#zettel #gaming/level-design sourced from: [[Super Metroid]] # 'Metroidvania' is a flawed term yes yes dae gamer conversational topic we get it we get it When we consider games like [[Super Metroid]], and [[Castlevania Symphony of the Night]] (and to a lesser extent [[Castlevania Aria of Sorrow]]), we consider these games to be the canonical games that defined the genre of "Metroidvania". As a sub-genre of action platforming games, these games appear to be defined based on their large, connected maze-like structure and their utility-based gated-progression structure. But then, wouldn't any game in the Legend of Zelda Series also fall under this definition? Much like the sandwich debate, the term "Metroidvania" is flawed in the sense that it is defined strictly on a singular or small set of canonical examples. "What is a sandwich?" is the same kind of can of worms as "What is a Metroidvania game?" They're only defined by examples, and not by specific parameters or design choices. Also, does 'Metroidvania' extend beyond action platforming games? I should imagine if we consider the definition to be a game that has a large, interconnected and maze-like map that has a utility-based progression system, then other genres would also follow this system. For example, [[The Hoenn Pokemon games give you reasons to explore routes that lead to temporary dead ends, to show you that these routes will eventually connect to later parts in the game]], which is not unlike how games like Super Metroid leave breadcrumbs for the player in sections where they might eventually return to once they have a ne power up Also, when we think of level-0based platformers, the canonical examples are often 1985's "Super Mario Bros."" and 1991's "Sonic the Hedgehog" and yet we don't call all kinds of level-based action platformers "Mariosonics" or "Marionic Games". This might be because (other than the name being essentially horseshit to say aloud) not every game in the Mario and Sonic franchises are action platformers. While this is a bit of a stretch of a comparison, I feel as though it applies. The original Castlevania would fall under this "Mariosonic" platform. It wasn't until Igarashi's [[Castlevania Symphony of the Night]] that Castlevania adopted the more "maze-like gated-progression" style we now associate with the title "Metroidvania". Just call them exploration platformer for gosh darn sakes. What a Contrived topic. Don't even get me started on *METROIDBRANIA*