Games Like Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 31%, Platformer 18.2%, Great Soundtrack 9.8%, Side Scroller 7.4%, Adventure 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: As the direct inspiration for the series, this remake shares the exact transformation-based gameplay and charm of the seed game.

Embark on an all-new adventure with Shantae, the hair-whipping belly dancing genie. After losing her magic, Shantae teams up with the nefarious pirate Risky Boots in order to save Sequin Land from a curse.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41.9%, Platformer 18.1%, Great Soundtrack 12.3%, Anime 5%, Action 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: It features a similar lighthearted tone, colorful aesthetic, and satisfying ability-gated exploration.

The adventures of Asha, the little warrior, begin! Together with her blue sidekick Pepelogoo, she will run through numerous stages and save the Monster World from the darkness.

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.2%, Platformer 15.8%, Side Scroller 11.8%, Adventure 6.6%, Anime 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A direct entry in the series that shares the same whimsical art style and classic action-adventure DNA.

Head back to the Mexiverse in this long-awaited sequel to the smash hit Guacamelee! Uppercut your way to victory across stunning new hand-crafted levels. Featuring a dense and colorful world, new luchador moves, sassy new bosses, twice the enemies, and 300% more chickens!

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.4%, Platformer 15.4%, Side Scroller 10.9%, Adventure 6%, Action 6%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at combining tight platforming challenges with vibrant, action-packed combat in a metroidvania structure.

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 40.6%, Platformer 15.2%, Great Soundtrack 14.9%, Adventure 5.3%, Action 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers breathtaking hand-drawn visuals and fluid, ability-based movement that rivals the polish of Monster Boy.

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 41.1%, Platformer 14.8%, Side Scroller 8%, Adventure 6.7%, Cute 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the charming, approachable nature of Monster Boy while providing a rewarding exploration experience.

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 45.3%, Platformer 13.6%, Great Soundtrack 13.2%, Adventure 4.1%, Exploration 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: While more atmospheric, it is the definitive modern metroidvania for players who value deep exploration and tight controls.

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 45.1%, Platformer 11.9%, Great Soundtrack 7.9%, Adventure 7.4%, Action 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game features beautiful pixel art and a heavy focus on puzzle-platforming mechanics within a metroidvania world.

Shantae embarks on her first full HD adventure! When a mysterious crime wave sweeps Sequin Land, it’s up to Half-Genie Hero Shantae to save the day! Use Shantae’s devastating Hair-Whip Attack to send monsters flying, or Belly Dance to transform her into more powerful forms!

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.6%, Platformer 13.2%, Side Scroller 10.3%, Great Soundtrack 9.5%, Anime 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: The transformation mechanics and colorful, character-driven world make it a natural fit for fans of the seed game.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.2%, Platformer 18.9%, Great Soundtrack 14.6%, Action 4.8%, Indie 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational indie classic that balances exploration, platforming, and unique weapon progression.

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 48.3%, Platformer 16.5%, Adventure 8.9%, Action 6.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: The focus on digging, upgrading abilities, and exploring interconnected caverns mirrors the progression loop of the seed game.

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 41.1%, Platformer 14.6%, Anime 7.3%, Exploration 5.5%, Adventure 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game perfectly captures the anime-inspired aesthetic and fluid, fast-paced combat found in the genre.

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 44.9%, Side Scroller 13.4%, Platformer 12.6%, Anime 8.3%, Exploration 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its expansive world and stunning, hand-drawn art style provide a similar visual and mechanical satisfaction.

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 44.9%, Platformer 15.6%, Exploration 6%, Action-Adventure 5.8%, Adventure 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game emphasizes puzzle-solving and exploration through magical abilities in a retro-inspired world.

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 51.4%, Platformer 11.9%, Action 6.9%, Adventure 6.6%, Indie 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: The suit-based transformation mechanics provide a compact but highly satisfying metroidvania experience.

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 66.5%, Great Soundtrack 15.2%, Anime 3.8%, 2D 3.6%, Indie 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a beautiful, melancholic atmosphere paired with deep exploration and ability-based combat.

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 51.2%, Platformer 15.1%, Great Soundtrack 9.2%, Adventure 5.3%, Exploration 4.2%

Why You'll Like It: For players who love the puzzle-heavy side of Monster Boy, this game offers deep, challenging exploration.

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 39.1%, Platformer 13.4%, Side Scroller 12.7%, Anime 5.4%, Exploration 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It features tight, responsive combat and a dark, beautiful aesthetic that rewards careful exploration.

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 54.8%, Side Scroller 12.4%, Exploration 6.8%, Adventure 5.8%, Action 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A high-budget, modern take on the genre with exceptional platforming and combat mechanics.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 52.5%, Adventure 14.5%, Platformer 11.9%, Indie 9.3%, Action 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the classic 16-bit action-adventure feel with a focus on exploration and gear-based progression.

Mutant scum never learn! Blaster Master Zero makes its Steam debut! Blaster Master Zero is a 8-bit style top-down & sideview 2D action-adventure game that hearkens back to the golden age of the NES. The game features new gameplay elements such as improved gameplay, and a more robust scenario.

Why similar: Metroidvania 57.9%, Platformer 18.2%, Action 15.7%, Anime 5.4%, 2D 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: The combination of top-down and side-scrolling gameplay with vehicle-based upgrades feels very similar to the seed game.

Set sail for adventure with a paper hat on your head and a magical shrinking boat in your pocket, in search of legendary treasures! Solve tricky puzzles, battle formidable foes, piece together clues and dig up secrets to uncover your own shrouded history as you explore this sprawling open world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 40.9%, Adventure 18.9%, Platformer 18.4%, Indie 11.9%, Cute 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at capturing the sense of discovery and adventure in a vast, interconnected world.

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: Platformer 24.8%, Side Scroller 16.4%, Adventure 12.2%, Action 10.3%, Metroidvania 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game is a paradise for players who love precision platforming challenges integrated into a large, explorable world.

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 43.6%, Platformer 14.9%, Side Scroller 14.3%, Exploration 5.8%, Action 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: The anime-inspired art and time-manipulation mechanics provide a unique twist on the classic metroidvania formula.

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 46.2%, Platformer 14.9%, Side Scroller 11.8%, Adventure 7.7%, Exploration 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A charming and polished metroidvania that focuses on exploration and character upgrades in a cohesive world.

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 57.3%, Side Scroller 8.2%, Platformer 7.6%, Great Soundtrack 7.2%, Action 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Created by genre veterans, it provides a massive, feature-rich metroidvania experience with deep character progression.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a brand-new 2.5D platformer from some of the key creative talent behind 'Donkey Kong Country'. As the colourful buddy duo you must tackle a series of stunning, 2.5D levels and explore a puzzling 3D Overworld rich with secrets and surprises!

Why similar: Platformer 31.1%, Adventure 24.1%, Great Soundtrack 15.7%, Indie 14.9%, Colorful 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: While more platformer-focused, its vibrant world and creative level design will appeal to fans of the genre.

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is a Metroidvania action game featuring exploration, intense combat and challenging platforming.

Why similar: Metroidvania 47.9%, Platformer 17.4%, Adventure 7.1%, Action 6.9%, Exploration 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: The unique diesel-punk aesthetic and combo-heavy combat offer a fresh take on the metroidvania structure.

Blast off in a 2D metroidvania adventure bursting with platforming thrills, deep exploration, and explosive action. Assemble a crack team of heroes to save the world in Blast Brigade!

Why similar: Metroidvania 31.4%, Platformer 13.9%, Cartoon 9.1%, Side Scroller 8.9%, Adventure 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It blends humor, character-swapping mechanics, and metroidvania exploration into a cohesive package.

Shantae is back in an all-new tropical adventure! In her fifth outing, the Half-Genie hero gains new Fusion Magic abilities to explore a vast sunken city, makes new Half-Genie friends, and battles the Seven Sirens in her biggest, most thrilling quest yet!

Why similar: Metroidvania 51.7%, Platformer 16.9%, Great Soundtrack 7.3%, Adventure 6.2%, Anime 4.7%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 57.8%, Platformer 13.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.3%, Adventure 6.3%, Action 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, rewarding exploration game that hides secrets around every corner for the curious player.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.4%, Platformer 15%, Adventure 8.8%, Action 7.8%, Action-Adventure 5.8%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 40.5%, Adventure 16.5%, Action 15.8%, Platformer 14.3%, Indie 10.3%

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 32.4%, Platformer 15.5%, Side Scroller 11.1%, Great Soundtrack 9.2%, Action 7.1%

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 54%, Platformer 15.9%, Adventure 8%, Great Soundtrack 6.1%, Indie 5.8%

Castle In The Darkness is a fun and challenging shout out to the early days of video games! It's an action exploration platformer with some RPG elements, much like games from the Castlevania or Metroid series. It's super fast-paced, challenging, and full of secrets!

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

Mega Man is back! The newest entry in this iconic series blends classic, challenging 2D platforming action with a fresh new visual style. The new Double Gear system boosts Mega Man's speed and power for a new twist to the satisfying gameplay the series is known for.

Why similar: Platformer 31.1%, Side Scroller 19.7%, Great Soundtrack 16.1%, Action 14.4%, Difficult 4.8%

Shantae: Risky’s Revenge – Director’s Cut brings hair-whipping, belly-dancing to your PC! Play one of the most critically acclaimed handheld series of all time, now with brand new features!

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.4%, Platformer 21.7%, Great Soundtrack 9.9%, Action 4.5%, Anime 3.9%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 50.6%, Platformer 13.7%, Adventure 10.6%, Exploration 6.6%, Action-Adventure 5.7%

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 37.8%, Platformer 17.6%, Side Scroller 9.7%, Action 8.4%, Anime 7.4%

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 42.8%, Platformer 17.3%, Great Soundtrack 14.6%, Action 5%, 2D 4.2%

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 36.5%, Platformer 22.5%, Action 9.1%, Anime 8.8%, Indie 6.7%

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 50.1%, Platformer 22.2%, Action 16.2%, Anime 6.9%, 2D 4.6%

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 35.5%, Platformer 12.2%, Side Scroller 11.3%, Great Soundtrack 7.7%, Anime 5.6%

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 57.2%, Platformer 12%, Great Soundtrack 10.4%, Action 4.2%, Adventure 3.8%

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 40.3%, Platformer 17.5%, Great Soundtrack 8.9%, Action 7.3%, Adventure 5.6%

Tomba is back for more in Tomba! 2: The Evil Swine Return Special Edition, a celebration of the often overlooked sequel to the legendary platformer, Tomba!

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.4%, Platformer 12.3%, Side Scroller 10.1%, Cartoon 7.3%, Anime 7.1%

A colorful pixel-art metroidvania/point-and-click adventure hybrid about magic, cute witches and joys of vandalism.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.7%, Adventure 11.7%, Platformer 11.4%, Action 7.8%, Indie 5.5%

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 31.1%, Platformer 10.4%, Side Scroller 9.6%, Anime 7%, Great Soundtrack 6.4%

“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 41.9%, Great Soundtrack 16.7%, Platformer 16.4%, Adventure 5.4%, Side Scroller 3.8%

Guide Timmy the little treasure hunter through traps and puzzles to reach the legendary treasure! Experience the classic mini metroidvania remade with new visuals, music, and content!

Why similar: Metroidvania 32.6%, Platformer 14%, Side Scroller 10.6%, Cartoon 7.1%, Adventure 6.9%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 57.2%, Action 10.1%, Great Soundtrack 9.8%, Adventure 9.2%, Platformer 8.3%

Explore a vast, interconnected dream world full of secrets and collectibles in this metroidvania adventure inspired by classic 2D platformers. Reclaim your lost memories to save Slumberland from the mysterious Oblivion.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46.7%, Platformer 11.9%, Exploration 6.3%, Cute 6.3%, Adventure 5.4%

Mickey Mouse returns to star in Castle of Illusion, a fantastical reimagining of the Sega Genesis classic.

Why similar: Platformer 54.8%, Adventure 15.3%, Great Soundtrack 12%, Colorful 5%, Cartoon 4.3%

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 68%, Action 7.7%, Action-Adventure 6.8%, Adventure 5.1%, Difficult 4%

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 43.9%, Platformer 12.8%, Great Soundtrack 9%, Side Scroller 6.9%, Adventure 6.3%

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: Metroidvania 39.4%, Platformer 16%, Adventure 7.2%, Action 6%, Action-Adventure 5.5%

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 43%, Platformer 18.6%, Adventure 9.6%, Action 8.2%, Action-Adventure 5.2%

Monster taming meets metroidvania. Collect, train and battle monsters in a lovely side-scroller pixel world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 47.6%, Platformer 11.1%, Side Scroller 9.3%, Adventure 7.1%, Exploration 6.3%