Games Like La-Mulana 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 42.2%, Difficult 18.4%, Platformer 11.4%, Exploration 5.4%, Puzzle 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: As the direct predecessor, it offers the same brand of brutal, cryptic, and rewarding archaeological puzzle-solving.

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 36.6%, Puzzle Platformer 19.2%, Platformer 9.4%, Exploration 8%, Puzzle 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at non-linear, cryptic exploration where the environment itself is the primary puzzle to solve.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 51.4%, Platformer 10.8%, Difficult 10%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%, Retro 4%

Why You'll Like It: It features a similarly dense, cryptic world filled with secrets that require careful observation and persistence to uncover.

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 22.7%, Souls-like 19.3%, Precision Platformer 14.1%, Difficult 12%, Puzzle Platformer 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It matches the high-difficulty precision platforming and expansive Metroidvania exploration found in the seed game.

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 28.4%, Souls-like 27.2%, Difficult 14.7%, Action-Adventure 9.3%, Exploration 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: Much like La-Mulana, it hides its deepest mechanics and progression behind layers of cryptic lore and environmental clues.

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 35.8%, Souls-like 25.2%, Difficult 15.2%, Platformer 9.9%, Exploration 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a vast, interconnected world that rewards exploration and offers challenging, pattern-based boss encounters.

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 36.1%, Puzzle Platformer 14.1%, Female Protagonist 12.7%, Platformer 8.9%, Pixel Graphics 8%

Why You'll Like It: This game balances intricate puzzle-platforming with a strong narrative and challenging boss fights.

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 25.2%, Souls-like 21%, Difficult 12.6%, 2D Platformer 10.2%, Female Protagonist 8%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a challenging 2D action experience with a dark aesthetic and tight, responsive controls.

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

Why similar: Exploration 44.5%, Puzzle 28.9%, Adventure 12.5%, Singleplayer 5.6%, Indie 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: While not a 2D platformer, it perfectly captures the 'knowledge-based' progression and archaeological mystery of exploring ancient ruins.

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 49.3%, Metroidvania 26.4%, Difficult 12.4%, Platformer 5.6%, 2D 3%

Why You'll Like It: It translates the punishing, dark, and interconnected nature of the Souls-like genre into a 2D space effectively.

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 39.6%, Souls-like 30.3%, Difficult 10%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%, Platformer 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a dark, atmospheric world with challenging combat and deep, cryptic lore to uncover.

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 31.9%, Difficult 17.5%, Platformer 10.1%, Female Protagonist 9.6%, Action-Adventure 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It features difficult, boss-focused combat and exploration mechanics centered around time manipulation.

In a bizarre universe where the oppressed are on the brink of oblivion, Dandara has awoken to reshape the world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.3%, Platformer 11.8%, Female Protagonist 10.3%, Difficult 8.4%, Action 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its unique gravity-defying movement mechanics create a fresh and challenging approach to exploration.

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: Difficult 23.2%, Metroidvania 20.5%, Souls-like 13%, Platformer 10.4%, 2D Platformer 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It features a brutal, unforgiving ecosystem that demands patience and deep understanding of its complex, non-linear world.

A 2D Metroidvania-style game developed under the supervision of Ryo Mizuno, depicting the story of Deedlit and the events leading up to Record of Lodoss War: Diadem of the Covenant. Use a variety of weapons and spirit powers to unravel the mystery of the labyrinth.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.7%, Female Protagonist 13.8%, Platformer 13.5%, Exploration 8.6%, Pixel Graphics 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A polished Metroidvania that features distinct elemental mechanics and rewarding exploration.

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 26.8%, Puzzle Platformer 15.3%, 2D Platformer 10.7%, Platformer 8.6%, Action-Adventure 8%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on clever puzzle-platforming and exploration within a charming, interconnected 2D world.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.8%, Puzzle Platformer 25.2%, Exploration 9.1%, Puzzle 8.1%, Platformer 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses heavily on first-person Metroidvania puzzle-solving that requires creative thinking and environmental manipulation.

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 27.6%, Souls-like 20.2%, Difficult 11.5%, 2D Platformer 10.4%, Female Protagonist 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: It offers an expansive, beautiful world with challenging combat and a wide variety of secrets to find.

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 58.3%, Platformer 11.2%, Pixel Graphics 7%, Retro 5.1%, Difficult 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers a classic Metroidvania experience with strange, alien secrets and a heavy emphasis on exploration.

EXPLORE YOUR WAY. Awoken to a world ruined by war, Alma must traverse the vast city of Arcadia before the life force of her friends and herself withers away. Time is ticking, and every moment matters. Who will you save, and who will you leave to turn UNSIGHTED?

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.6%, Souls-like 22.2%, Female Protagonist 10.8%, Puzzle Platformer 8.5%, Pixel Graphics 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: The time-pressured exploration and complex, interconnected map design create a unique sense of urgency and discovery.

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 62.2%, Female Protagonist 14.1%, Platformer 7.5%, Difficult 4%, Action 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: A spiritual successor to the genre that offers deep character customization and expansive, secret-filled maps.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 37.5%, Puzzle Platformer 23.3%, Platformer 12.3%, Exploration 8%, Puzzle 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in non-linear, cryptic puzzle design where the player must learn to interact with the world to progress.

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 36.9%, 2D Platformer 14.7%, Female Protagonist 12.3%, Platformer 11.6%, Exploration 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A solid Metroidvania that incorporates time-manipulation mechanics into its exploration and combat.

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 43.5%, Difficult 13.7%, Souls-like 11%, Action-Adventure 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game features difficult combat and intricate level design that rewards players for thorough 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 47.9%, Platformer 10.2%, Pixel Graphics 8.4%, Retro 6.6%, Difficult 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A compact but challenging Metroidvania that distills the genre down to its most rewarding exploration elements.

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 26.4%, Souls-like 20.9%, Difficult 12.4%, Platformer 10.5%, Female Protagonist 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers fast-paced 2D action combined with exploration and character progression systems.

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 50.6%, Difficult 11.5%, Platformer 9.6%, Retro 7%, Pixel Graphics 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a challenging, retro-inspired experience with a heavy focus on exploration and hidden items.

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 45.3%, Platformer 14.9%, 2D Platformer 10.5%, Action-Adventure 8.5%, Exploration 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A charming yet challenging Metroidvania that features a unique world-connecting mechanic.

"Momodora: Moonlit Farewell" is the latest installment in the Momodora series. Join Momo, High Priestess of the village of Koho, as she embarks on a divine mission to save her people from imminent destruction at the hands of the demon hordes summoned by a malevolent bellringer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 26.2%, Souls-like 19.1%, Action-Adventure 8.5%, Female Protagonist 8.4%, Platformer 8.2%

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: Precision Platformer 26%, 2D Platformer 18.6%, Platformer 14.2%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%, Exploration 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes extensive movement-based exploration and challenging platforming sequences.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.4%, Difficult 19.2%, Platformer 12.2%, Exploration 7.9%, Retro 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational indie experience that balances exploration, platforming, and challenging boss encounters perfectly.

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 21.1%, Precision Platformer 14.7%, Platformer 12.2%, Difficult 11.6%, 2D Platformer 8.9%

Explore a sprawling, alien world in the sequel to the award winning Axiom Verge.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.6%, 2D Platformer 13%, Platformer 11.6%, Action-Adventure 10.2%, Female Protagonist 7.1%

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

Why similar: Souls-like 24.2%, 2D Platformer 14.9%, Action-Adventure 13.4%, Female Protagonist 12.8%, Platformer 11.8%

A colorful action platformer with metroidvania elements and a staff that unlocks unique combat techniques and new ways to overcome obstacles. Explore beautiful worlds, fight monsters, and help Mako stop the amber storms that poison all living things.

Why similar: Metroidvania 19.6%, Souls-like 14.9%, Difficult 13.2%, 2D Platformer 10.3%, Platformer 7.9%

Koji Igarashi and Inti Creates are back with more retro sword-and-whip action! Curse of the Moon 2 brings classic 2D action and a dark, 8-bit aesthetic together with modern playability.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27%, Difficult 16%, Platformer 12%, Retro 9.5%, Female Protagonist 8.2%

Rebel Transmute is a challenging 2D action-platformer epic with heart! Explore the twisting caverns of an alien planet, augment your play-style to fit your strengths, battle deadly bosses, and uncover a dark truth as Moon Mikono searches for her long lost mother.

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.7%, Souls-like 20.9%, Difficult 11.9%, Female Protagonist 7%, Platformer 6.2%

The fast paced platforming of Freedom Planet returns! Become a full-time cartoon heroine and use abilities and items suited to your play style to explore the world of Avalice and defend its animal citizens!

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 18.1%, Platformer 15.3%, Female Protagonist 13.8%, Difficult 13.2%, Action-Adventure 12.8%

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 30.8%, Difficult 14.8%, Platformer 13.6%, Retro 9.6%, Female Protagonist 8.7%

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 46.5%, Platformer 12.6%, Female Protagonist 9.5%, Pixel Graphics 8.2%, Retro 7.5%

The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him once again in an endless struggle against The Miracle. Dive into a perilous new world filled with mysteries and secrets to discover, and tear your way through monstrous foes that stand between you and your quest to end the cycle once and for all.

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.2%, Souls-like 23%, Difficult 21%, 2D Platformer 9.1%, Platformer 6.6%

Wings of Vi is a challenging 2D platformer in which the player controls the angel Vi, tasked with defeating the Demon Lord Jeh’oul after he is freed from captivity. While inspired by masochistic retro platformers, Wings of Vi aims to cut out arbitrary difficulty in favor of skill based gameplay.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 29.5%, Difficult 22.3%, Platformer 12.7%, Metroidvania 12.1%, Female Protagonist 10.1%

Join Jason, Eve, and Fred on an intergalactic journey! The side-scrolling/top-down hybrid action adventure title "Blaster Master Zero" returns with its long-awaited sequel! Experience the yet-untold story of Jason and Eve after defeating Earth's mutant scourge in "Blaster Master Zero".

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.4%, Platformer 18%, Retro 11.9%, Pixel Graphics 11.3%, Action 9%

Arise from the dead as the 'Cursed King' in an enthralling action platformer. Wield the chains that once imprisoned you to vanquish foes and traverse your fallen kingdom. Uncover hidden areas, strategically level up, and reclaim your throne by banishing colossal bosses!

Why similar: Metroidvania 17.2%, Precision Platformer 13.9%, Puzzle Platformer 11.9%, Difficult 10%, 2D Platformer 8.5%

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 29.3%, Souls-like 26.1%, 2D Platformer 8.1%, Action-Adventure 7%, Platformer 6.4%

Awita: Journey of Hope is a captivating side-scrolling metroidvania game that follows the remarkable journey of a courageous girl determined to rescue her village from the clutches of a devastating epidemic.

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.6%, Souls-like 19.9%, 2D Platformer 12%, Female Protagonist 8.8%, Platformer 8.4%

Saomi is a little adventurer who likes challenges and exploring new places. In this adventure, Saomi sets out in search of a very rare diamond that was lost in an old family treasure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 18.6%, Precision Platformer 14.6%, Puzzle Platformer 12.8%, 2D Platformer 9.7%, Platformer 8.9%

A small crisis control team has been summoned to help a civilization in the sky escape impending doom! Explore dungeons, solve puzzles, and find lots of treasure to help prepare yourself for incredible challenges!

Why similar: Metroidvania 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 17.1%, 2D Platformer 12%, Platformer 9.1%, Female Protagonist 8.2%

Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family.

Why similar: Difficult 34.3%, 2D Platformer 27.6%, Platformer 25.1%, 2D 5.8%, Action 4.3%

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 31.9%, Souls-like 23.6%, Difficult 15.7%, Platformer 8.2%, Female Protagonist 6.7%

Challenging precision platformer based on tight, fluid movement. Open map layout with multiple routes. Collect gems and save animals.

Why similar: Metroidvania 26.5%, Precision Platformer 18.6%, 2D Platformer 13.8%, Platformer 13%, Female Protagonist 6.9%

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 35.9%, Platformer 20.3%, Female Protagonist 17.1%, Pixel Graphics 10.8%, 2D 5.9%

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 33.7%, Puzzle Platformer 18.8%, Platformer 13.4%, Action-Adventure 9.5%, Pixel Graphics 5.6%

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: Metroidvania 29.4%, Souls-like 25.9%, Difficult 14.1%, Platformer 9%, Female Protagonist 9%

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 36.6%, Difficult 12.3%, Platformer 11.4%, 2D Platformer 10.2%, Action-Adventure 8.3%

Janosik 2 is a retro action-platformer with metroidvania elements. Get ready to jump, slash, dodge roll, dive, smash and bash your way through deadly traps, mischievous villains and bosses, and more in this sequel to Janosik.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.4%, Precision Platformer 19%, 2D Platformer 12.7%, Platformer 11.1%, Exploration 6.6%

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 51.7%, Platformer 14.7%, Pixel Graphics 10.9%, Female Protagonist 8.6%, Action 4.9%

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 49.8%, Platformer 15.7%, Female Protagonist 9.6%, Adventure 5%, 2D 4.9%

Dodge bullets, missiles and lasers in battle as you wrap your head around that bunny girl costume! Combo away with your mighty Piko Hammer or spam various spells from afar with your fiery fairy friend. Explore and explode through Rabi-Rabi Island as you collect power-ups and uncover secrets...

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.1%, Difficult 12.3%, Female Protagonist 11.2%, Action-Adventure 10%, Platformer 9.9%

Embark on a sparkling journey in this long-awaited sequel to SUNSOFT’s legendary 8-bit platformer Gimmick! Solve puzzles, trick enemies, and explore a physics-based playground. Yumetaro is back!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 25%, Difficult 19.3%, Puzzle Platformer 17.9%, 2D Platformer 14%, Action-Adventure 6.6%