The release of Hollow Knight: Silksong—a title many gamers have been waiting for—is just around the corner. With eight years having passed since the original game dropped, many are diving back into the prequel to sharpen their skills. However, plenty of players prefer not to revisit games they have already completed. For those folks, this week's [Game Recs] highlights some Metroidvania titles worth playing before Silksong arrives.

The first title we would like to introduce is Momodora: Moonlit Farewell. The latest entry in the Momodora series, often dubbed '2D Dark Souls' for its cute visuals paired with punishing difficulty. Since its Steam launch last January, it holds a 'Very Positive' rating (2,637 reviews, 91% positive). Set five years after the events of the third game, the story follows the priestess Momo Reinol as the character sets out to save Koh Village from a demonic invasion.

The game sticks to the fundamentals of the Metroidvania genre: exploring to fill out the map, dispatching foes, and progressing the narrative. It adds a twist with a card system that grants passive effects, such as reducing stamina consumption or changing attacks into area-of-effect strikes. The visuals have evolved significantly throughout the series, and the combat difficulty feels more approachable than previous titles, lowering the barrier to entry.

If you prefer puzzles over combat, we highly recommend Leap Year. Launched on Steam last June, it boasts an 'Overwhelmingly Positive' rating (2,371 reviews, 97% positive). True to its name, the goal is to explore the map and collect items marked with the date February 2024.

The game is composed entirely of puzzles and exploration, with zero combat. It might throw you off at first—there is no tutorial, and the character falls to their death quite easily—but once you get the hang of it, the inventive puzzles and tight map design are a treat. While the total playtime is around two hours, many reviews mention that the story leaves a lasting impression.

DragonLoop is a Metroidvania featuring 'Sai,' a dragon girl who resets to Day 1 every five days. A fresh release from last June, it currently holds a 'Very Positive' rating (291 reviews, 93% positive). Players join the companion 'Ouro' to uncover the truth behind the time loops and the world itself.

Reaching the fifth day triggers an ending based on where the player went and how the player progressed. However, the story doesn't end there; you return to Day 1 to continue the adventure. Since progression elements are retained, the goal is to explore new regions and uncover the true ending over multiple loops. It features fast-paced combat built around wire-action mechanics, starting easy but scaling up to a significant challenge toward the end.

Biomorph is a Metroidvania released on Steam last June, holding a 'Very Positive' rating (538 reviews, 91% positive). It follows the protagonist, Harlo, who wakes up in a ruined world and embarks on a journey to save friends while uncovering secrets about the character's past and the world.

Its standout feature is the ability to transform directly into monsters and copy their physical traits. Once transformed, you can use raw power to crush enemies or traverse paths that were previously inaccessible. The combat, featuring fists, crossbows, and cannons, offers a satisfying sense of impact.

Are you familiar with the classic game 'Knightmare'? Pampas & Selene: The Maze of Demons is the spiritual successor to that very title. Pampas, having been rescued by the protagonist of the second Knightmare game, becomes a knight and sets off on an adventure with their sister. Since its release last May, it has maintained a 'Very Positive' rating (321 reviews, 90% positive).

As a spiritual successor, the game is drenched in classic aesthetics, from the pixel art to the 8-bit soundtrack that tugs at the heartstrings. It keeps things fresh with hidden secrets, snappy combat, and over 40 diverse items. It also supports 2-player local co-op, making it a great pick if you are looking for something to enjoy with a friend.