12-22-2016, 02:57 PM
(This post was last modified: 12-22-2016, 08:50 PM by Jermungandr.)
It's not about the world being one singular cohesive map. Heck, not even all actual Metroid and Castlevania games have that. Take Portrait of Ruin, for example, or Metroid Prime 3 or arguably Metroid Fusion.
That isn't what defines a game as "Metroidvania"-like. Rather, it's the fact that the individual areas you explore are messy mazelike areas consisting of many paths and areas to explore, and much of the time while traversing down what seems like the "main" path you'll find yourself blocked by some sort of obstacle that forces you to backtrack in order to find whatever it is you need to get yourself past it.
½ Genie Hero doesn't do that. The primary path in each level is straight-forward platforming. You never reach a point in any level where you are not able to move forward because you don't have something that you need. And even though some level layouts are winding, there is never any reason for you to have to backtrack within a single level. Each level does, however, have small hidden areas that you can only enter once you've acquired the correct ability, and many of them are required. But this is not a feature that is uncommon in games that are not Metroidvania style.
That is why I think the comparison to Mega Man X is more apt; as the main path through any level is always straightforward, but hidden areas give you access to new abilities and upgrades; and certain areas are only accessible once you obtain certain abilities.
And don't take this as a criticism on the game, as I thought it was great. I'm just saying Metroidvania is not an accurate term to describe it.
That isn't what defines a game as "Metroidvania"-like. Rather, it's the fact that the individual areas you explore are messy mazelike areas consisting of many paths and areas to explore, and much of the time while traversing down what seems like the "main" path you'll find yourself blocked by some sort of obstacle that forces you to backtrack in order to find whatever it is you need to get yourself past it.
½ Genie Hero doesn't do that. The primary path in each level is straight-forward platforming. You never reach a point in any level where you are not able to move forward because you don't have something that you need. And even though some level layouts are winding, there is never any reason for you to have to backtrack within a single level. Each level does, however, have small hidden areas that you can only enter once you've acquired the correct ability, and many of them are required. But this is not a feature that is uncommon in games that are not Metroidvania style.
That is why I think the comparison to Mega Man X is more apt; as the main path through any level is always straightforward, but hidden areas give you access to new abilities and upgrades; and certain areas are only accessible once you obtain certain abilities.
And don't take this as a criticism on the game, as I thought it was great. I'm just saying Metroidvania is not an accurate term to describe it.