Games Like FEZ

This is the original version of Braid from 2009, which may not work well on newer systems. For an updated version of the game with nicer graphics, more levels and a large amount of developer commentary, see Braid, Anniversary Edition.

Why similar: Platformer 32.2%, Puzzle 22.5%, Puzzle Platformer 19.6%, Great Soundtrack 13.1%, Indie 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A classic puzzle-platformer that uses time manipulation mechanics to challenge your perception of space and logic.

Antichamber is a mind-bending psychological exploration game where nothing can be taken for granted. Discover an Escher-like world where hallways wrap around upon each other, spaces reconfigure themselves, and accomplishing the impossible may just be the only way forward.

Why similar: Puzzle 57.2%, Exploration 16.6%, Indie 11.5%, Great Soundtrack 6.3%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: This first-person puzzle game uses non-Euclidean geometry to subvert your expectations of space, much like the perspective-shifting mechanics of FEZ.

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: Puzzle 47.4%, Exploration 32.4%, Indie 7.5%, Metroidvania 6.4%, Cute 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: Like FEZ, this game features a cryptic world filled with hidden secrets and a unique language that players must decipher to progress.

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

Why similar: Puzzle 51.9%, Exploration 18.5%, Indie 6.6%, Great Soundtrack 6.1%, Mystery 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the focus on environmental observation and non-linear puzzle-solving within a beautiful, mysterious, and interconnected world.

Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter beautiful and unsettling creatures, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

Why similar: Platformer 24.5%, Puzzle 18.3%, Exploration 12.2%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Puzzle Platformer 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: A dense, atmospheric metroidvania that prioritizes exploration and hidden secrets over combat, echoing the discovery-focused gameplay of FEZ.

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: Great Soundtrack 31.4%, Puzzle 17.7%, Exploration 17%, Beautiful 13% ★, Mystery 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same profound sense of discovery and non-linear exploration as you piece together the mystery of a dying solar system.

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 47.3%, Great Soundtrack 17.7%, Indie 8.6%, Exploration 6.4%, Adventure 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses heavily on the linguistic puzzles and deciphering mechanics that made the secret-hunting in FEZ so rewarding.

VVVVVV is a platform game all about exploring one simple mechanical idea - what if you reversed gravity instead of jumping?

Why similar: Platformer 34.8%, Great Soundtrack 27.2%, Pixel Graphics 17.9%, Indie 6.9%, Exploration 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A precision-platformer that uses a unique gravity-flipping mechanic to create challenging, puzzle-like navigation sequences.

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 36.8%, Exploration 17.5%, Puzzle Platformer 15.5%, Mystery 8.4%, Indie 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a mind-bending experience centered on gravity manipulation and infinite, repeating architectural structures.

What if someone knew your mind better than you did? The Swapper is an award-winning, narrative driven puzzle game set in the furthest reaches of space.

Why similar: Puzzle 33.8%, Platformer 25.4%, Great Soundtrack 14%, Puzzle Platformer 7.6%, Indie 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric puzzle game that uses cloning mechanics to navigate complex, sci-fi environments.

Gorogoa is an elegant evolution of the puzzle genre, told through a beautifully hand-drawn story designed and illustrated by Jason Roberts. Winner of Debut Game at the 2018 BAFTA Games Awards, as well as Best Mobile Game and the Innovation Award at the GDC 2018 Choice Awards.

Why similar: Puzzle 41.4%, Beautiful 19.1% ★, Great Soundtrack 14%, Indie 7.3%, Mystery 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game features beautiful, hand-drawn art and perspective-shifting puzzles that require you to layer and manipulate images to progress.

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: Platformer 33.2%, Puzzle 19.7%, Puzzle Platformer 12.8%, Exploration 12.6%, Indie 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A metroidvania-style puzzle game that relies on environmental interaction and observation rather than traditional combat or inventory systems.

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

Why similar: Platformer 41.7%, Pixel Graphics 15.8%, Exploration 15.7%, Indie 7.7%, Metroidvania 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential indie metroidvania that balances tight platforming with a sense of mystery and exploration.

Perception is reality. In this mind-bending first-person puzzler, you escape a surreal dream world through solving impossible puzzles using the ambiguity of depth and perspective.

Why similar: Puzzle 56.4%, Exploration 17.9%, Puzzle Platformer 15.8%, Adventure 5.5%, Singleplayer 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game plays with forced perspective and scale, forcing you to rethink how you interact with 3D objects in a 2D-like manner.

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: Platformer 44.3%, Puzzle 20%, Great Soundtrack 8.4%, Indie 6.5%, Puzzle Platformer 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle-platformer that uses magnetism and electricity mechanics to navigate its intricate, steampunk-inspired world.

Guide a group of rectangles through 120 levels, using their different skills together to overcome a series of obstacles in each environment. Discover the human-made story of the first sentient artificial intelligences with Danny Wallace’s BAFTA-winning narration.

Why similar: Platformer 51.7%, Puzzle Platformer 15.7%, Indie 8.9%, Mystery 8.2%, Adventure 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist platformer that uses simple shapes and clever narration to create a surprisingly deep and emotional experience.

Carto is a charming adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-altering puzzle mechanic. Use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of characters, and guide Carto on her journey back to her family.

Why similar: Puzzle 36.7%, Exploration 20.9%, Indie 15.3%, Relaxing 6.7%, Adventure 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A charming adventure game where you manipulate the map itself to explore new areas and solve environmental puzzles.

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

Why similar: Platformer 32%, Pixel Graphics 18.9%, Great Soundtrack 17.6%, Indie 7.4%, Metroidvania 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A pixel-art metroidvania that is deeply focused on exploration and uncovering cryptic secrets hidden throughout its map.

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 26.2%, Exploration 19.1%, Pixel Graphics 14%, Beautiful 13.2% ★, Indie 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the pure joy of exploration and the atmospheric, low-pressure discovery that makes the world of FEZ so inviting.

Discover the secrets of the Calamity, a surreal catastrophe that shattered the world to pieces.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 75.1%, Indie 13.9%, Singleplayer 3.6%, Adventure 3.4%, Beautiful 2.5% ★

Why You'll Like It: While more action-oriented, it shares the beautiful, hand-painted aesthetic and atmospheric world-building found in FEZ.

Explore the ancient, mysterious world of Journey as you soar above ruins and glide across sands to discover its secrets.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 31.7%, Beautiful 30.3% ★, Exploration 13.1%, Indie 7.9%, Adventure 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on atmospheric exploration and wordless storytelling, emphasizing the beauty of the world over complex mechanics.

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 49.4%, Great Soundtrack 16.7%, Pixel Graphics 14.5%, Indie 11.7%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: A logic-based puzzle game that forces you to rewrite the rules of the game world, mirroring the meta-puzzle nature of FEZ.

Owlboy is a story-driven platform adventure game, where you can fly and explore a brand new world in the clouds! Pick up your friends, and bring them with you as you explore the open skies, in one of the most detailed adventures of this era.

Why similar: Platformer 32.9%, Pixel Graphics 17.2%, Puzzle Platformer 10.5%, Exploration 10.3%, Indie 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: Features gorgeous pixel art and a focus on exploration and traversal mechanics in a vibrant, interconnected world.

Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 44.4%, Pixel Graphics 24.5%, Exploration 9.4%, Indie 9%, Adventure 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: It features a cryptic, wordless narrative told through its environment and stunning pixel art, rewarding observant players.

Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.

Why similar: Puzzle 35.1%, Pixel Graphics 25.4%, Relaxing 12.4%, Indie 9.9%, Casual 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A meditative experience that uses environmental storytelling to reveal the history of a character through their possessions.

Lost at sea 1803 ~ The good ship Obra Dinn.

Why similar: Puzzle 34.2%, Great Soundtrack 30%, Mystery 17.1%, Indie 8.5%, Singleplayer 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in deduction and observation that rewards players for paying attention to the smallest visual details.

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: Platformer 36.5%, Pixel Graphics 21.8%, Indie 13.7%, Exploration 7%, Metroidvania 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A compact metroidvania that emphasizes exploration and secrets within a charming, retro-inspired pixel art world.

World of Goo is a multiple award winning physics based puzzle / construction game made entirely by two guys.

Why similar: Puzzle 42.2%, Great Soundtrack 37%, Indie 12%, Singleplayer 2.8%, Casual 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based puzzle game that requires creative thinking and spatial awareness to build structures across challenging terrain.

Portal™ is a new single player game from Valve. Set in the mysterious Aperture Science Laboratories, Portal has been called one of the most innovative new games on the horizon and will offer gamers hours of unique gameplay.

Why similar: Puzzle 53%, Puzzle Platformer 22.9%, Platformer 18.1%, Singleplayer 3.3%, Adventure 1.5%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive perspective-based puzzle game that challenges your spatial reasoning in a sterile, mysterious environment.

Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.

Why similar: Platformer 43.4%, Great Soundtrack 22.8%, Indie 8.2%, Beautiful 7.9% ★, Exploration 5.3%

The legendary Knytt series continues with Nifflas’ latest creation; Knytt Underground. In this Knytteration; humans have long since abandoned the planet after practically destroying it in a war, five hundred years ago.

Why similar: Platformer 44.3%, Great Soundtrack 16.2%, Exploration 14.4%, Indie 11.1%, Adventure 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: A massive, atmospheric world focused entirely on exploration and movement rather than combat or traditional progression.

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: Platformer 27%, Puzzle 17.4%, Pixel Graphics 13.4%, Exploration 11.2%, Puzzle Platformer 9.7%

Hue is a vibrant, award-winning puzzle-adventure, where you alter the world by changing its background colour.

Why similar: Platformer 28.2%, Puzzle 22.9%, Great Soundtrack 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 10%, Indie 9.1%

You are stranded on a strange and peculiar planet. It’s time to embark on your journey and find your way home! Explore a gravity defying and challenging platformer with striking visuals and a captivating story that transports you to a world beyond ours.

Why similar: Platformer 41.1%, Puzzle Platformer 15.5%, Puzzle 13.5%, Great Soundtrack 11.5%, Indie 11.2%

A land of discovery stretches out before you. Explore the beautiful, rugged world of RiME. Armed with your wits and a will to overcome—and the guidance of a helpful fox—you must explore the enigmatic island, reach the tower's peak, and unlock its closely guarded secrets.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 33.5%, Puzzle 26.9%, Exploration 15.4%, Platformer 7.4%, Adventure 5.1%

Discover the beautiful world of Nihilumbra and join Born on his adventure to find himself whilst trying to escape from his inevitable curse. Born was created from the absolute nothingness: The Void. But somehow he separates himself from the black emptiness and appears in the world.

Why similar: Platformer 32.8%, Puzzle 19.3%, Great Soundtrack 14.9%, Indie 9.3%, Puzzle Platformer 8.6%

Journey into the forgotten world of Helix, where ancient powers awaken within you. Unlock and combine embodied abilities to unravel the mysteries of a lost civilization. Descend into a tale that will challenge your mind and soul, solving intricate puzzles as you ascend to the light of a new day.

Why similar: Puzzle 29.2%, Great Soundtrack 18.2%, Beautiful 11.9% ★, Exploration 10.1%, Puzzle Platformer 9.3%

Meet Lumote, the squishiest bioluminescent creature, in this beautiful 3D puzzle platformer. Take control of the world’s inhabitants on a quest into the Great Depths to seize control from the Mastermote.

Why similar: Platformer 23.2%, Great Soundtrack 18.8%, Beautiful 13.7% ★, Puzzle 13.5%, Puzzle Platformer 9.1%

Escape Goat 2 is a puzzle platformer game where you use machinery, the environment, and a friendly mouse to progress through a dungeon.

Why similar: Platformer 41.8%, Puzzle 24.6%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Indie 10.2%, Puzzle Platformer 3.4%

Semblance is an innovative platformer with deformable terrain, set in a beautiful minimalist world. It’s a game that asks, what if you could deform and reshape the world itself? Semblance takes the idea of a ‘platform’ in a platformer and turns it on its head.

Why similar: Platformer 26.6%, Great Soundtrack 22.8%, Puzzle 16.5%, Puzzle Platformer 10%, Indie 8.7%

Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots to protect him.

Why similar: Platformer 49.1%, Pixel Graphics 21.7%, Indie 11.1%, Great Soundtrack 10%, Adventure 2.5%

Traverse a mythic little realm, use a sword to do battle & evoke sworcery to solve mystical musical mysteries.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 40.6%, Pixel Graphics 16.9%, Indie 10%, Puzzle 9.8%, Beautiful 7.1% ★

Explore Mandagon, a world inspired by Tibetan theology and philosophy. With a focus on life and death, discover what it means to make a true sacrifice . . .

Why similar: Platformer 40%, Pixel Graphics 16.8%, Great Soundtrack 12.4%, Indie 8.5%, Adventure 4%

EDGE, the award winning retro-styled platform game has been extended! Now with over 40 brand new levels, additional music and all-new races against the notorious Dark Cube!

Why similar: Puzzle 27.5%, Platformer 22.6%, Great Soundtrack 21%, Puzzle Platformer 16.3%, Indie 9.3%

In the dark and mysterious world of Closure, only what you see exists. Manipulate lights to phase objects in and out of reality in this multiple-award-winning puzzle game. Play as a strange spider-like demon who explores the stories of three human characters through beautiful, eerie environments such as a decrepit factory, a murky...

Why similar: Platformer 42.3%, Puzzle 28.8%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%, Indie 8.8%, Puzzle Platformer 7.4%

You play an explorer stranded on a dangerous alien planet. Low on fuel, your only hope for escape is to find the planet’s core in this incredibly clever action-puzzle-platformer.

Why similar: Platformer 36.1%, Great Soundtrack 20.4%, Puzzle 14%, Pixel Graphics 11.4%, Indie 5.8%

Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a challenging new experience each time you play. Journey deep underground and explore fantastic places filled with all manner of monsters, traps, and treasure.

Why similar: Platformer 73.9%, Indie 12%, Great Soundtrack 9.5%, 2D 2.7%, Adventure 1.2%

Journey to another planet and discover its secrets in order to bring your loved one back to life. Experience an adventure, inspired by old school classics like Another World, Heart of Darkness and Flashback.

Why similar: Platformer 36%, Pixel Graphics 18%, Puzzle Platformer 12.3%, Indie 10.6%, Puzzle 9.7%

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: Great Soundtrack 37.7%, Puzzle 19.2%, Pixel Graphics 17.1%, Indie 8.1%, Exploration 6.2%

ZeGame is a beautiful puzzle game with complex but rewarding puzzles in three dimensions. Discover the new surroundings in every world, each having their own unique look and feel.

Why similar: Puzzle 37.7%, Beautiful 20.9% ★, Indie 16.8%, Adventure 7.9%, Relaxing 7.4%

Run, climb and glide your way through a dark Nordic forest and explore its living, breathing ecosystem filled with secrets and mystical creatures. Become Fe and discover a world that you will never want to leave.

Why similar: Puzzle 58.4%, Beautiful 16.1% ★, Exploration 7.2%, Adventure 7%, Singleplayer 5.1%

In Mark of the Ninja, you'll know what it is to truly be a ninja. You must be silent, agile and clever to outwit your opponents in a world of gorgeous scenery and flowing animation. Marked with cursed tattoos giving you heightened senses, every situation presents you with options.

Why similar: Platformer 74.4%, Indie 11.9%, 2D 3.7%, Puzzle 3.5%, Singleplayer 3%

Delve into an environmental puzzle platformer built on exploring and understanding gravity-shifting structures. You are a voiceless being that has just been born into a world where a bodiless voice awaits your arrival. Go forth and seek your purpose.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 27%, Platformer 22.9%, Puzzle 15.6%, Puzzle Platformer 8.9%, Beautiful 8% ★

A robot, a poncho and a journey of discovery! Make your way through this wonderful world of pixelated parallax platforming to solve the ultimate puzzle: who is Poncho?

Why similar: Platformer 32.8%, Great Soundtrack 13.9%, Indie 11.4%, Pixel Graphics 10.7%, Puzzle Platformer 7.1%

Join Pixel as he quests through gaming history, teleporting across the most iconic video game systems of generations past. He’ll have to jump, dodge and play smart if he wants to survive all the traps, puzzles and enemies waiting to take him down at every turn.

Why similar: Platformer 43.2%, Great Soundtrack 25%, Pixel Graphics 14.2%, Indie 9.3%, Retro 2.9%

Celebrate the 20th anniversary of the indie freeware classic, rebuilt for modern machines! Explore a maze-like planet as the Knytt, a peaceful being abducted by aliens, find your missing ship parts, and get back home in this zen-like atmospheric platformer.

Why similar: Platformer 39.9%, Exploration 18.9%, Puzzle Platformer 14.9%, Pixel Graphics 10.4%, Indie 5.6%

Hiiro is a 2D platform game focused on ambient exploration and puzzle solving. Discover a grand world filled with mysterious artifacts and forgotten ruins. Become immersed in relaxing gameplay and meditative music. Remain observant as you unravel an explanation for your solitude.

Why similar: Platformer 28.8%, Adventure 16.2%, Puzzle 14.5%, Exploration 8.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%

Deep underground lies a reminder of Boarkind’s darkest hours. All it takes is one little boar to dig it back up. A block puzzler with an exploratory twist, Full Bore throws the player into an open world of crumbling mines, arcane ruins, and technological wonders with only curiosity to lead the way.

Why similar: Platformer 23.8%, Great Soundtrack 20.5%, Puzzle 19.7%, Indie 10.4%, Exploration 5.6%

Guacamelee! is a Metroidvania-style action-platformer set in a magical Mexican-inspired world. The game draws its inspiration from traditional Mexican culture and folklore, and features many interesting and unique characters.

Why similar: Platformer 62.5%, Great Soundtrack 10.6%, Indie 9.7%, Metroidvania 7.3%, Exploration 3.7%

The Stanley Parable is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will never end.

Why similar: Exploration 29.8%, Indie 29.3%, Puzzle 20.7%, Adventure 9.6%, Singleplayer 5.6%