Absence of Light

Full Disclosure: I kickstarted this game. Absence of Light is a fairly short little hybrid Bullet Hell / Metroidvania. In terms of Bullet Hell it's pretty much the style of Touhou Project complete with elaborate patterns and a focus/slow down button, except with moving around a Metroidvania-inspired map. It features a weapon experience and leveling system reminiscent of Cave Story, where getting hurt can downgrade your currently held weapon and you can re-upgrade it by defeating enemies to gain experience. Its story is serviceable but nothing to write home about. The game's real appeal is the combination of non-linear metroidvania (aside from the first area and traversal mechanic they can be accessed in any order) and the nail-biting Bullet Hell challenge of its bosses. The real peak of this game is its two possible final bosses - I spent nearly as much time reattempting against them as I played the rest of the game and loved it. If you don't like trying again and again and incrementally improving, it might not be for you. It has two branching endings so make sure to save to a second save slot before committing to the point of no return.

A wonderful bullet hell with great controls, awesome music, and great bosses!