As a term, “Metroidvania” has existed for almost twenty years, used to describe a certain sub-type of action game. A game like Metroid. Or Castlevania. Y’know, a Metroidvania.
Some critics really don’t like the term. They think it’s aesthetically unpleasant, obscure, and inaccessible. They don’t think the term should be referencing two other games, and that doing so makes it useless for anyone who hasn’t heard of Metroid. Or Castlevania.
Should the term be abolished? Should we work on a replacement, since few critics have? Is this an accessibility issue? Maybe. Probably.
if Metroidvania is so good then where is Metroidvania 2?
We should stop using the term “lowbrow” as a genre descriptor. This is a very important issue.
This “issue” remind me of that episode of Powerpuff Girls where Mojo was teaching people how to talk in over-descriptive ways.
Hell, apparently Battle Royale is a genre now, as well as a gruesome Japanese film about teenagers murdering each other on an island.
You forgot to count the syllables for the reccomended “platform-adventure”.
What about the term “Integrated Multi-level Exploration Games…”
… too much of a mouthful? XD
Jim during the”tasteful” love scene ???????
Love these “Actually talking about games” episodes.
“Metroidvania has 5 syllables, that’s too much. Instead, let’s call it Platform Adventure!”
Joshua Rivera: let’s give Metroidvania a new name
Jim Sterling: *gives Joshua Rivera a new name*
These discussions always forget that your one Google search away from knowing what something means
“A term unfamiliar with people who don’t know about Metroid or Castlevania.”
Before a 15 second google search.
Fox News: sees 1:38
Fox News, dusting off the “SeXbox” tagline: It is time, old friend…
Jim describing all the reasons I should buy Terminator: Resistance.
Me: Jim please, I can only get so moist.
I would argue that we need way more descriptors. I can remember when every game was called an adventure. No matter if it was like Zelda, Dark Souls or Castlevania.
“Stop Calling It Microtransactions”
-Written by Not A. Executive
“Metroidvania” is fine. It’s specific, and it describes the genre perfectly. If somebody doesn’t know what it means, it will be deadly obvious about 20 seconds after they look it up.
“2D side scrolling Back and Forther?”
What does that mean?
“It means it’s a metriodvania.”
*Me seeing this article*
Me: “Sounds like a personal problem bro.”