Defining Metroidvania

Sprawling maps!

For the purpose of this blog I'm defining "Metroidvania" as games that feature the following:

1) Open-ended exploration

• For the most part, linear maps are to be avoided.
• The ability to return to previous areas and explore them further is essential.
• Secrets, be they false floors, breakable walls, or otherwise hidden passages, are an important element of the genre. These will often lead to more power-ups.

2) Power-ups that help you reach new areas to explore

• These power-ups are not limited to keys in disguise: they should have a purpose beyond opening a door.
• These power-ups should persist after use, or be rechargeable one way or another.
• While the power-ups could be essential to defeat bosses or otherwise progress through the game, they should have uses outside of necessity.

3) Platforming

• The action element introduced in platforming is an essential part of the genre, and help serve to distinguish from other styles of games.
• Often, these games will feature precise platforming as an essential part of play, and even offer early award for extra dexterous players.
• There will often be a power-up they makes jumping easier.

This combination of qualities can produce a lot of things that I love, like sequence breaking, esoteric sequences, sprawling maps, and a sense of progress. The list will be kept as accurate as possible while following these guidelines.

The biggest hurdle I'm having in defining the Metroidvania genre is how to exclude Zelda style games, without excluding non-2D games such as Metroid Prime. Any comments/suggestions/critiques would be appreciated.