Metroidvania

plural Metroidvanias

1. countableinformaluncountablevideo gamesA (genre of) platform game with role-playing game elements and inventory items, involving more exploration than a traditional linear platform game, particularly revisiting previously explored areas.

   Pure Metroidvania... with 3D in-engine cutscenes.

   2009 September 14, Jonah Falcon, “Shadow Complex Great Game”, in alt.games.video.xbox (Usenet), message-ID <RpWdnUTaXZXTRjPXnZ2dnUVZ_hWdnZ2d@earthlink.com>

   3 more examples

   The Castlevania games share similarities with the Metroid series, in particular the free-roaming design in which new abilities allow access to different areas. Because of this, fans often refer to such games as “Metroidvania” in style.

   2008, “Metroid”, in Craig Glenday, editor, Guinness World Records Gamer's Edition, London: Guinness World Records, →ISBN, page 65, column Trivia

   It's got Metroidvania elements - it's structured like one, I guess, in that it's lots of exploration with a fair bit of backtracking and getting new abilities that unlock previously unopened areas and that sort of thing.

   2009 September 1, Chris Whitworth, “Batman Arkham Asylum 24.99”, in uk.games.video.misc (Usenet), message-ID <slrnh9qqa3.giu.usenet.chris@parm.vs.topper.me.uk>

   Metroidvanias are an inherently clever genre, and the cleverness can sometimes sap a little of the energy.

   2019 June 18, Christian Donlan, “Gato Roboto review - a pet-sized Metroidvania filled with delights”, in Eurogamer