Take away the typical metrovania mechanic of reaching new areas through newly acquired abilities and replace it with collecting all of a certain number of objects. Either the entire world-map can be explored from the start or you have to solve some puzzles to get into new areas. It’s not so much a sub-category of metrovania style free roaming platformers than an equal sub-type of the same class of platformers. Named after the eponymous freeware game Seiklus.
2010
Redder
System: Freeware
Status: Beaten
On my initial playthrough I considered Redder a metrovania, as its art style really reminded me of Metroid. That said, gameplay-wise it’s closer to a Seiklus clone. You collect a number of diamonds, solve puzzles to reach them and don’t get new abilities. If you wonder whether your game is somehow corrupted later, no, that’s merely a gameplay mechanics.
2007
Kaipuu
System: Freeware
Status: Beaten
From the same guy who made Painajainen came another Seiklus clone just a year later, eschewing all the puzzles and merely focusing on the core gameplay of collecting orbs in one, big connected world. Kaipuu sports a black/grey/white color scheme appropriate to the theme of the game. Apart from that, if you like the Seiklus gameplay (exploration, collecting orbs), you’ll enjoy it, if not, there’s nothing else to hold your interest.
Lilium
System: Freeware (Download)
Status: Beaten (cheated somewhere to get past a puzzle)
Lilium is an indirect Seiklus clone, as it’s creator was inspired by Painajainen. Thus the game sports both the collect orbs mechanic as well as a strong focus on (arcade) puzzles. As you collect new abilities to get further in the game, it’s a bit closer to pure metrovania than most Seiklus clones.
2006
Knytt
System: Freeware
Status: Beaten
If Seiklus was the trope maker, then Knytt could be said to be the trope codifier (thought arguably Seiklus was both). Knytt is a highly polished platformer that is all about exploring the landscape, collecting parts of a spaceship and enjoying the variety in scenery.
Painajainen
System: Freeware
Status: Beaten
Painajainen is a pretty good Seiklus clone (similar even down to the look of the main character). While I think the original Seiklus had one or two puzzles, they play a much more prominent role in Painajainen.
2003
Seiklus
System: Freeware
Status: Beaten
Seiklus is a game about collecting orbs, exploring the world and enjoying the scenery. Death and difficulty isn’t really important, relaxing is. Controls are sometimes not as tight as they should be for perfection, but otherwise the game nearly is.
