Nooo !!!

Well, that was quite the fatuous whine.

I mean, every time I want to say "Metroidvania" I could say "action-adventure platforming game with light RPG elements and an interconnected hub world design". Or, I could say "Metroidvania" and everyone knows what I mean. Language evolves organically: if the term outlives its usefulness, it will be replaced. But it will not be replaced because Polly Prissy-Pants here thinks it's beneath him and his linguistic prowess.

No.

Call them Dark Souls like instead

Kotaku is my least favorite site, but we gotta call it something.

It’s just an easier way of saying you backtrack with new gear. What’s the big deal?

Nope.

Stop telling me what words I can and cannot use.

I personally can't stand the term as well and refer to them as, “interlinked backtracking” or, “interlinked” games for short.

The term isn’t used in any other way, and it fits the way these games worlds are presented. You start off within individual sections of a much larger world map, and slowly you start gaining new-found access points (usually due to new abilities) that eventually link the entire game world together.

You know it's one of these types of websites when the article reads like the writer had a thesaurus open next to their computer.

No.

I don't mind these terms, there are so many games coming out that it's useful to see key words that let me know if I should be interested. Souls-like is another, people might be sick of it or think it's lazy but I see it and it gets my attention.

I hate the term Metroidvana but what other term can they use this describe the Metroid/ Castlevania/ spin-off genre? It's just a term thats stuck. Mind you People have started calling the Metroid style Castlevania games as igavania.

Yes Kotaku we will stop using the term "metroidvania" only because you'd said so. Alright enough with the sarcasm this is such a shitty article but not surprised where it came from are they tired of publishing their usual political agenda pieces? When will that site crash and burn already?

Of course it's Kotaku. Fading into irrelevancy, the only way to get traffic to attack, insult, and shame gamers. Don't give them a click.

*insert reason I disagree/agree here*

Stop telling people what to do

nah, i'll keep calling it that. it's become a genre onto itself, like battle royal, FPS, etc.

"Metroidvania" is Legendary and NOTHING will ever change that.

Never!!!

I love 3D metroidvanias like Dark Souls and Darksiders.
Also new God of War.
Devil May Cry 1 actually had that level design.

No I won’t stop you can’t make me.

Why? I understand having pet peeves. Mine is when people or even companies call remasters remakes. But, genre names exist because they help us label games so we know what we’re getting into before we buy something, and I think Metroidvania does its job just fine. Heck, unlike with something like roguelike, the games that label is in reference to are still known to the average gamer. Most importantly though, when we see the label metroidvania, we know we’re getting a game with lots of exploration and backtracking in a 2D platformer.

I stick with igavania.. When Konami decided this type of game is no longer profitable he left the company and proved them wrong :3

Kotaku loves to control language.

They're just a propaganda outlet at this point.

I guess Rougue-like is stupid too. Or calling any 3/4 top down game Diabloesque. Or Souls-like, yeah let's get rid of that too. Dumbass article.

This is a dumb statement. "Metroidvania" as a term, immediately describes the genre perfectly, and it easily evokes the two games.that established the genre. Souls-like for games that have similar mechanics to From Software's games, Rogue-like to describe games with random generation mechanics, GTA-clone to describe 3rd-person sandbox games, Mon game to describe games that follow the Pokemon/Shin Megami Tensei "Gotta catch 'em all" mechanic, they're all terms that have their nomenclature based on games that are emblematic of the genre, and I don't see anyone bitching about that.

Oh, yay, Kotaku. Not even going to click.

I want to hate this take but I don't think I've ever used the term and had the person I was talking to know what I meant. I'm talking about convos with other gamers, btw!
I've literally had multiple people ask what it meant lol

The name asks you to know Metroid as a series and then also understand it's mechanics...AS WELL AS...know Castlevania and, really, one particular game in that series that happens to be made up of about 5 different genres, depending on which title you refer to. So combine Metroid with one specific Castlevania title and you have Metroidvania...except when you don't but people still insist on calling it that.

It's a dumb name. I want to hate this because it seems everyone wants to change everything these days but this name could easy go away.

Sounds like a young person problem. Someone too young to remember Castlevania, that first experienced it in games like Guacamelee and Arkham Asylum. Guacasylum! Grr..get off my lawn! Heh.

Call it “Side Scrolling Exploration”. Metroidvania implies that these titles are rip offs. I hate the term too

When you hear a game is a Metroidvania you know EXACTLY what you're getting into. It basically became it's own genre. It's effective and straight to the point. Games that take elements from Rogue, are known as Rogue-like. Cause it was a genre defining game. Same as a Souls-like game. It just works. Quit your bitching and just accept that the term is here to stay.

Facepalm!

Dumb argument. I really hate these pieces that seem to only be written to impress other writers.

“Stop using words I don’t like”
I’m going to go with noooo slick

No!

Fuck you and your high horse. I'll continue to play metroidvania games.

No, make me.
It's the best description you could use right now. Otherwise, let's just say it's a 2D action-adventure back-tracking RPG with platforming elements. Yeah, that's a mouthful. The genre itself is comprised of many genres that are presented in a very specific way, so it's hard to categorize. Although, I should ask, how many games have ever done it better than Symphony of the Night since its release?

I prefer the term Castleroid

That's the word for them stop trying to pick game lingo, you're not the president of games.

Make me

Must be a slow day for gaming news.

No it’s fine as it is quit your whining.

Make me.

NO!

So what a better description then?

Are we seriously having this discussion? Who the f*** cares. Use whatever you like. As long as the game is good, who gives a rat's a**. Did putting music into tiny, nondescript boxes called "genres" change anything? No. There's still a lot of shite music made and some good. Labels don't change anything.

Rage on broski. Rage on. Because this is obviously an important thing and we all should care about your opinion. Obviously.

How's about a new term for sites like Kotaku, let's call them jurnouwhineabouts

What a moaning excuse for an article, its a great descriptive word for a video game, if it is described as a MetroidVania you know exactly what type of game it is....but hey it is Kotaku...should have known.

Thank you. You're doing the gods' work son.

No.

I find the word descriptive and useful. It is not like we gamers have any other terms that outsiders might not understand - oh wait - like RPG, MMO, FPS (both kinds!), RTS, MOBA, TBS, MMORPG, GaaS, and so many more.

It works.

How about stop calling someone a nazi/sexist/misogynist/racist just because they dont agree with your sjw opinions. Kotaku.

They are metroidvanias though.

it's just a term used to describe a specific type of game. No different than calling a game a first person shooter, or a survival horror. Would we rather call the games "Game where you run around a large map, sometimes with zero information, constantly looping back on yourself, all in the name of progression"?? Or does Metroidvania sound good enough?

All the new Castlevania games are Action Adventure games. Even Simon's Quest. Zelda & Uncharted are Action Adventure games.

Metroidvania is a great term, cause it combines 2 classics styles, from 2 pioneers.
It's the best and most precise way to describe what the player will be engaged in.

Ok, I'll stop calling it Metroidvania when you stop writing retarded SJW articles … EXACTLY !!!!!

FUCKING THANKK YOUUUUUUUUUUUUU!!!! It's sooo annoying!!! People are so obsessed with nostalgia you automatically dull the shine of present and future games whenever this term is used..

Metroid and Castlevania started this genre and they were revolutionary games.

I see no problem by honoring gaming roots and using the term Metroidvania.

Funny the main people I see pushing "Metroidvania" are 'journalists' such as those on Kotaku. Want it to stop, then be the beginning of that change, otherwise it is just hypocritical.

I was hoping to see Bioshock on this list but this is a good one!