Games Like Return

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

Why similar: Difficult 19.6%, Pixel Graphics 14.1%, Hack and Slash 12.9%, Atmospheric 9.2%, Souls-like 9%

Why You'll Like It: Captures the same melancholic, atmospheric, and challenging top-down action experience with a striking visual style.

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 44.4%, Difficult 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 11%, RPG 9.1%, Side Scroller 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: Combines souls-like combat mechanics with a dark, pixel-art world that emphasizes boss-heavy progression.

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: Side Scroller 19.2%, Difficult 16.8%, Post-apocalyptic 15.8%, Sci-fi 13.8%, Atmospheric 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi metroidvania that mirrors the lonely, desolate exploration and challenging combat found in Return.

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: Pixel Graphics 22.5%, Sci-fi 16.8%, Difficult 10%, Side Scroller 9.9%, Exploration 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A definitive sci-fi metroidvania that excels in exploration and mysterious, story-rich world-building.

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: Souls-like 37.1%, Difficult 18.1%, Pixel Graphics 15.9%, Side Scroller 9%, 2D 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: Features a deeply atmospheric, grim world with punishing combat and intricate pixel-art environments.

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

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 29.1%, Difficult 25.1%, Adventure 9.9%, Exploration 8.1%, Sci-fi 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on deep exploration and challenging boss encounters within a minimalist, pixelated sci-fi setting.

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: Souls-like 33%, Side Scroller 14.3%, Pixel Graphics 13.4%, Hack and Slash 10.8%, Difficult 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, atmospheric action-platformer that focuses on challenging combat and a mysterious, oppressive narrative.

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: Dystopian 27.6%, Difficult 18.5%, Post-apocalyptic 17.1%, Pixel Graphics 9.6%, Story Rich 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: Features unique physics-based movement and intense combat within a beautifully desolate, story-rich world.

Infernax is the adventures of a great knight who returns to his homeland only to find it plagued with unholy magic. Uncover the mysteries of the curse and face the consequences of your actions.

Why similar: Side Scroller 26.4%, Pixel Graphics 20.7%, RPG 16%, Fantasy 9.6%, Adventure 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a challenging, retro-inspired action-RPG experience with meaningful player choices and dark themes.

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: Souls-like 34.3%, Difficult 17.8%, Pixel Graphics 14.4%, Side Scroller 8.8%, Horror 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: Blends gothic horror with souls-like combat and exploration, perfect for fans of difficult, pixelated action games.

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 29.9%, Post-apocalyptic 16.4%, Atmospheric 11.6%, Souls-like 11.2%, Pixel Graphics 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: Offers an unparalleled sense of dystopian, ecosystem-driven exploration that feels both alien and hostile.

Immortal Planet is an action RPG with challenging combat that rewards patience and punishes recklessness. Explore the crumbling remains of a society of immortals trapped in endless cycles of rebirth. Fight your way to discover the planet's mystery and escape its curse.

Why similar: Souls-like 40.3%, Difficult 13.7%, Hack and Slash 12.2%, RPG 12.1%, Adventure 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down souls-like that strips away the fluff to focus on tight, deliberate combat and exploration.

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: Difficult 33.4%, Pixel Graphics 25.3%, Souls-like 18.5%, Action 6.9%, Adventure 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a dense, pixel-art world filled with challenging combat and deep RPG progression systems.

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: Souls-like 24%, Difficult 20.4%, Sci-fi 11.6%, Pixel Graphics 10.7%, Atmospheric 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A sci-fi metroidvania that emphasizes exploration and challenging boss fights in a hostile, alien environment.

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: Side Scroller 26.5%, Pixel Graphics 17.9%, Exploration 15.1%, Atmospheric 14.6%, Story Rich 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: A charming yet challenging metroidvania that captures the essence of exploring a ruined, mechanical world.

Resolutiion is a zelda-like action-adventure, where an old killer and his AI explore a vast, mysterious world, full of mighty weapons, surreal abilities and gruesome bossfights.

Why similar: Soundtrack 33% ★, Dystopian 14.8%, Hack and Slash 9.3%, Post-apocalyptic 8.7%, Pixel Graphics 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down action game that prioritizes a surreal, atmospheric narrative and challenging, fast-paced combat.

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: Souls-like 30.3%, Difficult 24.7%, Side Scroller 17.9%, Exploration 8.9%, Atmospheric 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A souls-like metroidvania that emphasizes unique combat mechanics and a surreal, atmospheric world.

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: Side Scroller 20.1%, Souls-like 19.6%, Difficult 17.3%, Pixel Graphics 9.5%, Hack and Slash 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced 2D action game that blends fluid combat with a dark, story-driven world.

REDO! is a game about a girl trying to find another human in a dystopian world overrun by biomachines. It's a lonely and evocative game about exploring the unknown and overcoming obstacles to see what is left.

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 20.3%, Difficult 17.5%, Pixel Graphics 11.2%, Atmospheric 9.1%, Sci-fi 9%

Why You'll Like It: A melancholic, atmospheric metroidvania that focuses on isolation and methodical combat.

Become symphonic in Narita Boy! A radical action-adventure as a legendary pixel hero trapped as a mere echo within the Digital Kingdom. Discover the mysteries behind the Techno-sword, lock swords with the corrupt and tainted Stallions. Save the world!

Why similar: Hack and Slash 25.4%, Pixel Graphics 14.7%, Atmospheric 12.1%, Exploration 11.7%, Story Rich 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A highly stylized, atmospheric action game that leans heavily into its unique, synth-wave aesthetic.

Discover and destroy increasingly horrifying creatures across an oppressive lofi world, wielding fierce weaponry and powerful magic in this pocket-sized action adventure.

Why similar: Hack and Slash 38.8%, Pixel Graphics 14.4%, Horror 12.2%, Fantasy 10%, Atmospheric 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: Distills action-adventure into intense, diorama-like combat encounters with a distinct, minimalist pixel style.

A pixel-art sci-fi adventure set in the midst of a rebellion against a totalitarian regime, LUNARK is a modern take on the 2D cinematic platformer genre of the '90s. Run, jump, hang, climb, roll, and shoot your way through gorgeous and mysterious locations!

Why similar: Dystopian 22.9%, Side Scroller 16.7%, Pixel Graphics 14.4%, Sci-fi 12.3%, Exploration 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic, pixel-art adventure that focuses on exploration and platforming in a dystopian sci-fi setting.

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: Souls-like 25.6%, Side Scroller 18.2%, Pixel Graphics 11.8%, Atmospheric 9.3%, Story Rich 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A souls-like metroidvania that emphasizes tight platforming and challenging, deliberate combat.

Sundered is a chaotic hand­-drawn metroidvania where you resist or embrace ancient eldritch powers, a challenging and unique take on a classic genre from the creators of Jotun, now with local co-op!

Why similar: Difficult 28.1%, Side Scroller 23.6%, Atmospheric 11.2%, 2D 8.7%, Exploration 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: Features chaotic, difficult combat and a haunting, hand-drawn aesthetic that emphasizes exploration.

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: Pixel Graphics 32.4%, Horror 19.6%, Sci-fi 11.7%, 2D 10.1%, Action 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a unique, atmospheric perspective on a dystopian sci-fi setting through the eyes of a growing, hostile entity.

Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.

Why similar: Hack and Slash 23.1%, Pixel Graphics 22.1%, Difficult 20.8%, Story Rich 14.9%, Action 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: Offers high-stakes, one-hit-kill combat with a deep, dystopian narrative and a striking visual presentation.

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: Souls-like 23.6%, Difficult 17.8%, RPG 16.6%, Side Scroller 12.1%, Adventure 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A souls-like action-adventure that emphasizes boss encounters and intricate, interconnected level design.

Astronite is a 1bit metroidvania that combines action, exploration, puzzles and platforms. Recover the planet where you and yours lived before it was invaded by strange creatures.

Why similar: Side Scroller 23.5%, Souls-like 21.8%, Exploration 10.6%, Sci-fi 9.6%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-inspired exploration game that captures the feeling of navigating a dangerous, alien world.

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: Side Scroller 25.1%, Pixel Graphics 15.3%, Adventure 14.9%, Horror 11.8%, Action 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging metroidvania that focuses on exploration and uncovering the secrets of a ruined, atmospheric world.

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: Pixel Graphics 28.3%, Story Rich 17.8%, Side Scroller 15.7%, Adventure 11.5%, Action 9%

Why You'll Like It: Features a rich, story-driven narrative paired with satisfying action and beautiful pixel-art environments.

Four elements. One destiny. Embark on an elemental journey inspired by tales of balance and power, reborn as a Metroidvania adventure.

Why similar: Side Scroller 15.8%, Hack and Slash 15.7%, Souls-like 14.9%, Difficult 11.5%, Pixel Graphics 7.5%

Take the lost soul to its home.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 24.1%, Difficult 23.9%, Side Scroller 19.2%, Atmospheric 12.2%, Action 10.6%

Follow R.E.A.C.H., an AI trapped in a human body, on a cinematic adventure through an alternate 1980s America. Explore an atmospheric cyberpunk world full of high-stakes action wrapped in a unique 2.5D pixel art style.

Why similar: Dystopian 34.1%, Side Scroller 21.3%, Pixel Graphics 12.6%, Atmospheric 9.3%, Story Rich 8.8%

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: Soundtrack 34.6% ★, Post-apocalyptic 17.1%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, Story Rich 9%, Atmospheric 7.7%

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: Souls-like 21.2%, Side Scroller 19.3%, Dystopian 18.4%, Difficult 18.2%, Exploration 8.1%

Battle your way through the grim Underground world in this brutal action-adventure RPG. Exterminate hordes of enemies, fight dangerous bosses and explore the world the way you want!

Why similar: Souls-like 17.9%, Difficult 16%, Hack and Slash 15.1%, Fantasy 8%, Pixel Graphics 7.4%

Discover all the secrets of two completely different worlds.

Why similar: Souls-like 20.2%, Hack and Slash 18.3%, Difficult 18%, Post-apocalyptic 14.2%, Pixel Graphics 7%

A metroidvania that combines the visual style of classic retro games with the fluid gameplay of modern titles. Explore different worlds, face challenging enemies and bosses, and absorb their powers to destroy the Core of Infinitevania.

Why similar: Souls-like 27.7%, Difficult 22.5%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Exploration 8.8%, Story Rich 8.1%

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

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 20.3%, Side Scroller 14.8%, Sci-fi 14.2%, Adventure 13.5%, Difficult 9%

Lead the rebellion in an epic rogue-like adventure. Guide your jet-pack equipped post-apocalyptic volunteers through a labyrinthine underground complex by jumping, dodging, and battling against robot minions (and masters) to get to the surface — and bring life back to the scorched Earth.

Why similar: Dystopian 20.5%, Souls-like 19.8%, Hack and Slash 17.5%, Difficult 16.5%, Sci-fi 9%

Fight to survive on a mysterious alien planet, outwit its vicious inhabitants, and do whatever it takes to find a way off that wretched rock.

Why similar: Side Scroller 22.4%, Difficult 20.8%, Sci-fi 13.8%, 2D 8.8%, Atmospheric 8.3%

Returning from exile underground, a shattered world awaits you. The civilization of Unfallens lies in ruins. The ruthless guardian waits to attack. Journey through remains. Awaken your true power. Reclaim what was lost. Experience challenging action boss battles in this compact, high-quality game.

Why similar: Souls-like 27.2%, Difficult 23.3%, Hack and Slash 21%, Post-apocalyptic 16.5%, Fantasy 4.5%

Custodian: Beginning of the End is a brutal and difficult platformer designed for caution and reaction. Explore, seek secrets and collect mechanisms to become even stronger and meet the impending End!

Why similar: Souls-like 19.2%, Side Scroller 16.3%, Difficult 15.7%, Hack and Slash 14.9%, Exploration 6.9%

Dark Light is a post-apocalyptic cyberpunk action-platformer with intense hack'n slash combat. Explore the unknown, enhance your abilities with cyberwares, and face off against supernatural entities to seal the Dark Void and end the eternal darkness.

Why similar: Souls-like 31.1%, Post-apocalyptic 15.5%, Sci-fi 11.4%, Horror 9.2%, Difficult 8.7%

A uniquely stylised survival-horror adventure game. Explore a dying world, averting enemies, managing your resources, and solving puzzles.

Why similar: Souls-like 17.3%, Stylized 14.8%, Atmospheric 11.7%, Story Rich 11%, Horror 10.9%

Journey into the ruthless open world of Pale Coins, an old-school fantasy RPG. Face punishing bosses, goblin-infested dungeons, and discover legendary weapons as you customize your champion and fight across Grenmark for the fabled Champion's Coin.

Why similar: Souls-like 20.4%, Hack and Slash 16.8%, Difficult 16.5%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, RPG 7.6%

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 51%, Difficult 19%, RPG 7%, Side Scroller 6.5%, 2D 4.5%

Set in a far corner of space, Valfaris is a heavy metal infused 2D action-platformer and the next game from the team behind Unity Awards finalist, Slain: Back From Hell. Brutal combat. Deadly enemies. Stunning pixel art. Savage soundtrack. Get ready to rip the galaxy a new wormhole.

Why similar: Side Scroller 24.1%, Difficult 18.9%, Pixel Graphics 18.6%, Action 11.2%, Sci-fi 10.9%

Explore and fight your way through a crashed human spaceship infested with relentless hordes of aliens as you become more powerful with exciting weapon upgrades and powerups in this retro inspired first-person shooter.

Why similar: Difficult 23%, Stylized 20.8%, Pixel Graphics 16%, Sci-fi 15.6%, Exploration 15.5%

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: Difficult 25.4%, Souls-like 18.8%, Hack and Slash 12.8%, Side Scroller 12.6%, Pixel Graphics 7.3%

Erra: Exordium is a 2D action adventure game in Dieselpunk setting. Explore a world based on Sumerian-Akkadian mythology. Take the role of a scientist who was able to cheat death and fight the rebellious army of mechatrons.

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 19.7%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Souls-like 11.7%, Atmospheric 11.5%, Difficult 10.3%

Cybarian The Time Travelling Warrior is a classically inspired arcade action game, with a mixture of modern and retro gaming tropes.

Why similar: Difficult 20.2%, Side Scroller 15.2%, Sci-fi 14%, Pixel Graphics 12.9%, Post-apocalyptic 11%

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

Why similar: Side Scroller 23.3%, Hack and Slash 14.4%, Sci-fi 13.6%, Pixel Graphics 13.5%, Adventure 12.1%

This is a journey without return When you wake up... In the strange space, the bronze gate that eats people, the strange rules of the game, and the ever-changing nightmare world appear in front of you Everything starts from here

Why similar: RPG 27.7%, Sci-fi 15.5%, Story Rich 14.7%, Adventure 13.6%, Stylized 12.9%

Undungeon is a gorgeous Action/RPG driven by intense real-time combat and an immensely rich science fiction story. Travel between dimensions and change the world around you in an attempt to reconstruct the shattered Multiverse.

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 19.4%, Difficult 18.8%, Hack and Slash 14.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.7%, Atmospheric 9.9%

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: Pixel Graphics 24.4%, Side Scroller 17.8%, Difficult 12.2%, 2D 9.9%, Adventure 9.8%

Wield your magical instrument and defy the mecha-goddesses of fate in this Song-Casting Story Driven Action-RPG. Explore a forbidden forest as Traveler. Help him reunite with his long lost love as you fight through abominations and solve mysterious puzzles, all while an ancient conflict unfolds.

Why similar: Hack and Slash 22.9%, Story Rich 15%, RPG 12.5%, Stylized 9.7%, Atmospheric 9.6%

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: Souls-like 26.6%, Difficult 26.3%, Exploration 13.5%, Atmospheric 13%, Sci-fi 9.7%

You are the Entangled One, a malformed entity. Traverse the flesh wastes under the eye of an eternal eclipse. Delve deep into the planet's guts. Uncover a fleshy ecosystem. Engage in deliberate, challenging combat, using your whiplike arms and collectible sub attacks to augment your combat style!

Why similar: Difficult 29.9%, Side Scroller 29.4%, Atmospheric 13.8%, Horror 11.3%, Pixel Graphics 10.4%

Play as Captain Grisham, and uncover the secrets of Planet 4-514 in this thrilling prequel to Side Scape!

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 14.4%, Soundtrack 14.1% ★, Exploration 12.4%, Side Scroller 12.2%, Sci-fi 11.6%