passion and love from the developer(s). Lots to do, many unique people to meet and things to see. Pretty graphics and stunning soundtrack. Fall in love with an NPC, marry them if you want. Or don’t do any of that. Make your own fun in this one, there’s a bunch of aspects to get into.
Citizen Sleeper - not technically 2d but may as well be. A gripping, beautiful sci-fi story, told in a tabletop RPG style. You won’t be able to help falling in love with the rag-tag character cast, and shedding a few tears along the way. It’s very down to earth but makes me long for the stars at the same time.
Ori and the Blind Forest/Ori and the Will of the Wisps - a drop dead gorgeous, lovingly crafted metroidvania with one of the best soundtracks you could ever ask for. Platforming is gorgeously refined, and the sequel improves upon the first game in many ways.
Hollow Knight - I could copy paste the majority of the Ori blurb here, however this game has a deeper focus on the deep, winding, sprawling exploration, and combat aspects. Gripping soundtrack and stunning stylised visuals. You will, however, join the wait for Silksong with the rest of us, which drives many people mad!
Nice. Didn’t know most of those were on switch
I have omori on PC but the keyboard controls are AWFUL
Will get it on switch
(Nyot looking forward to the sweetheart grind)
Bahamut Lagoon is a cool JRPG for the SNES that sadly never was released for the west. You can get your hands on the ROM and some fan translation though. I’ve played it many years ago, so my memory’s a bit iffy, but I do remember having a good time.
Front Mission is another good JRPG entry from the 90’s. I loved the SNES version, but apparently the DS version boasts extra features and content, making it the superior choice.
Have you played Dead Cells? It’s a great metroidvania
Never played it but heard of it.
What platforms? Also is it 2d?
Just wanna make sure it wontbmake my yuzu device have a stroke
2D game yeah ! It’s on PC (mac, linux too) ; Switch ; PS4 ; Xbox One ; and I believe they’re working on an Android port. If you decide to buy it on Steam it’s also “Steam Deck verified” and is rated Platinum (works natively “out of the box”) on ProtonDB ; seeing how other, more ressource-demanding games run on Switch emulators, I think Dead Cells won’t be an issue, it’s very well optimized in my experience !
I’ll see if it runs on my retroid, thank you
If you want an indie game dev suggestion, Ojosama makes a tonne of great games on Itch.
Thank you but I’m more looking for native stuff
The Messenger (a ninja Gaiden style Metroidvania) and Sea of Stars (a Chrono Trigger style RPG)
Blasphemous 1 and 2 are some really fucking amazing Metroidvania games with some incredible pixel art.
Hollow Knight is another gorgeous game that, to me, is the closest thing to Super Metroid in modern genre.
Axiom Verge 1 and 2 are love letters to Metroid actually…
Octopath Traveler is a nice jrpg style game with great visuals that mix pixel art with modern graphics.
Cuphead is a great platform run n gun.
Blazing Chrome is a love letter to Contra.
Huntdown is a fucking awesome platform shoot em up with amazing pixel art set in a cyber punk dystopia reminiscent of old 80s-90s action movies.
And the latest Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles Shredder’s Revenge is a great arcade style beat em up that really captures the old TMNT 4 vibes.
Mother Russia Bleeds is another great beat em up with a great story and ambiance.
The Undertale series is a great RPG series that’s worth a playthrough for real. It’s so much fun and the story and characters are so well written.
Broforce for complete pandemonium, especially with friends. It’s like The Expendables, the game. Except you can destroy everything on the screen.
Towerfall is a great multiplayer challenge game well worth it.
Gato Roboto is a fun game worth playing. So is Under Dungeon. Or Dogurai and Squidlit If you reach to play a more Gameboy style experience.
Flashback, a cyberpunk Prince of Persia style game. It’s an oldie but a goodie.
Crypt of the Necrodancer is a great dungeon crawler where you have to follow the beat of the music. It’s an amazing game. They even made a Legend of Zelda game based on it. Called Cadence of Hyrule.
I mean there are so many more but those are in my top on the switch.
I’ll see what my machine can run. This is the same machine that shat itself trying to run Kirby star allies
Oh those are all on the switch for the most part. Except for Flashback, they’re all fairly recent games.
Think you meant to reply to the original post and not my reply.
I did. I woke up at 4:30 am due to some indigestion problems and couldn’t fall back asleep when I wrote this so I wasn’t seeing very clearly.
Hyper light drifter
Sundered is a cool 2D metroidvania / action rogue lite blend.
Absolutely gorgeous artstyle, unique concept…Loop Hero is another rogue lite, that has a bit more of a management feel to it. The hero traverses the loop (the level) automatically - you just get to change their equipment and the environment. It’s a cool balancing act between making a tough level with synergetic enemy types/tiles and making sure your hero survives.
Hollow Knight - if you like metroidvanias you probably know that one. It’s incredibly popular! amazing game.
Dead Cells - same basically :) 50% off on steam right now!
Hollow Knight
