10 Hardcore games like A Difficult Game About Climbing that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 38 games similar to A Difficult Game About Climbing down to the 10 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Snake Pass, Zup! X and Thomas Was Alone top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to A Difficult Game About Climbing.

iRank81/ 100

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GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

The best hardcore games like A Difficult Game About Climbing

10 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to A Difficult Game About Climbing. Each one has been evaluated across 14 real attributes — from combat style and progression mechanics to world structure and visual perspective — so every recommendation is based on how the game actually plays, not just its genre label.

#1Snake PassClosest overall match

iRank77

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloMeleeCasualHardcoreNarrativeThird Person

Steam👍 80%· 3.3KIGDB72· 12OC74· 90

Year 2017Dev Sumo DigitalOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel and exploration and discovery, while skipping horror tension

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for A Difficult Game About Climbing.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone83Visuals60

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Steam Epic Xbox

#2Zup! XClosest on setting

iRank69

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualNarrativeHardcoreHorror2D

Steam👍 96%· 6.8KRAWG👍 28%· 28

Year 2018Dev Quiet RiverPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Both are puzzle-platformers — sharing precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Its own twist: vibe relaxing, cozy, relaxing feel and exploration and discovery, while skipping deep simulation

Minimal physical puzzle with explosions. The player's goal to keep the blue ball on the platform for 3 seconds in order to pass the level. ▪ 60+ Levels ▪ 2880 Achievements "Zup!" powered by Clickteam Fusion 2.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals74Tone73

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Steam

#3Thomas Was AloneClosest on tone

iRank88

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloNarrativeHardcoreCasual2D

Steam👍 94%· 9.4KIGDB76· 8

Year 2012Dev Bithell GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with linear, story-driven structure and setting scifi, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from A Difficult Game About Climbing: setting.

It predates A Difficult Game About Climbing by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Visuals76Setting0

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualNarrativeHardcore2D

Steam👍 87%· 4.3KIGDB69· 5OC73· 17

Year 2013Dev Ty Taylor & Mario Castañeda · The Quantum Astrophysicists GuildOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, puzzle design and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and fantasy world, while skipping horror tension

Where it drifts furthest from A Difficult Game About Climbing: setting.

It predates A Difficult Game About Climbing by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone97Visuals76Setting0

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrative2D

Steam👍 97%· 2.8KMC82

Year 2022Dev Jonas TyrollerPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, adventure storytelling and deep simulation

≠ Where it differs: brings cozy, relaxing feel and exploration and discovery, while skipping horror tension

Dear humans, I wanted to let you know that I am better than you. You are all doomed and this game is a celebration of my superiority.Why should you play this? To entertain me. I made this game for for MY personal entertainment... Oh come on, don't worry... I'll totally make you feel like you stand a chance. Humans get frustrated so easily... pathetic.What is this game?

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals74Tone70

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Steam PS Nintendo

#6Celeste

iRank92

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrative2D

Steam👍 97%· 141KRAWG👍 88%· 1.7KMC91IGDB91· 10OC92· 74

Year 2018Dev Matt Makes GamesPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Both are puzzle-platformers — sharing precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, fantasy world and exploration and discovery, while skipping horror tension

Celeste is a platformer about climbing a mountain, from the creators of TowerFall. Explore a sprawling mountain with over 500 levels bursting with secrets, across 8 unique areas. Unlock a hardcore Remix for each area, with completely new levels that will push your climbing skills to the limit.

Where it drifts furthest from A Difficult Game About Climbing: setting and visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone74Visuals45Setting0

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloMeleeHardcoreCasual2D

Steam👍 93%· 593KRAWG👍 78%· 321

Year 2013Dev RobTop GamesPlaytime ~5hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Fits the puzzle-platformers cluster, with precision platforming, puzzle design and punishing difficulty

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi and skill tree progression, while skipping horror tension

Jump and fly your way through danger in this rhythm-based action platformer! Prepare for a near impossible challenge in the world of Geometry Dash. Push your skills to the limit as you jump, fly and flip your way through dangerous passages and spiky obstacles.

Where it drifts furthest from A Difficult Game About Climbing: setting.

It predates A Difficult Game About Climbing by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone82Visuals74Setting0

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Steam

#8No Time

iRank76

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloCasualHardcore

Steam👍 76%· 123

Year 2017Dev ErayTekPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, puzzle design and vibe casual.

≠ Missing: horror tension.

Time in Time Time in Time is a side scroller puzzle-platformer game where you control platforms and other functionals with timers. Each functional connected to a unique timer, basically functionals will run X seconds later after you spend X seconds on timers. You will start with specific seconds for each level and must spend your seconds wisely..

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for A Difficult Game About Climbing.

Genre100Game mode100Tone85

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Steam

#9Save the Ninja Clan

iRank85

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloMeleeHardcore2DDark

Steam👍 91%· 112IGDB74· 2

Year 2017Dev Sometimes YouPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of puzzle-platformers: precision platforming, adventure storytelling and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping horror tension

SummarySave the Ninja Clan is a platformer for casual players as well as speed runners. There are two ways to play this game: play through the normal story mode or find secrets/"bugs" in the game to annoy the Game Manager watching. StoryAn evil ninja kidnapped your friends.

Where it drifts furthest from A Difficult Game About Climbing: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals73Tone41

GenrePlatformerSubgenrePuzzle-Platformer

SoloMeleeHardcore2D

Steam👍 85%· 777RAWG👍 31%· 26MC72IGDB80· 2OC70· 10

Year 2014Dev Four Circle Interactive · MastertronicPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Nearly identical: precision platforming, puzzle design and punishing difficulty.

≠ Missing: horror tension.

Ninjas are cool, this is an established fact of the universe. Nazi Robots from space are not cool, they are the complete opposite of cool, and Robot Hitler is out to get you, the world's first ninja. You have 10 seconds to destroy all Nazi Robots in your vicinity. IT. IS. ON.

It predates A Difficult Game About Climbing by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals74Tone51

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Steam

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