If you’re anything like me, you love nothing more than starting out as a stranger in a strange land, with no powers, no abilities, and no sense of direction as you piece together an enigmatic and mysterious Metroidvania world.
That zero to hero feeling is something that Metroidvania fans simply can’t get enough of, which is often a shame if you’re one of those unfortunate few that play Metroidvanias exclusively on PlayStation, as a multitude of great games in this genre are locked away on PC.
This can be a massive pain, but I want to offer the same relief players felt when they heard Cornifer humming in Hallownest by listing every Metroidvania option available to those who already pay for a PS Plus membership.
I can’t guarantee that you’ll be able to beat all the tough bosses or navigate the labyrinthine maps. But, at the very least, I can give you a starting push.
Every Metroidvania On PS Plus Premium
Here is a rundown of all the games that PS Plus subscribers of the lowest/cheapest tier can pick up and play right now:
| Game | Developer | OpenCritic (%) |
| Dandara: Trails of Fear Edition | Long Hat House | 73% |
| Dead Cells | Motion Twin | 89% |
| Hollow Knight: Voidheart Edition | Team Cherry | 89% |
| Monster Boy & The Cursed Kingdom | FDG Entertainment | 86% |
| Strider | Double Helix Games | 77% |
Every Metroidvania On PS Plus Extra Game Trials
If you’re willing to pay a little extra every month, you’ll gain access to Game Trials, which allow you to play a hefty chunk of various new releases before breaking out your wallet to buy the full game.
These are the Metroidvanias that you can currently try before you buy:
| Game | Developer | OpenCritic (%) |
| Carrion | Phobia Game Studio | 76% |
| Grime | Clover Bite | 81% |
| Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree | Primal Game Studio | 77% |
| Possessor(s) | Heart Machine | 72% |
| The Messenger | Sabotage | 86% |
Best Metroidvania-likes Currently On PS Plus
As you might have gathered, there aren’t exactly oodles of Metroidvanias to go around on the PS Plus catalog. So, if you’re willing to accept some Metroidvania-style elements alongside something wholly unique, then these games might tickle your fancy:
| Game | Developer | OpenCritic (%) |
| Child of Light | Ubisoft | 83% |
| Celeste | Maddy Makes Games | 92% |
| Rain World | VideoCult | 66% |
| Source of Madness | Thunderful | 65% |
| Salt and Sacrifice | Ska Studios | 74% |
| The Rogue Prince of Persia | Evil Empire | 80% |
Which Metroidvanias On PS Plus Are Worth Playing?
So, while there aren’t exactly mountains of games to choose from, the question remains. Are all these games worth your time?
In my humble opinion, I don’t think there is a stinker among this list of options, but there are certainly some standouts that I would recommend depending on what you are on the hunt for.
If you’re on the hunt for the best of the bunch in all categories, Hollow Knight is the way to go. It’s an indie darling for a reason and offers a truly unforgettable experience. However, I will add the caveat that it’s not all that beginner-friendly.
If you want something more easy-going to dip your toe in the Metroidvania waters, then I would suggest something like The Messenger, as the game is mainly a contra-esque platformer for the initial hours, and only expands into a Metroidvania in the latter stages when all the mechanics are second nature to you.
Then, finally, if you want something more experimental and out of the box, I would suggest either Dandara or Rain World. The former dines out on a superb grappling hook mechanic, which makes platforming feel truly unique. Whereas the latter offers a harsh and punishing ecosystem where gameplay is all about surviving at any cost.
But, if I were to encourage you to swerve any of the games on this list, the prime candidates would likely be Source of Madness, Salt and Sacrifice, and Possessor(s). They all have something that makes them worth a try, but among the competition, they are slightly inferior.
