Games Like Rain 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: Metroidvania 31.8%, Platformer 14.4%, Exploration 13.8%, Pixel Graphics 12.4%, Atmospheric 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: It shares Rain World’s cryptic, non-linear 2D exploration and constant feeling of being a small creature navigating a mysterious world full of dangerous animals and hidden systems.

Noita is a magical action roguelite set in a world where every pixel is physically simulated. Fight, explore, melt, burn, freeze and evaporate your way through the procedurally generated world using spells you've created yourself.

Why similar: Difficult 36.2%, Physics 14.5%, Open World 14.5%, Pixel Graphics 13.5%, 2D Platformer 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: Like Rain World, it drops you into an uncaring systemic world where experimentation, observation, and sudden brutal deaths are core to learning how to survive.

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

Why You'll Like It: Its lonely descent through interconnected insect ruins and demanding exploration-heavy progression make it a strong fit for Rain World’s mood and scale.

A desperate, savage survival experience full of stunning visuals, dynamic creatures, and a haunting soundtrack.

Why similar: Platformer 28.8%, Difficult 20.1%, Atmospheric 16.3%, Indie 14.5%, Action 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same prey-in-a-hostile-wilderness tension, with dangerous creatures, oppressive atmosphere, and survival-focused side-scrolling movement.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.5%, Difficult 14.7%, Pixel Graphics 13.9%, Platformer 13.8%, Atmospheric 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers solitary, atmospheric exploration through mysterious ruins with a similarly austere tone and strong emphasis on uncovering how the world works.

MO: Astray is a pixel art, side-scrolling, action-platformer. Lead MO through mind-bending puzzles using special abilities. Bizarre enemies, threatening traps and ingenious level designs await.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 18.7%, Platformer 18.7%, Difficult 16%, Atmospheric 12.1%, Indie 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: You play as a fragile creature moving through deadly sci-fi ruins, relying on careful platforming, observation, and creature interactions to stay alive.

Hunted and alone, a boy finds himself drawn into the center of a dark project. INSIDE is a dark, narrative-driven platformer combining intense action with challenging puzzles. It has been critically acclaimed for its moody art style, ambient soundtrack and unsettling atmosphere.

Why similar: Platformer 28.8%, Atmospheric 24%, 2D Platformer 23.7%, Indie 8%, Adventure 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its vulnerable traversal through a bleak, hostile world mirrors Rain World’s constant tension and environmental storytelling, even if it is more linear.

In 2097, life is discovered on Mars. When your mission of first contact becomes trapped by a cave-in, you must master the alien ecosystem to survive. Soon you stumble upon more than anyone expected, and with time running out, you will make a decision that determines the fate of a lost planet.

Why similar: Platformer 25.1%, Metroidvania 21%, Exploration 19.7%, Atmospheric 10.9%, Adventure 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its strongest overlap is ecology-driven exploration, asking you to understand and manipulate an alien ecosystem rather than simply fight your way through it.

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

Why similar: Difficult 27.8%, Pixel Graphics 15.3%, Atmospheric 11.8%, Metroidvania 9.4%, Post-apocalyptic 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more combat-focused, it offers the same lonely ruined-world mood and rewarding exploration through beautiful, dangerous spaces.

The End Is Nigh is a sprawling adventure platformer where you die a lot, but thats ok because you are probably already dead anyway.

Why similar: Difficult 41.6%, Platformer 25.2%, Post-apocalyptic 8.1%, Indie 5.8%, Pixel Graphics 5%

Why You'll Like It: This is another punishing 2D journey through a ruined world where precision, persistence, and bleak atmosphere matter more than empowerment.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.2%, Pixel Graphics 21.7%, Physics 8.6%, 2D 7.1%, Platformer 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: It flips the predator-prey role, but its creature-based movement through grim industrial spaces still scratches a similar biological and atmospheric itch.

BELOW is a solitary journey through the haunted depths of a forbidden isle. Explore. Survive. Discover.

Why similar: Difficult 32%, Open World 24.8%, Souls-like 19.8%, Exploration 12.4%, Adventure 5%

Why You'll Like It: It shares Rain World’s indifference toward the player, pushing you through a hostile world where survival, caution, and learning from failure are everything.

Don’t Starve is an uncompromising wilderness survival game full of science and magic. Enter a strange and unexplored world full of strange creatures, dangers, and surprises. Gather resources to craft items and structures that match your survival style.

Why similar: Survival 52.5%, Difficult 11.8%, Open World 9.9%, Exploration 7.2%, Indie 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: Its appeal comes from mastering a dangerous ecosystem, memorizing creature behaviors, and surviving in a world that never stops pressuring you.

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 32.2%, Difficult 30.3%, Platformer 15.3%, Exploration 8%, Pixel Graphics 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: Few games match Rain World’s love of opacity and hostile discovery as well as this brutally uncompromising exploration game.

Darkwood - a new perspective on survival horror. Scavenge and explore a rich, ever-changing free-roam world by day, then hunker down in your hideout and pray for the morning light.

Why similar: Survival 26.2%, Survival Horror 19.5%, Open World 17.4%, Atmospheric 14%, Exploration 13%

Why You'll Like It: Though top-down, it channels the same oppressive survival feeling of existing inside a living, predatory world that is always more powerful than you.

The long-awaited sequel to La-Mulana, La-Mulana 2 follows Lumisa Kosugi as she explores the ancient ruins of La-Mulana. Desperate to find the cause of the recent slew of monsters appearing from the ruins, Lumisa discovers the "other" La-Mulana: the ruins known as Eg-Lana.

Why similar: Difficult 23%, Metroidvania 19.5%, Souls-like 13.6%, Platformer 10.4%, 2D Platformer 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It keeps the same dense, mysterious, and unforgiving exploration style while feeling slightly more approachable than the original.

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 24.2%, Difficult 17.5%, Platformer 13.3%, Post-apocalyptic 12%, Atmospheric 10%

Why You'll Like It: This one nails the lonely exploration of alien ruins, blending vulnerability, melancholy, and slow world discovery in a way Rain World fans often appreciate.

“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 29.2%, Platformer 18.5%, Difficult 17.6%, Atmospheric 15.2%, Cute 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is more guided and graceful than Rain World, but its atmospheric 2D traversal through dangerous natural spaces still hits a similar emotional register.

Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters LIMBO

Why similar: Platformer 32.4%, Atmospheric 21.4%, Difficult 15%, Indie 9.9%, 2D 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: Its minimalist side-scrolling hostility and constant sense that everything in the world wants you dead make it a natural atmospheric companion piece.

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: Difficult 26.3%, Metroidvania 23.4%, Souls-like 17.4%, Exploration 15%, Atmospheric 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: Even from an isometric view, it shares Rain World’s fascination with opaque systems, environmental clues, and earning understanding rather than being handed it.

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: Difficult 24.5%, Metroidvania 22.5%, Souls-like 16.2%, Platformer 13.3%, Exploration 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: Its alien hostility, difficult progression, and exploration through unsettling organic ruins give it some of the same oppressive pull.

Control a herd of charming creatures called Trebhum and explore an unforgettable alien world filled with exotic lifeforms and surreal environments. Discover dozens of mutations to overcome puzzles, explore new biomes, and survive on a dangerous planet.

Why similar: Survival 26.6%, Open World 18.8%, Exploration 13.9%, Atmospheric 13.2%, Platformer 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: This is one of the best thematic matches for Rain World’s ‘small prey in a bizarre ecosystem’ identity, even though it plays in 3D.

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 18.4%, Difficult 17.2%, Platformer 14.5%, Atmospheric 10.3%, Exploration 7.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its careful platforming through a bleak world full of hazards and hidden routes appeals to the same cautious exploratory mindset.

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: Difficult 23.7%, Metroidvania 22.3%, Souls-like 13%, Platformer 10.1%, Exploration 6.4%

An award-winning anti-platformer where destruction is the only way to move. Mold yourself into any form by destroying your cells, and traverse a devastated landscape filled with brain-twisting puzzles and bizarre mutations. Are you ready to break the mold?

Why similar: Platformer 25.3%, Post-apocalyptic 15.5%, Difficult 11.6%, Physics 11.3%, Atmospheric 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: Playing as a strange squishy organism in a post-apocalyptic world gives it a very similar biological weirdness and environmental-traversal focus.

Built from scratch, enjoy breathtaking visuals, enhanced audio and improved, deeper gameplay as New 'n' Tasty reignites the original Oddworld: Abe's Oddysee using the latest next-generation technology.

Why similar: Platformer 47.5%, Difficult 14%, Adventure 11.8%, Atmospheric 9.2%, 2D 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Its vulnerable platforming through industrial deathtraps and predator-filled spaces strongly echoes Rain World’s feeling of being a small thing trying to survive machinery and monsters alike.

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 32.5%, Souls-like 19.2%, Difficult 17.5%, Pixel Graphics 12%, Platformer 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This is a heavier combat take on the formula, but its punishing 2D pilgrimage through ruined, grotesque landscapes overlaps with Rain World’s harsher side.

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: Atmospheric 27%, Platformer 25%, Metroidvania 15.5%, Indie 8.2%, Difficult 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: Its lonely sci-fi ruin exploration and fragile, oppressive tone make it a great pick if Rain World’s isolation and worldbuilding were your favorite parts.

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: Difficult 26.3%, Metroidvania 23.8%, Souls-like 15.9%, Platformer 12.9%, Atmospheric 8%

Aquaria is an award-winning action-adventure game set in a massive underwater world teeming with life and filled with ancient secrets. Join Naija, a lone underwater adventurer, as she travels from hidden caves shrouded in darkness, to beautiful, sunlit oases in search of her past.

Why similar: Metroidvania 49.6%, Exploration 18.1%, Indie 7%, 2D 5.5%, Adventure 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: Its hand-crafted 2D world and strong sense of ecosystem exploration make it one of the closest matches for Rain World’s curiosity-driven wandering.

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: Difficult 35.4%, Platformer 16.1%, Pixel Graphics 12.9%, 2D Platformer 12%, Atmospheric 4.7%

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 35.3%, Pixel Graphics 13.3%, Platformer 13.2%, Difficult 8.8%, Indie 6%

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: Metroidvania 30.2%, Platformer 27.9%, Exploration 17.2%, Indie 8.5%, Atmospheric 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: It leans hard into solitary, atmospheric exploration and movement through a strange decayed world rather than combat or power fantasy.

Capsized is a fast paced 2D platformer focused on intense action and exploration. As a intrepid space traveler, your ship has crash landed on a mysterious alien planet. You must navigate through the perilous environment and fight off blood-thirsty creatures to save your crewmates and escape with your lives!

Why similar: Platformer 53.1%, Indie 14%, Physics 11.2%, Action 9.5%, 2D 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: This delivers harsh 2D alien-world traversal with strong isolation, environmental danger, and a constant struggle to stay alive.

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 23.6%, Platformer 12.3%, Open World 11.5%, Exploration 10%, Pixel Graphics 10%

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: Difficult 19.6%, Platformer 16.9%, Metroidvania 16.4%, Post-apocalyptic 13.2%, 2D Platformer 8.6%

NIGHT IN THE WOODS is an adventure game focused on exploration, story, and character, featuring dozens of characters to meet and lots to do across a lush, vibrant world.

Why similar: Platformer 24%, Atmospheric 19.9%, 2D Platformer 19%, Exploration 17.9%, 2D 8.8%

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: Pixel Graphics 26.8%, Atmospheric 22.1%, Cute 15.5%, Exploration 10.6%, Indie 8.9%

As a powerful Lynx, you will make your way through vast open landscapes. In the harsh tundra, you will raise and strengthen your cubs by mastering your skills for hunting prey. Do everything you can to prepare your little ones for the vicious entities dwelling in the wilderness.

Why similar: Survival 33.8%, Atmospheric 18.1%, Exploration 15.2%, Cute 11.2%, Simulation 7.2%

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 28.2%, Platformer 17.1%, Difficult 13.2%, Atmospheric 9.2%, Exploration 7.3%

Welcome to the charming world of Eastward - population declining! Journey through a society on the brink of collapse. Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people! Wield a trusty frying pan and mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown…

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 29.4%, Pixel Graphics 21.5%, Atmospheric 16.4%, Cute 9.4%, 2D 7%

“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 24.6%, Platformer 17.4%, Difficult 16.9%, Atmospheric 14.9%, Cute 5.7%

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: Difficult 23.5%, Metroidvania 20.1%, Souls-like 14.2%, Platformer 12%, Pixel Graphics 9.2%

Reaping souls of the dead and punching a clock might get monotonous but it's honest work for a Crow. The job gets lively when your assigned soul is stolen and you must track down a desperate thief to a realm untouched by death - where creatures grow far past their expiry.

Why similar: Souls-like 33.5%, Metroidvania 23.4%, Exploration 14.8%, Cute 14%, Adventure 6.4%

A unique platformer where an evil AI predicts your movement. Dodge AI-spawned traps, solve optional puzzles and uncover the dark secrets of the simulation. Now with a level editor and infinite community-made content!

Why similar: Difficult 35.9%, Platformer 17.2%, 2D Platformer 14%, Exploration 10.3%, Cute 7%

Inhabit a deeply-simulated science fantasy world and chisel through layers of thousand-year-old civilizations. Build a character from over a hundred mutations and cybernetics. The award-winning sandbox roguelike & RPG full of robots, deep lore, and sentient plants.

Why similar: Difficult 29.5%, Open World 24.3%, Survival 21.9%, Atmospheric 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 11.1%

Swing through the trees, spin sticky webs, and make friends with bugs! Be the adorable spider you've always wanted to be.

Why similar: 2D Platformer 16.7%, Platformer 16.2%, Pixel Graphics 13.8%, Physics 13.7%, Exploration 12.4%

Explore a hostile, living world: Uncover forgotten horrors, both man-made and supernatural, as you hunt for powerful weapons and exotic artifacts.

Why similar: Survival Horror 21.5%, Post-apocalyptic 20.8%, Open World 19.2%, Exploration 18.1%, Atmospheric 15.6%

Traverse a dried-out seabed littered with the remains of a decaying civilization. Keep your unique vessel going, overcome numerous obstacles and withstand the hazardous weather conditions. How far can you make it? What will you find?

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 25.9%, Survival 19.1%, Atmospheric 16%, Platformer 13.6%, Exploration 12.1%

Crypt Custodian is a charming metroidvania about cleaning up the afterlife. Play as Pluto - a mischievous cat who has died, and is sentenced to be the afterworld's janitor... FOREVER! Hang out with other doomed ghosts, battle beasts, and explore a vastly expansive landscape.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.6%, Atmospheric 14.8%, Platformer 14.1%, Exploration 14%, Cute 9.3%

Ria's journey to the strange storm...

Why similar: Difficult 32.1%, Platformer 14.9%, 2D Platformer 9.1%, Survival Horror 7.6%, Physics 6.7%

Explore in a black-and-white world. You'll encounter interesting enemies, feel smooth physics effects, freely combine props to solve fun puzzles, use powerful weapons, and defeat cool bosses.

Why similar: Metroidvania 24.6%, Platformer 13.2%, Open World 12.2%, 2D Platformer 10.9%, Exploration 10.8%

Apocalyptic Cat is an atmospheric hardcore platformer about a little black cat's journey in a post-apocalyptic world. Overcome toxic clouds, spikes, and obstacles, striving to fulfill his last dream of reaching paradise.

Why similar: Difficult 26.1%, Post-apocalyptic 16.6%, Platformer 12.8%, 2D Platformer 12.1%, Survival 10.9%

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 32.9%, Difficult 23.1%, Metroidvania 22.6%, Platformer 8.5%, 2D 4.3%

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 44%, Platformer 14.8%, Pixel Graphics 11.5%, Difficult 6.7%, Exploration 5.2%

Explore the ruins of the human race and discover the thriving wildlife that blossomed after our extinction in this underwater action/adventure. Encounter monstrous creatures and let curiosity guide you through an inevitable voyage of extinction.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.9%, Post-apocalyptic 14.9%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Difficult 11.6%, Indie 6.7%

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 22.3%, Difficult 20%, Platformer 12.7%, Souls-like 10.8%, Exploration 9.6%

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

Why similar: Difficult 17.9%, Metroidvania 16.3%, Post-apocalyptic 15.3%, Platformer 10.1%, Pixel Graphics 8%

A murky first-person immersive sim with tightly-wound melee combat and tangled, vertical levels to explore. Use your forked tail to tie your enemies in knots and climb impossible heights. Kill your mark with quickness and cunning, using whatever tools you see fit.

Why similar: Atmospheric 27.9%, Exploration 26.5%, Pixel Graphics 23%, Cute 17.8%, Action 4.8%

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 27.5%, Platformer 14.5%, 2D Platformer 13.3%, Pixel Graphics 11.7%, Atmospheric 9.2%