Has Hollow Knight: Silksong inadvertently killed the metroidvania? While the genre's massive hype machine seems to have cooled, high-quality "search action" platformers are still arriving on Steam with impressive frequency. Last week saw the release of two standout titles, though they struggled to pierce through the noise of Subnautica 2 and the ongoing chatter surrounding Mixtape.
One of these hidden gems is Shattered Divinities, an intriguing fantasy title from a Chinese developer. The other is Clockwork Ambrosia, a game that demands attention despite the lack of mainstream buzz.
The unexpected brilliance of Clockwork Ambrosia
After spending five hours with Clockwork Ambrosia, it is clear this is top-tier material. The game features a gorgeous, detailed pixel art style that evokes classics like Iconoclasts or Owl Boy. It strikes a unique aesthetic balance, blending chrome-hued sci-fi elements with a bright, blue-sky steampunk atmosphere.
While the combat takes cues from Mega Man via its gun-centric mechanics, it introduces a deep modding system that sets it apart:
- Extensive Tweaks: Each of the four main weapons can be modified using add-ons found throughout the world.
- Consequential Loot: Every chest feels meaningful; I recently found a mod that allows vertical missile fire instead of horizontal.
- Tactical Depth: The ability to split pulse rifle projectiles into three creates a gameplay loop reminiscent of Armored Core.
I find myself constantly adjusting my loadout before boss encounters, a level of engagement that is rare in modern platformers. If this had launched ten years ago, the enthusiasm would likely be deafening.
Is the metroidvania genre facing fatigue?
The reality is that the metroidvania no longer enjoys the cultural currency it held during the late 2010s. During the era of Axiom Verge, Hollow Knight, Guacamelee, and Ori, these games were constant fixtures in the spotlight. Today, even exceptional presentations struggle for recognition. Titles like MIO: Memories in Orbit and the sequel to Grime are as mechanically sound as anything from the '90s or the last decade, yet they often fly under the radar.
Looking at the Steam charts provides a sobering perspective on genre popularity. Aside from Silksong, very few have cracked the top 50 recently:
| Game | Release Date | Chart Debut | Second Week | | :--- | :--- | :--- | :--- | | Animal Well | May, 2024 | 10 | 29 | | Blasphemous 2 | August 2023 | 9 | 828 | | Nine Sols | May, 2024 | 29 | 86 |
This shift highlights the unpredictable nature of indie development. When the Clockwork Ambrosia Kickstarter launched in 2018, it looked like a guaranteed hit. It is difficult for developers to predict genre fatigue years before a game actually hits the market. In 2026, we have already seen that no metroidvania has penetrated the Steam Weekly Seller chart, save for the Silksong outlier in January.
Steam Revenue and Top Sellers
The broader Steam landscape remains dominated by heavy hitters and high-anticipation pre-orders.
Top Steam games by revenue (May 5 - 12):
- Counter-Strike 2
- Forza Horizon 6
- Apex Legends
- Subnautica 2
- Diablo IV
The high ranking of Forza Horizon 6 is likely driven by deluxe edition pre-sales offering early access. Meanwhile, the presence of Subnautica 2 at number four confirms its massive popularity, even if it didn't quite match the wishlisting momentum seen in previous weeks with titles like Windrose.
Steam Deep Cuts: Notable Indie Finds
If you are looking to move away from the mainstream, several niche titles caught our eye this week:
- Besmirch (May 12): A survival horror farming sim with a striking art style that fans of Skald or Moonring will appreciate.
- Skigill (May 16): While "survivor" roguelikes are everywhere, Skigill stands out with its crisp pixel art and limited, stylish color palette.
- Moventure (May 16): A masocore platformer from the creator of Reventure. It uses a unique control scheme—only a D-pad and two buttons—to facilitate 100 "unique" movements.
- The Adventures of Sir Kicksalot (May 15): Don't let the blocky, Minecraft-esque visuals fool you; this is a combat-centric immersive sim inspired by Dark Messiah. It is all about using the environment to kill enemies creatively.
