Games Like The Shadowland

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 32.6%, Souls-like 22.3%, Difficult 12.9%, Platformer 9.1%, Dark Fantasy 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive metroidvania that matches the difficult, atmospheric, and exploration-heavy gameplay found in The Shadowland.

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 40.9%, Souls-like 26.7%, Dark Fantasy 11.6%, Difficult 9.5%, Hand-drawn 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: It perfectly mirrors the dark, melancholic atmosphere and cute-but-deadly aesthetic of a protagonist navigating a ruined world.

8Doors is a story-driven Metroidvania-style action platformer heavily influenced by Korean folktales. Play as ‘Arum’, a brave girl that has entered the realm of the afterlife in search of her father’s soul and guide her through the '8 Doors of Purgatory' to solve the mysteries that lie deep within.

Why similar: Metroidvania 50.6%, Platformer 13%, Difficult 7.6%, Action-Adventure 6.9%, Hand-drawn 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: The thematic focus on a journey through the afterlife strongly resonates with the reaper-themed narrative of the seed game.

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 42.5%, Metroidvania 29.3%, Dark Fantasy 9.4%, Difficult 7.2%, Platformer 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A dark fantasy metroidvania that emphasizes souls-like combat and exploration in a grim, afterlife-inspired setting.

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 44.3%, Metroidvania 24.4%, Difficult 10.7%, Dark Fantasy 8.5%, Platformer 5.3%

Why You'll Like It: It is the quintessential 2D souls-like that captures the same sense of dread and mechanical difficulty.

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 38.6%, Souls-like 28.4%, Dark Fantasy 10.2%, Difficult 9%, Platformer 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a similarly dark, punishing, and atmospheric 2D action experience with deep souls-like combat mechanics.

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: Metroidvania 28%, Souls-like 23.3%, Difficult 13.4%, Platformer 8.7%, Hand-drawn 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a high-difficulty, 2D action experience with precise combat mechanics that will appeal to fans of challenging platformers.

The Guise is a dark metroidvania fairy tale about a boy trapped in the body of a monster. Can he hold onto his humanity? It's up to you.

Why similar: Metroidvania 22.5%, Souls-like 20.5%, Difficult 11.5%, Platformer 8%, Dark Fantasy 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, souls-like metroidvania that focuses on atmospheric exploration and challenging 2D platforming.

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 26.9%, Souls-like 13.1%, Platformer 12.1%, Difficult 11.1%, Dark Fantasy 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: It features atmospheric, puzzle-heavy platforming that rewards players for navigating treacherous environments.

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 26.6%, Souls-like 21.7%, Difficult 12.4%, 2D Platformer 11.4%, Platformer 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game balances a cute, pixel-art aesthetic with surprisingly dark themes and challenging combat.

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 33.7%, 2D Platformer 12.1%, Platformer 10.1%, Dark Fantasy 9.4%, Open World 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It combines a cute, distinct art style with deep metroidvania exploration and challenging boss encounters.

Are you skilled enough to face frequent deaths, survive deadly traps and avoid scary enemies? Enjoy an ultra difficult classic 2D platformer with a dark story! Master your special abilities, enter an alternate reality, and clone yourself to get through 21 hardcore levels!

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 20%, Difficult 16.7%, 2D Platformer 14.7%, Platformer 11.2%, Dark Fantasy 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares the dark, horror-tinged puzzle-platformer DNA and high difficulty level of the seed game.

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: Metroidvania 28.5%, Souls-like 25.5%, Difficult 13.4%, Dark Fantasy 10%, Platformer 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: This title features unique souls-like mechanics and a surreal, dark world that rewards careful exploration and mastery of combat.

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: Metroidvania 52.1%, Platformer 10.4%, 2D Platformer 10.1%, Horror 7.4%, Retro 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title focuses on exploration and action within a mysterious, dark world that feels very similar to the seed game.

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 51.9%, Difficult 15.8%, Souls-like 12.1%, Action-Adventure 9.7%, 2D Platformer 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: An action-adventure metroidvania that offers challenging combat and a sprawling world to explore.

Uncover the truth about the Ghostland Yard investigators disappearance in this challenging 2D platformer. Travel across the world in more than 250 handcrafted levels to find your friends!

Why similar: Difficult 25.5%, 2D Platformer 22.1%, Platformer 14.9%, Hand-drawn 13%, Cute 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A precision-focused platformer that will satisfy players looking for the difficult, reflex-based gameplay of the seed game.

Join RIN, the last child of the Creator, on a journey to restore order in a mystical world. Collect aspects and runes, craft spells, and confront powerful bosses - your transformed siblings. The fate of the world rests in your hands. Can you restore harmony to this enchanted realm?

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.2%, Difficult 13.7%, 2D Platformer 13.3%, Platformer 12.4%, Emotional 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes exploration and action-platforming in a dark, atmospheric setting.

Make impactful decisions in moral dilemma situations, which will change the course of your journey through this atmospheric, hand-drawn metroidvania. Explore the hazardous paths of the Realm of Aestik and fight its corrupted inhabitants as you unravel its deep-rooted mysteries.

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.1%, Souls-like 20.2%, 2D Platformer 16.1%, Dark Fantasy 8.7%, Platformer 8%

Why You'll Like It: A cute but challenging metroidvania that features branching paths and meaningful choices.

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 39.9%, Platformer 13.4%, 2D Platformer 9.8%, Open World 7.2%, Cute 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A charming metroidvania that balances cute visuals with satisfying, tight platforming and exploration.

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 38.2%, Metroidvania 21.8%, Dark Fantasy 15.3%, Action-Adventure 9.5%, Cute 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the 'reaper' theme with a cute, cartoony aesthetic that hides a surprisingly dark and challenging world.

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: Metroidvania 29.4%, Souls-like 27%, Difficult 12.6%, Dark Fantasy 7.5%, Platformer 7%

Why You'll Like It: An action-adventure metroidvania that provides a solid, challenging experience in a 2D space.

Selfloss is an emotional exploration game filled with rich lore, set in a whale-worshipping, Slavic-inspired world. Embark on the journey of the healer, Kazimir, and his magical staff as he fights a mysterious Miasma in search of a ritual to cure his wounded soul.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.3%, Puzzle Platformer 22%, Dark Fantasy 17.9%, Emotional 13.1%, Action-Adventure 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, dark-fantasy adventure that focuses on emotional storytelling and exploration.

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: Metroidvania 27%, Souls-like 22.9%, Difficult 12.1%, 2D Platformer 11.4%, Platformer 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a classic 2D metroidvania experience with a focus on exploration and souls-like difficulty.

Fantasy metroidvania with a moral choice and hunting the bosses who are not going to patiently wait for you in their lair. Study the monsters. Track'em. Kill'em. Exploration of the vast interconnected fairytale world, an acrobatic combat system and weird locals are what awaits you.

Why similar: Metroidvania 34.7%, Souls-like 26%, 2D Platformer 15.1%, Platformer 11%, Hand-drawn 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers a unique blend of 2D platforming and hack-and-slash combat within a dark, folklore-inspired 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: 2D Platformer 27.4%, Platformer 20.1%, Colorful 10.4%, Retro 8.7%, Metroidvania 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: This metroidvania places a heavy emphasis on complex platforming mechanics and exploration.

Restore the Sun’s light and end the Eternal Eclipse in this 2D fast-paced action-platformer game inspired by Peruvian cultures. Explore hand-crafted environments, battle and improve your skills to defeat the Four Keepers that stole the power of the Sun.

Why similar: Metroidvania 23%, Difficult 11.3%, Hand-drawn 10.8%, 2D Platformer 9.5%, Platformer 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: A hand-drawn platformer that offers a colorful yet challenging journey through a dangerous world.

Aeterna Noctis is a challenging metroidvania that majestically combines action, exploration and adventure. With 2 game modes and difficulty based on action or the exclusive Noctis mode where a level of difficulty is added in precision platforming never seen in the metroidvania genre.

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.1%, Souls-like 20.8%, Difficult 12.3%, Puzzle Platformer 10.5%, Platformer 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A massive, challenging metroidvania that is perfect for players who prioritize difficult platforming sections.

Solateria is a hand-drawn action Metroidvania with parry-focused combat. A small fire warrior journeys to find the Primordial Flame, the world’s last hope against the Shadow Plague. Defeat foes with stylish parries and explore mysterious realms to uncover the world’s secrets.

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.1%, Souls-like 23.2%, Difficult 13.3%, Hand-drawn 7.8%, 2D Platformer 7.5%

Become a brave hero and embark to the dangerous journey though mysterious forbidden lands. Reveal secrets of the legendary past, find the last pieces of gone magic and gain courage to slay the terrible monster!

Why similar: Metroidvania 34.1%, 2D Platformer 16.1%, Platformer 13.8%, Action-Adventure 11%, Hand-drawn 9.1%

Ink and blood stain the streets of Ramezia. Witches must burn and sins must be judged. Venture forth as Sister Semilla to burn down the pillars of heresy in Minoria, an action-platformer by Bombservice, creators of Momodora.

Why similar: Metroidvania 41%, Souls-like 24.1%, Difficult 11.7%, Dark Fantasy 6.8%, Platformer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game features dark, action-focused 2D combat that feels right at home for fans of the souls-like subgenre.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.7%, Platformer 13.3%, Difficult 10.8%, Retro 4.5%, Adventure 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled, difficult metroidvania that rewards players for uncovering its many secrets.

Deviator is a Metroidvania game centered around deflect, featuring exquisite 2D hand-drawn visuals. Exploring unknown wilderness and mysterious cities, delving into enigmatic realms of consciousness and encountering peculiar creatures. Try to find the truth behind this chaotic world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 28.7%, Souls-like 23.9%, 2D Platformer 11.6%, Platformer 9%, Dark Fantasy 7.6%

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 36.5%, 2D Platformer 15.6%, Hand-drawn 10.4%, Platformer 8.6%, Action-Adventure 7.3%

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 21.7%, Metroidvania 19.7%, Souls-like 12.9%, Platformer 10.7%, 2D Platformer 9.9%

Demons, giants, mutants, and a talking Ball with hybrid limbs?! In WarriOrb you play as a mighty demon trapped in an unlikely body. The path ahead is not an easy one. Will you do whatever it takes to regain your freedom?

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.4%, Souls-like 23.8%, Difficult 12.7%, Platformer 9.3%, Dark Fantasy 8.8%

Platform game with a gloomy artistic style. Challenging levels with many traps and enemies. Use all your skills to avoid dangerous traps. Destroy all opponents on your way to revenge.

Why similar: Platformer 30.7%, Difficult 30.6%, 2D Platformer 19.7%, Adventure 6%, 2D 5.1%

Slay grim cultists, infernal minions, and nightmarish creatures in this dark and bloody retro-inspired action platformer. Uncover secrets, acquire powerful artifacts, and face challenging bosses in the Haunted Lands.

Why similar: Difficult 24.7%, 2D Platformer 20.1%, Platformer 16.2%, Action-Adventure 12.4%, Horror 11.2%

WarriOrb: Prologue is a free standalone demo for the action platformer WarriOrb, where you play as a mighty demon trapped in an unlikely body. The path ahead is not an easy one... Are you ready to do whatever it takes to regain your freedom?

Why similar: Metroidvania 25.2%, Souls-like 22.8%, Difficult 13%, Platformer 9.1%, Dark Fantasy 8.5%

Balance the weight of the GIGASWORD, battling between brain and brawn. Solve intricate puzzles, discover covert chambers, and slash through foes as Ezra fights to reach the top of the Nestrium and recover the God Crystal within. Can he restore the world's coherency before it's too late?

Why similar: Metroidvania 27.3%, Souls-like 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 15.8%, Platformer 9.9%, Emotional 8.7%

Become a glutton for punishment and persevere, alone or with a friend, against 20+ merciless bosses and legions of skeletal nightmares in this savage yet charming 2D souls-like.

Why similar: Metroidvania 28.3%, Souls-like 27.3%, Difficult 10.4%, Dark Fantasy 9.9%, Platformer 6.1%

Lamp Chronicle is a 2D platformer game that tells the story of a little hero who travels to save a kingdom in crisis. Defeat enemies against beautiful backgrounds and enjoy exciting battles with bosses.

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.5%, Souls-like 23%, 2D Platformer 9.8%, Platformer 9.4%, Hand-drawn 9%

Mask of Soul is a 2D metroidvania action-adventure where you play as Cheong-oh Chasa, gatekeeper of the Underworld, tracking spirits beneath the Red Moon. Use parry combat and mask abilities to explore an oriental dark fantasy world inspired by Korean mythology.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.6%, Souls-like 29.3%, Platformer 11.5%, Action-Adventure 7.8%, Dark Fantasy 5.9%

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: Puzzle Platformer 36.3%, Platformer 17.7%, Difficult 11.4%, Cute 8.3%, Atmospheric 6.3%

A hardcore 2D action platformer developed by one person. Play as a memoryless rabbit TOOK to explore the vast Moon Cave world and defeat dozens of powerful enemies, collect the treasures scattered in this world and regain the glory of the Moon Up Group!

Why similar: Souls-like 30.5%, Metroidvania 30%, 2D Platformer 14.6%, Platformer 8.2%, Action-Adventure 6.2%

A punishing yet friendly get-to-the-top adventure across a haunted, retro-inspired world.

Why similar: Difficult 45.8%, Platformer 13%, Atmospheric 10.8%, Dark Fantasy 10.7%, Retro 9.9%

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 40.9%, Puzzle Platformer 21.8%, Platformer 10.7%, Horror 8%, Atmospheric 4%

Explore the haunting, dreamlike fantasy world of BEFORE I GO, a punishing Metroidvania where you embody the innocence of an inner child on an allegorical odyssey towards death acceptance. The end is inevitable, but will you brave the journey?

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.2%, Difficult 19.7%, Dark Fantasy 14.2%, Platformer 10.2%, Open World 8%

You a hero, so have to explore a world full of dangers. overcome various difficulties, traps and demons.

Why similar: 2D Platformer 32.6%, Action-Adventure 21.4%, Adventure 14.7%, 2D 12.2%, Atmospheric 10%

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 21.2%, 2D Platformer 15.1%, Hand-drawn 15%, Platformer 13.3%, Horror 10.8%

UNWORTHY is a hardcore combat-focused metroidvania without jumping. Explore a grim universe, discover new weapons and abilities, and defeat the vile creatures that plague the land.

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.8%, Souls-like 35.2%, Difficult 11.4%, Dark Fantasy 10.4%, 2D 2.4%

Creepy quest with the atmosphere of the Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Go through a dangerous adventure filled with puzzles and challenges! Perhaps it is you who will be able to solve all the secrets of forest and save the peaceful creatures?

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 24.4%, 2D Platformer 15.6%, Platformer 15.2%, Hand-drawn 12.5%, Action-Adventure 10.3%

💀🧩🕹️ Beyond The Darkness is a horror adventure game with puzzles where you help little girl Milly battle nightmares in the darkness to find her missing family. You will find yourself in bizarre worlds of memories, distorted by fears, and your only weapon will be the light of a small lamp...

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 32.5%, Horror 30.5%, Platformer 16.8%, Atmospheric 8%, Cute 6.6%

Dive into the strange town of Rainybrook, taken over by the “Vile” in this 2.5D metroidvania! Fight your way through treacherous terrains and defeat formidable bosses to absorb their powers! Will you save the town and find your missing friend Ella — or will you give in to the monster you've become?

Why similar: Metroidvania 29.5%, 2D Platformer 12.4%, Dark Fantasy 10.4%, Open World 10.3%, Platformer 10.1%

A 2D action/platforming adventure with a healthy dose of RPG elements set in the hostile world of Lor, a classic sword and sorcery setting. The slave-hungry Argeshii empire dominates the known world, old and false gods conspire; brutal combat is the only means of survival!

Why similar: Metroidvania 26.5%, Souls-like 24.8%, Difficult 11%, Dark Fantasy 10.4%, Platformer 8.7%

DOMINO: The Little One, a hand-drawn 2D adventure game, invites you to traverse a realm where the perils of global warming and ecological catastrophe manifest as monstrous entities, and the only weapon at your disposal is your wit and will to make a change.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 25.1%, 2D Platformer 18.3%, Platformer 15.5%, Hand-drawn 11.7%, Emotional 8.5%

Help a small body save a head-like organism full of air, from a leak that threatens its life. Explore their Metroidvania-style world and overcome challenging environmental puzzles to find the key to the head's survival.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.1%, Puzzle Platformer 20.5%, Difficult 12%, Platformer 8%, Emotional 7.2%

Push the limits of your combat skills, and master new abilities to progress through an unforgiving nonlinear 2D world. Face off against the relentless darkness that seeks to destroy you. In Moonscars, every death is a lesson learnt—and as you overcome each challenge, new truths will be revealed.

Why similar: Metroidvania 33.3%, Souls-like 28.5%, 2D Platformer 9.8%, Platformer 7.3%, Action-Adventure 6.6%

As a hunter, you explore a dark, interconnected world filled with dungeons, relying on precise combat to survive. Battle grotesque monsters, expand your arsenal, and uncover hidden paths in a non-linear, pixel art journey.

Why similar: Souls-like 35.5%, Metroidvania 32.5%, Dark Fantasy 9.7%, 2D Platformer 7.7%, Action-Adventure 6.2%