Games Like Dark Matter

A classic survival horror experience set in a dystopian future where humanity has uncovered a dark secret. Unravel a cosmic mystery, escape terrifying creatures, and scavenge an off-world government facility as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost dreams.

Why similar: Survival Horror 31.8%, Sci-fi 27.8%, Female Protagonist 26.7%, Action 13.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game masterfully captures the oppressive, lonely atmosphere and survival-horror mechanics of a sci-fi setting.

On the desolate moon of Lorian, a long-dormant Deadsuit awakens from slumber. Journey beneath the surface on an atmospheric 2D adventure of self-discovery, ancient mysteries, and cosmic terror. Explore winding caverns and acquire new abilities to unearth this alien world’s long-buried secrets.

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.3%, Side Scroller 25.9%, Sci-fi 13.3%, Action 10.5%, Female Protagonist 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: This atmospheric metroidvania excels at conveying the feeling of being stranded on a desolate, alien world.

Three limbs ripped off, infected with a deadly parasite, you must save your research. Drag yourself through the corridors of a secret research lab on a remote asteroid, fight off horribly mutated monsters, inject countless syringes of vaccines, and survive at all costs.

Why similar: Survival Horror 40.4%, Action 32.2%, Horror 27.4%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a gritty, claustrophobic survival-horror experience focused on scavenging and managing limited resources in a hostile environment.

Survive aboard a doomed deep space colony starship, overrun with horrific and murderous aberrations. Explore, evade and fight your way through the depths to bring the ship back to Earth. Gather resources, upgrade abilities and fabricate an arsenal of weapons in this sci-fi horror roguelite.

Why similar: Sci-fi 23.9%, Survival Horror 23%, Female Protagonist 19.6%, Action 16.8%, Horror 16.7%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a tense sci-fi horror experience with a strong emphasis on scavenging and survival mechanics.

Angel's Gear is a challenging horror-flavored Metroidvania set in a world tainted by a mechanical disease.

Why similar: Side Scroller 35.3%, Metroidvania 31.3%, Survival Horror 12.9%, Horror 8.2%, Action 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, survival-horror-focused metroidvania that emphasizes exploration and challenging combat against grotesque enemies.

You're trapped, alone and cold on a distant planet. Pursued by a droid with only one purpose: killing everything. You must find an escape. Explore the hostile environment, find secret upgrades and new weapons, and finally make your escape from this dark, hostile planet...

Why similar: Metroidvania 63.2%, Action 36.8%

Why You'll Like It: This sci-fi metroidvania focuses heavily on exploration and survival, mirroring the feeling of navigating a dangerous, abandoned facility.

REDO! is a game about a girl trying to find another human in a dystopian world overrun by biomachines. It's a lonely and evocative game about exploring the unknown and overcoming obstacles to see what is left.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.1%, Action 21.3%, Female Protagonist 15%, Sci-fi 11.6%, Horror 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A bleak, sci-fi horror metroidvania that focuses on environmental storytelling and survival.

Dark Light is a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk action-platformer with intense hack'n slash combat. Explore the unknown, enhance your abilities with cyberwares, and face off against supernatural entities to seal the Dark Void and end the eternal darkness.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.4%, Action 18%, Sci-fi 15%, Horror 10.7%, Indie 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines metroidvania exploration with a dark, oppressive sci-fi atmosphere and challenging combat.

Take the role of ARID, the artificial intelligence within a high-tech combat suit. The Fall is a unique combination of adventure-game puzzle solving and side-scroller action, all set within a dark and atmospheric story. Get ready for a disturbing journey as you explore the world of The Fall.

Why similar: Side Scroller 33%, Sci-fi 24.2%, Indie 12.7%, Action 12.2%, Female Protagonist 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric sci-fi adventure that focuses on narrative and survival within a derelict, high-tech environment.

Trapped in a buried, forgotten facility, you must reach the core of an ancient machine to rescue your lost lover. System Purge is a challenging, atmospheric 2D platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.1%, Female Protagonist 20.7%, Action 18%, Horror 14.8%, Sci-fi 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: A 2D platformer that leans into the sci-fi horror aesthetic with a focus on action and exploration.

CARRION is a reverse horror game in which you assume the role of an amorphous creature of unknown origins, stalking and consuming those that imprisoned you.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.7%, Action 18.5%, Horror 14.3%, Indie 12.9%, Sci-fi 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: While you play as the monster, it perfectly captures the feeling of traversing a claustrophobic, sci-fi research facility.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 67.4%, Action 14.3%, Indie 12.2%, Sci-fi 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi metroidvania that emphasizes exploration, mystery, and uncovering the secrets of a derelict space station.

Sundered is a chaotic hand­-drawn metroidvania where you resist or embrace ancient eldritch powers, a challenging and unique take on a classic genre from the creators of Jotun, now with local co-op!

Why similar: Metroidvania 41%, Side Scroller 23.1%, Female Protagonist 12%, Action 10%, Indie 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: It features intense metroidvania exploration with strong horror themes and challenging, large-scale encounters.

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 58.6%, Sci-fi 11.1%, Action 10.4%, Indie 9.7%, Side Scroller 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A classic-style metroidvania that excels at creating a mysterious, alien sci-fi environment to explore.

Lost Ruins is a 2D side-scrolling survival action game, where you play as a young girl that has awoken in a strange and foreign place without her memories. Explore a dark and dangerous world, battle hideous monsters, and topple incredible bosses.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.5%, Side Scroller 16.7%, Action 16.3%, Sci-fi 9.2%, Female Protagonist 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A metroidvania that emphasizes survival and environmental interaction, requiring players to use their surroundings to defeat enemies.

Paradox Soul is a chilling fight for exploration and survival; a Metroidvania pixel action-shooter hybrid!

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.4%, Action 18.4%, Sci-fi 17.2%, Indie 13.2%, Female Protagonist 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi metroidvania that focuses on exploration and survival in a dangerous, post-apocalyptic research facility.

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 44.3%, Side Scroller 23%, Action 15%, Indie 12.8%, Sci-fi 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: This sci-fi metroidvania focuses on exploration and environmental hazards, requiring players to adapt to a hostile alien world.

Rusted Moss is a twin-stick shooter metroidvania where you sling around the map with your grapple, blasting your way through witches and rusted machine monstrosities alike. This wasteland once harboring mankind has since fallen, and Fae long forgotten now knock on humanity's door...

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.9%, Action 19.5%, Female Protagonist 19%, Indie 12.6%

Why You'll Like It: A metroidvania that features unique physics-based movement and exploration within a desolate, sci-fi world.

After Death is a platform / exploration game in a dark and hostile world. With the help from lost souls, you will have to find a way to open a gate which seems to be the only exit from this mysterious world infected by monsters.

Why similar: Metroidvania 40.2%, Side Scroller 21.6%, Action 18.1%, Indie 13.7%, Horror 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A metroidvania that focuses on atmospheric world-building and exploration in a mysterious, interconnected environment.

In Starless, navigate a space Ark infested with terrifying monsters in this stealth-action game inspired by classic sci-fi. Can you help the colonists survive, or will they be doomed to roam the endless void of space forever?

Why similar: Sci-fi 24.2%, Survival Horror 22.1%, Female Protagonist 20%, Action 17.4%, Horror 16.3%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi horror game that focuses on stealth and psychological tension while navigating a dangerous alien environment.

Barotrauma is a 2D co-op submarine simulator – in space, with survival horror and RPG elements. Steer your submarine, complete missions, fight monsters, fix leaks, operate machinery, man the guns and craft items, and stay alert: danger in Barotrauma doesn’t announce itself!

Why similar: Survival Horror 33%, Sci-fi 27.3%, Horror 22.7%, Action 17%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the intense, claustrophobic horror of surviving in a hostile, alien environment with limited resources.

Make your way on foot, on a hoverbike, up skyscrapers, and down bottomless pits, as you exterminate a threat of unknown origin!

Why similar: Action 30.2%, Female Protagonist 24.4%, Sci-fi 24.4%, Indie 20.9%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-style platformer that focuses on action and exploration, capturing the feel of classic side-scrolling games.

Claire is alone, lost, and hunted. The world has quickly becomes shrouded in darkness with unseen threats stalking Claire from the shadows. Aided by her dog and armed only with a flashlight, Claire must conquer her fear and find her comatose mother. However, there are others lost in the darkness seeking salvation.

Why similar: Horror 23.6%, Female Protagonist 21.8%, Indie 20.2%, Survival Horror 17.4%, Action 16.9%

Why You'll Like It: A horror-themed side-scroller that focuses on survival and maintaining sanity in a dark, oppressive environment.

Syndrome, a sci-fi survival horror game that places you in a living hell inside a doomed starship. Find out what happened to your lost crew. Run. Hide. Fight. Survive.

Why similar: Survival Horror 31.3%, Sci-fi 24.1%, Horror 23.6%, Action 21%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi survival horror game that emphasizes stealth, scavenging, and the feeling of being trapped in a derelict ship.

ChAIR’s fresh twist on classic side-scrolling design with modern gameplay is amplified in Shadow Complex Remastered. 10+ hrs of exploration and fast-paced combat from award-winning original game, updated with graphical enhancements, dynamic melee take-downs, and new Master Challenges.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36%, Side Scroller 27%, 2.5D 15.1%, Action 13.9%, Sci-fi 8%

Why You'll Like It: A 2.5D side-scroller that offers modern combat and exploration mechanics within a high-stakes, militaristic sci-fi setting.

Harness the power of dark energy as you jump, slash, shoot and bombard your way through an army of alien soldiers and killer robots in an arcade style, twin-stick shooter with a slick 80's synthwave soundtrack.

Why similar: Side Scroller 56.2%, Female Protagonist 16.5%, Sci-fi 14.1%, Action 13.2%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced side-scrolling action game that features a sci-fi aesthetic and challenging combat encounters.

Three limbs ripped off, infected with a deadly parasite, you must survive. Drag yourself through the hallways of an infested arcship, fight off twisted eldritch creatures, craft vaccines and ammunition, and escape to civilization.

Why similar: Sci-fi 29.2%, Survival Horror 29.1%, Action 22.9%, Horror 18.8%

Grimind is a 2D, physics based, adventure, platform game in horror/creepy theme. Grimind casts you into forgotten caves and ancient crypts, without memories. While being there you have to demonstrate great manual skills to pass obstacles and solve non trivial puzzles to get out of scary environment and additionally discover what are you...

Why similar: Side Scroller 38.8%, Indie 32.1%, Action 15.3%, Horror 13.8%

Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling platformer that uses horror themes and physics-based puzzles to create a tense experience.

“Probably the best downloadable title on the market right now.” 9/10 – Eurogamer.se

Why similar: Side Scroller 43.6%, Action 21.4%, Indie 15.7%, 2.5D 13%, Horror 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling survival game that emphasizes atmosphere, environmental puzzles, and the feeling of being hunted.

CRUSH DEPTH is first-person sci-fi horror game set at the bottom of the ocean. A salvage operation that would set you up for life goes sideways when you realize you're not alone down there. You'll solve puzzles and run from danger as you uncover the mysterious fate of Eclipse Station.

Why similar: Sci-fi 29.8%, Female Protagonist 22.4%, Horror 19.6%, Action 18.2%, Indie 10%

EX VITRO is a dark sci-fi 2D platformer where you delve into the ruins of a military research facility and discover the horrors within. Whether machine, creature, or something else entirely, you’ll face the violent legacy of the last survivors of humanity.

Why similar: Metroidvania 54%, Action 16.2%, Sci-fi 15.6%, Horror 14.1%

Single player horror game set in an underground lab. Kill monsters and escape.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 100%

Armed with God-given powers, the revived tribune Adrestia is given a second chance to save the universe from her maniacal twin sister. Find secrets, acquire upgrades, and dominate mighty foes through sheer combat prowess as you explore and conquer the horrors of the forsaken vessel Atromitos.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.9%, Sci-fi 23.2%, Female Protagonist 16%, Action 15.9%

DeHumanized is a Roguelite sidescroller action shooter inspired by Metroid and Binding of Isaac.The world runs on physical rules with elements interacted subtly with each other. To survive you have to take strength from beasts, and learn rules how the world works.

Why similar: Action 46.4%, Indie 30%, Female Protagonist 23.6%

Why You'll Like It: An action-heavy metroidvania that focuses on exploration and survival in a hostile, sci-fi setting.

Embark on a gripping journey in INDUSTRIA, an atmospheric FPS set in Cold War-era East Berlin. Unravel the secrets of a mysterious parallel dimension while searching for a missing colleague. Explore a haunting reality where the truth awaits. Discover the dark past that lies beyond.

Why similar: Sci-fi 28.4%, Action 24.1%, Female Protagonist 21.5%, Horror 14.6%, Indie 11.4%

Three fractured realities. One collapsing multiverse. Fast, fluid combat in a dark sci-fi Roguevania where each run begins in a separate universe — then lets you fuse your parallel selves, powers, and worlds to create brutal, ever-evolving builds.

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.7%, 2.5D 24.5%, Female Protagonist 14.3%, Action 13.3%, Indie 8.2%

ROUTINE is a First Person Sci-Fi Horror set on an abandoned lunar base designed around an 80s vision of the future. Explore and investigate your surroundings as you survive against unknown threats.

Why similar: Sci-fi 33.5%, Survival Horror 25.6%, Action 22.2%, Horror 18.7%

A mysterious agent, capable of becoming a digital ghost, sneaks aboard the Nakamura Space Station. This is where the fun begins: the station is well-protected with its heavy defences, never-ending arsenal of weapons, and mysterious artifacts. It will all have to be destroyed.

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.7%, Action 14.1%, Side Scroller 13.2%, Female Protagonist 12.1%, Indie 11.3%

This is an independent action shooting game with a third person horror atmosphere. Facing the terrifying monsters in the space station, you must overcome the shortage of supplies, solve numerous mysteries, and successfully escape danger

Why similar: Action 41.9%, Female Protagonist 29.4%, Horror 19.1%, Indie 9.6%

Anthophobia is a side-scrolling action survival horror. In the wake of a global plant-based pandemic, the protagonist has kept hidden in her apartment for three months. Now that her water supplies have run dry, it is time to brave the floral armageddon and seek new shelter.

Why similar: Side Scroller 26.6%, Survival Horror 24.4%, Action 20.7%, Indie 14.2%, Horror 7.1%

Bushside Rangers® is a first-person survival horror game that forces you to use your wits as you navigate through the dark, dreary depths of an abandoned nature park.

Why similar: Survival Horror 31.7%, Female Protagonist 28.7%, Action 21.4%, Horror 18.3%

Dark Water is an Action Platformer game where you use a bow.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.3%, Action 23.5%, Female Protagonist 22.2%, Indie 16.1%

A tough platformer following a girl diving over the heads of terrifying creatures and bouncing off walls to traverse a mysterious, unsettling world that's so much bigger than her: the "world between all worlds"

Why similar: Action 50%, Horror 23.4%, Female Protagonist 20.6%, Indie 6.1%

A short horror about exploring abandoned space stations and collecting junk in order to pay off your S.R.P.O debt.

Why similar: Sci-fi 35%, Action 28.7%, Horror 25.8%, Indie 10.4%

Morphite is a casual atmospheric FPS, inspired by the classics. Research plants and animals, battle hostile entities, and unravel a mystery surrounding a rare material called Morphite.

Why similar: Action 47.7%, Indie 32.2%, Female Protagonist 20.2%

"シシテナオ-Even in Death-" is stealth horror action game that requires trial and error. It tells the story of a young girl who wakes up in a strange and unsettling world, where eerie creatures known as "Ochibito" roam.

Why similar: Side Scroller 40.6%, Action 20%, Female Protagonist 15.6%, Horror 14.8%, Indie 9%

Embark on a journey through the longest night with Leila, a valiant member of the Vigilant Order. Delve into the hidden truths shrouded in eternal darkness, unravel the mystery surrounding Leila's enigmatic sister, and confront the eldritch horrors lurking in a world that has lost the light of day.

Why similar: Side Scroller 37.6%, Metroidvania 34.4%, Female Protagonist 12.4%, Action 8%, Horror 7.6%

A tech-noir survival horror short story, set in the urban decay of a long abandoned British city. Solve environmental puzzles, manage limited resources and fight for a way to escape beyond the wall.

Why similar: Survival Horror 48.3%, Female Protagonist 36.3%, Horror 15.5%

Embark on a deadly solo mission to uncover Vandermire’s secrets. Absorb alien morphs to evolve beyond human limits. Guided by your AI suit, explore alien biomes, master unique abilities, and fight to survive in a stunning action adventure. The universe is at stake.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.1%, Sci-fi 21%, Action 18.5%, Female Protagonist 17.4%

Experience the game in its best form with the Director's Cut Edition. New graphics, new enemies, more weapons, more blood...

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.3%, 2.5D 20%, Action 17.1%, Survival Horror 10.3%, Sci-fi 9.2%

Withering Rooms is a challenging 2.5D horror RPG set in a procedurally generated Victorian mansion that changes each night. Explore Mostyn House to collect the perfect items for your build and face a huge cast of overgrown undead, invisible ghosts, devious witches, and more.

Why similar: 2.5D 34%, Horror 21.8%, Side Scroller 16.1%, Female Protagonist 12.7%, Action 9.6%

3D metroidvania game Evil Genome is coming! Heroine Lachesis will lead you to explore the vast wasteland world, experience different battles as well as develop your own character!

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.9%, Side Scroller 20.8%, Action 20.3%, Indie 15.8%, Female Protagonist 10.1%

Zapling Bygone is a twisted metroidvania where you murder your foes and steal their abilities by wearing their skulls and absorbing their consciousness into your hive-mind.

Why similar: Side Scroller 34.3%, Metroidvania 33.7%, Sci-fi 12.7%, Action 9.7%, Horror 9.6%

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 44.5%, Side Scroller 20.8%, 2.5D 11.7%, Female Protagonist 11.6%, Action 10.4%

Destroy... Absorb... Grow... GRIME is a fast and unforgiving Action-Adventure RPG in which you crush your foes with living weapons that mutate form and function, and then consume their remains with a black hole to strengthen your vessel as you break apart a world of anatomical horror and intrigue.

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.3%, Side Scroller 28.7%, 2.5D 19.7%, Action 10.1%, Indie 6.1%

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 46.3%, Side Scroller 17.3%, Action 15.2%, Indie 13.5%, Sci-fi 5.3%

Possessed by an alien entity, slash and tear countless enemies with your monstrous claws, you must find a way to escape the planet before you lose what's left of your humanity! Exodemon is a game inspired by the 90s FPS golden age.

Why similar: Action 39.7%, Indie 38.5%, Female Protagonist 21.8%

Anoxemia is a story-driven exploration game that puts you in control of the scientist Dr. Bailey and his operations drone, ATMA. Search the ocean floor as you discover and extract samples from the bowels of the underwater caves. Danger lurks in each passageway.

Why similar: Side Scroller 57.7%, Action 18.6%, Indie 13%, Horror 10.7%

Explore terrifying liminal spaces. Horror walking simulator with reality-bending platforming and supernatural threats. Get lost between dimensions.

Why similar: Action 67%, Sci-fi 19.2%, Indie 13.8%