Surely *this* is a Metroidbrainia
math is probably my favorite metroidvania
November 15, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Surely *this* is a Metroidbrainia
The funny thing is a bunch of people will insist that “metroidbrainia” is actually for games that *aren’t* platformers, but I’ve also seen people use it to mean “platformer where you think”
Which is maybe a sign of how useless the term is.
Which is maybe a sign of how useless the term is.
November 14, 2025 at 10:58 PM
The funny thing is a bunch of people will insist that “metroidbrainia” is actually for games that *aren’t* platformers, but I’ve also seen people use it to mean “platformer where you think”
Which is maybe a sign of how useless the term is.
Which is maybe a sign of how useless the term is.
( TBC I hate the term "Metroidbrainia" mastodon.social/@jk/11554368... )
josef (@jk@mastodon.social)
'metroidbrainia' definitely gives me the same vibe as 'IDM'
mastodon.social
November 14, 2025 at 10:37 PM
( TBC I hate the term "Metroidbrainia" mastodon.social/@jk/11554368... )
In retrospect, maybe we should have realized we were in real trouble when "games that reveal themselves to you through the act of playing them" were given their own genre name and it was "metroidbrainia". You know, a game you play with your brain. As opposed… to… how… you… play… other… games(?)
November 14, 2025 at 10:37 PM
In retrospect, maybe we should have realized we were in real trouble when "games that reveal themselves to you through the act of playing them" were given their own genre name and it was "metroidbrainia". You know, a game you play with your brain. As opposed… to… how… you… play… other… games(?)
Veo que estamos de acuerdo, me gusta 😌
Sobre que knowledge games (casi leo KGB jeje) es una etiqueta muy amplia, ya lo dice el propio autor en el artículo pero es mucho más adecuada y elegante que metroidbrainia, que ambos detestamos. Por eso se propone categorizarla en géneros/subgéneros.
Sobre que knowledge games (casi leo KGB jeje) es una etiqueta muy amplia, ya lo dice el propio autor en el artículo pero es mucho más adecuada y elegante que metroidbrainia, que ambos detestamos. Por eso se propone categorizarla en géneros/subgéneros.
November 14, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Veo que estamos de acuerdo, me gusta 😌
Sobre que knowledge games (casi leo KGB jeje) es una etiqueta muy amplia, ya lo dice el propio autor en el artículo pero es mucho más adecuada y elegante que metroidbrainia, que ambos detestamos. Por eso se propone categorizarla en géneros/subgéneros.
Sobre que knowledge games (casi leo KGB jeje) es una etiqueta muy amplia, ya lo dice el propio autor en el artículo pero es mucho más adecuada y elegante que metroidbrainia, que ambos detestamos. Por eso se propone categorizarla en géneros/subgéneros.
We're super excited to be part of the #OTKGamesExpo this year!! 🕵️✨
Tune in to the preshow to catch a new trailer and an announcement for our investigation metroidbrainia Code: 9 where you solve cases using your own words!
As a little sneak peek, take a look at our new keyart! 🕵️
#gamedev #idiedev
Tune in to the preshow to catch a new trailer and an announcement for our investigation metroidbrainia Code: 9 where you solve cases using your own words!
As a little sneak peek, take a look at our new keyart! 🕵️
#gamedev #idiedev
November 14, 2025 at 3:46 PM
We're super excited to be part of the #OTKGamesExpo this year!! 🕵️✨
Tune in to the preshow to catch a new trailer and an announcement for our investigation metroidbrainia Code: 9 where you solve cases using your own words!
As a little sneak peek, take a look at our new keyart! 🕵️
#gamedev #idiedev
Tune in to the preshow to catch a new trailer and an announcement for our investigation metroidbrainia Code: 9 where you solve cases using your own words!
As a little sneak peek, take a look at our new keyart! 🕵️
#gamedev #idiedev
even the game jam version was a really surprisingly satisfying little metroidbrainia!!
SISYPHUS IS A BUG IS OUT NOW ⚡ 🔥
🏔️ A metroidvania, one day at a time
🐜 Meet a colorful cast of godbugs designed by @alphajn.bsky.social
⏳ Compete in online leaderboards
🏆 Top 1% in @gamemakerstoolkit.com Game Jam
💸 For the low, low price of 4,99 (+10% off right now!)
🏔️ A metroidvania, one day at a time
🐜 Meet a colorful cast of godbugs designed by @alphajn.bsky.social
⏳ Compete in online leaderboards
🏆 Top 1% in @gamemakerstoolkit.com Game Jam
💸 For the low, low price of 4,99 (+10% off right now!)
November 14, 2025 at 3:43 PM
even the game jam version was a really surprisingly satisfying little metroidbrainia!!
"Metroidbrainia" is "Adventure Games are dead" coded
November 14, 2025 at 3:40 AM
"Metroidbrainia" is "Adventure Games are dead" coded
Pero en fin, creo que hay un vacío a nivel teórico si se quiere clasificar y entender todo este fenómeno de los knowledge games, la feísima etiqueta de metroidbrainia, etc... mientras no se tenga en cuenta su relación con la aventura (o su ausencia, hay otros subgéneros que no tienen nada que ver).
November 13, 2025 at 8:08 PM
Pero en fin, creo que hay un vacío a nivel teórico si se quiere clasificar y entender todo este fenómeno de los knowledge games, la feísima etiqueta de metroidbrainia, etc... mientras no se tenga en cuenta su relación con la aventura (o su ausencia, hay otros subgéneros que no tienen nada que ver).
I agree with your take, I always found it weird to include games like Obra Dinn and even a game like Animal Well seems more in the puzzle metroidvania with some metroidbrainia elements than a pure metroidbrainia. And how could they forget Toki Tori 2, the OG!
November 13, 2025 at 5:50 PM
I agree with your take, I always found it weird to include games like Obra Dinn and even a game like Animal Well seems more in the puzzle metroidvania with some metroidbrainia elements than a pure metroidbrainia. And how could they forget Toki Tori 2, the OG!
Haha, yes, this metroidbrainia naysaying is only going to make me love it more!
November 13, 2025 at 5:35 PM
Haha, yes, this metroidbrainia naysaying is only going to make me love it more!
So, IMO:
Very metroidbrainia: Toki Tori 2, Outer Wilds (+Echoes of the Eye), The Witness, Lingo.
Semi metroidbrainia: Tunic, A Monster's Expedition, Animal Well, Full Bore, Leap Year.
Not metroidbrainia: Obra Dinn, Roottrees, Golden Idol, Lorelei, Chants of Sennaar.
Very metroidbrainia: Toki Tori 2, Outer Wilds (+Echoes of the Eye), The Witness, Lingo.
Semi metroidbrainia: Tunic, A Monster's Expedition, Animal Well, Full Bore, Leap Year.
Not metroidbrainia: Obra Dinn, Roottrees, Golden Idol, Lorelei, Chants of Sennaar.
November 13, 2025 at 5:19 PM
So, IMO:
Very metroidbrainia: Toki Tori 2, Outer Wilds (+Echoes of the Eye), The Witness, Lingo.
Semi metroidbrainia: Tunic, A Monster's Expedition, Animal Well, Full Bore, Leap Year.
Not metroidbrainia: Obra Dinn, Roottrees, Golden Idol, Lorelei, Chants of Sennaar.
Very metroidbrainia: Toki Tori 2, Outer Wilds (+Echoes of the Eye), The Witness, Lingo.
Semi metroidbrainia: Tunic, A Monster's Expedition, Animal Well, Full Bore, Leap Year.
Not metroidbrainia: Obra Dinn, Roottrees, Golden Idol, Lorelei, Chants of Sennaar.
good point. if metroidbrainia annoys a lot of people, i should definitely use it more
November 13, 2025 at 5:19 PM
good point. if metroidbrainia annoys a lot of people, i should definitely use it more
Of course, I might be fighting an uphill battle trying to keep "metroidbrainia" meaning what it's supposed to mean - specifically games with non-linear knowledge-gated progression. But that's still a different thing to "information game", "knowledge game", or "database game".
November 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Of course, I might be fighting an uphill battle trying to keep "metroidbrainia" meaning what it's supposed to mean - specifically games with non-linear knowledge-gated progression. But that's still a different thing to "information game", "knowledge game", or "database game".
I guess if all of us who have written articles on the subject are joining in, so should I! Haha.
The main argument I'd have against both Bruno's article and yours is that they both say "here's a different name for a different set of things". Neither of the new names means what metroidbrainia means.
The main argument I'd have against both Bruno's article and yours is that they both say "here's a different name for a different set of things". Neither of the new names means what metroidbrainia means.
November 13, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I guess if all of us who have written articles on the subject are joining in, so should I! Haha.
The main argument I'd have against both Bruno's article and yours is that they both say "here's a different name for a different set of things". Neither of the new names means what metroidbrainia means.
The main argument I'd have against both Bruno's article and yours is that they both say "here's a different name for a different set of things". Neither of the new names means what metroidbrainia means.
Borb gives us a look inside the fantasy console EMUUROM is being developed in! Steam's first ever TIC-80 demo is for this upcoming metroidbrainia!
@borbware.itch.io
@borbware.itch.io
EMUUROM: Using a fantasy console for serious gamedev - Perttu "Borb" Tuovinen (ThinkyCon 2025)
Perttu "Borb" Tuovinen - @borbware - joins us at ThinkyCon 2025 to present the talk: "EMUUROM: Using a fantasy console for serious gamedev"
Talk description: As Celeste has proven, fantasy consoles like Pico-8 or TIC-80 are great for prototyping serious commercial video games. But what if you were
youtu.be
November 13, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Borb gives us a look inside the fantasy console EMUUROM is being developed in! Steam's first ever TIC-80 demo is for this upcoming metroidbrainia!
@borbware.itch.io
@borbware.itch.io
nitpick: nobody writes it "metroidbrania", everyone writes "metroidbrainia" instead. compare google results or itch tag uses (itch.io/games/tag-me...) vs (itch.io/games/tag-me...)
November 13, 2025 at 3:42 PM
nitpick: nobody writes it "metroidbrania", everyone writes "metroidbrainia" instead. compare google results or itch tag uses (itch.io/games/tag-me...) vs (itch.io/games/tag-me...)
Yup. One thing on which I disagree with the article is the value of having a label at the metroidbrainia 'level', even if it goes on to give a preferred name for more or less the same thing (I don't have a problem with "search action", ftr). I think 'genres' can be useful without having to have ...
November 13, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Yup. One thing on which I disagree with the article is the value of having a label at the metroidbrainia 'level', even if it goes on to give a preferred name for more or less the same thing (I don't have a problem with "search action", ftr). I think 'genres' can be useful without having to have ...
metroidbrainia is when you get sucked off so hard that the galaxy is at peace
November 13, 2025 at 2:20 PM
metroidbrainia is when you get sucked off so hard that the galaxy is at peace
sure, but doesn't the term "metroidbrainia" tend to be applied to more unusual games (often ones that mess with genre expectations)?
November 13, 2025 at 2:16 PM
sure, but doesn't the term "metroidbrainia" tend to be applied to more unusual games (often ones that mess with genre expectations)?
I am currently obssesed with these kinda games at the moment, also love this diagram.
However i like metroidbrainia... lol
However i like metroidbrainia... lol
appreciate this article breaking down a taxonomy of knowledge games (also, unfortunately, known as metroidbrainias)
azhdarchid.com/against-metr...
azhdarchid.com/against-metr...
Against 'Metroidbrania': a Landscape of Knowledge Games
What are knowledge games? How do we relate them to each other? What sub-genres exist – and which ones might be implied?
azhdarchid.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:42 PM
I am currently obssesed with these kinda games at the moment, also love this diagram.
However i like metroidbrainia... lol
However i like metroidbrainia... lol
Todo el mundo rajando del término Metroidbrainia y no se dan cuenta de que la mayor fuerza para nombrar géneros en el videojuego y perpetuarlos en la cultura es el desprecio al propio género. Walking sim! Friendslop! Fumblecore!
November 13, 2025 at 1:19 PM
Todo el mundo rajando del término Metroidbrainia y no se dan cuenta de que la mayor fuerza para nombrar géneros en el videojuego y perpetuarlos en la cultura es el desprecio al propio género. Walking sim! Friendslop! Fumblecore!
You thought the word metroidbrainia was painful, wait till you read my academic article about why these games essentially encourage you to roleplay as an archaeologist
November 13, 2025 at 1:00 PM
You thought the word metroidbrainia was painful, wait till you read my academic article about why these games essentially encourage you to roleplay as an archaeologist
another reason mastodon is better is this post is too long for bluesky
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
another reason mastodon is better is this post is too long for bluesky