Most of the Castlevania metrovanias have RPG mechanics, but also have all the elements of a typical metrovania. On the other hand, in pure 2d Action RPGs you don’t need to collect power ups / special items to get new abilities. If you get experience points for killing any kind of enemy and there’s a level up mechanic, it’s most likely an action RPG. Often individual levels are connected via an overland map or with each other in a linear way and don’t require backtracking.
2011
Elephant Quest
System: Freeware
Status: Beaten
Elephant Quest has backtracking and RPG stats, but to advance you have to collect items and solve quest, not get new abilities. It’s definitely an edge case, but not a pure metrovania. But still loads of fun and how often do you play an elephant who shoots laser beams.
