What is the best game similar to Airhead?

The closest game to Airhead is Ori and the Blind Forest, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 12 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Airhead?

The three closest games to Airhead are: 1. Ori and the Blind Forest (95/100, 12 shared attributes) 2. qomp (92/100, 11 shared attributes) 3. Carrion (92/100, 11 shared attributes). All share Airhead's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 40 candidates across 12 dimensions.

Is qomp similar to Airhead?

Yes, very much so — qomp scores 92/100 similarity to Airhead. They share 11 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Adventure games are similar to Airhead?

The best Adventure games similar to Airhead are Ori and the Blind Forest, qomp, Carrion and Teslagrad. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Airhead attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design.

How is similarity to Airhead calculated?

We compare Airhead against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Airhead experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

40 Games like Airhead that you should try

Games like Airhead · Find similar →

More about this game →

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

Few titles capture what makes Airhead unique: adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and melee combat. After measuring 12 attributes across over 6,700 games, these are the 40 most faithful alternatives. Ori and the Blind Forest, qomp and Carrion top the ranking, with Ori and the Blind Forest at number one (95/100).

iRank87/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Top games similar to Airhead

40 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Airhead. Each one has been evaluated across 12 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.

#1Ori and the Blind ForestClosest overall match

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeDarkCozyHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 60KIGDB88· 14OC90· 97

Year 2015Dev Moon Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox · Switch

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with open world exploration, fantasy world and loot and gear systems

Where it drifts furthest from Airhead: progression.

It predates Airhead by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100Progression48

Details →

Steam Xbox

#2qompClosest on progression

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeDarkExploration2D

Steam👍 96%· 531

Year 2021Dev Stuffed Wombat · AtariPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: linear, story-driven structure and visual pixel, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

You have been trapped between paddles for decades. Now it is time to take matters into your own hands and try to escape this endless torment. In qomp you use only a single button to defeat bosses, solve puzzles and overcome platforming challenges. At the end of your journey lies freedom. Or does it?

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone91Visuals56

Details →

Steam GOG

#3Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkNarrativeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 31KIGDB75· 9OC76· 118

Year 2020Dev Phobia Game Studio · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, horror setting and setting scifi, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone90Visuals51

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeCozyExploration2D

Steam👍 84%· 2.5KIGDB79· 6OC79· 45

Year 2013Dev Rain Games · CIRCLE EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

It predates Airhead by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone89

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#5Ato

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 97%· 466

Year 2019Dev WolfWoot · Tiny Warrior GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC

✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, open world exploration and fantasy world, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Ato is an Atmospheric Sword Dueling Game set in the Era of Feudal Japan. It tells a visually driven story about a father who has given up his past ways in order to live a life of peace with his wife and child. However this peace is soon disturbed as his child is taken from him...

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone82Visuals65

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeCozyExploration2D

Steam👍 96%· 24KRAWG👍 83%· 77OC89· 57

Year 2024Dev Shared MemoryPlaytime ~7hOn PC · PS · Nintendo

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, vibe relaxing and open world exploration, while skipping punishing difficulty

Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter creatures both beautiful and unsettling, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals53Tone52

Details →

Steam

#7Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeCozyExploration2D

Steam👍 84%· 6.1KRAWG👍 74%· 307MC88IGDB89· 13OC88· 98

Year 2016Dev D-Pad StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world, setting scifi and visual pixel, while skipping punishing difficulty

Owlboy is a pixel-art platformer game about an owl-humanoid boy called Otus. When his homeland was attacked by pirates, Otus starts an adventure to protect his home and reveal the secrets of his race. He makes new friends on the way. Each of them has special powers, useful during fights.

It predates Airhead by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone70Visuals52

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeCozyExploration2D

Steam👍 86%· 4.9KIGDB85· 8OC84· 57

Year 2018Dev Joakim Sandberg · Bifrost EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi and visual pixel, while skipping punishing difficulty

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone62Visuals51

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeDarkExploration2D

Steam👍 88%· 3.7KIGDB78· 2OC74· 38

Year 2014Dev Over The MoonOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: shooter, horror tension and setting scifi, while skipping punishing difficulty

It predates Airhead by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone58

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#10STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeExploration

Steam👍 88%· 172KRAWG👍 85%· 2.3KMC80IGDB83· 13OC82· 176

Year 2019Dev Respawn Entertainment · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~8hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, deep RPG systems and fighting mechanics, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Cal Kestis—one of the last surviving members of the Jedi Order after the purge of Order 66—is now a Padawan on the run. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game set after Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith™.

Where it drifts furthest from Airhead: visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone83Visuals0

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#11Reventure

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeDarkExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 9.8KRAWG👍 82%· 64MC84

Year 2019Dev PixelattoPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Nintendo

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping punishing difficulty

An adventure with 100 different endings You are a wannabe hero who is supposed to do hero-ish things but sometimes blows that off and does crazy stuff instead. Features: One hundred different endings Choose your path, every decision leads to a new ending. Will you find the real one?

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone63Visuals52

Details →

Steam GOG Nintendo

#12La-Mulana

iRank76

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 80%· 2.6KRAWG👍 64%· 70MC80OC80· 11

Year 2012Dev NIGORO · AGM PLAYISMPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings open world exploration, fantasy world and visual pixel, while skipping strong narrative focus

In La-Mulana, the player assumes the role of an adventurer archeologist and explores the ruins of a forgotten ancient civilization. ###Plot The game follows an archeologist named Lemeza Kosugi. He continues the research of the lost city of La-Mulana that was started by his father Shorn.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Airhead.

It predates Airhead by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals81Tone66

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#13Dead Cells

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 97%· 180KRAWG👍 88%· 1.7KMC88IGDB90· 12OC89· 151

Year 2018Dev Plug In DigitalPlaytime ~10hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems, while skipping puzzle design

Dead Cells is a roguelike adventure title developed by Motion Twin. ###Story Not much story is present in the game, as only bits of any information are given out to the players. The game takes place at a remote island, where the players take place of the Prisoner.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone92Combat72Visuals54

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#14Berry

iRank99

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCozyNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 99%· 145

Year 2021Dev Leuns · DegicaPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Web

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with visual pixel and visual topdown, while skipping puzzle design

RPG Maker MZ Game Jam "Touch the Star"Berry won first place in the official RPG Maker MZ Game Jam "Touch the Star." About the GameBerry is a short orthogonal 3D platformer centered on delivering light bullet-hell challenges and precise projectile manipulation using its unique web-orbiting systems.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone60Visuals51

Details →

Steam itch.io

#15Waking Mars

iRank76

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 89%· 1.2KRAWG👍 55%· 66MC79

Year 2012Dev Tiger Style · Tiger Style GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Android

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi, while skipping punishing difficulty

###Best for mobile The game is an adventure-platformer, where the player takes control over the main character, traveling through the Martian caves. You will have to manage the thrust of the jetpack that the protagonist has. The game was released on the PC in 2012. Before this, it was repeatedly recognized as the best game for mobile devices. ###Key features The game is set in the future.

Where it drifts furthest from Airhead: tone.

It predates Airhead by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone37

Details →

Steam GOG

Complete list of Airhead alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Airhead, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Yoku's Island Express

Adventure · Metroidvania

SHEEPO

Adventure · Metroidvania

Gato Roboto

Adventure · Metroidvania

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Swapper

Adventure · Metroidvania

Rogue Legacy 2

Adventure · Metroidvania

Gateways

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Messenger

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid Dread

Adventure · Metroidvania

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Adventure · Metroidvania

Hollow Knight: Silksong

Adventure · Metroidvania

1000 Amps

Adventure · Metroidvania

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Adventure · Metroidvania

A Castle Full of Cats

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid Fusion

Adventure · Metroidvania

Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest

Adventure · Metroidvania

Saira

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid: Zero Mission

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid: Samus Returns

Adventure · Metroidvania

Bad Bots

Adventure · Metroidvania

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid

Adventure · Metroidvania

AM2R: Return of Samus

Adventure · Metroidvania

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Adventure · Metroidvania

Wario Land 3

Adventure · Metroidvania

Explore games similar to Airhead by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Airhead?: The closest game to Airhead is Ori and the Blind Forest, scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. They share 12 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Airhead?: The three closest games to Airhead are: 1. Ori and the Blind Forest (95/100, 12 shared attributes) 2. qomp (92/100, 11 shared attributes) 3. Carrion (92/100, 11 shared attributes). All share Airhead's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 40 candidates across 12 dimensions.
Is qomp similar to Airhead?: Yes, very much so — qomp scores 92/100 similarity to Airhead. They share 11 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to Airhead?: The best Adventure games similar to Airhead are Ori and the Blind Forest, qomp, Carrion and Teslagrad. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Airhead attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design.
How is similarity to Airhead calculated?: We compare Airhead against every game in our catalog using 12 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Airhead experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.