42

Super Metroid

System: Super Nintendo Entertainment System (SNES), Nintendo WiiU
Genre: Action
Year: 1994
Rank last year: 41 (v 1)

Super Metroid is an amazing journey. The game's rich world holds many secrets and it takes a while to find everything. Even the story itself is a big secret, the player must use their cunning to be able to finally beat the game while it only hands out subtle clues. There's a certain feeling of achievement though, when you finish it without using a guide, and only used your brain and the simple in-game map to figure out where to go next.

The game makes it feel rewarding when you've accomplished a task, or finally found an upgrade for Samus' suit that makes a certain part easier. While technically the game is open world, many parts are closed off from immediate visit either due to enemies that are too powerful, doors that need a certain weapon to open or ledges that are too high to jump to. In any case, this game has a way of drawing the player in, and doesn't let go until you realize you've been playing for hours on end.

What? No

The hint was kinda cryptic, so allow me to give a more visual hint:

I'm Batman so Batman: Arkham Asylum (or City) made by RockSteady

I'm batman!

I guess it's one of the Batman games, Arkham Asylum or Arkham City or... Arkham origins...

Game #41

The first game where you meet and talk to a relative of this game's lead character. It became a rarity in the rest of the series.

Yep, it's Arkham Asylum.

What relative are we talking about here?

The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past? You talk to your uncle (although very briefly).

42. Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia
DS (2008)
Konami

Castlevania: Order of Ecclesia marks Castlevania's final entry into the much beloved (albeit unfortunately niche) Iga-vania/Metroidvania direction of games. Symphony of the Night (PS/Saturn) started it all, and it continued on with Circle of the Moon (GBA), Harmony of Dissonance (GBA), Aria of Sorrow (GBA), Dawn of Sorrow (DS), Portrait of Ruin (DS), and finally Order of Ecclesia. I've been fortunate to play them all, and while SotN remains the favorite of many 'Vania fans, I have to say that Koji Igarashi's final game takes the crown. The game starts out actually taking a page from the earlier, side scrolling action titles of the NES/SNES with its more straightforward and diverse locations, but ends the adventure in a classic labyrinthian setup we've all grown to love. It also marks the first time in the series where the main protagonist is female, and Shanoa has stolen my heart from that day on. What can I say? I appreciate a lady who can take down the undead. So while the Castlevania series has moved on from the vision that many of us loved (and to be honest, I've actually enjoyed the Lords of Shadow games!), I'll still look back fondly at a series that took my imagination far and wide.

*raises goblet*

What is a man?

*tosses goblet to the floor*

A miserable little pile of secrets! But enough talk, have at you!

(Yeah, it's not from OoE, but it seemed fitting)

And quintessential picture of Shanoa! (<3)

Hint for #41:

The first part of a series of games that many users see as one game. This game is infamous for a stage obstacle that many could never pass, including me (for years and years).