LooksLikeLemons

Amazing art, like, REALLY amazing, a solid attitude that doesn't get right in your face but instead amuses and intrigues you throughout the game, banging combat and top notch sound. The levels are HUGE and the map does a fair job of helping to keep you on point, despite a couple of instances where I got totally lost. The boss fights are utterly badass - just the right amount of challenge that means you don't cut straight through them but instead get a real sense of achievement when you beat them. It might not be absolutely the very best metroidvania ever, but it's pretty close. Probably the best this year.