13 Hardcore games like Airhead 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 40 games similar to Airhead down to the 13 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Ori and the Blind Forest, Teslagrad and qomp top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Airhead.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Airhead

13 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

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Steam Xbox

#2TeslagradClosest on progression

iRank82

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

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Steam GOG PS

#3qomp

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

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Steam GOG

#4Carrion

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

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

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Steam GOG Epic

#6Ato

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

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Steam itch.io

#7STAR 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

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Steam Epic Xbox

#8Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCozyHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 85%· 2.6KIGDB82· 13OC79· 82

Year 2017Dev Lizardcube · DotEmuOn PS4 · Linux · Android

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

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, while skipping puzzle design

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone77

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCozyHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.1KIGDB76· 5OC75· 47

Year 2019Dev doinksoft · Devolver DigitalOn PC · Xbox · Switch

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

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi and visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone75Visuals58

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreNarrativeExploration2D

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone75

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Nintendo

#11La-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

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, roguelike runs and procedural generation, while skipping puzzle design

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone55

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 93%· 13KRAWG👍 87%· 334MC84IGDB87· 8OC86· 81

Year 2018Dev Sabotage · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

The game moves between 8-bit and 16-bit art styles, allowing the player to move between the two by going forward or backwards in time. As a demon army besieges his village, a young ninja ventures through a cursed world, to deliver a scroll paramount to his clan’s survival.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone59Visuals54

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Steam Epic Xbox

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