Games Like Hollow Knight

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 31.9%, Souls-like 21.9%, Difficult 12.6%, Platformer 8.8%, Hand-drawn 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It pairs a dense interconnected map and tough boss progression with fast, demanding combat that scratches the same mastery-driven itch as Hollow Knight.

ENDER LILIES is a dark fantasy 2D action RPG about unraveling the mysteries of a destroyed kingdom. On this sorrowful journey, encounter horrific enemies against whom a moment of inattention could be fatal. Overcome these hardships and seek the truth with the help of fallen knights.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.6%, Souls-like 20.6%, Great Soundtrack 14.2%, Difficult 7.5%, Dark Fantasy 6%

Why You'll Like It: Its somber world, careful exploration, and boss-focused 2D combat make it one of the closest tonal and structural matches to Hollow Knight.

Play the critically acclaimed masterpiece. Embark on a new journey in a vast, exotic world where you’ll encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel Ori’s destiny.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.3%, Great Soundtrack 21.4%, Platformer 11.2%, Difficult 6.1%, Souls-like 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This delivers fluid traversal, emotional atmosphere, and a large ability-gated world while adding stronger combat than the first Ori.

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 41.2%, Souls-like 24.9%, Difficult 7.9%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%, Dark Fantasy 6%

Why You'll Like It: If you loved Hollow Knight's oppressive mood and challenging exploration, this offers a darker, more brutal spin on that formula.

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: Souls-like 41.9%, Metroidvania 28%, Difficult 10.2%, Dark Fantasy 5.4%, Platformer 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: It translates Souls-style stamina combat, bleak worldbuilding, and layered 2D exploration into a metroidvania structure very close to Hollow Knight's appeal.

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 32.1%, Souls-like 23.6%, Difficult 12.5%, Platformer 9.6%, Dark Fantasy 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its strange decaying world, tough enemy design, and rewarding ability-based exploration make it a great fit for players who liked Hollow Knight's harsher side.

“Ori and the Blind Forest” tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning Action-Platformer crafted by Moon Studios.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.7%, Great Soundtrack 23.4%, Platformer 11.8%, Difficult 7.9%, Atmospheric 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: While less combat-heavy, it captures Hollow Knight's emotional atmosphere, elegant movement, and rewarding backtracking through a beautiful world.

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 30.9%, Souls-like 21.2%, Difficult 12.7%, Platformer 9.2%, Hand-drawn 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: This is a huge, difficult metroidvania with intricate platforming and deep progression for players who most enjoyed Hollow Knight's challenge and scale.

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: Souls-like 37.2%, Metroidvania 31.3%, Difficult 6.3%, Dark Fantasy 5.5%, Platformer 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its 2D souls-like combat, elaborate bosses, and interconnected world make it a strong choice if you want more weighty, punishing exploration.

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 44.7%, Platformer 11.9%, Dark Fantasy 6.9%, Exploration 6.5%, Open World 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is openly inspired by Hollow Knight, with a lonely ruined world, snappy combat, map-driven exploration, and a very similar sense of discovery.

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: Metroidvania 58.1%, Platformer 13.4%, Exploration 8.7%, Atmospheric 5.4%, 2D 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: This leans harder into mystery and exploration than combat, but its nonlinear world and constant sense of hidden secrets strongly echo Hollow Knight's discovery loop.

Afterimage is a hand-drawn 2D action adventure that emphasizes fast-paced combat with diversified character builds, non-linear levels, and a gripping story set in the ruins of a fantasy world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.8%, Souls-like 21.2%, Difficult 11.6%, Platformer 8.3%, Exploration 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: Its sprawling map, plentiful movement upgrades, and emphasis on wandering through a beautiful ruined world align well with Hollow Knight's exploratory side.

Decades after the events of ENDER LILIES, Homunculi — sorrowful, artificial life forms — roam the land. In this dark fantasy Metroidvania, face formidable enemies and explore a bewitching post-apocalyptic world. Humans and Homunculi — what awaits at the end of the quest for their salvation?

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.7%, Souls-like 18%, Great Soundtrack 11.9%, Dark Fantasy 6.3%, 2D 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: Like ENDER LILIES, it combines mournful atmosphere, clean combat, and gradual map expansion in a polished dark fantasy metroidvania.

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 32.7%, Souls-like 21.9%, Difficult 12.7%, Platformer 9.3%, Exploration 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: This offers tight dodge-focused combat, memorable bosses, and a melancholy atmosphere in a compact metroidvania format.

Dive into the latest evolution of The Last Faith: a dark and gothic fusion of metroidvania and soulslike. Engage in merciless and precise combat with a huge range of weapons, firearms, and custom executions. Let nothing stand in the way of your journey to salvation.

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.4%, Souls-like 27.7%, Difficult 9.4%, Platformer 7.1%, Dark Fantasy 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It blends gothic horror, crisp combat, and metroidvania progression in a way that feels tailor-made for fans of Hollow Knight and Blasphemous.

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 62%, Great Soundtrack 12.5%, Platformer 6.7%, Side Scroller 3.7%, Dark Fantasy 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This is a more RPG-driven take on the genre, but its large map, build variety, and steady stream of unlocks hit a similar progression rhythm.

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 56.7%, Great Soundtrack 16.4%, Platformer 9.7%, Difficult 3.1%, 2D 3%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes isolation, hidden routes, and ability-gated exploration, making it a strong recommendation for players who loved Hollow Knight's world design.

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: Metroidvania 55.7%, Platformer 15%, Exploration 5.7%, Atmospheric 5.6%, Side Scroller 5%

Why You'll Like It: If your favorite part of Hollow Knight was movement freedom and secret hunting, this delivers a massive exploration-heavy world packed with platforming upgrades.

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 48%, Platformer 14.3%, Atmospheric 6.1%, Story Rich 5.7%, Exploration 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It is lighter in tone, but the smooth traversal, interconnected world design, and satisfying exploration make it a great comfort-pick for Hollow Knight fans.

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 27.5%, Souls-like 11%, Platformer 11%, Difficult 9.2%, Dark Fantasy 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: The precise platforming, atmospheric world, and ability-based progression appeal most to Hollow Knight players who loved navigating dangerous environments.

Push the limits of your combat skills, and master new abilities to progress through an unforgiving nonlinear 2D world. Face off against the relentless darkness that seeks to destroy you. In Moonscars, every death is a lesson learnt—and as you overcome each challenge, new truths will be revealed.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.3%, Souls-like 29.3%, Platformer 8.1%, Difficult 5.2%, Dark Fantasy 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: This channels the darker, more punishing side of Hollow Knight with parry-heavy combat, bleak atmosphere, and interconnected progression.

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 23.7%, Difficult 21.7%, Souls-like 13%, Platformer 11.5%, Atmospheric 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It is less of a metroidvania, but its hostile ecosystem, cryptic exploration, and lonely atmosphere strongly match Hollow Knight's sense of vulnerability and wonder.

Flow gracefully through a colorful, hand-drawn 2.5D action platformer inspired by Japanese folklore. Engage in acrobatic aerial combat, unlock powerful mystical abilities, and explore an interconnected world of myth as you seek to unravel the mysteries of your origin.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.1%, Souls-like 24.9%, Platformer 11.4%, Hand-drawn 5.9%, Exploration 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its acrobatic platforming, elegant 2D art, and exploration-driven structure make it a natural fit for players who enjoyed Hollow Knight's grace and flow.

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 42.2%, Great Soundtrack 23%, Platformer 14.1%, Difficult 8%, 2D 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: Once it opens up, it becomes a clever action-platforming metroidvania with sharp movement and rewarding exploration for players who value traversal feel.

SteamWorld Dig is back! Dig deep, gain riches and unearth the terrors of the underworld in this platform mining adventure influenced by classic Metroidvania style games.

Why similar: Metroidvania 54.2%, Platformer 15.3%, Great Soundtrack 11.3%, 2D 4.8%, Adventure 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: It is more approachable, but the loop of digging, upgrading, and uncovering a cleverly connected underground world is extremely satisfying.

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 28.8%, Souls-like 17.2%, Great Soundtrack 14.6%, Difficult 10.9%, Platformer 6.6%

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 58.9%, Platformer 15.8%, Exploration 8.7%, 2D 5.6%, Adventure 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its tightly layered castle, constant shortcut discovery, and demanding retro challenge make it especially good for players who loved Hollow Knight's map mastery.

Worldless is a stylised 2D platformer with a unique combat system and a mind-bending interpretative narrative. Players embark on a journey of self-growth and understanding, pushing the limits of their nature in a newly born and abstract universe.

Why similar: Metroidvania 62.7%, Platformer 20.8%, 2D 7.5%, Singleplayer 3.1%, Action 3%

Why You'll Like It: Its minimalist storytelling, demanding timing-based combat, and meditative atmosphere make it a good offbeat choice for Hollow Knight fans who want something moodier and more experimental.

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 63.5%, Platformer 10.8%, Difficult 10.3%, Indie 4.9%, Adventure 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: Its challenging platforming, nonlinear progression, and old-school exploration make it a strong pick if you want another demanding 2D adventure.

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 50.7%, Great Soundtrack 14.2%, Platformer 11.1%, Story Rich 5.3%, Indie 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: This mixes expressive pixel art, puzzle-platforming, and character-driven exploration into a polished 2D adventure with strong metroidvania DNA.

Embark on a grand adventure in Phoenotopia! An action-adventure puzzle platformer inspired by the great classics. Meet charming townsfolk, brave the dungeons, and thwart evil in your quest to save your family.

Why similar: Metroidvania 56%, Platformer 19.8%, 2D 6.4%, Adventure 5.1%, Action 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: This blends exploration, tricky combat, and a big handcrafted world with the same adventurous, secret-filled spirit that makes Hollow Knight so absorbing.

Dead Cells is a roguelite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.5%, Souls-like 23.5%, Difficult 13.6%, Platformer 9.8%, Dark Fantasy 6.3%

“Ori and the Blind Forest” tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning action-platformer crafted by Moon Studios for PC.

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.8%, Great Soundtrack 29.1%, Platformer 10.8%, Difficult 7.3%, Atmospheric 5.4%

Solateria is a hand-drawn action Metroidvania with parry-focused combat. A small fire warrior journeys to find the Primordial Flame, the world’s last hope against the Shadow Plague. Defeat foes with stylish parries and explore mysterious realms to uncover the world’s secrets.

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.7%, Souls-like 21.6%, Difficult 12.6%, Platformer 6.8%, Hand-drawn 5.6%

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

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 28.9%, Difficult 18.4%, Metroidvania 17.4%, Souls-like 12.8%, Atmospheric 6.5%

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: Metroidvania 45.4%, Platformer 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 16.1%, 2D 4.3%, Indie 3.3%

Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 34.7%, Difficult 24.6%, Platformer 15.9%, Story Rich 4.3%, Indie 4%

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 61.3%, Difficult 15.5%, Souls-like 11.7%, Platformer 2.4%, Action 2.1%

Demons, giants, mutants, and a talking Ball with hybrid limbs?! In WarriOrb you play as a mighty demon trapped in an unlikely body. The path ahead is not an easy one. Will you do whatever it takes to regain your freedom?

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.4%, Souls-like 18%, Great Soundtrack 14%, Difficult 9.7%, Platformer 7.6%

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 36.9%, Souls-like 18.2%, Difficult 11.8%, Platformer 10.7%, Exploration 5.4%

3000th Duel is action-adventure game that has speedy, exciting battles as its charm. Fight against monsters with your own style of battle to travel an unidentified world and discover a secret hidden.

Why similar: Metroidvania 24.7%, Souls-like 18.5%, Great Soundtrack 13%, Difficult 10%, Platformer 7.4%

8Doors is a story-driven Metroidvania-style action platformer heavily influenced by Korean folktales. Play as ‘Arum’, a brave girl that has entered the realm of the afterlife in search of her father’s soul and guide her through the '8 Doors of Purgatory' to solve the mysteries that lie deep within.

Why similar: Metroidvania 49.4%, Platformer 11.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.2%, Difficult 6.1%, Indie 4.1%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.1%, Great Soundtrack 22.8%, Platformer 15.2%, Difficult 5%, Indie 3.1%

Dash into a stylish and thrilling action-adventure platformer set in a mythological Persian world where the boundaries of time and space are yours to manipulate.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.7%, Exploration 7.8%, Side Scroller 5.7%, Souls-like 5.6%, Great Soundtrack 4.7%

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 37.6%, Souls-like 25.6%, Dark Fantasy 6.3%, Platformer 6.2%, Exploration 4.7%

You, who was born in a world full of darkness, should wander this hollowed land to find the Relics for a person who created you. However, fallen and lost souls with trap-filled trials await in your course of doing so. Can you survive in this crumbling world and start a new era?

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.8%, Souls-like 23.3%, Difficult 11%, Platformer 6.5%, Dark Fantasy 4.3%

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 45.4%, Great Soundtrack 25.9%, Platformer 8%, Indie 4.1%, 2D 3.8%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 56.2%, Great Soundtrack 11.6%, Platformer 10.8%, Difficult 8.1%, Indie 2.7%

The Guise is a dark metroidvania fairy tale about a boy trapped in the body of a monster. Can he hold onto his humanity? It's up to you.

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.8%, Souls-like 19.3%, Difficult 10.9%, Platformer 8.1%, Hand-drawn 5.1%

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 42.5%, Great Soundtrack 13.9%, Difficult 12.9%, Platformer 10.2%, Exploration 3.9%

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 38%, Souls-like 29%, Difficult 15.3%, Exploration 8.3%, Atmospheric 3.5%

Foregone is a fast and fluid 2D action-platformer packed with legendary loot and stunning pixel art. Collect an arsenal of powerful weapons and unravel a compelling story of regret and conspiracy as you slice your way through hordes of enemies to save Calagan.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33%, Souls-like 20.9%, Difficult 12%, Platformer 11.7%, Side Scroller 5%

Between our world and the world beyond lie the Titan Souls, the spiritual source of all living things. Scattered amongst the ruins and guarded by the idle titans charged with their care, a solitary hero armed with a single arrow is assembling shards of the Titan Soul in a quest for truth and power.

Why similar: Souls-like 48%, Difficult 22.7%, Great Soundtrack 16.3%, 2D 2.9%, Indie 2.7%

Deviator is a Metroidvania game centered around deflect, featuring exquisite 2D hand-drawn visuals. Exploring unknown wilderness and mysterious cities, delving into enigmatic realms of consciousness and encountering peculiar creatures. Try to find the truth behind this chaotic world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 34.9%, Souls-like 23.9%, Platformer 9.7%, Hand-drawn 5.2%, Difficult 5.2%

UNWORTHY is a hardcore combat-focused metroidvania without jumping. Explore a grim universe, discover new weapons and abilities, and defeat the vile creatures that plague the land.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.2%, Souls-like 32.3%, Difficult 10.6%, Dark Fantasy 6.4%, Indie 3%

Explore a stunning hand-crafted world ravaged by war and ruled by a evil tyrant. Face a wide variety of enemies as you customize your strategy, switch weapons, and unlock powerful abilities

Why similar: Metroidvania 34.9%, Souls-like 22%, Difficult 12.3%, Platformer 9%, Exploration 4.8%

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 45.2%, Platformer 13.5%, Great Soundtrack 13.1%, Adventure 4%, Exploration 3.9%

Make impactful decisions in moral dilemma situations, which will change the course of your journey through this atmospheric, hand-drawn metroidvania. Explore the hazardous paths of the Realm of Aestik and fight its corrupted inhabitants as you unravel its deep-rooted mysteries.

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.1%, Souls-like 21.7%, Platformer 9.3%, Dark Fantasy 6.3%, Hand-drawn 6.2%

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 47.1%, Difficult 15.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.6%, Platformer 11.4%, Exploration 4%