Why Castlevania-Style Metroidvanias Keep Inspiring Indie Experiments
For many Castlevania fans 2026, the appeal of metroidvania games is simple: tight combat, meaningful backtracking, and the thrill of slowly mastering a sprawling 2D world. Indie developers have turned that blueprint into a playground, layering in bold art styles, experimental movement systems and deeply personal themes. Two new metroidvania games stand out right now for how confidently they bend the rules. This Is Fine: Maximum Cope turns a viral meme about denial and disaster into a full-blown psychological adventure, while Moonbrella strips out the jump button entirely and lets physics do the talking. Both games still promise the interconnected maps and gradual power growth that Castlevania fans love, but they each push the genre into unexpected territory—one by diving into raw, uncomfortable emotions, the other by rethinking how you move through a forgotten world.
This Is Fine: Maximum Cope Turns a Viral Meme into a Full Metroidvania
This Is Fine: Maximum Cope builds an unlikely metroidvania around Question Hound, the dog calmly sipping coffee in a burning room. Developed by Hero Concept and published by Numskull Games, it expands the meme into a full journey through the subconscious, with five surreal worlds based on humiliation, fear, failure, loss, and regret. Instead of gothic castles, you explore a collapsing mental theme park, unlocking six unique abilities to access fresh areas and secret paths. Its hand-drawn, comic-book aesthetic channels the dark humour and “unhinged” energy of KC Green’s original strip, complete with fluid 2D animation and six massive boss fights that embody your inner demons. For collectors, the biggest news is the physical edition: Maximum Cope is launching on PlayStation 5 and Nintendo Switch in Europe, giving fans a boxed, shelf-worthy slice of existential crisis.
Moonbrella: A Physics-Driven Metroidvania with No Jump Button
Moonbrella indie game takes a very different route, ditching traditional platforming in favour of physics-based movement. You play as a lone robot left behind on an abandoned planet, exploring dark caves, ancient structures and even an active volcano as you slowly ascend toward the moon. The twist: there is no jump button. Instead, your umbrella becomes a multi-purpose movement tool. You can jab its tip into terrain to vault over gaps, open the canopy to glide and slow your descent, or hook the handle onto ledges and vines to climb and build speed. With expressive movement designed with speedrunning in mind and multiple ways to tackle each platforming challenge, Moonbrella reimagines what a PS5 Switch PC metroidvania can feel like. The game is in development for Windows PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, plus major consoles including Switch and PlayStation.
How These New Metroidvania Games Reinterpret the Castlevania Formula
Both titles clearly nod to Castlevania’s legacy, yet each bends the template in its own way. This Is Fine: Maximum Cope focuses on tone and theme, swapping gothic horror for a sardonic tour through anxiety, cringe memories and everyday dread. Its progression hinges on abilities, items and perks—28 items, 27 perks and six abilities—echoing classic metroidvania depth but wrapped in hand-animated cartoon chaos. Moonbrella, by contrast, is all about how you move. There are still interconnected zones and hidden paths, but traversal is built around mastering umbrella tricks and momentum rather than double jumps and wall kicks. Where Maximum Cope is wordy, emotional and character-driven, Moonbrella is tactile and systems-heavy, inviting experimentation and speedrunning. Together, they show how the genre can evolve beyond castles and vampires while staying recognisably metroidvania at its core.
Which Game Should Malaysian Castlevania Fans Try First?
For Malaysian gamers eyeing fresh PS5 Switch PC metroidvania experiences, the choice comes down to taste. If you enjoy story-rich games that turn humour and anxiety into gameplay, This Is Fine: Maximum Cope is your best bet. Its physical release on PS5 and Nintendo Switch in Europe makes it especially tempting for collectors who like owning boxed editions of quirky indie hits; digital options should be suitable if you prefer convenience. Moonbrella is ideal if you love mastering movement tech and experimenting with physics. It is confirmed for Windows PC via Steam and the Microsoft Store, plus consoles like Xbox, Switch, PS4 and PS5, so you will likely have at least one compatible platform. Castlevania fans who crave emotional storytelling can start with Maximum Cope, while those obsessed with speedruns and mechanical depth should watch Moonbrella closely.