Games Like Castle In The Darkness

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 56.3%, Platformer 11%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, Difficult 7.2%, Great Soundtrack 4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging, exploration-heavy metroidvania that rewards players for finding hidden paths and secrets.

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 60.6%, Platformer 10.7%, Pixel Graphics 6.3%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%, Retro 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a classic metroidvania experience with a heavy focus on unique weapons and retro-inspired world-building.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that slowly crystallizes her body. Battle through a demon-infested castle and defeat its master to save yourself, and all of humanity!

Why similar: Metroidvania 70.5%, Platformer 7.9%, RPG 5.8%, Great Soundtrack 5%, Action 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: This is a spiritual successor to the Castlevania series, offering the deep RPG elements and exploration that defined the genre.

Blasphemous is a brutal action-platformer with skilled hack’n slash combat set in the nightmare world of Cvstodia. Explore, upgrade your abilities, and perform savage executions on the hordes of enemies that stand between you and your quest to break eternal damnation.

Why similar: Metroidvania 60.7%, Difficult 10.2%, Pixel Graphics 8.9%, Platformer 8%, Great Soundtrack 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the high difficulty and dark, pixel-art aesthetic while providing a challenging metroidvania experience.

Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.9%, Platformer 17.3%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Pixel Graphics 6.1%, Difficult 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: As a foundational indie metroidvania, it provides the same mix of platforming, combat, and charm found in the seed game.

As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.1%, Platformer 14.7%, Retro 8.8%, Great Soundtrack 8.3%, Pixel Graphics 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: This title masterfully blends fast-paced action-platforming with a retro aesthetic and a sense of humor similar to the seed game.

Uphold your pact with the Titan of Death, Epimetheus! Fight, climb and solve your way through a twisted tower as three unique adventurers, on a mission to save their village from impending doom!

Why similar: Metroidvania 54.4%, Platformer 14.8%, Retro 8.4%, Pixel Graphics 8.3%, Action 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the retro feel and secret-filled map design that makes Castle In The Darkness so engaging.

Make your way through more than 600 rooms, and unravel the secrets of your past by finding the five elemental orbs. Cathedral features a vast world, meant for exploring!

Why similar: Metroidvania 55%, Platformer 9.6%, Difficult 8.5%, Retro 5.9%, Pixel Graphics 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game features a massive, interconnected world with challenging boss fights and a distinct retro visual style.

Battle with swords and whips in this retro-style action game brought to you by game creator Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates! Play as Zangetsu, a demon slayer bearing a deep grudge, who must travel through perilous lands to defeat a powerful demon lurking in a dark castle.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.8%, Platformer 14.9%, Difficult 12%, Pixel Graphics 8.9%, Retro 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: It is a direct homage to classic 8-bit action games, focusing on linear but difficult level design and tight controls.

Three incredible action adventure games from the Castlevania series have finally returned, for the first time! But wait, there's more! Haunted Castle Revisited, a redesigned version of the very first Castlevania arcade game, makes its debut!

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.3%, Platformer 10.5%, Retro 6.9%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%, RPG 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A modern collection of classic titles that provide the core metroidvania experience the seed game is based on.

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 52.3%, Difficult 15.5%, Platformer 13%, Great Soundtrack 5.3%, Retro 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: It is significantly more difficult and puzzle-heavy, but it captures the spirit of exploration and hidden secrets perfectly.

Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.7%, Difficult 15.1%, Platformer 13.3%, Great Soundtrack 8.6%, Indie 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more modern, it offers the definitive metroidvania experience with deep combat and a vast, rewarding world to explore.

Use your magic staff and progress through a large interconnected world where you'll solve puzzles, fight enemies and defeat bosses in order to help free the land of Alwa. Explore and uncover the secrets by using your platforming skills in this challenging and charming 8-bit adventure game.

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.9%, Platformer 13.4%, Pixel Graphics 8.2%, Retro 6.7%, Difficult 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on retro platforming and puzzle-solving, feeling like a lost classic from the 8-bit era.

The old gods have forgotten this land. No one could save our people when darkness started spreading and collecting human souls for its army. Odallus is a classic exploration/action game, inspired by Ghosts’n Goblins, Demon’s Crest and Castlevania.

Why similar: Metroidvania 54.5%, Platformer 12.1%, Retro 9.7%, Pixel Graphics 8.6%, Action 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A direct tribute to 8-bit action games that emphasizes exploration and combat in a dark, atmospheric world.

Count Dracula is once more back from the dead... Join the fight against Evil in the Castlevania Advance Collection, a compilation of timeless action-exploration masterpieces!

Why similar: Metroidvania 68.7%, Retro 8%, Action 5.5%, Platformer 5.1%, Pixel Graphics 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: These are the definitive retro classics that established the mechanics and atmosphere that the seed game honors.

Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action. Developed by Team Ladybug, creators of multiple fantastic action games thus far.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.2%, Difficult 16.4%, Platformer 12.7%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%, Great Soundtrack 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers incredibly fast-paced combat and tight platforming mechanics that will appeal to fans of the seed's speed.

Explore the depths below a remote mountain town in this procedurally-generated Adventure Platformer. Taking inspiration from hack 'n slash dungeon crawlers and Metroidvania-style platformers, Chasm will immerse you in a fantasy world full of exciting treasure, deadly enemies, and abundant secrets.

Why similar: Metroidvania 60.9%, Platformer 10.9%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%, RPG 5.1%, Indie 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: It blends procedural generation with classic metroidvania exploration for a unique take on the genre.

Travel back in time to change fate itself, in this beautifully crafted story-driven adventure, inspired by classic 90s action-platformers. Join timekeeper Lunais on her quest for revenge against the empire that killed her family, using time-bending powers to explore a vast, connected world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 56.5%, Platformer 16.3%, Pixel Graphics 8.6%, RPG 6%, Action 4%

Why You'll Like It: It features RPG elements and a pixel-art style that feels very similar to the classic games that inspired the seed.

A legendary series returns with a grand new adventure! Enjoy a colorful action-adventure game made alongside Ryuichi Nishizawa, creator of the original Wonder Boy in Monster World series.

Why similar: Metroidvania 54.8%, Platformer 16.7%, Action 6%, Adventure 5.6%, Great Soundtrack 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A beautifully crafted platforming adventure that emphasizes exploration and character-based ability progression.

Fight for your freedom in a sprawling fantasy world caught between the living and the fallen. Hone your skills in a retro epic featuring puzzle platforming, metroidvania exploration and crunchy soulslike combat.

Why similar: Metroidvania 64.6%, Difficult 14.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.5%, Action 4.2%, Platformer 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging action-RPG metroidvania with deep character customization and complex combat encounters.

Critically-acclaimed action-RPG that takes the template laid down by classics like Wonder Boy, nails the 16-Bit aesthetics for nostalgia fans, but updates the mechanics to feel fresh and modern. Explore a beautiful open world and plunder dungeons, caves and forests to help take down epic bosses!

Why similar: Metroidvania 49.7%, RPG 9.5%, Platformer 9.5%, Pixel Graphics 6.4%, Adventure 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A classic 16-bit style adventure that leans heavily into RPG elements and non-linear exploration.

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 55.5%, Platformer 10.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.3%, Retro 5.8%, Indie 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: A short, punchy, and retro-inspired metroidvania that focuses on tight controls and environmental discovery.

Return to the Golden Age of arcades with a hardcore action platformer that pulls no punches! Possesses all the hallmarks of true classics like Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts (SNES), Rastan Saga (Arcade), Castlevania (NES) and more with precise controls, high challenge, and meticulous design.

Why similar: Difficult 33.5%, Platformer 31.2%, Retro 10.8%, Action 6.7%, Indie 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It offers brutal difficulty and a retro aesthetic that will challenge even the most experienced platformer fans.

Join renegade mechanic Robin and uncover the secrets of a dying planet. Explore a big world filled with intricate puzzles, interesting characters and menacing bosses in a beautiful platform adventure that tells a personal story about faith, purpose and the challenge of helping people.

Why similar: Metroidvania 55.1%, Platformer 12.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.4%, Great Soundtrack 5.4%, Indie 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A highly polished action-platformer with memorable boss encounters and a strong focus on narrative and exploration.

A powerful ancient evil has arisen, and the war to save humanity has begun! As an elite agent in the monster-hunting Prodigium organization, you must use a variety of weapons, upgrades, and mysterious artifacts to defend mankind against the supernatural hordes of Princess Ahmanet.

Why similar: Metroidvania 60.6%, Pixel Graphics 8%, Platformer 7.4%, Action 6.2%, Great Soundtrack 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, retro-inspired exploration game that captures the feel of classic 16-bit action titles.

The world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. A desperate plea for help sets Shadow, the sole survivor of his clan, on one last mission to uncover what started the path to perpetual ruin.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.4%, Platformer 15.3%, Difficult 11.7%, Retro 9.9%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A high-octane, retro-styled action platformer that demands precision and rewards mastery of its mechanics.

Momodora: Reverie Under The Moonlight is the fourth installment in the beloved Momodora series of 2D platformers. Unleash ravaging combos against a variety of formidable monsters and deftly dodge your way through a cursed land to seek audience with the Queen and dispel the evil that threatens all life.

Why similar: Metroidvania 51.8%, Difficult 17.6%, Platformer 14.9%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, Action 4%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, fast-paced action-platformer that balances difficulty with fluid movement and combat.

Explore a haunting, punishing island in this stylized 2D action RPG. Salt and Sanctuary combines fast and brutal 2D combat with richly developed RPG mechanics in a cursed realm of forgotten cities, blood-soaked dungeons, and desecrated monuments.

Why similar: Metroidvania 55.9%, Difficult 17.9%, Platformer 10.9%, RPG 5.5%, Action 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: It combines 2D metroidvania exploration with the high-stakes difficulty and RPG depth of the Souls series.

Elliot Quest is an adventure/RPG where players explore the mysterious Urele island in search of an ancient demon. With 5 dungeons to conquer, 16 bosses to defeat, and countless treasures to discover and hidden areas. Well-balanced gameplay easy to pick up but challenging to master.

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.8%, Platformer 10.8%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%, RPG 7.6%, Action 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on exploration and RPG-lite progression in a world filled with secrets and retro charm.

A journey begins... A treacherous tower... Unravel its mysteries!Discover the secrets kept in the long abandoned Tesla Tower!Magnetism and other electromagnetic powers will help you explore a non-linear world of beautiful hand-drawn environments, in a steampunk-inspired vision of old Europe.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.4%, Platformer 25.3%, Difficult 10.1%, Indie 4.2%, Great Soundtrack 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a unique take on the genre by focusing on physics-based platforming and puzzle-solving within a metroidvania structure.

Boasting beautiful, hand-drawn animations and a re-orchestrated soundtrack, the cult classic returns with a unique blend of exploration, action, and adventure!

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.7%, Platformer 20.6%, Difficult 7.9%, Great Soundtrack 7.4%, Retro 6.3%

You Have to Win the Game is a free exploration platformer with a retro 1980s PC aesthetic.

Why similar: Metroidvania 58.6%, Platformer 12.7%, Difficult 8.7%, Retro 8.1%, Pixel Graphics 4.1%

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.

Why similar: Platformer 28.1%, Great Soundtrack 13.8%, Pixel Graphics 12.6%, Retro 12.5%, Difficult 10.7%

Embark on a heartfelt Mushroomvania adventure through a vast and dense interconnected world! It's like a mix of retro and modern classics!

Why similar: Metroidvania 62%, Platformer 14.1%, Adventure 6%, RPG 4.9%, Pixel Graphics 3%

Inspired by the retro glory days of 8-bit games, Rex Rocket is a traditional 2D platformer brought into the 21st century. Paying tribute to classic NES games like Mario, Mega Man, and Metroid, old-school platformer fans will find Rex Rocket a breath of fresh air.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.5%, Platformer 14.1%, Difficult 10%, Retro 6.4%, Pixel Graphics 5.6%

Momodora III is a classic action platform game with a variety of items and secrets. It's the third installment of the Momodora series, although playing the previous titles is not necessary to enjoy the game!

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.1%, Platformer 23.4%, Pixel Graphics 11.8%, Action 6.5%, Indie 5.9%

Fight your way through the dungeons of the Alchemist's Castle, collect power ups and take back what is rightfully yours from the Alchemist himself in this old-school metroidvania!

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.4%, Retro 9.3%, Pixel Graphics 8.3%, Great Soundtrack 8.1%, Indie 6.6%

Throw on your nostalgia goggles and travel back in time with Super Win the Game, a retro-core explosion of exploration and platforming action!!

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.7%, Difficult 16.3%, Platformer 13.7%, Pixel Graphics 6.5%, Retro 5.5%

An ancient evil has been set loose, and Jonathan cursed in the process. Jonathan must now collect seven holy grails from around all of Egypt to cleanse himself of the curse of Sehur the First. Be delighted by the quirky humor, charming characters, and the beautifully designed world, in Pharaoh Rebirth+!

Why similar: Metroidvania 49.8%, Platformer 14.9%, Action 11.3%, Adventure 9.3%, Indie 9%

Run, gun and explore an open undercity in this otherworldly non-linear Metroidvania adventure about the Old Gods, strange creatures and the remnants of a lost world!

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.2%, Difficult 12.8%, Platformer 11.9%, Pixel Graphics 6.4%, Great Soundtrack 5.5%

In this pixel-perfect homage to the classic action platformers, you play as Sydney Hunter - an explorer who gets trapped inside a Mayan pyramid while he's out exploring!

Why similar: Metroidvania 26.1%, Platformer 15.2%, Action 10%, Difficult 9.3%, Indie 8.1%

Spark the electric jester is an action/platformer video game heavily based on best classics from the 16-bit era from both sides of the aisle.

Why similar: Platformer 35.8%, Great Soundtrack 17.1%, Pixel Graphics 12.7%, Retro 10.6%, Action 10.1%

Assume the role of Wyatt in this Action/Exploration Platformer as you explore the ruins of a holy city that was lost many years ago. Battle various types of demons, angels, and a new threat known only as the “Ferals”, using swordsmanship, martial arts, and sorcery.

Why similar: Metroidvania 64.8%, Platformer 12.1%, Difficult 6.6%, RPG 4.5%, Action 3.6%

Discover a vast world full of mysteries and action in this Metroidvania-style game inspired by the classics of the 16-bit era.

Why similar: Metroidvania 49.7%, Action 12.9%, RPG 9.3%, Platformer 9%, Adventure 6.1%

Shovel Knight is a sweeping classic action-adventure game with awesome gameplay, memorable characters, and an 8-bit retro aesthetic. If you love games with perfect platforming, beautiful art, infectious music, lovable bosses, humor and levity, and real heart… Shovel Knight is for you!

Why similar: Platformer 20.7%, Action 13.1%, Difficult 11.5%, Adventure 11.4%, Indie 11.4%

Cally's parents have been abducted, as her arch-enemy Herbert has taken control of the Caves to perform his evil experiments. Join Cally and her friends in this action-packed run and gun platformer, conquering insane bosses, exploring to find secrets, and levelling up EVERYTHING.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.8%, Platformer 18%, RPG 8.7%, Action 7%, Great Soundtrack 6.9%

"The most rewarding game of 2013!" Influenced by retro classics Mega Man and Castlevania, Angry Video Game Nerd Adventures features the AVGN and friends as they blast their way through 10 levels of fun, fast paced 2D action based on the AVGN's adventures in his online series.

Why similar: Platformer 27%, Difficult 24.7%, Retro 11.1%, Pixel Graphics 9%, Great Soundtrack 8%

Gravity Circuit is a flashy action packed 2D platformer in the spirit of console classics. Follow Kai, a lone operative war hero who harnesses the mysterious powers of the Gravity Circuit, on an adventure in a futuristic world inhabited by sentient robots.

Why similar: Platformer 34%, Pixel Graphics 17.9%, Retro 12.3%, Great Soundtrack 10.4%, Action 10.1%

Hop into a Game Boy inspired metroidvania adventure! Explore a huge and open dungeon and find ability upgrades to help you in your quest! Can you survive the tiny dangerous dungeons and find the presumably huge treasure?

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.6%, Platformer 17.2%, Retro 9.4%, Pixel Graphics 9.3%, Indie 7.6%

A 8-bit retro action platformer that goes beyond just pixels and chiptunes

Why similar: Platformer 30.3%, Retro 17.6%, Action 17.4%, Pixel Graphics 16.3%, Indie 13.5%

Aeterna Noctis is a challenging metroidvania that majestically combines action, exploration and adventure. With 2 game modes and difficulty based on action or the exclusive Noctis mode where a level of difficulty is added in precision platforming never seen in the metroidvania genre.

Why similar: Metroidvania 54.5%, Difficult 19.5%, Platformer 16.5%, Indie 3.2%, 2D 3%

Bounce and stomp through an enormous interconnected world, doing some intense acrobatics and getting huge combos! A superfast precision platformer that mixes up a Metroidvania world with classic Arcade mechanics.

Why similar: Metroidvania 56.4%, Platformer 15.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%, Action 5.5%, Adventure 4.9%

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 55.2%, Platformer 16.2%, Pixel Graphics 8.6%, Retro 8.3%, Indie 3.5%

Retro Game Crunch is a series of 7 games, full of the charm and challenge of the 8-bit generation. Each world feels like an authentic NES classic. A massive genre-spanning collection.

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.7%, Retro 13.8%, Platformer 13.3%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Action 7.4%

Death's Gambit: Afterlife is a challenging 2D action platformer with deep RPG elements. As an agent of Death bound to his service, unravel the mystery of Siradon and discover the true price of immortality.

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.7%, Difficult 9.4%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, Platformer 8.4%, RPG 6.1%

2D platform game focused on intense combat against enemies and exploration of secret areas in dark dungeons full of dangers.

Why similar: Platformer 21%, Difficult 20.6%, Great Soundtrack 12.1%, Retro 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 10.2%

Steel yourself for a relentless display of might and muscle…brawn and bravery…magic and mayhem! Inspired by heroic fantasy fiction, Tiny Barbarian DX combines engaging 2D platform action and combo-based hack-and-slash combat with retro-style pixel art and a loincloth-stirring chiptune soundtrack.

Why similar: Platformer 35.2%, Action 22.4%, Adventure 17.7%, Retro 13.7%, Pixel Graphics 11.1%

Beholgar is a classically styled metroidvania action adventure. Explore caverns, ancient woods, and deadly castles; battle creatures and solve ancient mysteries at the kingdom.

Why similar: Metroidvania 56%, Platformer 19.4%, Pixel Graphics 8.4%, Action 6.5%, Adventure 5.3%