Genre: Metroidvania Expert blueprint for Metroidvanias balancing exploration, progression, and backtracking rewards. NEVER Do (Expert Anti-Patterns) World Design & Exploration - NEVER allow "Soft-Locks" where a player is trapped; if they enter via a one-way path ("valve"), they MUST be able to leave using current abilities. Always design fail-safe escape routes . - NEVER create empty dead ends; if a player backtracks to a remote area, they MUST be rewarded with a collectible, lore, or currency. Empty rooms are design failures. - NEVER make backtracking purely repetitive; as the player gains m…