It definitely has that vibe, it even has Chozo statues (and they are called those) that give you new abilities. I'd say it probably does draws from the Metroid side of Metroidvania more than anything. But yeah the Zelda II influences are there too. No overworld like Zelda II but I think that's probably for the best in this case. And it's amazing how much more fun that gameplay loop is with a far lesser penalty for death (Guacamelee basically doesn't penalize you at all for platforming mistakes and has reasonably friendly checkpointing for combat deaths, which is good because some of those platforming puzzles are rough).

It's worth a play, if you get an opening in your gaming budget and backlog. Pretty short, 6-12 hours depending on how completionist you are. But a solid 6-12, not a lot of bad filler in there.

Budget's not an issue, but if I can find the time, I'll have to see about that.

Never want to play any Zelda game again, no matter the style.

Why not?

@hailinel: Mainly because I have no interest in the designs of these games (characters , worlds , enemies etc. , its more whimsical aesthetics nature , rather than cooler, darker and much more awesomeaesthetics of Metroid ) Pretty much dont give a cent about Link , I would rather actually play as Zelda instead of the midget elf wanna be. And the gameplay ..... Im not attracted to it.bAnd instead of making more and better Metroid games , we are stuck with Zelda games :(

As for the Zelda game in question , well I did like it and still own it , and alongside with A link´s to the past I see no reason to ever touch a Zelda game again , unless major aesthetics , gameplay and story differences happen.

Never played Zelda II (I had a C64, not a NES), but wouldn't a 2D Zelda just be your regular Metroidvania game?

Like I played Guacamelee recently, probably the most challenging Metroidvania game I've ever played, and to its merit, despite being tough as nails, it's always fair. Awesome and crazy game. Not for the faint of heart.

If you ask if I'd play a 2D-Metroidvania game in a Zelda setting? Sure, if I had Nintendo hardware at the time, I certainly would.

I would want to play a new Mario (or non Mario platformer) in the vein of SMB2.

@aetheldod: Ah, well. Fair enough. They're not for everyone.

Yes and no. There are Metroidvania elements to Zelda II, but there are also elements that make it stray from the concept of a Metroidvania, like the overworld, and the way it handles puzzles and enemy encounters. The Metroidvania concepts are certainly there, but that's not all the game is.

I like to think that the Symphony of the Night-style Castlevania games, while clearly based on Super Metroid, actually are spiritual successors to Zelda II/The Battle of Olympus.

They're 2D Action Adventure RPGs. A little different, sure, but I'm fine with Zelda itself not doing another one like that. Unless...GASP...Nintendo was able to make a 2D sidescroller version of Dark Souls or something. That would be amazing. But it'll never happen.