Silksong delivered on years of anticipation. Hornet’s faster, more aggressive moveset, Pharloom’s vertical kingdom, and Team Cherry’s signature atmospheric storytelling made it one of 2025’s defining releases. If you’ve explored every corner of Pharloom and want more games that hit the same notes, you’re in the right place.
This list cuts straight to 15 alternatives that genuinely deliver Metroidvania exploration, tight 2D combat, or atmospheric platforming. No filler picks, no “kind of similar” stretches.
Quick Comparison: Top 5 Picks
| # | Game | Difficulty | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Hollow Knight | Hard | $14.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 2 | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | Medium | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 3 | Blasphemous | Hard | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 4 | Nine Sols | Hard | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 5 | Dead Cells | Hard | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
1. Hollow Knight
Why it’s similar
Same world, combat, and exploration design with interconnected Metroidvania progression. The 2017 original that made the genre cool again.
What makes it unique
Hallownest is one of the most atmospheric worlds in gaming. The Knight’s nail combat preceded Hornet’s faster moveset.
Key features
- Hallownest open world
- Nail-based combat
- Free Godmaster DLC
- 167 enemies and bosses
Price: $14.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
2. Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Why it’s similar
Fluid movement and emotional atmosphere with precision platforming and exploration. The visual high-water mark of the genre.
What makes it unique
Watercolor animations rival hand-drawn film quality. Emotional story focuses on companionship and loss.
Key features
- Watercolor visuals
- Spirit Trial speedrun mode
- Emotional storytelling
- 15-hour campaign
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
3. Blasphemous
Why it’s similar
Dark world design and difficult combat with exploration-focused progression. Spanish folklore horror parallels Hollow Knight’s bleak beauty.
What makes it unique
Pixel art Metroidvania with religious horror themes. Heavy choice consequences and multiple endings reward repeated playthroughs.
Key features
- Pixel art Metroidvania
- Religious horror themes
- 3 endings
- Free DLC content
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
4. Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Why it’s similar
Melancholic atmosphere and boss-focused gameplay with tight combat and exploration systems. Spirit-summon combat differs but tone matches Hollow Knight.
What makes it unique
Summon defeated boss spirits as combat allies. Each spirit has a unique attack pattern tied to character abilities.
Key features
- Spirit summoning system
- 30+ boss encounters
- Multiple endings
- Ender Magnolia sequel available
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
5. Haiku, the Robot
Why it’s similar
Strong Hollow Knight inspiration with tight combat and compact world design. The closest direct love letter to Team Cherry.
What makes it unique
Robot protagonist in a mechanical world. Adopts Hollow Knight’s exact UI and rhythm with original presentation.
Key features
- Hollow Knight-inspired design
- Robot protagonist
- 10-hour campaign
- Indie passion project
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
6. Dead Cells
Why it’s similar
Fast combat and exploration systems with skill-focused gameplay progression. Roguelike loop differs but combat feel matches.
What makes it unique
Procedurally generated levels with permanent progression unlocks. Boss Cell difficulty modifiers add long-term challenge.
Key features
- Roguelike runs
- 5 major DLCs
- Boss Cell difficulty system
- Active updates
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
7. Salt and Sanctuary
Why it’s similar
Souls-like combat in 2D with dark world and stamina-based gameplay. The 2D Dark Souls before everyone tried 2D Dark Souls.
What makes it unique
Side-scrolling 2D perspective adds platforming layer absent from most Souls-likes. Salt and Sacrifice sequel adds more content if you finish the original.
Key features
- 2D Souls-like perspective
- 8 classes
- Co-op and PvP modes
- Brand creed system
Price: $17.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
8. Axiom Verge
Why it’s similar
Classic Metroid-inspired exploration with ability-based progression and secrets. The closest match for Super Metroid’s structural design.
What makes it unique
Glitch weapons let you corrupt enemies and environments. Tom Happ developed solo over 5 years.
Key features
- Glitch corruption weapon
- Solo-developed
- Multiple endings
- Axiom Verge 2 sequel
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
9. The Messenger
Why it’s similar
Precision platforming and evolving world design with tight movement mechanics. Halfway through, the entire game changes genre.
What makes it unique
Starts as 8-bit linear platformer then transforms into 16-bit Metroidvania at the halfway mark. Cloud Step ability defines mid-air control.
Key features
- 8-bit to 16-bit transformation
- Cloud Step traversal
- Picnic Panic DLC
- 15-hour campaign
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
10. Grime
Why it’s similar
Difficult combat and surreal environments with ability-focused progression systems. Body-horror enemies in a surreal stone-world.
What makes it unique
Parry-and-absorb mechanic consumes enemies for stat upgrades. Cronenberg-style body horror art direction is unmatched.
Key features
- Parry-and-absorb combat
- Body horror art style
- 20-hour campaign
- 2 free expansion DLCs
Price: $24.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
11. Rain World
Why it’s similar
Harsh exploration-focused gameplay with atmospheric world and survival mechanics. Unique animal AI creates unpredictable ecosystems.
What makes it unique
Predator AI behaves naturally without scripted patterns. Slugcat must survive hibernation cycles by gathering food.
Key features
- Emergent predator AI
- Hibernation survival
- Multiple Slugcat campaigns
- The Watcher DLC
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
12. Celeste
Why it’s similar
Precision platforming and challenge with emotional storytelling and movement mastery. The platform genre’s emotional benchmark.
What makes it unique
Mountain climb narrative parallels Madeline’s mental health journey. Strawberry collection adds optional challenges of varying difficulty.
Key features
- Mental health themes
- Strawberry challenges
- Free Farewell DLC
- Assist mode accessibility
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
13. Ghost Song
Why it’s similar
Atmospheric sci-fi exploration with slow-paced combat and isolation themes. The sci-fi cousin of Hollow Knight.
What makes it unique
Sci-fi setting on alien planet Lorian. Multiple endings tied to story choices and exploration depth.
Key features
- Sci-fi alien planet
- Multiple endings
- 8-12 hour campaign
- Indie passion project
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
14. Moonscars
Why it’s similar
Dark fantasy tone and parry-focused combat with Souls-like progression systems. Brutal pixel art combat with Hollow Knight DNA.
What makes it unique
Dual-form transformation between human and beast adds combat variety. Lunar Iron currency system tracks deaths intricately.
Key features
- Dual-form combat
- Lunar Iron currency
- Pixel art horror
- 10-hour campaign
Price: $19.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
15. Nine Sols
Why it’s similar
Precision combat inspired by Sekiro with hand-drawn art style and exploration. Taopunk aesthetic distinguishes it visually.
What makes it unique
Sekiro-style parry combat in 2D. Taoist-themed sci-fi setting blends Chinese mythology with cyberpunk.
Key features
- Sekiro-inspired parry combat
- Taopunk visual style
- Hand-drawn animations
- 20-hour campaign
Price: $29.99 Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, Switch
Where to Buy
Available on Green Man Gaming and Steam.
Full Comparison Table
| # | Game | Difficulty | Price | Platforms |
| 1 | Hollow Knight | Hard | $14.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 2 | Ori and the Will of the Wisps | Medium | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 3 | Blasphemous | Hard | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 4 | Ender Lilies | Hard | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 5 | Haiku, the Robot | Medium | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 6 | Dead Cells | Hard | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 7 | Salt and Sanctuary | Hard | $17.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 8 | Axiom Verge | Medium | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 9 | The Messenger | Medium | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Switch |
| 10 | Grime | Hard | $24.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 11 | Rain World | Hard | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox, Switch |
| 12 | Celeste | Hard | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox, Switch |
| 13 | Ghost Song | Medium | $19.99 | PC, PS4, Xbox, Switch |
| 14 | Moonscars | Hard | $19.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
| 15 | Nine Sols | Hard | $29.99 | PC, PS, Xbox, Switch |
Conclusion
Silksong fans have plenty of directions depending on what hooked them. Want more Metroidvania? Hollow Knight, Blasphemous, and Haiku the Robot deliver the closest match. Craving precision platforming? Ori and Celeste are the genre kings. Hungry for tight combat? Nine Sols, Moonscars, and Grime push the parry-and-counter formula to its limits.
The Metroidvania genre has rarely had this many great options. Pick one based on whether you want atmospheric exploration, precision movement, or Souls-like combat depth. Every game on this list earned its spot through real Metroidvania craft, not just a “2D game” tag.
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