Games Like Yoku's Island Express

Action adventure meets pinball in this one-of-a-kind pinballvania adventure. When a mysterious spire appears from thin air, it's up to an intrepid pinball to bump, spin, shoot, and flip its way to the top and solve the tower’s mysteries!

Why similar: Pinball 59.4% ★, Metroidvania 20.2%, Platformer 7.1%, Puzzle Platformer 5.5%, Physics 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: This title is the closest match to the seed game, directly combining pinball mechanics with Metroidvania-style exploration and puzzle-solving.

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 52%, Platformer 18.1%, Family Friendly 7.8%, Adventure 6%, Cute 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a charming, colorful Metroidvania experience with a focus on fluid movement and engaging world-building.

Try the demo! A mix between Portal, Zelda and Metroid. Exploration, puzzles, terrible combat, secret upgrades and new abilities that help you reach new places. Playtime 12-25h.

Why similar: Metroidvania 47.5%, Puzzle Platformer 14.1%, Platformer 8.7%, Physics 8.5%, Family Friendly 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at rewarding curiosity through clever puzzle-platforming and interconnected exploration in a vibrant, toy-like world.

Catch hundreds of tinykin and use their unique powers to bring Milo back to his home planet and back to normal size!

Why similar: Platformer 26.1%, Family Friendly 24%, Puzzle Platformer 21.2%, Cute 12.6%, Adventure 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It features a unique, cute aesthetic and focuses on creative traversal and exploration within highly detailed, imaginative environments.

Slither, coil and climb your way to the top of Haven Tor in this one of a kind physics based, puzzle platform adventure from award winning independent studio Sumo Digital!

Why similar: Platformer 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 20.7%, Family Friendly 17%, Physics 14.1%, Adventure 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: Like Yoku, this game focuses on unconventional, physics-based movement mechanics that turn simple traversal into a rewarding puzzle.

Pikuniku is an absurdly wonderful puzzle-exploration game that takes place in a strange but playful world where not everything is as happy as it seems. Help peculiar characters overcome struggles, uncover a deep state conspiracy, and start a little revolution in this delightful dystopian adventure!

Why similar: Platformer 20.8%, Great Soundtrack 17.3%, Family Friendly 13.6%, Cute 11.8%, Adventure 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a whimsical, puzzle-filled adventure with a quirky sense of humor and a focus on interacting with a vibrant, friendly world.

Toki Tori 2+ may look cute, but it’s a challenging puzzle adventure game. Whistle and stomp are the only moves you need to solve increasingly complex puzzles, as you go anywhere, anytime on a lush forest island.

Why similar: Metroidvania 45.5%, Platformer 16.4%, Puzzle Platformer 12.2%, Family Friendly 9.2%, Open World 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game blends Metroidvania progression with puzzle-platforming, requiring players to interact with the environment in clever, non-combat ways.

Go on an adventure in a world packed with secrets helped by your friend, a poulp with many abilities. Explore, solve puzzles, wander across dungeons, blast through races and much more in this cute game inspired by the best 3D platformers

Why similar: Metroidvania 35.9%, Platformer 19.8%, Family Friendly 12.9%, Puzzle Platformer 12.1%, Cute 7%

Why You'll Like It: A vibrant 2D platformer that focuses on exploration and collecting items to unlock new areas, capturing the spirit of a lighthearted adventure.

Explore a strange planet, collect the creatures you find, and then shape-shift into them to expand your world. Build your own path, chat with the locals, and discover the planets sprawling secrets in this quirky metroidvania platformer.

Why similar: Metroidvania 50%, Platformer 18.5%, Open World 5.9%, Adventure 5.5%, Cute 5%

Why You'll Like It: A pure Metroidvania experience that emphasizes platforming and exploration over combat, mirroring the non-violent exploration feel of Yoku.

Boasting beautiful, hand-drawn animations and a re-orchestrated soundtrack, the cult classic returns with a unique blend of exploration, action, and adventure!

Why similar: Metroidvania 40.2%, Platformer 22.7%, Great Soundtrack 11.7%, Adventure 6.5%, Hand-drawn 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: This classic-style Metroidvania features a charming art style and exploration-heavy gameplay that feels very similar in spirit to Yoku's island adventure.

Carto is a charming adventure game wrapped around a unique, world-altering puzzle mechanic. Use this power to explore mysterious lands, help a quirky cast of characters, and guide Carto on her journey back to her family.

Why similar: Family Friendly 22.7%, Hand-drawn 17.2%, Cute 16.2%, Open World 11.7%, Adventure 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game uses a unique map-manipulation mechanic to solve puzzles and explore, matching the creative puzzle-solving nature of Yoku.

Mail Mole is a charming 3D platformer featuring Molty, the fastest delivery mole, in his quest to save Carrotland from disaster! Explore magical worlds, make new friends, race against Mecha-Moles, find collectibles, solve puzzles and deliver awesomeness to the end of the world!

Why similar: Platformer 32%, Family Friendly 20.4%, Puzzle Platformer 18.7%, Cute 11%, Adventure 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game features a cute protagonist on a delivery-focused mission, emphasizing platforming and exploration in a colorful 3D world.

A musical platforming adventure with an emotional story. Play as a silly bard and use music to interact with everything on a journey around the world. Along the way you'll explore, solve puzzles, and meet a huge cast of characters!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 31.7%, Platformer 20%, Adventure 14.5%, Family Friendly 13.1%, Cute 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the same sense of joy and whimsy found in Yoku, focusing on a musical, narrative-driven adventure.

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 24.9%, Cute 15.5%, Adventure 14.6%, Family Friendly 14%, Open World 13.2%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the relaxing, exploration-focused vibe of Yoku, allowing players to traverse a beautiful island at their own pace.

Owlboy is a story-driven platform adventure game, where you can fly and explore a brand new world in the clouds! Pick up your friends, and bring them with you as you explore the open skies, in one of the most detailed adventures of this era.

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.6%, Platformer 16.4%, Great Soundtrack 12.7%, Puzzle Platformer 10.8%, Adventure 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: It features beautiful pixel art and a unique flight mechanic that makes exploration feel distinct and rewarding.

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 53.8%, Platformer 13.7%, Puzzle Platformer 9.1%, Great Soundtrack 8.7%, Adventure 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A story-rich Metroidvania with a strong focus on platforming and environmental puzzles that feel rewarding to solve.

Embark on an adorable adventure, discover new friends and uncover everything the island has to offer. Climb, Swim, Glide and slide your way into the hearts of the many different characters you meet on your travels!

Why similar: Family Friendly 46.7%, Cute 24%, Adventure 13.3%, Indie 8.1%, Singleplayer 4.3%

Why You'll Like It: A wholesome, exploration-heavy game that encourages players to climb, glide, and interact with a charming world without the pressure of combat.

Yooka-Laylee and the Impossible Lair is a brand-new 2.5D platformer from some of the key creative talent behind 'Donkey Kong Country'. As the colourful buddy duo you must tackle a series of stunning, 2.5D levels and explore a puzzling 3D Overworld rich with secrets and surprises!

Why similar: Platformer 35%, Adventure 19.9%, Great Soundtrack 17.5%, Family Friendly 10.2%, Indie 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A 2D platformer that offers a mix of classic platforming challenges and an overworld map that encourages exploration.

A land of discovery stretches out before you. Explore the beautiful, rugged world of RiME. Armed with your wits and a will to overcome—and the guidance of a helpful fox—you must explore the enigmatic island, reach the tower's peak, and unlock its closely guarded secrets.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 40.4%, Adventure 19.4%, Open World 9.2%, Platformer 9.2%, Family Friendly 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric adventure game that relies on puzzle-solving and exploration to tell a beautiful, wordless story.

Deep within the realm of sleep, Sybil finds herself pulled to a distorted castle. Grow strong, and unlock new abilities to build up a deep movement system, fight enemies, find secrets, and free the weary soul of Castle Sansa, in this retro-inspired 3D Platformer Metroidvania.

Why similar: Metroidvania 69.9%, Platformer 19.7%, Adventure 3.9%, Singleplayer 2.6%, Exploration 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game emphasizes fluid, momentum-based movement and exploration, making the act of traversing the world feel incredibly satisfying.

Figment is an action-adventure game that invites you to explore a unique surreal universe filled with music, humor and multi layered narrative. Join Dusty and his ever-optimistic friend, Piper, on an adventure through the different sides of the mind seeking to restore the courage that's been lost.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 35.6%, Hand-drawn 17.9%, Adventure 17.6%, Cute 11.6%, Indie 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A musical action-adventure game that features creative puzzle-solving and a vibrant, hand-drawn art style.

Explore the fallen world of Penumbra in this precision 3D metroidvania platformer. Slash fierce enemies, conquer deadly traps, uncover ancient temples, and master fast, fluid movement across challenging platforming gauntlets in your quest to restore a fallen kingdom.

Why similar: Metroidvania 59.4%, Platformer 22%, Cute 7.4%, Adventure 4.7%, Exploration 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: A 3D platformer that incorporates Metroidvania elements, focusing on high-speed movement and precise platforming challenges.

Explore a land filled with lost legends, ancient powers, and ferocious monsters in TUNIC, an isometric action game about a small fox on a big adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 81.9%, Cute 10.8%, Exploration 4.4%, Indie 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: While more challenging, it shares a deep focus on exploration, discovery, and uncovering the secrets of a mysterious, interconnected world.

A story-driven, action adventure combining exploration with fast-paced combat. Untangle the past as Kena, a young Spirit Guide in search of the sacred Mountain Shrine. Help free the spirits trapped in a forgotten village with the help of the Rot, her adorable (yet powerful) spirit companions.

Why similar: Adventure 64.5%, Exploration 16%, Singleplayer 12.8%, Indie 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a beautiful, cute aesthetic combined with exploration and puzzle-solving that feels very polished and inviting.

Seasons After Fall is a 2D platform-puzzler game that will let you dive into a captivating universe and explore a land governed by magic and nature.

Why similar: Metroidvania 23.4%, Platformer 22.4%, Great Soundtrack 15.8%, Puzzle Platformer 11.3%, Adventure 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This puzzle-platformer uses a unique seasonal mechanic to navigate the world, mirroring the creative environmental interactions in Yoku.

Wield the awesome powers of Enril the wind spirit to guide and protect young Toku through this unique platform adventure.

Why similar: Metroidvania 30.8%, Platformer 25.3%, Adventure 13.2%, Family Friendly 9.6%, Puzzle Platformer 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: It features a unique wind-based control scheme that makes platforming and exploration feel distinct and magical.

Transform the world of Hob! A new action-adventure from Runic Games, the award-winning studio behind Torchlight I and II. It's your chance. Make it home.

Why similar: Metroidvania 38.3%, Platformer 18.8%, Adventure 10.7%, Puzzle Platformer 10.5%, Open World 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A wordless adventure game that focuses on environmental puzzles and transforming the world to open new paths.

Grow your own worlds and nurture a deep natural connection with everything they hold. See your actions change the world for better! Bring the Evertree back to life in this breathtaking world-crafting sandbox, with life management and adventure elements.

Why similar: Family Friendly 28.3%, Open World 20.9%, Adventure 16.8%, Cute 15.6%, Singleplayer 11%

Why You'll Like It: A relaxing, exploration-focused game where you nurture a world, capturing the same gentle, family-friendly spirit as Yoku.

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 62.6%, Platformer 17.7%, Great Soundtrack 6.6%, Adventure 6.5%, Indie 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-inspired Metroidvania that focuses on using magic to solve puzzles and navigate a complex, interconnected map.

Take care of your own island and sail with your boat in this cozy farming adventure! Relax and unwind exploring a tropical archipelago or harvesting your own crops while helping others. Discover the story of Summer in Mara, with farming, crafting and exploring mechanics.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 37.8%, Cute 28.8%, Adventure 20.2%, Exploration 9.6%, Casual 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the tropical, island-hopping vibe of Yoku, focusing on exploration and helping the local inhabitants.

Play as an exiled 'wum' looking for a new home in this bizarre but charming world, filled with strange creatures, puzzles, monsters and political chaos.

Why similar: Metroidvania 39.6%, Platformer 14.9%, Great Soundtrack 13.6%, Family Friendly 8.5%, Puzzle Platformer 7.8%

Minit is a peculiar little adventure played sixty seconds at a time.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 40.2%, Adventure 26.4%, Indie 13.1%, Singleplayer 6.7%, Cute 6.2%

Yooka-Laylee is an all-new open-world platformer from genre veterans Playtonic! Explore huge, beautiful worlds, meet an unforgettable cast of characters and horde a vault-load of collectibles as buddy-duo Yooka and Laylee embark on an epic adventure to thwart corporate creep Capital B!

Why similar: Platformer 29.8%, Great Soundtrack 19.6%, Family Friendly 14.8%, Adventure 13.1%, Cute 6.3%

A top-down adventure game in a coloring book world full of vibrant characters. Use painting powers to explore, solve puzzles, make friends, and draw on anything! From creators on Wandersong + Celeste.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 27.4%, Metroidvania 22.6%, Adventure 20.1%, Indie 11.7%, Cute 10.1%

A Bomb Caterpillar's Big Adventure! "Öoo" is a charming yet mysterious exploration puzzle platformer where you discover creative ways to use bombs!

Why similar: Metroidvania 51%, Platformer 17%, Puzzle Platformer 16.3%, Cute 6.1%, Adventure 3.6%

The Adventure Pals is an epic adventure platformer fueled by imagination, friendship, and the dark side of hot dogs. Your dad has been dadnapped and you, your pet rock, and a tongue-helicoptering giraffe must fight your way through levels filled with platforming, bizarre enemies, and big bosses to save the world!

Why similar: Platformer 37.4%, Great Soundtrack 16.5%, Family Friendly 15.3%, Adventure 14.5%, Cute 6.2%

Welcome to the beautiful and tropical Petit Island! Relive your grandpaw's youthful adventures by exploring the island and meeting all the unique islanders in this heartwarming open-world narrative exploration game. Preserve his memories before they fade away.

Why similar: Family Friendly 30.9%, Open World 16.5%, Adventure 15.9%, Cute 15.8%, Indie 7.9%

Embark on a short, playful adventure in your cozy flying boat and sail through fluffy clouds. Discover floating islands and befriend their quirky citizens. Jump, roll, climb, and skate through Cloudburg as Skye faces her biggest obstacle on her way to the Royal Postal Academy!

Why similar: Family Friendly 24.3%, Open World 19.5%, Adventure 17.3%, Cute 16.7%, Indie 8.5%

Yono and the Celestial Elephant is a grand adventure, featuring carefully designed puzzles, treasure hunts, a sprinkling combat and a world full of people.

Why similar: Adventure 35.3%, Family Friendly 27.1%, Cute 22.6%, Indie 15%

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: Metroidvania 63.8%, Platformer 20%, Adventure 7.2%, Cute 3.8%, 2D 1.8%

An adorable and relaxing open world puzzle adventure for monsters who love to learn about humans!

Why similar: Family Friendly 33.5%, Open World 22.3%, Adventure 15.8%, Cute 15.2%, Singleplayer 6.5%

A journey begins... A treacherous tower... Unravel its mysteries!Discover the secrets kept in the long abandoned Tesla Tower!Magnetism and other electromagnetic powers will help you explore a non-linear world of beautiful hand-drawn environments, in a steampunk-inspired vision of old Europe.

Why similar: Metroidvania 43.5%, Platformer 27%, Puzzle Platformer 8.2%, Great Soundtrack 4.8%, Physics 4.4%

Adventuress Ittle Dew and her sidekick Tippsie crash onto a strange island, filled with loot and mysterious inhabitants. It quickly dawns on the duo that this might become their biggest adventure yet.Ittle Dew boils down the classic adventure formula until there is only fun left.

Why similar: Adventure 35.5%, Great Soundtrack 19.1%, Cute 18.2%, Indie 16.3%, 2D 4.8%

Explore strange and wonderful islands and dark labyrinths below in this narrative puzzle platformer. Guide young mechanic Mo on her quest to repair a world on the brink of collapse. The powerful Omni Switch at your disposal may not be enough to fix the damage that hides beneath the surface...

Why similar: Platformer 25.2%, Puzzle Platformer 21.9%, Family Friendly 14.2%, Hand-drawn 14%, Adventure 8.1%

Use and upgrade magic items, collect hidden treasures, and uncover the secrets between two worlds in this cute isometric puzzler! When a certain vacationing Elephant stumbles upon a way into the land of the dead, will she unwittingly let something far more sinister slip through?

Why similar: Metroidvania 42.7%, Platformer 15.9%, Puzzle Platformer 11.9%, Open World 6.4%, Physics 5.8%

. . .. ... ......A homegrown, hand-cranked winter pinball adventure. Send your behemoth snow spheres through a bobsled maze of snowbanks, homemade wooden paddles, Tesla coils, igloos, railcars and more... ... .. . .

Why similar: Pinball 83.2% ★, Great Soundtrack 6%, Family Friendly 5.1%, Indie 2.4%, Cute 2.3%

Bounce and stomp through an enormous interconnected world, doing some intense acrobatics and getting huge combos! A superfast precision platformer that mixes up a Metroidvania world with classic Arcade mechanics.

Why similar: Metroidvania 64%, Platformer 19.9%, Adventure 8.5%, Indie 4.2%, 2D 2.5%

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 56.8%, Platformer 17.6%, Open World 7.8%, Adventure 6.6%, Cute 5.2%

Set sail for adventure with a paper hat on your head and a magical shrinking boat in your pocket, in search of legendary treasures! Solve tricky puzzles, battle formidable foes, piece together clues and dig up secrets to uncover your own shrouded history as you explore this sprawling open world.

Why similar: Metroidvania 47.7%, Platformer 20.6%, Adventure 15.4%, Indie 7.8%, Cute 5.6%

A time-traveling adventure game on a tropical island. 🌴⛱️ Talk to animals, solve puzzles, and save the island from destruction . . .

Why similar: Adventure 48%, Indie 24.7%, Cute 18.5%, Singleplayer 8.8%

A Tropical Open-World adventure. Climb, glide, swim, and sail your boat around a beautiful archipelago in this physics-driven sandbox. Take control of any animal or object you can find, and Jam on your fully playable Ukulele.

Why similar: Platformer 25.1%, Puzzle Platformer 16.7%, Physics 16.2%, Open World 15.1%, Adventure 11.2%

SteamWorld Dig is back! Dig deep, gain riches and unearth the terrors of the underworld in this platform mining adventure influenced by classic Metroidvania style games.

Why similar: Metroidvania 56.9%, Platformer 18.7%, Adventure 7.3%, Great Soundtrack 6.9%, Indie 3.3%

Set off on a delightful expedition and use your photographic eye to uncover the mysteries of the magical TOEM in this hand-drawn adventure game. Chat with quirky characters, solve their problems by snapping neat photos, and make your way through a relaxing landscape!

Why similar: Family Friendly 30.9%, Hand-drawn 21.1%, Cute 17.2%, Adventure 16.6%, Singleplayer 6.6%

Unravel is a physics-based puzzle platformer. Yarny, a character made from a single thread of yarn, must embark on a larger than life adventure.

Why similar: Platformer 27.1%, Family Friendly 23.5%, Puzzle Platformer 14%, Adventure 13.9%, Great Soundtrack 11.4%

MainFrames invites you to meet Floppy and to browse a clever and charming platformer that plays out entirely within the windows and desktop of a PC monitor. You won’t want to press the escape key on this cozy outing!

Why similar: Platformer 31.4%, Puzzle Platformer 21.3%, Physics 16.6%, Adventure 11.5%, Cute 9.4%

Going Under is a satirical dungeon crawler about exploring the cursed ruins of failed tech startups. As an unpaid intern in the dystopian city of Neo-Cascadia, you’ll wield office junk as weaponry as you make your way through the offbeat procedural dungeons beneath your company campus.

Why similar: Cute 100%

A fantastic, oceanic, open world puzzle adventure. Solve innovative block puzzles while unearthing a mystifying story, gaining new friends that change the puzzle landscape, and unlocking powers that provide more options for how you choose to progress through the enigmatic Isles of Sea and Sky.

Why similar: Metroidvania 70.9%, Open World 12.2%, Adventure 8.9%, Singleplayer 4%, Exploration 2.7%

Explore a lovingly crafted world with all its odd inhabitants as you experience the ethereal realm and deliver messages to the spirits. Make your mark in the wordless narrative - with a Tiny Echo.

Why similar: Hand-drawn 19.9%, Adventure 18.7%, Family Friendly 18.1%, Cute 16.6%, Indie 8.7%

Same sick burns, same smoldering attitude, now all scaled up in stunning HD, Spyro is back in the Spyro™ Reignited Trilogy! Rekindle the fire with remastered versions of the original three games, Spyro™ the Dragon, Spyro™ 2: Ripto's Rage! and Spyro™: Year of the Dragon.

Why similar: Platformer 28.3%, Family Friendly 25.4%, Great Soundtrack 18.2%, Adventure 13.7%, Cute 8.4%

Tales of the Tiny Planet tells the story of a separated group of planet friends who want to reunite. You have to assist them against the dangers of time and space.

Why similar: Physics 18.2%, Platformer 15.9%, Great Soundtrack 15.3%, Puzzle Platformer 10.5%, Family Friendly 10.3%