Games Like ANIMAL WELL

Explore a land filled with lost legends, ancient powers, and ferocious monsters in TUNIC, an isometric action game about a small fox on a big adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.2%, Exploration 16.1%, Puzzle 13.9%, Nonlinear 11.2%, Cute 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: Like Animal Well, it hides its most profound mechanics and progression paths behind layers of environmental observation and player intuition.

Explore an abandoned space station in this retro-themed explorative action platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 58%, Pixel Graphics 11.7%, Platformer 10.3%, Exploration 4.1%, Retro 3%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares the same focus on dense, interconnected exploration and deep, cryptic secrets that define the Animal Well experience.

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

Why similar: Exploration 26.9%, Mystery 20.9%, Puzzle 16.4%, Horror 13.1%, Atmospheric 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same sense of wonder and discovery, where the primary progression is the player's own understanding of the world's rules.

From Jeppe Carlsen, the lead gameplay designer of LIMBO and INSIDE — COCOON takes you on an adventure across worlds within worlds. Master world-leaping mechanics and solve intricate puzzles to unravel a cosmic mystery.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 32.1%, Puzzle 26.6%, Exploration 17.9%, Atmospheric 9.3%, Adventure 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It features brilliant, world-manipulating puzzle design that feels spiritually aligned with the clever item interactions found in Animal Well.

You are a nomadic slugcat, both predator and prey in a broken ecosystem. Grab your spear and brave the industrial wastes, hunting enough food to survive, but be wary— other, bigger creatures have the same plan... and slugcats look delicious.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.5%, Platformer 14.4%, Exploration 13.3%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Atmospheric 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a similarly atmospheric and unsettling world where the ecosystem feels alive and indifferent to the player's presence.

Baba Is You is a puzzle game where the rules you have to follow are present as blocks you can interact with. By manipulating them, you can change how the game works, repurpose things you find in the levels and cause surprising interactions!

Why similar: Puzzle 46.7%, Pixel Graphics 20.2%, Cute 9.8%, Indie 7%, 2D 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the same 'aha!' moment philosophy, where the player must fundamentally rethink the rules of the environment to succeed.

Explore and uncover the mystery of a surreal alien world by blasting aliens and glitching your environment in this intense retro side-scrolling action/adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.8%, Platformer 10%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%, Exploration 4.1%, Retro 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a classic, unsettling metroidvania experience with strange, alien environments and unique tools for exploration.

In this award-winning puzzle adventure game, play as the Traveler on a quest to reunite the Peoples of the Tower. Observe, listen, and decipher ancient languages in a fascinating universe inspired by the Myth of Babel.

Why similar: Puzzle 40.3%, Puzzle Platformer 13.5%, Atmospheric 9.1%, Exploration 9%, Adventure 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at non-verbal storytelling and puzzle-solving, requiring players to decode the world around them to advance.

LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization.

Why similar: Metroidvania 55%, Platformer 12.6%, Exploration 7.7%, Puzzle 6.8%, Puzzle Platformer 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive puzzle-heavy metroidvania that demands extreme attention to detail and environmental clues to progress.

Gomez is a 2D creature living in a 2D world. Or is he? When the existence of a mysterious 3rd dimension is revealed to him, Gomez is sent out on a journey that will take him to the very end of time and space. Use your ability to navigate 3D structures from 4 distinct classic 2D perspectives.

Why similar: Platformer 24.3%, Puzzle 18.4%, Pixel Graphics 12.3%, Exploration 12.2%, Puzzle Platformer 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: The game centers on perspective-shifting exploration and a massive, interconnected world filled with layers of hidden puzzles.

Delve into the depths of a mechanical world in this cute, adventure-exploration game. Explore and fight in a land full of corrupt robots and machinery. All while seeking answers to the mysteries around you.

Why similar: Metroidvania 40.8%, Platformer 10.2%, Exploration 9.7%, Nonlinear 9.6%, Pixel Graphics 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: A charming and tight metroidvania that captures the same pixel-art aesthetic and exploration-focused gameplay loop.

Crypt Custodian is a charming metroidvania about cleaning up the afterlife. Play as Pluto - a mischievous cat who has died, and is sentenced to be the afterworld's janitor... FOREVER! Hang out with other doomed ghosts, battle beasts, and explore a vastly expansive landscape.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.3%, Nonlinear 10.2%, Exploration 10.1%, Platformer 8.8%, Atmospheric 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A polished metroidvania that emphasizes exploration and charm while navigating a mysterious, interconnected afterlife.

Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.

Why similar: Mystery 35.1%, Puzzle 27.1%, Atmospheric 14.8%, Horror 6.6%, Retro 6%

Why You'll Like It: It mirrors the detective-like satisfaction of piecing together a complex, non-linear mystery through observation.

Escape the depths of an otherworldly labyrinth in this cinematic puzzle platformer. Explore a hauntingly beautiful world, with three playable characters, in one dark, interconnected story.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 23%, Pixel Graphics 13.2%, Exploration 11.8%, Platformer 11.5%, Mystery 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares a dark, atmospheric pixel-art aesthetic and a focus on narrative-driven exploration.

Try the demo! A mix between Portal, Zelda and Metroid. Exploration, puzzles, terrible combat, secret upgrades and new abilities that help you reach new places. Playtime 12-25h.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.7%, Puzzle Platformer 24.8%, Exploration 11.2%, Puzzle 9.3%, Platformer 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: This first-person adventure is packed with clever environmental puzzles that reward players for thinking outside the box.

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 21.4%, Surreal 16.2%, Nonlinear 13.9%, Puzzle 13.1%, Exploration 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a surreal, perspective-bending experience that challenges the player's spatial reasoning in a beautiful, abstract world.

Deep within the realm of sleep, Sybil finds herself pulled to a distorted castle. Grow strong, and unlock new abilities to build up a deep movement system, fight enemies, find secrets, and free the weary soul of Castle Sansa, in this retro-inspired 3D Platformer Metroidvania.

Why similar: Metroidvania 50.7%, Platformer 11.4%, Nonlinear 11.2%, Exploration 10.1%, Surreal 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on fluid, expressive movement within a surreal, non-linear world that encourages players to explore every corner.

An epic open-world puzzle Metroidbrainia that respects your intelligence! Knowledge is your superpower. Use creatures as tools to determine your own path.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.4%, Puzzle Platformer 18%, Nonlinear 12.9%, Platformer 9.3%, Exploration 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It is a unique metroidvania where the entire world is a puzzle, and you must learn how to interact with creatures to progress.

Welcome to Mt. Holly, where every dawn unveils a new mystery. Navigate through shifting corridors and ever-changing chambers in this genre-defying strategy puzzle adventure. But will your unpredictable path lead you to the rumored Room 46?

Why similar: Puzzle 25.6%, Mystery 21%, Exploration 20.8%, Nonlinear 15.1%, Atmospheric 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: It combines procedural exploration with mystery and investigation, keeping the player constantly guessing about what lies ahead.

A handcrafted open-world platformer set in a world built by Mushrooms! Explore different locations filled with secrets, acquire new abilities and use those abilities to reach new places!

Why similar: Platformer 20.5%, Pixel Graphics 18.3%, Exploration 13.6%, Metroidvania 11.4%, Atmospheric 9%

Why You'll Like It: This metroidvania offers deep platforming challenges and a vast map that rewards thorough exploration and experimentation.

You wake up, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that will challenge and surprise you.

Why similar: Puzzle 35.9%, Exploration 21.7%, Nonlinear 9.8%, Atmospheric 8.2%, Mystery 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It is the gold standard for pure environmental puzzle-solving, where every visual detail serves as a potential clue.

UFO 50 is a collection of 50 single and multiplayer games that span a variety of genres, from platformers and shoot 'em ups to puzzle games, roguelites, and RPGs. Our goal is to combine a familiar 8-bit aesthetic with new ideas and modern game design.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 32.8%, Retro 21.4%, 2D 9%, Platformer 8.8%, Indie 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This collection of retro-styled games shares a similar sense of mystery and hidden depth that encourages deep exploration.

Nine Sols is a lore rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection focused combat. Embark on a journey of eastern fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.8%, Platformer 15.9%, Atmospheric 6.8%, 2D 5.5%, Action 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging metroidvania that features a strong sense of atmosphere and intricate world design.

Pounce inside of your cozy armored mech and set off on a dangerous trek through an alien underworld full of irritable creatures and treacherous obstacles in a valiant effort to save your stranded captain and his crashed spaceship.

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.6%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Platformer 9.6%, Retro 5%, Exploration 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: A compact and stylish metroidvania that focuses on tight controls and environmental discovery in a hostile setting.

Challenge perception, redefine reality, and reshape the world around you with an instant camera. Viewfinder is a new single player game offering gamers hours of interesting and fun experiences while uncovering the mysteries left behind.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 30.9%, Surreal 16.5%, Puzzle 13.5%, Exploration 11.4%, Platformer 10%

Why You'll Like It: The game features innovative mechanics that allow you to reshape the environment, mirroring the creative puzzle-solving of Animal Well.

Play as android MIO in this mesmerizing metroidvania where you explore the Vessel, an enormous technological ark overgrown with machines gone rogue. Uncover its secrets, enhance MIO's abilities, and save the spaceship and its residents from oblivion.

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.8%, Platformer 13.9%, Exploration 12.4%, Atmospheric 7%, Mystery 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: It features fluid movement and exploration in a mysterious, interconnected world that feels both vast and intimate.

Help a small body save a head-like organism full of air, from a leak that threatens its life. Explore their Metroidvania-style world and overcome challenging environmental puzzles to find the key to the head's survival.

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.6%, Puzzle Platformer 17.3%, Surreal 9.8%, Puzzle 7.3%, Platformer 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A metroidvania that centers on item-based environmental manipulation, requiring you to manage resources to traverse the world.

Take to the sky and reunite a fragmented world in this surprisingly wholesome metroidvania! Help Iko adventure across beautiful hand-painted islands, receive letters from a quirky cast of characters, and face powerful monstrous adversaries.

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.2%, Platformer 14.5%, Exploration 9.2%, Atmospheric 7.3%, Cute 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: A charming and accessible metroidvania that excels at world-building and rewarding the player for exploring its fragmented map.

A Bomb Caterpillar's Big Adventure! "Öoo" is a charming yet mysterious exploration puzzle platformer where you discover creative ways to use bombs!

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.5%, Puzzle Platformer 20.4%, Platformer 8.8%, Exploration 8.2%, Puzzle 8%

A creature-scanning metroidvania. Explore an ancient paradise before it's lost forever. Study the EMUUROM creatures, document your findings in the EMUUDEX, and use what you learn to unlock new paths.

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.4%, Puzzle Platformer 12.5%, Nonlinear 8.5%, Surreal 7.3%, Platformer 6.9%

Leap Year is a clumsy platformer about knowledge and discovery. Explore a compact, hand drawn world filled with hidden paths. Understand the game’s secrets to reach new areas and collect all the pages of your calendar.

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.2%, Puzzle Platformer 17%, Nonlinear 10.2%, Exploration 8.6%, Platformer 8.4%

Explore an interconnected world full of platforming challenges in this short metroidvania. Reach new areas by swinging from ceilings, throwing bombs, bouncing off spikes, and more. Examine dozens of artifacts, commune with forgotten gods, and piece together what happened to Auridia.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.7%, Exploration 10.4%, Platformer 9.7%, Puzzle Platformer 8.5%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%

Explore a strange planet, collect the creatures you find, and then shape-shift into them to expand your world. Build your own path, chat with the locals, and discover the planets sprawling secrets in this quirky metroidvania platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 51.8%, Platformer 15.4%, Exploration 11.3%, Cute 5.2%, Adventure 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: A non-violent metroidvania that focuses on creature collection and platforming within a mysterious, interconnected world.

Use and upgrade magic items, collect hidden treasures, and uncover the secrets between two worlds in this cute isometric puzzler! When a certain vacationing Elephant stumbles upon a way into the land of the dead, will she unwittingly let something far more sinister slip through?

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.9%, Puzzle Platformer 16.9%, Nonlinear 11.1%, Platformer 9.3%, Puzzle 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: An isometric puzzle-metroidvania that emphasizes unique movement mechanics and clever environmental interactions.

Take control of Mina, a renowned Hollower hurtled into a desperate mission to rescue a cursed island. Whip foes, burrow through the ground, and explore a pixel-perfect world in Mina the Hollower, a brand new game from the developers who brought you Shovel Knight!

Why similar: Platformer 29.7%, Pixel Graphics 26.5%, Horror 17.5%, 2D 9.8%, Atmospheric 6.5%

Are you ready for the first Yoyovania?! In this 2D top-down adventure you'll explore a sprawling urban landscape, reinterpreting your surroundings through your mastery of yoyo tricks. Navigate the city's many districts, fight rival crime bosses, and regain the influence of the Pipistrello family!

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.5%, Exploration 13.1%, Platformer 12.9%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Retro 8.2%

Explore unearthly ruins, solve arcane riddles and pick up your sword against the indescribable horrors that lurk amidst the forgotten depths of our world. Beware the creeping grip of madness as you uncover secrets not meant for the eyes of men!

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.3%, Puzzle Platformer 18.1%, Platformer 10.7%, Exploration 8.5%, Puzzle 7.4%

Explore in a black-and-white world. You'll encounter interesting enemies, feel smooth physics effects, freely combine props to solve fun puzzles, use powerful weapons, and defeat cool bosses.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.3%, Puzzle Platformer 18.5%, Platformer 9.3%, Exploration 8.9%, Puzzle 8.5%

MO: Astray is a pixel art, side-scrolling, action-platformer. Lead MO through mind-bending puzzles using special abilities. Bizarre enemies, threatening traps and ingenious level designs await.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 32.3%, Pixel Graphics 17.1%, Platformer 15.2%, Atmospheric 7%, Adventure 5.8%

Five animal friends with unique abillities unite in this metroidvania adventure! You'll need to master each animal's skill to complete your quest! Play as the dog, duck, cat, frog and raccoon at the same time!

Why similar: Metroidvania 40.6%, Nonlinear 13.6%, Exploration 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.9%, Platformer 8.4%

Discover a vast, haunted kingdom in Hollow Knight: Silksong! Explore, fight and survive as you ascend to the peak of a land ruled by silk and song.

Why similar: Metroidvania 57.8%, Platformer 12.5%, Exploration 9.3%, Atmospheric 5.1%, 2D 4.6%

Hollow Floor is an exploration-based single-sitting Metroidvania inspired by VVVVVV and REDDER. Hollow Floor is a relaxed game that is full of secrets and hard challenges that can be tackled at any moment in the game or completely ignored.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.5%, Pixel Graphics 9.4%, Platformer 8.4%, Exploration 7.3%, Retro 5.9%

You just want to play a video game in an old game club, but time passes quickly, and strange noises draw you into a dark nightmare! A nightmare that begins with an old video game... Are you ready to experience a 2D platformer game within the heart of a 3D first person psychological horror game?

Why similar: Metroidvania 34.3%, Platformer 9.8%, Horror 9%, Pixel Graphics 8.3%, Exploration 7.4%

Place your faith and embrace the Void.

Why similar: Mystery 29.1%, Puzzle 28.2%, Pixel Graphics 12.8%, 2D 8.4%, Adventure 6.7%

A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

Why similar: Mystery 33.9%, Puzzle 33.6%, Atmospheric 13.4%, Retro 6.4%, Adventure 4.9%

Cast into an ancient crypt, survive the horrors that dwell below, and ascend from despair with your unexpected companion in this short 2D puzzle platformer. Take risks to evade the petrifying gaze from beyond the dark.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 28.6%, Platformer 19.2%, Puzzle 14.9%, Pixel Graphics 9.8%, Horror 8.5%

The stage is set. Imagine an old baroque manor, perhaps a hotel or a museum, somewhere in central Europe. A woman wanders in search of answers.

Why similar: Puzzle 28.8%, Exploration 18.8%, Horror 17.8%, Mystery 16.8%, Adventure 8.9%

A top-down action-adventure game as you collect & solve puzzles in order for you to explore & unravel this mysterious world.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 19.9%, Mystery 19.7%, Exploration 14.6%, Puzzle 10.7%, Cute 9.2%

Dive into a surreal ocean abyss in an atmospheric puzzle-adventure. Explore dangerous waters, possess sea creatures and solve environmental puzzles to discover what lies deep below the surface…

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 24%, Surreal 16.9%, Puzzle 15%, Horror 13.8%, Exploration 10.4%

A mind-bending recursive puzzle game about boxes within boxes within boxes within boxes. Learn to use infinity to your advantage as you explore a deep and elegant system.

Why similar: Puzzle 69.5%, 2D 16.9%, Indie 7.9%, Singleplayer 5.7%

Solve puzzle panels and uncover the meaning of the symbols within. Explore a dense world where secrets are hidden in plain sight.

Why similar: Nonlinear 23.8%, Puzzle 16.2%, Surreal 13.9%, Exploration 11.8%, Pixel Graphics 10.9%

Fly into a charming handcrafted world and go on an adventure that mixes up open exploration with crispy twin-stick shooter action. Fight your way from the shiny overworld to the deepest caves, improve your ship and overcome the dungeons' bosses to rescue your friends!

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.9%, Nonlinear 14.3%, Exploration 13.3%, Cute 5.5%, Retro 4.5%

OneShot is a surreal top down Puzzle/Adventure game with unique gameplay capabilities. You are to guide a child through a mysterious world on a mission to restore its long-dead sun. The world knows you exist.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 22.5%, Puzzle 17.2%, Surreal 12.4%, Atmospheric 11.5%, Cute 10.6%

A new kind of detective game that allows you to think and investigate freely. Discover clues surrounding 12 strange and gruesome deaths and build your own theory. Pick your suspect, deduce the motive, unmask the awful truth.

Why similar: Mystery 25.5%, Puzzle 20.6%, Pixel Graphics 16.6%, Exploration 11.8%, Atmospheric 10.7%

Alwa’s Legacy is a modern retro game full of dangerous dungeons, mystic items and ancient secrets. Upgrade your magic and choose your own path in this non-linear adventure game brimming with exploration.

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.8%, Puzzle Platformer 18.7%, Platformer 10.2%, Exploration 8.5%, Pixel Graphics 8%

Explore, fight, solve puzzles and bend gravity to escape the dream-like world of the Halls! Metro Gravity is a mind-boggling musical adventure with rhythmic combat and compelling lore.

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.2%, Puzzle Platformer 19.1%, Exploration 9.9%, Surreal 8.7%, Puzzle 8.1%

Master Key is a top-down adventure game with a strong focus on item-based exploration and secrets. Embark on a journey to discover what that key could be used for and meet colorful characters!

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.7%, Nonlinear 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 11.5%, Exploration 10.4%, Retro 7.8%

A short 2D pixel-style metroidvania where you explore, fight bosses, aquire items and abilities and find secrets. Inspired by games such as You Have to Win the Game and VVVVVV.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.6%, Nonlinear 15.4%, Exploration 10%, Platformer 9.4%, Pixel Graphics 8%

Kingdom Shell is an atmospheric 2D platformer with a captivating storyline. Explore the local lands to stop the invasion of nightmarish creatures and unravel the mysteries of the Kingdom.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.5%, Mystery 9.1%, Exploration 9%, Platformer 6.8%

Summon portals to overcome vicious beasts, devious puzzles and fiendish platforming challenges. Master the unique powers of each portal to stop the collapse of reality, while exploring lush, hand-drawn worlds and unraveling a deep narrative full of mysteries.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.9%, Platformer 16.8%, Exploration 10.1%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Adventure 4.9%