My new favorite genre 

What is your "go to" game genre?

Metroidvanias are alright, most can’t do them right, if you’re not finding good games you’re not looking hard enough. Kunitsu Gami: Path of the Goddess was a very original and genuinely great game I haven’t seen many people talk about despite them constantly crying about games not hitting the same. They’re out there

I totally agree with you on all points. Metroidvanias are my go to game because of the focus on gameplay. I have played most of the games you mentioned most recently beating ori and the Will of the whisp, and prices of persia: the lost crown.

welcome to enlightenment, brother

video time

I don't like most metroivanias because.... i get lost. I unlock some new ability and have absolutely no clue where I have to go to progress the stupid game. And so then i'm running around and of course all the mobs have respawned so now i'm annoyed and bored. And for some inexplicable reason the maps are always intentionally vague, if there is a map at all. This has happened with both Hollow Night and Monster Sanctuary. I stopped playing them pretty quick because I had no clue where to go and couldn't be bothered to look it up. Amazing gameplay for both games but because traversal is such a chore it doesn't work.