14 Narrative games like Dead Cells that you should try

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We filtered the 35 games similar to Dead Cells down to the 14 that fit the “Narrative” category. Carrion, Metroid Dread and Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Dead Cells.

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best narrative games like Dead Cells

14 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Dead Cells. Each one has been evaluated across 17 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.

#1Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkNarrativeHardcoreExplorationPixel 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 horror setting, while skipping roguelike runs

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 roguelike runs

Details →

Nintendo

#3Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

iRank80

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeDarkFantasyExploration

Steam👍 74%· 1.9KRAWG👍 82%· 243MC91

Year 1999Dev Sony Interactive Entertainment · Square EnixPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · SEGA

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, horror tension and horror setting, while skipping roguelike runs

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeExploration2D

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

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 precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, shooter and horror tension, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#6Berry

iRank99

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2DPixel Art

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 cozy, relaxing feel and visual topdown, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam itch.io

#7Hollow Knight: Silksong

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 89%· 407KIGDB90· 4OC91· 121

Year 2025Dev Team CherryOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

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

≠ Missing: roguelike runs.

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#8Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExplorationPixel Art2D

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

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#9Aquaria

iRank77

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 88%· 1.5KRAWG👍 59%· 77MC82IGDB75· 2

Year 2007Dev FinjiPlaytime ~1hOn PC · iOS · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Stands apart with combat magic, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam GOG

#10The Swapper

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExploration2DSci-Fi

Steam👍 94%· 7.5KRAWG👍 63%· 528MC87IGDB88· 10OC85· 33

Year 2013Dev Curve DigitalPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, horror tension and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#11A Castle Full of Cats

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExplorationCasualCozy

Steam👍 99%· 4.4KRAWG👍 90%· 20

Year 2022Dev DevcatsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, horror tension and vibe casual, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam GOG

#12Iconoclasts

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 86%· 4.9KIGDB85· 8OC84· 57

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

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#13Axiom Verge

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2DPixel Art

Steam👍 90%· 6.5KIGDB84· 15OC85· 90

Year 2015Dev Thomas Happ GamesOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings setting scifi and setting cyberpunk, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#14Waking 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 puzzle design and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Details →

Steam GOG

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