25 Melee games like Dragon Is Dead 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 36 games similar to Dragon Is Dead down to the 25 that fit the “Melee” category. Dead Cells, Rogue Legacy and Rogue Legacy 2 top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Dragon Is Dead.

iRank74/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best melee games like Dragon Is Dead

25 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Dragon Is Dead. Each one has been evaluated across 16 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

SoloMeleeDarkProceduralFantasyExploration2DPixel 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 punishing difficulty, strong narrative focus and ranged combat, while skipping vibe casual

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals100

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeProceduralFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

Steam👍 92%· 19KIGDB86· 11OC84· 43

Year 2013Dev Abstraction Games · Cellar Door GamesOn PlayStation 3 · PS4 · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, combat magic and ranged combat, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: combat.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals100Setting65

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Steam GOG Epic

#3Rogue Legacy 2Closest on combat

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeProceduralExploration2D

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals87

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Steam Epic Xbox

#4Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest

iRank78

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeFantasyExploration2D

RAWG👍 78%· 27

Year 2003Dev Jupiter · NintendoOn Nintendo

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

≠ Missing: deep RPG systems.

Pokémon Pinball: Ruby & Sapphire is a pinball game developed by Jupiter, published by The Pokémon Company and distributed by Nintendo for the Game Boy Advance handheld game console.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 22 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals87

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Nintendo

#5Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkExplorationPixel 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 strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: setting and tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone48

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Steam GOG Epic

#6Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeFantasyExplorationPixel 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, strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping deep RPG systems

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting68

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Steam GOG Xbox

#7Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit

iRank64

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkExploration2D

Steam👍 85%· 3.7KRAWG👍 26%· 297MC64IGDB74· 6

Year 2012Dev Arkedo Studio · SEGAPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

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

Skeletonized rabbit Ash lives in Hell, he's a prince of that place. Ash is busy recovering his hellish reputation - killing everyone in Hell, who saw his photo with a rubber duckling in the bath. Apparently, among the princes of Hell to play with the duckling is not common.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals87Combat73Tone52

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DPixel Art

IGDB85· 2

Year 2002Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

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

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, setting scifi and loot and gear systems, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: setting and progression.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 23 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Progression41Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCasualExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 8.9KRAWG👍 86%· 433MC88IGDB89· 11OC88· 84

Year 2017Dev Image & FormPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, setting scifi and historical setting, while skipping deep RPG systems

In SteamWorld Dig 2, you step into the boots of Dorothy, a steambot once robbed of her dear friend – now driven by the hunger for answers. Buckle up, grab your gear, and get ready to dig into the highly anticipated sequel to the original SteamWorld Dig!

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: setting.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals87Tone65

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Steam GOG Xbox

#10Hollow Knight: Silksong

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 89%· 407KIGDB90· 4OC91· 121

Year 2025Dev Team CherryOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals87

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Steam GOG Xbox

#11SteamWorld DigClosest on tone

iRank88

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCasualExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 11KIGDB81· 8OC82· 45

Year 2013Dev Image & FormOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, setting scifi and historical setting, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: setting.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals87Tone66

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Steam GOG Epic

#12Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeFantasyExploration2D

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 and punishing difficulty, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals87

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Steam GOG Epic

#13Bad Bots

iRank52

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 55%· 260MC49IGDB50· 2

Year 2013Dev Point Five Projects · Digital TribePlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Where it differs: brings ranged combat and setting scifi, while skipping deep RPG systems

As Sam McRae, last surviving member of the “Titan Hauler” crew, you must hack and blast your way through an onslaught of truly bad 'bots to find a way to prevent a potential planet-destroying catastrophe.

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against mostly positive for Dragon Is Dead.

It predates Dragon Is Dead by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Combat82Setting0

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Steam

#14Berry

iRank99

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DPixel 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, strong narrative focus and visual topdown, while skipping deep RPG systems

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals76Tone0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExplorationPixel Art2D

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 punishing difficulty, while skipping deep RPG systems

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Dragon Is Dead: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone0

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Steam Epic Xbox

Complete list of melee games like Dragon Is Dead

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Dragon Is Dead, 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.