Games Like Slain: Back from Hell

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: Gore 21.4%, Great Soundtrack 13%, Platformer 12.8%, Gothic 11.9% ★, Pixel Graphics 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: Developed by the same team, this game perfectly captures the heavy metal aesthetic, pixel-art gore, and challenging 2D combat found in Slain.

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: Gore 19.3%, Gothic 13% ★, Pixel Graphics 11.4%, Dark Fantasy 10.1%, Difficult 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a deeply atmospheric, gothic world filled with brutal execution animations and challenging souls-like combat.

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: Gothic 23.5% ★, Gore 17.5%, Pixel Graphics 10%, Dark Fantasy 9.3%, Difficult 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A perfect blend of metroidvania exploration and gothic horror that mirrors the dark fantasy tone and pixel-art style of the seed game.

BUTCHER is a fast-paced, blood-soaked 2D shooter where carnage is the only way forward. Become a ruthless cyborg tasked with eradicating humanity, leaving nothing but blood, guts, and destruction in your wake. There's no such thing as too much violence in this grim, retro-styled gorefest.

Why similar: Gore 31.4%, Difficult 13.7%, Pixel Graphics 11.2%, Platformer 11%, Great Soundtrack 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: If you enjoyed the relentless gore and fast-paced action of Slain, this ultra-violent shooter provides a similar adrenaline-fueled experience.

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 22.4%, Difficult 19.7%, Dark Fantasy 15.6%, Platformer 12.8%, Gore 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A definitive 2D souls-like that captures the dark, oppressive atmosphere and difficult combat mechanics favored by fans of Slain.

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 19%, Pixel Graphics 15.8%, Dark Fantasy 15.1%, Difficult 11.6%, Platformer 11%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines metroidvania exploration with dark, high-stakes combat and a hauntingly beautiful pixel-art aesthetic.

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: Gothic 24.4% ★, Platformer 13.3%, Great Soundtrack 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 11.1%, Difficult 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the essence of classic 8-bit action platformers with a dark, gothic flair and tight, difficult gameplay.

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: Gore 32.5%, Pixel Graphics 15.8%, Dark Fantasy 12.8%, Action 8%, Retro 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: This retro-inspired adventure delivers a challenging, gore-filled experience that feels like a spiritual successor to classic gothic action games.

Return to the Golden Age of arcades with a hardcore action platformer that pulls no punches! Possesses all the hallmarks of true classics like Super Ghouls 'N Ghosts (SNES), Rastan Saga (Arcade), Castlevania (NES) and more with precise controls, high challenge, and meticulous design.

Why similar: Difficult 29.6%, Platformer 29.5%, Action 8.7%, Retro 6.4%, Pixel Graphics 6%

Why You'll Like It: For players who loved the punishing difficulty and retro-platforming roots of Slain, this game offers a brutal, uncompromising challenge.

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: Pixel Graphics 18.7%, Platformer 16.4%, Souls-like 13.2%, Action 12.3%, Dark Fantasy 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: Featuring a somber, dark fantasy world and punishing combat, this game excels at delivering the same moody, violent experience.

The followup to 2009's Dead Samurai, The Dishwasher: Vampire Smile is a combo-fueled, fast-paced, stylistic 2D action platformer that features the series' staple gritty, graphic novel-inspired art style, built on a new engine that allows for an even more visually gruesome experience.

Why similar: Gore 37.3%, Action 14.8%, Great Soundtrack 12.3%, Hack and Slash 10.7%, Difficult 9%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish, high-octane hack-and-slash game that leans heavily into dark themes, gore, and fluid 2D combat.

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: Great Soundtrack 23.5%, Pixel Graphics 15.6%, Platformer 14.3%, Gore 12.3%, Difficult 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more modern in setting, its focus on high-speed, one-hit-kill combat and a stellar, driving soundtrack matches the intensity of Slain.

Hotline Miami is a high-octane action game overflowing with raw brutality, hard-boiled gunplay and skull crushing close combat.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 34.6%, Gore 22.2%, Pixel Graphics 10.7%, Difficult 10.1%, Action 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares the relentless, violent pace and iconic, pulse-pounding soundtrack that makes Slain so memorable.

They Bleed Pixels is a fiendishly difficult action platformer inspired by H.P. Lovecraft and classic horror.

Why similar: Gothic 24.6% ★, Gore 20.6%, Difficult 14%, Platformer 13.1%, Pixel Graphics 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A difficult, Lovecraftian-inspired platformer that demands precision and rewards the player with satisfying, gory combat.

Join your fellow Marked Inquisitors in this online coop successor to award-winning 2016 Soulslike Salt and Sanctuary.

Why similar: Dark Fantasy 32.1%, Souls-like 21.7%, Hack and Slash 17.5%, Side Scroller 14.6%, Action 14.1%

Why You'll Like It: Building on its predecessor, this title offers deeper combat mechanics and a dark, gritty world that fits the gothic aesthetic perfectly.

Explore the secrets of a mysterious fallen temple and put your Templar faith to the test in Dark Devotion, where no sacrifice is too great in praise of your God.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 18.5%, Gore 18.4%, Souls-like 13.9%, Difficult 12.1%, Dark Fantasy 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A grim, souls-like experience that emphasizes dark fantasy themes and challenging combat within a hauntingly detailed pixel-art world.

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

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 31.4%, Pixel Graphics 21.8%, Difficult 21%, Action 6.2%, Hack and Slash 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: While more exploration-focused, its stunning pixel art, atmospheric storytelling, and high-stakes combat resonate with the feel of Slain.

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: Great Soundtrack 31.6%, Dark Fantasy 21.2%, Difficult 17.5%, Souls-like 13.4%, 2D 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides a melancholic, gothic atmosphere paired with fluid, challenging combat that rewards precise timing.

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: Great Soundtrack 27.7%, Platformer 21.4%, Pixel Graphics 17.8%, Action 7.1%, 2D 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A deep, atmospheric metroidvania that excels in world-building and challenging, retro-inspired action.

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: Platformer 29%, Difficult 20%, Great Soundtrack 15.7%, 2D 8.8%, Action 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A chaotic, hand-drawn action game that features massive, Lovecraftian bosses and a dark, punishing gameplay loop.

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: Pixel Graphics 34.7%, Difficult 31.8%, Action 13.6%, Souls-like 6.7%, Platformer 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging metroidvania that features tight combat mechanics and a vibrant, yet dangerous, pixel-art world.

DEADBOLT is an extremely challenging stealth-action hybrid that allows you to take control of the reaper to quell the recent undead uprising.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 28.4%, Gore 17.3%, Pixel Graphics 15%, Difficult 13.9%, Action 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A stylish, stealth-action game that features a dark, gritty aesthetic and a soundtrack that perfectly complements its violent gameplay.

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: Platformer 21.8%, Difficult 18%, Pixel Graphics 14.3%, Side Scroller 9.7%, Action 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A fluid, 2D action-platformer that emphasizes fast combat and a dark, sci-fi fantasy aesthetic.

Vengeful Guardian: Moonrider is a side-scrolling action platformer that channels the golden age of classic 16-bit action games in a full-throttle quest for revenge. Created to defend a totalitarian state, the Moonrider rejects its programming and now seeks vengeance on its creators.

Why similar: Platformer 28.3%, Pixel Graphics 20.5%, Hack and Slash 13.2%, Retro 10.5%, Action 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A high-speed, retro-action game that captures the same satisfying combat feel and aesthetic intensity as the best 16-bit classics.

The world has been taken over by synthetic lifeforms. A desperate plea for help sets Shadow, the sole survivor of his clan, on one last mission to uncover what started the path to perpetual ruin.

Why similar: Platformer 21.2%, Pixel Graphics 16.6%, Difficult 15.2%, Great Soundtrack 14%, Retro 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a masterclass in retro-inspired, difficult platforming action with a dark, atmospheric world.

Guide 'Skul' on his quest to single-handedly take on the Imperial Army and rescue his King from captivity, in an action-packed rogue-lite 2D platformer for the ages.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 24.8%, Difficult 15.1%, Action 15%, Platformer 14.1%, Indie 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, action-packed rogue-lite that features satisfying combat and a dark, unique art style.

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: Platformer 24.8%, Difficult 22.9%, Pixel Graphics 15.1%, Great Soundtrack 12.3%, Action 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging, fast-paced platformer that pays homage to the difficulty and aesthetic of classic 8-bit action games.

You're outnumbered, low on ammunition and the paranoia sets in. This is an action horror-world where enemies get power-ups and you don’t.

Why similar: Platformer 29%, Action 13.9%, Difficult 12.8%, Pixel Graphics 12.2%, Great Soundtrack 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, difficult action game that focuses on tension and high-stakes combat in a dark, oppressive environment.

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: Platformer 34.1%, Pixel Graphics 25.2%, 2D 12%, Action 11.7%, Great Soundtrack 8%

Why You'll Like It: A polished metroidvania that features beautiful pixel art and fluid, challenging combat reminiscent of classic gothic titles.

An old-fashioned beat 'em up with big doses of adrenaline and trippiness, somewhere between the classic style of Streets of Rage and the ultra-violence of Hotline Miami. Set in a cold, ruthless Soviet Union, Mother Russia Bleeds aims to conjure up anxiety, unease, and drug-addled frenzy.

Why similar: Gore 35.3%, Great Soundtrack 22.3%, Pixel Graphics 12.7%, Action 7%, Difficult 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: A brutal, gritty beat-em-up that leans heavily into gore and intense, fast-paced action.

Only the strong will conquer this gruesome action platformer with RPG elements. Dismember demonic creatures and terrifying bosses by wielding brutal weapons in intense skill-based combat. Slay or be slain as you collect glory and treasure in this nightmarish 2D world.

Why similar: Gothic 31.5% ★, Gore 19.6%, Platformer 10.9%, Dark Fantasy 9.1%, Side Scroller 6.9%

Dynamic, hardcore and explosive action on the passage with a bunch of weapons, enemies and bosses.

Why similar: Gore 17.5%, Platformer 13.8%, Great Soundtrack 13.3%, Action 11.4%, Difficult 10.7%

Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the brutal conclusion to the Hotline Miami saga, set against a backdrop of escalating violence and retribution over spilled blood in the original game.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 29.9%, Gore 26.9%, Difficult 13.5%, Pixel Graphics 11.3%, Action 5.1%

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: Gore 20.9%, Pixel Graphics 15.4%, Great Soundtrack 14.8%, Platformer 14.4%, Action 8.2%

Everything in Tormentor❌Punisher can be killed in one hit, from bosses to yourself. Bosses conjure traps to make the arena hellish. Demons adjust to your play style and punish you. Perform combos on enemies and gain cool upgrades. Reload your machine gun by firing your shotgun. Let's do this!

Why similar: Gore 29.9%, Great Soundtrack 20.5%, Action 13.2%, Difficult 12.2%, Indie 7%

A brand-new side-scrolling entry to the NINJA GAIDEN series from the team behind Blasphemous, NINJA GAIDEN: Ragebound redefines the classic platformer saga in a spectacular, thrilling and challenging ninja adventure.

Why similar: Gore 21.2%, Platformer 17.1%, Difficult 14.5%, Pixel Graphics 12.1%, Side Scroller 6.9%

Blast, slice and shred through your enemies in this hardcore FPS inspired by the icons of the '90s, powered by the legendary Quake-1 Tech. Taking place in a realm left to rot, take up arms, unearth long-forgotten secrets and hunt down the Guardians of the Old World.

Why similar: Gore 37.1%, Action 14.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.7%, Retro 10.5%, Difficult 8.4%

Classic First Person Shooter style game. Like the good old days. An action game focused on speed, gore, guns, and metal music. Inspired by the 90s’ classics with modern visuals and audio!

Why similar: Gore 49%, Action 17.7%, Indie 9.9%, Violent 8.9%, Retro 7.8%

Take a father’s journey to hell in order to save the souls of his wife and child. Insanity's Blade: The Chronicles of Thurstan is the first in a series of games based around the journey of a sword possessed by a father's powerful grief and hatred. This is the tale of the sword's creation.

Why similar: Gore 25.3%, Great Soundtrack 13.7%, Platformer 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%, Difficult 8.5%

Skelethrone is a challenging 2D action platformer with RPG elements inspired by games like Castlevania and Dark Souls.

Why similar: Gothic 22.1% ★, Gore 14.3%, Difficult 12.1%, Dark Fantasy 10%, Platformer 9.3%

A crazy action-adventure platformer... In Hell.

Why similar: Platformer 42.3%, Gore 18.7%, Action 12.8%, Great Soundtrack 10.9%, 2D 9.1%

Play as the samurai Kan and fight in a dark, demon-infested Japan. Face this 100% arcade experience without any credits or saves: you can only rely on your skills with the katana.

Why similar: Gore 37.1%, Platformer 12.3%, Difficult 11%, Action 9.6%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%

Rising Hell is a vertical platformer rogue-lite filled with adrenaline-pumping action and tons of heavy gothic metal shreds. Climb out from the ever-changing hell while you fight hordes of blood-lusting demons.

Why similar: Gore 31.2%, Difficult 18.4%, Platformer 18%, Pixel Graphics 14%, Action 7.4%

Atomik: RunGunJumpGun is a tough as nails game that puts a gravity-defying weapon in your hands. One button lets you fly, the other blasts obstacles out of the way. With a cast of crazed characters, challenging gameplay, and a pulsing musical score, it delivers twitchy platforming goodness.

Why similar: Difficult 18.2%, Platformer 17.8%, Action 16.8%, Great Soundtrack 16.5%, Pixel Graphics 15.2%

Bannerman is a gritty and atmospheric medieval action/adventure with a bleak narrative and focus on historically accurate, challenging skill-based swordfighting!

Why similar: Gore 33.5%, Great Soundtrack 26.6%, Difficult 13.6%, Action 8.2%, Violent 6.6%

BRUTAL First Person Shooter focused on action, gore, and exploration. Fueled by adrenaline-pumping trap-metal soundtrack.

Why similar: Gore 45.6%, Difficult 13.4%, Dark Fantasy 13%, Action 8.6%, Violent 8.1%

Down to hell is a dynamic slasher in which lone swordsman must face the hordes of hellish demons. Moreover Down to Hell will give you truly Heavy F’N Metal experience.

Why similar: Gore 34.5%, Platformer 12%, Action 10.8%, Violent 8.1%, Hack and Slash 7.4%

An action-adventure in a medieval fantasy universe. Learn all about the adventures of mighty Swordbreaker before his appearance in the castle. Destroy enemies with a sword, magic, and a unique device — the swordbreaker, from which the hero got his alias!

Why similar: Gore 36%, Great Soundtrack 15.2%, Difficult 11.8%, Action 9.4%, Dark Fantasy 8.8%

Count Dracula is once more back from the dead... Join the fight against Evil in the Castlevania Advance Collection, a compilation of timeless action-exploration masterpieces!

Why similar: Gothic 21.6% ★, Dark Fantasy 14.4%, Great Soundtrack 14.2%, Action 11.8%, Pixel Graphics 9.5%

VVVVV is a colorful, dynamic platformer action with puzzle elements, made in retro style.

Why similar: Action 18.5%, Gore 15.4%, Great Soundtrack 13.8%, Platformer 11.8%, Indie 10.8%

2D platform game focused on intense combat against enemies and exploration of secret areas in dark dungeons full of dangers.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 21.9%, Platformer 16.9%, Difficult 15.6%, Pixel Graphics 11.5%, Action 8.7%

Abathor is a challenging 2D action platformer for solo play or up to 4 players. Embark on an epic 16-bit quest inspired by Golden Axe, Rastan, and Castlevania IV. Traverse Atlantis, battle demons, and defeat vicious bosses to save your progress! Enjoy an amazing OST from classic-era musicians!

Why similar: Platformer 22%, Difficult 18%, Pixel Graphics 15.9%, Action 7.3%, Side Scroller 7.3%

The old gods have forgotten this land. No one could save our people when darkness started spreading and collecting human souls for its army. Odallus is a classic exploration/action game, inspired by Ghosts’n Goblins, Demon’s Crest and Castlevania.

Why similar: Platformer 19.5%, Pixel Graphics 19.5%, Gore 16.5%, Action 10.6%, Retro 9.6%

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 24.6%, Platformer 23.5%, Dark Fantasy 18.4%, Souls-like 12.9%, Side Scroller 8.4%

Old school classics with the new twist.

Why similar: Gore 34.1%, Action 21.7%, Indie 13%, Great Soundtrack 9.4%, Difficult 9.2%

Welcome to the first layer of hell! Climb out from the ever-changing abyss while you fight hordes of blood-lusting demons in this vertical platformer rogue-lite.

Why similar: Gore 40.8%, Action 18.2%, Indie 10.9%, Difficult 8.8%, Pixel Graphics 7.9%

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: Gore 30.8%, Platformer 17.4%, Souls-like 11.5%, Action 9.3%, Great Soundtrack 7.2%

ULTRAKILL is a fast-paced ultra-violent retro FPS that combines the skill-based style scoring of character action games with the unadulterated carnage inspired by the best shooters of the '90s. Rip apart your foes with varied destructive weaponry and shower in their blood to regain your health.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 48.1%, Difficult 29.8%, Retro 10.4%, Action 8.9%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Battle through an onslaught of mystical backwater cultists, possessed militants & even darker forces as you attempt to discover just what lurks beneath the Earth in this retro FPS inspired by the '90s legends.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 54.9%, Retro 20.9%, Action 12.4%, Horror 8.8%, Singleplayer 2.9%