Few games have left a mark on the Metroidvania genre quite like Hollow Knight. Its challenging combat, interconnected world, memorable bosses, and mysterious storytelling set an incredibly high bar. It’s not easy to find games like Hollow Knight that scratch the same itch. We’ve compiled ten games that deliver the same rewarding exploration, challenging combat, and unforgettable sense of adventure, while still feeling unique in their own right.
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Nine Sols
If you want a game that feels like Hollow Knight and Sekiro had a baby, with rich lore, challenging combat, and a world that feels alive, Nine Sols might be your perfect pick. In this hand-drawn 2D action platformer, Eastern mythology collides with futuristic sci-fi to create a “Taopunk” aesthetic that’s as unique as it is stunning. The game features Sekiro-inspired, parry-based combat that challenges you to master every slash, deflection, and explosive talisman strike.
Each boss fight is an event. Grueling, intricate, and immensely satisfying when you’ve earned your victory. If exploration is your thing, the interconnected world of New Kunlun invites you to uncover its secrets and piece together a gripping tale of revenge. Story mode lets you soak up the game’s captivating narrative and gorgeous art style without the stress of relentless combat.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights is a dark fantasy 2D action RPG that immerses you in the tragic tale of a kingdom destroyed by the cursed Rain of Death. You play as Lily, a mysterious young woman who awakens in the ruins of a shattered land and sets out to uncover its secrets and free it from its haunting curse. The world is beautifully crafted, with eerie forests, submerged ruins, and haunted castles, each brought to life by stunning art and a haunting soundtrack.
Combat is challenging yet deeply rewarding. Each enemy encounter tests focus and precision, while devastating bosses are poised to punish any misstep. Defeating these cursed foes lets you recruit their spirits as allies, giving you the freedom to customize your fighting style. The blend of strategy and exploration becomes more fluid and engaging as you unlock new abilities and traverse the interconnected world.
ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist
If you’ve already played and enjoyed ENDER LILIES, it’s time to put ENDER MAGNOLIA at the top of your list. This dark fantasy Metroidvania takes everything that made its predecessor special and turns it up to eleven. Set in the Land of Fumes, it explores a post-apocalyptic world where toxic underground fumes have transformed artificial life forms – the Homunculi – into savage monsters.
As Lilac, an “Attuner” with the power to save the Homunculi, you’ll uncover cryptic lore, forge bonds, and recover lost memories in a beautifully crafted world. The art is more gorgeous than ever, combat is smoother and faster, and you start with key abilities like dash and double jump for seamless exploration. Plus, you can now chat with your companion at rest points, adding emotional depth and easing the loneliness of the journey.
MIO: Memories in Orbit
Exploring a forgotten world of hidden paths, challenging platforming, and mysterious lore is exactly what makes MIO: Memories in Orbit a fantastic pick for fans of Hollow Knight. You play as MIO, a nimble android who awakens aboard the Vessel, a colossal spaceship that has fallen into ruin. Overgrown with lush vegetation and overrun by rogue machines, this once-thriving technological ark is now filled with secrets waiting to be uncovered. Exploration is at the heart of the experience. Each new ability unlocks previously unreachable areas, rewarding curiosity and careful observation.
Along the way, you repair damaged robots, uncover the Vessel’s forgotten history, and slowly piece together the mystery behind its collapse. MIO also delivers satisfying platforming, challenging combat, and memorable boss fights that demand skill without feeling unfair. Combined with its stunning hand-drawn art style and dreamlike atmosphere, it captures the same sense of wonder and discovery that made Hollow Knight so unforgettable while still creating an identity all its own.
ULTROS
Next on our list of games like Hollow Knight is ULTROS. This psychedelic Metroidvania drops you into The Sarcophagus, a drifting, alien structure that’s mysterious and alive. You wake up in the loop of a black hole, stranded in a vibrant, surreal world teeming with bizarre life forms, ancient mysteries, and a demonic entity named ULTROS.
What makes ULTROS special isn’t just its stunning art style or immersive soundtrack. It’s how the game draws you into its themes of life, death, and karmic cycles. As you explore, you’ll uncover hidden mechanics, solve intricate puzzles, and shape the environment to your liking. While combat may not be the most challenging, the game’s worldbuilding and exploration more than make up for it, creating an experience that feels alive.
Laika: Aged Through Blood
If you’re looking for a truly unique Metroidvania, you need to check out Laika: Aged Through Blood. It’s the first-ever motorvania, blending classic exploration and progression with fast-paced motorbike combat. Yes, you read that right. Set in a stunning, hand-drawn post-apocalyptic wasteland, the game tells the gripping story of a mother coyote warrior on a quest for revenge.
The gameplay has you racing through the wasteland, doing backflips to reload your weapon mid-air or diving into slow-motion gunfights while dodging enemies. The skill-based mechanics are incredibly rewarding. Then there’s the worldbuilding. From epic boss battles to intricate, varied landscapes, every corner of this wasteland begs to be explored. And don’t even get us started on the soundtrack! It’s among the best, pulling you deeper into the game’s dark atmosphere.
Crypt Custodian
Crypt Custodian is a cozy, quirky Metroidvania that feels like you took parts of Hollow Knight and Zelda and added something new. You play as Pluto, a mischievous cat condemned to an afterlife of janitorial duties – forever! But don’t let the eternal broom duty fool you. This is no dull gig. You’ll explore a sprawling, spooky world full of puzzles, secrets, and adorable characters, including a band of ghostly animals you can befriend.
Combat is all about sweeping away enemies with your trusty broom while unlocking new abilities that make backtracking a pleasure, not a chore. Crypt Custodian features charming art, atmospheric music, and a compelling story that tugs at your heartstrings without bogging you down in dialogue. It’s gentle yet challenging, with just enough difficulty to keep you on your toes without ever feeling like you’re in over your head.
CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™
In CONVERGENCE: A League of Legends Story™, you play Ekko, a young inventor navigating the gritty, neon-lit streets of Zaun with his trusty Zero Drive, a device that lets you rewind time. The stakes are high, the secrets are dangerous, and even Ekko may not be trustworthy.
The time-control mechanic is a game-changer. Every mistake becomes a lesson as you rewind, re-strategize, and outsmart enemies with precise combat and clever positioning. Combat is fluid and rewarding, striking the perfect balance of challenge and creativity. Zaun’s comic-book art style oozes personality, and its interconnected areas flow seamlessly. You might recognize familiar faces from League of Legends, but you’ll see them in a completely new light.
Islets
Islets is a charming, skill-based Metroidvania from the same developer as Crypt Custodian, with a look that feels a bit like a more colorful Hollow Knight. This hand-painted gem invites you to take to the skies as Iko, a hopeful young warrior on a mission to reunite the floating islands by reigniting their magnetic cores. Armed with a rickety airship and plenty of determination, you’ll traverse stunning landscapes, battle fierce bosses, and uncover hidden upgrades in every corner of the world.
But beyond its precise platforming and intense combat, Islets is a surprisingly wholesome journey. Along the way, you’ll connect with quirky characters who send you letters, make you laugh, and lend heart to Iko’s quest. The world grows more vibrant with each island you visit, offering new areas to explore and secrets to uncover. With its colorful art style, top-notch music, and a mix of chill exploration and challenging boss battles, Islets is the perfect blend of heartwarming and hardcore.
Death’s Door
If you’ve been itching for a game that combines tight gameplay, a hauntingly beautiful world, and a touch of dark humor, Death’s Door is worth a shot. You’ll step into the tiny talons of a crow whose nine-to-five job is reaping souls. It’s honest work until a rogue soul is stolen. Suddenly, your job gets much more interesting as you track the thief into a bizarre, deathless realm where overgrown beasts and power-hungry creatures rule.
Combat is fast, rewarding, and wonderfully punishing. You’ll wield swords, shoot arrows, and cast magic to take down demigods and twisted monsters, upgrading your skills and abilities to stay sharp. The controls are fluid, making every dodge and strike feel precise. Beyond the doors, the world is beautiful, a desolate, eerie landscape teeming with secrets, quirky characters, and a story as touching as it is mysterious. Whether you’re unraveling the origins of the Doors or laughing at the game’s clever humor, you’ll find yourself immersed in its masterful design.
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