Games Like They Bleed Pixels

Slain: Back from Hell. A heavy metal inspired arcade combat with puzzle elements and gore galore. Stunning visuals and true old school gameplay accompanied by the most metal soundtrack you've ever heard.

Why similar: Gore 25.4%, Gothic 22.6% ★, Difficult 12.9%, Platformer 12.2%, Pixel Graphics 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same gothic, gore-filled atmosphere and pixel-art aesthetic while demanding high-level combat proficiency.

Wings of Vi is a challenging 2D platformer in which the player controls the angel Vi, tasked with defeating the Demon Lord Jeh’oul after he is freed from captivity. While inspired by masochistic retro platformers, Wings of Vi aims to cut out arbitrary difficulty in favor of skill based gameplay.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 31.6%, Difficult 22.6%, Platformer 15.1%, Female Protagonist 11.7%, Gore 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging precision platformer featuring a female protagonist that tests your reflexes in a similar fashion to the seed game.

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 30.5%, Hack and Slash 21.8%, Beat 'em up 15.2%, Difficult 7.3%, Female Protagonist 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A highly stylized, visceral hack-and-slash game that mirrors the aggressive combat and dark tone of the seed.

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 29.5%, Gothic 16.8% ★, Difficult 13.9%, Pixel Graphics 12.5%, Platformer 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: Features a dark, oppressive world and brutal combat that aligns perfectly with the Lovecraftian and gore-heavy themes.

Original developer WayForward upgrades its 2011 classic with new voice acting by Laura Bailey and Troy Baker, sharpened visuals, and rebalanced gameplay. Run, jump, cut, and feed your way through a massive underground castle to confront Rayne’s father at the behest of the Brimstone Society.

Why similar: Gore 18.8%, Gothic 15.9% ★, Hack and Slash 15.2%, Beat 'em up 14.9%, Female Protagonist 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers the closest experience to the seed game's blend of fluid hack-and-slash combat and demanding platforming challenges.

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 29.9%, Platformer 15.1%, Gothic 14.3% ★, Difficult 9.5%, Pixel Graphics 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: Combines a heavy metal aesthetic with challenging 2D platforming and intense, gore-filled combat encounters.

Bleed 2 is a relentless arcade action game featuring air-dodging, bullet-reflecting, and tons of bosses. Now with randomly-generated levels and daily challenges, too!

Why similar: Female Protagonist 28.4%, Platformer 27.7%, Action 16.6%, Pixel Graphics 13.2%, Indie 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on high-speed, stylish action and platforming that rewards players for mastering movement and combat flow.

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: Precision Platformer 40.3%, Difficult 24.4%, Platformer 21%, Pixel Graphics 3.8%, Indie 3%

Why You'll Like It: The definitive experience for players who enjoy the punishing, high-difficulty precision platforming found in the seed game.

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: Lovecraftian 43%, Platformer 14.6%, Difficult 12.5%, Female Protagonist 11.9%, Side Scroller 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: Directly incorporates Lovecraftian horror into a fast-paced, 2D action-platformer framework.

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: Difficult 19.5%, 2D Platformer 15.8%, Platformer 14.2%, Female Protagonist 14.2%, Side Scroller 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, atmospheric action-platformer with a female lead that emphasizes tight combat and exploration.

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 36.9%, Platformer 29.7%, Action 6.1%, Gore 5.5%, Side Scroller 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A brutally difficult, retro-inspired action game that demands perfection in every jump and strike.

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 16.4%, Gore 15.8%, Platformer 15.3%, Pixel Graphics 14.5%, 2D Platformer 13.7%

Why You'll Like It: Delivers brutal, one-hit-kill action and gore-filled combat that requires the same level of precision and speed.

Rosenkreuzstilette is a mega-action-platformer game in which you step into the shoes of Spiritia Rosenberg, a virtuous young woman caught on the wrong side of a revolution instigated by her closest friends.

Why similar: Difficult 16.3%, Beat 'em up 15.1%, Platformer 13.9%, Female Protagonist 13%, Side Scroller 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging action-platformer featuring a female protagonist that captures the classic, difficult feel of the genre.

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: Gore 23.3%, Lovecraftian 20.9%, Gothic 19.8% ★, Hack and Slash 9.7%, Side Scroller 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, gore-filled metroidvania that focuses on challenging combat and exploration.

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 26%, Beat 'em up 17.2%, Difficult 16.4%, Platformer 13%, 2D Platformer 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A vertical, gore-filled action roguelite that emphasizes fast-paced combat and platforming reflexes.

Trapped in a buried, forgotten facility, you must reach the core of an ancient machine to rescue your lost lover. System Purge is a challenging, atmospheric 2D platformer.

Why similar: Gore 20.6%, Platformer 15.9%, Female Protagonist 14.8%, Precision Platformer 14%, Pixel Graphics 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A difficult platformer with a female protagonist that emphasizes survival and precision movement.

Risk insanity in the gruesome slash-em-up Morbid: The Lords of Ire, with brutal combat and souls-like elements. Defeat the five Lords of Ire as you fight for your life across tortured landscapes, rending the evil Gahars of their flesh-bound forms.

Why similar: Lovecraftian 25.7%, Gore 18.6%, Hack and Slash 18.5%, Difficult 16.3%, Female Protagonist 12%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, Lovecraftian-inspired action game that focuses on brutal combat and atmospheric world-building.

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: Hack and Slash 30%, Platformer 21.1%, 2D Platformer 16.1%, Pixel Graphics 13.2%, Side Scroller 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: Provides fast, precise, retro-style action that emphasizes mastery of movement and combat mechanics.

A mysterious agent, capable of becoming a digital ghost, sneaks aboard the Nakamura Space Station. This is where the fun begins: the station is well-protected with its heavy defences, never-ending arsenal of weapons, and mysterious artifacts. It will all have to be destroyed.

Why similar: Female Protagonist 32.1%, Platformer 25.4%, Action 11%, Side Scroller 10%, Indie 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: An action-platformer with a female lead that balances intense combat with platforming challenges.

UnderParty is an Action Platformer game. This game is made up of a very high level of difficulty. It's very violent, so be careful.

Why similar: Gore 34.9%, 2D Platformer 13.3%, Female Protagonist 11.9%, Platformer 11.9%, Difficult 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A violent, arcade-style action game that provides a similar level of chaotic, gore-filled gameplay.

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: Difficult 36.1%, Gore 19.4%, Platformer 19%, Side Scroller 7.7%, 2D 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, punishing 2D action-RPG that shares the grim atmosphere and high difficulty of the seed game.

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: Gore 44.4%, Lovecraftian 20.7%, Pixel Graphics 13.2%, Horror 6.6%, Platformer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a unique, visceral experience with Lovecraftian horror elements and unconventional movement mechanics.

TetherGeist is a challenging precision platformer that rewards practice and perseverance. Guide Mae and her axolotl spirit, Bao, on a wholesome coming-of-age pilgrimage while mastering Astral Projection, a tether that links Mae to her spirit and is the source of her strength.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 21.9%, Difficult 16.4%, 2D Platformer 10.7%, Female Protagonist 10.6%, Platformer 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Features precision platforming with a dark, supernatural theme that aligns with the seed's aesthetic.

Caveblazers is a challenging and brutal roguelike platformer. Journey into a mysterious cave, fighting orcs and goblins with an abundance of weapons and magical items! Make friends along the way, then watch in despair as they are crushed in to a bloody pulp under a troll's fist.

Why similar: Difficult 25.4%, Platformer 25.3%, 2D Platformer 22.4%, Pixel Graphics 16.5%, Action 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: A challenging, gore-filled action roguelite that tests your combat skills in a 2D environment.

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 23.6%, Difficult 20.8%, Pixel Graphics 15.9%, 2D Platformer 14.2%, Side Scroller 10.8%

Why You'll Like It: Features tight, challenging platforming and combat mechanics that feel polished and demanding.

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: Hack and Slash 31.4%, Platformer 22%, Difficult 15.9%, Pixel Graphics 15.6%, Action 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A fast-paced, gore-heavy action game that rewards players for mastering fluid movement and combat.

Classic arcade action returns with Rock Zombie, a 3D horror “hack`n slash” inspired by zombie flicks. Prepare for a non-stopping button-mashing experience that will bring you back to the golden era of the arcades, with modern 3D graphics, animations, camera angles and a killer soundtrack.

Why similar: Gore 45.1%, Beat 'em up 29.2%, Female Protagonist 13.9%, Action 7.4%, Indie 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: A gore-heavy, arcade-style action game that focuses on intense combat encounters.

Bloody stealth platformer, about the ninja in which you cut the enemies into pieces.

Why similar: Gore 22.6%, Difficult 15.4%, Platformer 15.3%, Hack and Slash 13.8%, Pixel Graphics 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A pixel-art, ninja-themed action platformer that emphasizes speed and precise combat strikes.

As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival. What begins as a classic action platformer soon unravels into an expansive time-traveling adventure full of thrills, surprises, and humor.

Why similar: Platformer 27.9%, Pixel Graphics 18%, 2D Platformer 16.1%, Difficult 15.8%, Side Scroller 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Combines excellent platforming mechanics with fast-paced combat in a beautifully realized pixel-art 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: Precision Platformer 32.9%, Difficult 26.3%, Platformer 19.2%, Side Scroller 10.5%, 2D 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: A massive, extremely difficult precision platformer that will challenge even the most experienced players.

Wryn is a girl with a big arsenal and big dreams -- she wants to be the ultimate videogame hero! Help her take down the Greatest Heroes of All Time in an action-packed bid to claim the title for herself and show the world what a true hero looks like!

Why similar: Platformer 27.3%, Female Protagonist 19.4%, Difficult 18.3%, Pixel Graphics 9.3%, Action 9%

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: Gore 32.5%, Difficult 22.1%, Pixel Graphics 16.6%, Side Scroller 9%, Action 4.9%

Eldritch is the original imsim roguelike: a first-person action game inspired by roguelikes, immersive sims, and H. P. Lovecraft.

Why similar: Lovecraftian 71.5%, Horror 7.4%, Female Protagonist 7.3%, Action 4.3%, Pixel Graphics 3.9%

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: Gore 24.5%, Difficult 19.2%, 2D Platformer 13.9%, Platformer 13.5%, Side Scroller 9.9%

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: Lovecraftian 30.6%, Precision Platformer 15.1%, Difficult 14.4%, Platformer 9.6%, 2D Platformer 9%

Action-RPG slasher in which you have to get into the dark atmosphere of dungeons full of monsters and madness.

Why similar: Hack and Slash 31.8%, Difficult 28.2%, Female Protagonist 17%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, 2D 4.2%

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 43.1%, Difficult 19.3%, Platformer 12.6%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Action 6.4%

FREE DEMO features 1 playable character and 1 complete level with leaderboards. Try, die, retry in this challenging but fair precision platformer that takes place on 1 screen. Ultra tight controls, dozens of traps. Great for speedrunning, and 100% completionists. Also, no water levels!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 27.2%, Difficult 18.9%, 2D Platformer 13.6%, Platformer 9.7%, Side Scroller 9.4%

A tough platformer following a girl diving over the heads of terrifying creatures and bouncing off walls to traverse a mysterious, unsettling world that's so much bigger than her: the "world between all worlds"

Why similar: Precision Platformer 30.1%, Platformer 18.7%, 2D Platformer 18.2%, Pixel Graphics 9.8%, Female Protagonist 7.9%

Morbid: The Seven Acolytes is a Horrorpunk Action RPG filled with Lovecraftian horrors and Cronenbergian gore, making it the most gruesome take on the isometric Souls-like genre yet!

Why similar: Lovecraftian 50.9%, Gore 18.6%, Pixel Graphics 9.3%, Female Protagonist 9.1%, Action 5.4%

This is a SHORT, 2D PLATFORMER with TIGHT CONTROLS about exploring a single level to get past a bunch of TRAPS. There is an EASY mode and a HARD mode depending on your skill level.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 27.3%, Difficult 18.7%, 2D Platformer 13.8%, Platformer 11.7%, Female Protagonist 9%

The original video game femme fatale, Rayne, has returned to battle and feed in a brand new hack ‘n slash adventure. Slay ghastly enemies as Rayne, the sexy dhampir with superhuman strength, speed, and agility, recruited by the vampire hunting Brimstone Society for one last mission.

Why similar: Hack and Slash 26.4%, Gore 17.6%, Female Protagonist 15.5%, Platformer 15.1%, Action 6.9%

Nixxsz Castle is a precision platform and rage inducing game. Inspired by games from previous generations, Nixxsz Castle has a very hard gameplay experience for those with patience and skill.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 26.8%, Difficult 21.4%, 2D Platformer 15.5%, Platformer 11.1%, Female Protagonist 9.6%

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

Why similar: Platformer 49.1%, Gore 26.3%, Action 10.4%, 2D 6.2%, Side Scroller 4.2%

Experience rage-inducing precision platforming as a recently deceased soccer player damned to Inferno! Kick your sibling's soul out of Hell for your chance at redemption!

Why similar: Precision Platformer 24.8%, Difficult 17.9%, Supernatural 13.7%, Platformer 11.4%, 2D Platformer 10.7%

Momodora III is a classic action platform game with a variety of items and secrets. It's the third installment of the Momodora series, although playing the previous titles is not necessary to enjoy the game!

Why similar: Platformer 28.4%, Female Protagonist 23.5%, Pixel Graphics 17.2%, Cute 12.6%, Action 7.5%

Challenging 2D platformer with simple graphics and a great chiptune soundtrack.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 24.2%, Gore 21.6%, Difficult 17.3%, Platformer 12.4%, 2D Platformer 9.1%

Hardcore, bloody platformer with a simple dude.

Why similar: Gore 53.3%, Platformer 17%, Pixel Graphics 10.3%, Action 10.2%, Indie 6.3%

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 41.5%, Difficult 17.8%, Female Protagonist 16.7%, Action 10.7%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%

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 37%, Beat 'em up 34.7%, Pixel Graphics 9.7%, Difficult 7.2%, Action 4.4%

A century after the legendary boy Noitu Love saved the world from the evil Darns, they rise again, but in a chaos of time-bending mayhem!

Why similar: Beat 'em up 33.6%, Platformer 18.2%, Pixel Graphics 13.1%, Female Protagonist 10.4%, Action 8.8%

Experience a meta horror pixel platformer retro game haunted by a mysterious yandere.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 21.6%, Difficult 18.1%, Platformer 14.6%, 2D Platformer 14.4%, Female Protagonist 11%

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: Gore 23.3%, Female Protagonist 21.6%, Pixel Graphics 17.5%, Difficult 16.4%, Side Scroller 7.4%

Krimson is a challenging gritty rhythm platformer featuring heavy electronic metal music. You're an unknown spawn going through a hellish world as it moves rhythmically to the music. One wrong move means death but the checkpoints are often and death is very short.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 34.8%, 2D Platformer 18.9%, Platformer 18.3%, Pixel Graphics 11.3%, Horror 8.3%

Love is Hell. In this precision platformer based on the 5 stages of grief, navigate the bowels of Hell and escape the torment of love.

Why similar: Precision Platformer 29.1%, Difficult 21.1%, Platformer 15.5%, 2D Platformer 15.1%, Side Scroller 11.5%

A hardcore, 2D action-platformer where only precision can keep you from death.

Why similar: Hack and Slash 19.2%, Precision Platformer 18.8%, Platformer 15%, 2D Platformer 13.3%, Pixel Graphics 9.4%

Into the Fray is a fast action-shooter in the vein of Doom and Dark Messiah; using fast combat, reactive environments, and traps. Blast, kick, and dash your way through Rebels and Eldritch creatures to liberate the Isle of Portland; as it becomes consumed by Fog and the horrors therein.

Why similar: Lovecraftian 30.3%, Gore 26.6%, Beat 'em up 16%, Gothic 11.1% ★, Pixel Graphics 7.5%

Devil Daggers is a fast-paced shooter that places you in an abyssal arena to face endless legions of demons. Armed with versatile magic daggers and a fluid movement system, fight to survive as long as you can.

Why similar: Difficult 37.5%, Lovecraftian 20.7%, Gore 11.9%, Pixel Graphics 8.7%, Horror 8.7%

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: Gore 24%, Platformer 23.4%, Pixel Graphics 20%, Action 8.9%, Difficult 8.4%