Games Like Valdis Story: Abyssal City

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that slowly crystallizes her body. Battle through a demon-infested castle and defeat its master to save yourself, and all of humanity!

Why similar: Metroidvania 70.7%, RPG 6.2%, Platformer 5.7%, Great Soundtrack 5%, Action 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: As a spiritual successor to the Igavania style, it features the deep RPG systems and exploration that fans of Valdis Story will appreciate.

Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.

Why similar: Metroidvania 53.6%, Platformer 14.3%, Great Soundtrack 6.7%, RPG 6.4%, Action 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It matches the fast-paced, combo-driven combat and vibrant art style that makes Valdis Story so engaging.

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 60.6%, Platformer 11.2%, Great Soundtrack 10%, Difficult 7%, 2D 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers the definitive metroidvania experience with tight combat, deep exploration, and a hauntingly beautiful world.

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 73.8%, Great Soundtrack 9.8%, Difficult 5%, Female Protagonist 3.1%, 2D 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game features a dark, atmospheric world and a unique combat system centered on summoning spirits to fight for you.

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: Metroidvania 64.2%, Platformer 9.1%, Difficult 8.2%, RPG 6.7%, Action 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: It combines complex RPG character building with challenging, souls-like combat that rewards mastery and persistence.

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: Metroidvania 56.9%, Platformer 12.4%, RPG 6.6%, Action 3.8%, Beat 'em up 3%

Why You'll Like It: It features fluid, high-speed combat and an anime-inspired aesthetic that feels very similar to the core experience of Valdis Story.

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 74.4%, Platformer 7.4%, Difficult 5.1%, Great Soundtrack 4.1%, Action 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a punishingly difficult experience with visceral combat and a deeply atmospheric, gothic world.

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 72.6%, Platformer 9.4%, Great Soundtrack 7.5%, Action 2.7%, Indie 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on deep exploration and a vast array of unique weapons, making it a staple for any metroidvania fan.

Vernal Edge is a 2D action-packed Metroidvania featuring an intense combat system, tight platforming sequences and a powerful story of rivalry, revenge and growth.

Why similar: Metroidvania 69%, Platformer 15.8%, Action 5.3%, Female Protagonist 3.4%, 2D 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: With its focus on fast-paced, aerial-heavy combat and exploration, it captures the same intensity found in Valdis Story.

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: Metroidvania 64.4%, Platformer 10.6%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%, Action 5.1%, Indie 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It balances strong narrative elements with varied, puzzle-heavy boss encounters and fluid platforming.

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 59.6%, Platformer 12.5%, Difficult 8.1%, Side Scroller 4.2%, Action 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers tight, responsive combat and challenging boss fights in a compact, well-designed world.

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 82.6%, Difficult 7.1%, Action 4.7%, Platformer 2.4%, 2D 1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a challenging experience with distinct character classes and deep RPG systems that encourage replayability.

Decades after the events of ENDER LILIES, Homunculi — sorrowful, artificial life forms — roam the land. In this dark fantasy Metroidvania, face formidable enemies and explore a bewitching post-apocalyptic world. Humans and Homunculi — what awaits at the end of the quest for their salvation?

Why similar: Metroidvania 71.2%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%, RPG 4.4%, Platformer 2.8%, 2D 2.6%

Why You'll Like It: It refines the combat mechanics of its predecessor while maintaining a beautiful dark fantasy atmosphere.

Head back to the Mexiverse in this long-awaited sequel to the smash hit Guacamelee! Uppercut your way to victory across stunning new hand-crafted levels. Featuring a dense and colorful world, new luchador moves, sassy new bosses, twice the enemies, and 300% more chickens!

Why similar: Metroidvania 58.9%, Platformer 14.1%, Difficult 8.4%, Action 4.5%, Side Scroller 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: It excels at combo-based combat and platforming, offering a high-energy experience that rewards technical skill.

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 64.9%, Platformer 11.8%, Difficult 7.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.6%, Exploration 2%

Why You'll Like It: It is a notoriously difficult exploration game that rewards players who enjoy solving complex puzzles and overcoming brutal bosses.

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 61.2%, Platformer 13.8%, Difficult 8.5%, Action 3.7%, Action RPG 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: It introduces a unique parry-based combat system and deep RPG progression that makes every encounter feel significant.

Fight to bring beautiful colors back to a hand-crafted world of darkness and discover the story of Europa, a young warrior, and her ghostly childhood companion, Apino.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.5%, Platformer 14.4%, Side Scroller 4.4%, Action RPG 3.8%, Action 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes rhythmic, color-coded combat and beautiful pixel art that makes for a unique action experience.

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: Metroidvania 62.7%, Platformer 12.7%, Difficult 5.2%, Great Soundtrack 4.2%, Action 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: It features chaotic, high-action combat against hordes of enemies that tests your reflexes and movement abilities.

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: Metroidvania 58.8%, Platformer 14.7%, Great Soundtrack 11.3%, Difficult 4%, Action 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: It delivers excellent action-platforming mechanics paired with a fantastic soundtrack and a clever narrative structure.

Afterimage is a hand-drawn 2D action adventure that emphasizes fast-paced combat with diversified character builds, non-linear levels, and a gripping story set in the ruins of a fantasy world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 59.9%, Platformer 10.3%, Difficult 6.8%, RPG 5.3%, Side Scroller 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: This expansive world features fluid, anime-inspired combat and a massive amount of content to explore.

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 68.9%, Action 5.9%, Difficult 5.8%, Platformer 4.7%, Female Protagonist 3.5%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on action-oriented gameplay with a dark, religious aesthetic that emphasizes parrying and precise movement.

Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action. Developed by Team Ladybug, creators of multiple fantastic action games thus far.

Why similar: Metroidvania 51.7%, Platformer 10.9%, Difficult 7.8%, Great Soundtrack 6.3%, RPG 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It features fast-paced, stylish combat with time-manipulation mechanics that allow for incredible combo potential.

Explore the depths below a remote mountain town in this procedurally-generated Adventure Platformer. Taking inspiration from hack 'n slash dungeon crawlers and Metroidvania-style platformers, Chasm will immerse you in a fantasy world full of exciting treasure, deadly enemies, and abundant secrets.

Why similar: Metroidvania 71.8%, Platformer 9.4%, RPG 6.4%, Action 3.8%, Indie 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: It blends procedural exploration with tight, traditional action-RPG combat that feels grounded and responsive.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 72.5%, Platformer 10.2%, Great Soundtrack 5%, Difficult 3.8%, Action 3%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a challenging, boss-heavy experience with a focus on uncovering secrets in a mysterious, pixelated world.

Apotheon is a heroic action game set within the vibrant world of Ancient Greek Mythology. Ascend Mount Olympus, wrestle the divine powers from the Pantheon of Gods, and save mankind.

Why similar: Metroidvania 59.4%, Platformer 13.9%, Action 5.7%, RPG 5.6%, Great Soundtrack 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: It features a unique art style based on ancient Greek pottery and visceral, weight-based combat.

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 66.1%, Platformer 11.2%, Action 6.1%, Indie 3.6%, Great Soundtrack 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: It features fluid combat and a dark, atmospheric world inspired by traditional Korean folklore.

Begin your adventure in Shattered Divinities to reveal the truth! Traverse the land where deities have perished, explore abandoned divine realms, battle mutated monsters, gather divine power to awaken your strength, and unveil the truth behind the deities’ fall.

Why similar: Metroidvania 64.8%, Platformer 12.2%, RPG 5.5%, Action 3.7%, Indie 3.4%

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: Metroidvania 56%, Platformer 14.9%, Difficult 7.2%, Action 5.7%, Side Scroller 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: It provides fast-paced 2D action with a focus on fluid movement and a wide variety of weapon types.

Travel back in time to change fate itself, in this beautifully crafted story-driven adventure, inspired by classic 90s action-platformers. Join timekeeper Lunais on her quest for revenge against the empire that killed her family, using time-bending powers to explore a vast, connected world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 58.9%, Platformer 12.4%, RPG 6.6%, Side Scroller 4.2%, Action 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: It is an RPG-heavy metroidvania that allows players to manipulate time, adding a strategic layer to its combat.

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 73.3%, RPG 9%, Action RPG 5.6%, Action 5.4%, Side Scroller 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: It expands on the RPG systems of its predecessor with more complex boss fights and a focus on hunting unique enemies.

Guide Vivian the Vagrant, through vibrant and dynamic landscapes while hacking and slashing a path from a quiet coastal village through mysterious forests, haunted castles, and wrecked battlegrounds. When the endless barrage of enemies have been vanquished, what solace will be left for our hero?

Why similar: Metroidvania 58.3%, RPG 8.1%, Action 5.9%, Female Protagonist 4.7%, Side Scroller 4.5%

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: Metroidvania 49.9%, Platformer 14.7%, Great Soundtrack 8.1%, Difficult 6.6%, Action 5.6%

Use your magic staff and progress through a large interconnected world where you'll solve puzzles, fight enemies and defeat bosses in order to help free the land of Alwa. Explore and uncover the secrets by using your platforming skills in this challenging and charming 8-bit adventure game.

Why similar: Metroidvania 70.3%, Platformer 12.7%, Great Soundtrack 4.5%, Indie 3.3%, Difficult 2.3%

Usurper is a Metroidvania Action-RPG. With Eldritch horrors having been unleashed by the outer-worldly Citadel, your job is to rid London of its terrors. Use the new "Guard" system that rewards skillful play and accuracy, to uncover the massive structure and defeat the nightmares lurking within.

Why similar: Metroidvania 71.6%, RPG 10.3%, Action 6.9%, Platformer 4.9%, Indie 3.9%

Run, gun and explore an open undercity in this otherworldly non-linear Metroidvania adventure about the Old Gods, strange creatures and the remnants of a lost world!

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.1%, Platformer 11%, Great Soundtrack 7%, Difficult 6.5%, Action 4.3%

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 71.5%, Platformer 10.2%, Action 4.9%, Indie 3.6%, 2D 2.9%

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: Metroidvania 59.8%, Platformer 13.8%, Difficult 6.7%, Great Soundtrack 4.8%, Action 4.5%

Embark on a journey through the longest night with Leila, a valiant member of the Vigilant Order. Delve into the hidden truths shrouded in eternal darkness, unravel the mystery surrounding Leila's enigmatic sister, and confront the eldritch horrors lurking in a world that has lost the light of day.

Why similar: Metroidvania 57.2%, Platformer 11.8%, Difficult 7.5%, RPG 5.6%, Side Scroller 4.1%

Indivisible is a hand drawn action RPG platformer from Lab Zero, creators of the critically acclaimed Skullgirls! Set in a huge fantasy world, Indivisible tells the story of Ajna, a fearless girl with a rebellious streak who sets out on a quest to save everything she knows from being destroyed.

Why similar: Metroidvania 46%, RPG 14.1%, Platformer 12.7%, Action 7.6%, Indie 4.7%

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: Metroidvania 65.1%, Platformer 12%, Difficult 6.5%, RPG 4.4%, Great Soundtrack 3.7%

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: Metroidvania 63.4%, RPG 7.8%, Platformer 7.3%, Difficult 4.5%, Action 4%

Cally's parents have been abducted, as her arch-enemy Herbert has taken control of the Caves to perform his evil experiments. Join Cally and her friends in this action-packed run and gun platformer, conquering insane bosses, exploring to find secrets, and levelling up EVERYTHING.

Why similar: Metroidvania 44.3%, Platformer 15%, RPG 10.5%, Great Soundtrack 7.9%, Action 7%

This game is a Metroidvania game with intense battle. Explore the world and collection power-ups with your cute cat girl! When magic curse suddenly occurred in a small town and all the residents grew cat ears, the real cat girl Nyaruru started her way to uncover the truth...

Why similar: Metroidvania 69.8%, Platformer 12%, Action 3.2%, Exploration 3.2%, Female Protagonist 2.7%

Chronicles of Teddy : Harmony of Exidus is a 2D Adventure / Action game with a Pixel Art Retro finish. Help Tarant in a quest, in which you will have to fight, use your sense of direction and hearing to accomplish your mission.

Why similar: Metroidvania 64.5%, Platformer 10.6%, RPG 7.4%, Action 5.2%, Female Protagonist 3.4%

Inspired by 16 and 32-bit classics, Gestalt: Steam & Cinder fuses tight 2D platforming and exhilarating combat with an engrossing, twist-laden narrative in a stunningly handcrafted steampunk world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 55.5%, Platformer 12.9%, RPG 10.5%, Action 4.6%, 2D 3%

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: Metroidvania 32.2%, Platformer 22.7%, Difficult 16.2%, Great Soundtrack 10%, Action 4.8%

3000th Duel is action-adventure game that has speedy, exciting battles as its charm. Fight against monsters with your own style of battle to travel an unidentified world and discover a secret hidden.

Why similar: Metroidvania 50%, Platformer 11.2%, Great Soundtrack 9.3%, Difficult 7.2%, RPG 4.7%

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 71.5%, Great Soundtrack 11%, Exploration 3.2%, Indie 2.9%, Female Protagonist 2.9%

Dodge bullets, missiles and lasers in battle as you wrap your head around that bunny girl costume! Combo away with your mighty Piko Hammer or spam various spells from afar with your fiery fairy friend. Explore and explode through Rabi-Rabi Island as you collect power-ups and uncover secrets...

Why similar: Metroidvania 54.6%, Platformer 11.3%, Great Soundtrack 6.3%, Difficult 5.7%, Action 3.8%

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: Metroidvania 54.7%, Platformer 20.8%, Action 6.9%, Indie 4.4%, Great Soundtrack 3.8%

Explore a dark and sinister Osaka as the Demon Hunter Shin. Battle demons, regain lost skills, and uncover the truth of your forgotten past in this exciting occult-inspired cyberpunk metroidvania.

Why similar: Metroidvania 66.6%, Platformer 12.9%, Side Scroller 4.6%, Action 4%, Action RPG 3.9%

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

Why similar: Metroidvania 36.6%, Great Soundtrack 20.5%, Difficult 13.1%, RPG 6.2%, Action 5.8%

Fight your way across the celestial world of Avalice where cats are green, motorcycles drive up walls and monster girls do most of the buttkicking! Freedom Planet is a cartoony, combat-based platform adventure that pits a spunky dragonoid and her friends against an alien attack force.

Why similar: Platformer 37.6%, Great Soundtrack 25.2%, Action 9.1%, Difficult 6.1%, 2D 6%

From indie Chilean developer ACE Team comes a new side-scrolling action adventure game featuring a complex fighting engine in procedurally generated levels that destines its three warriors to battle a different abyss each time! Choose your hero and also learn to possess your enemies in the abyss…

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.5%, Platformer 21.7%, Action 10%, Side Scroller 5%, Indie 4.2%

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 49.5%, Platformer 12%, Great Soundtrack 10.5%, Difficult 7.2%, RPG 5.9%

Battle Princess Madelyn is a game that follows the journey of a young knight in training, Madelyn, and her ghostly pet dog, Fritzy. Join them as they set out on a journey to save her kingdom and her family from the clutches of an evil wizard!

Why similar: Metroidvania 48.9%, Platformer 14.9%, Great Soundtrack 8.8%, Action 8%, Difficult 6.7%

EXPLORE YOUR WAY. Awoken to a world ruined by war, Alma must traverse the vast city of Arcadia before the life force of her friends and herself withers away. Time is ticking, and every moment matters. Who will you save, and who will you leave to turn UNSIGHTED?

Why similar: Metroidvania 63.5%, RPG 8%, Platformer 7.4%, Action 5.6%, Female Protagonist 3.2%

HunterX is an action-adventure game full of spirited battles. Use various styles of weapons and magic to experience your own fighting style and explore a great world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 61.4%, Platformer 10.1%, RPG 6.7%, Action 4.9%, Action RPG 4.6%