Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errors2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problemsFor a balanced first Metroidvania, start with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown. Its mix of exploration, platforming, puzzles, combat and customizable amulets gives newcomers several ways to engage with the genre. If your main concern is finding a gentler, explicitly approachable game, consider SteamWorld Dig 2 instead. Neither recommendation means every player will find the same game easy: navigation, platforming and boss fights challenge people in different ways.
What makes a Metroidvania beginner friendly?
Metroidvanias generally center on an interconnected world where exploration and progression reinforce each other: an ability, discovery or opened route lets you reach areas that were previously inaccessible. That structure often involves backtracking, navigation, platforming and combat, but the balance—and the difficulty of bosses—varies from game to game.
So “beginner friendly” is not a single difficulty rating. Think about the part of the genre you most want to ease into:
- Combat and bosses: Do frequent fights or demanding bosses put you off?
- Navigation: Are you comfortable retracing your route and figuring out where to go next?
- Platforming: Do you enjoy precise jumps and movement challenges?
- Complexity: Would you rather learn a small set of clear upgrades or experiment with different abilities and playstyles?
- Story: Do you want a strong narrative to follow, or is exploring the world enough?
The games below suit different answers to those questions; they are not ranked on a made-up, one-size-fits-all difficulty scale.
#1 Best Overall
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Best Metroidvania games for beginners
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown — best balanced starting point
Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown is the strongest all-round recommendation if you want a broad introduction to the genre. Ubisoft describes it as a Metroidvania built around interconnected exploration, time powers, acrobatic combat, boss fights, puzzles and quests. Equippable amulets let you shape your playstyle, giving you another system to explore as you learn what suits you.
That range makes it a useful starting point for someone who wants to sample the genre’s central ingredients in one game. It does not establish that the game is easy: Ubisoft’s page does not compare its difficulty with the other titles here or establish how its difficulty options work. Choose it for breadth and variety, not on a promise of a gentle challenge. Ubisoft’s official game page describes the mechanics and currently references a Complete Edition, DLC and a digital adventure guide; check the edition details before buying, since purchase options and contents can change.
Rank #2
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps — best for movement and presentation
Choose Ori and the Will of the Wisps if expressive movement, platforming and audiovisual presentation are what draw you to the genre. GamesRadar praises its platforming and presentation, and says the game smooths over some difficulty spikes from the first Ori, while tuning up combat and refining platforming. That is a relative comparison with its predecessor, not a claim that Will of the Wisps is easy for every newcomer. GamesRadar lists it for PC, Switch and Xbox. GamesRadar’s Metroidvania roundup provides its editorial assessment.
SteamWorld Dig 2 — best for approachable exploration and upgrades
If you would rather explore, dig and acquire gadgets than make combat the center of your first game, consider SteamWorld Dig 2. PC Gamer describes the SteamWorld Dig games as approachable and not too difficult, and recommends starting with the sequel. Its guide highlights the sequel’s larger world and more varied environments alongside digging, gadgets, upgrades and exploration. This is the clearest source-backed pick here for a gentler introduction, though it is an editorial description, not a measured difficulty rating. The guide is older, so check current platform and edition availability before purchasing. PC Gamer’s guide to Metroidvania games explains its recommendation.
Rank #3
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- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
Dust: An Elysian Tail — best if story comes first
Dust: An Elysian Tail may suit you if you want to follow a story without feeling compelled to uncover every secret. GamesRadar says players can focus on the main story rather than search for everything, describes its side-scrolling beat-’em-up combat as not frustrating, and recommends it as an option for genre beginners. Treat those as editorial characterizations, not objective difficulty measurements. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, Switch and Xbox One. GamesRadar’s roundup is the source for that assessment.
Hollow Knight — a benchmark and a strong follow-up
Hollow Knight is a compelling choice if you are drawn to deeper exploration and want a widely praised example of the genre. GamesRadar highlights its large world, progression, combat, platforming, charm system and art, and ranks it first in its roundup. That praise supports calling it a genre benchmark; it does not show that it is the gentlest first game. If its world and systems appeal to you, it can still be your starting point—just do not choose it solely on the assumption that acclaim means an easier experience. GamesRadar’s roundup discusses its strengths.
Rank #4
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Shantae – Half-Genie Hero — a lighter-feeling alternative
For a shorter, lighter-feeling option, look at Shantae – Half-Genie Hero. GamesRadar describes its transformations as essential traversal skills, calls it a few hours of uncomplicated fun, and notes a separate hardcore mode for more challenge. That makes it a possible fit if you want a compact introduction rather than a deeper, more demanding exploration experience. GamesRadar lists PC, PS4, PS5, Switch and Xbox One; check current availability for your platform. GamesRadar’s roundup supplies the description.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which game should you choose?
- Want the broadest introduction? Start with Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown for its documented range of exploration, movement, combat, puzzles and playstyle choices.
- Want a gentler-feeling focus on exploration? Try SteamWorld Dig 2, which PC Gamer explicitly characterizes as approachable and not too difficult.
- Love movement and visual presentation? Choose Ori and the Will of the Wisps, keeping in mind that “smoother than the first game” is not the same as “easy.”
- Prefer story over finding every secret? Consider Dust: An Elysian Tail.
- Want a shorter, lighter-feeling game? Consider Shantae – Half-Genie Hero.
- Already want a deeper genre exemplar? Try Hollow Knight for its praised world and systems, not because the available assessment establishes it as the easiest.
Check platform and edition before you buy
Platform listings and product editions can change, and the cited editorial guides do not guarantee what is currently available in your region or store. Check the game’s current store listing for your platform, edition contents and any included DLC before purchase. Ubisoft’s page for The Lost Crown references a Complete Edition, DLC and a digital adventure guide, but those details should be verified for the edition you intend to buy.
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Best Value
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- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
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- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
