10 Hardcore games like Aura of Worlds 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 Aura of Worlds down to the 10 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Dead Cells, Rogue Legacy 2 and The Messenger top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Aura of Worlds.

iRank87/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Aura of Worlds

10 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Aura of Worlds. Each one has been evaluated across 15 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.

#1Dead CellsClosest overall match

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreProceduralFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

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 roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, strong narrative focus and ranged combat, while skipping combat tactical

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 mode100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals100

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Rogue Legacy 2Closest on tone

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreProceduralExploration2D

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems.

≠ Missing: action RPG combat.

Released 4 years after Aura of Worlds.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100World100Progression100Visuals58

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExplorationPixel Art2D

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

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

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming.

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

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.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Visuals100Combat59

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Steam Epic Xbox

#4Wonder Boy: The Dragon's TrapClosest on combat

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

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 cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping roguelike runs

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Tone76Combat61

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2DPixel Art

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: cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Aura of Worlds: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone73Combat60

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Steam GOG Nintendo

#6VVVVVV

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 96%· 10KRAWG👍 76%· 512MC81IGDB80· 4

Year 2010Dev NicalisPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · iOS

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, setting scifi and setting space, while skipping roguelike runs

VVVVVV is a 2D platformer designed in retro style. You play as Captain Viridian, the fearless leader of the team of conquerors of the dimension. And unexpectedly you crash and lose touch with each other. You will have to explore the world in which you are trapped and find your partners. You have the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of old-school accompanied by a great soundtrack.

Where it drifts furthest from Aura of Worlds: setting.

It predates Aura of Worlds by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Progression100Visuals100Game mode56Combat51

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Steam GOG PS

#7Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExplorationPixel Art2D

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, puzzle design and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Aura of Worlds: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Combat59Tone57

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

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 puzzle design, strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Aura of Worlds: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone82Visuals58Combat53

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreExploration2DNarrative

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, strong narrative focus and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Aura of Worlds: setting.

Released 3 years after Aura of Worlds.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone85Visuals57Setting0

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Nintendo

#10Outland

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 80%· 4.0KIGDB85· 4

Year 2011Dev Housemarque · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Aura of Worlds: game mode.

Genre100Tone100Progression100Visuals58Combat57Game mode34

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Steam

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