13 Hardcore games like Ecco the Dolphin that you should try

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We filtered the 41 games similar to Ecco the Dolphin down to the 13 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Teslagrad, qomp and Carrion top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Ecco the Dolphin.

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GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

The best hardcore games like Ecco the Dolphin

13 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Ecco the Dolphin. Each one has been evaluated across 11 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.

#1Teslagrad

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeSci-Fi2D

Steam👍 84%· 2.5KIGDB79· 6OC79· 45

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

✓ Like Ecco the Dolphin, it's known for adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and puzzle design, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#2qomp

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrative2DPixel Art

Steam👍 96%· 531

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

✓ Like Ecco the Dolphin, it's known for adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and puzzle design, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam GOG

#3Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreHorrorSci-FiPixel Art2D

Steam👍 95%· 31KIGDB75· 9OC76· 118

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

✓ Shared with Ecco the Dolphin: adventure storytelling, horror tension and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and puzzle design, while skipping setting anime

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Steam GOG Epic

#4STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeSci-Fi

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

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

✓ Like Ecco the Dolphin, it's known for adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with Metroidvania exploration, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#5Ato

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcore2DPixel Art

Steam👍 97%· 466

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

✓ Shared with Ecco the Dolphin: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and fighting mechanics, while skipping horror tension

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreNarrativeSci-Fi2D

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

✓ Like Ecco the Dolphin, it's known for adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with Metroidvania exploration, shooter and precision platforming, while skipping horror tension

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeHardcorePixel Art2D

Steam👍 85%· 102

Year 2015Dev Renegade Sector GamesPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ If you enjoyed Ecco the Dolphin, expect punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Stands apart with ranged combat, visual isometric and visual topdown, while skipping adventure storytelling

Details →

Steam

#8Shadow Warrior Classic (1997)

iRank79

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeHardcoreRangedDark

Steam👍 93%· 1.6KRAWG👍 61%· 378MC73

Year 1997Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Ecco the Dolphin: punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: dark, oppressive atmosphere, ranged combat and visual first person, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreAdventureSubgenreAction-Adventure

SoloMeleeHardcoreRangedDark

Steam👍 93%· 1.6KRAWG👍 61%· 378MC73OC76· 25

Year 1997Dev Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Shared with Ecco the Dolphin: punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus

≠ Where it differs: brings dark, oppressive atmosphere, ranged combat and visual first person, while skipping adventure storytelling

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcorePixel Art2D

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

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

✓ Shared with Ecco the Dolphin: adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and exploration and discovery, while skipping horror tension

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcore2DProcedural

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ If you enjoyed Ecco the Dolphin, expect adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and melee combat

≠ Stands apart with Metroidvania exploration, deep RPG systems and precision platforming, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#12Gato Roboto

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-Fi2DPixel Art

Steam👍 94%· 5.1KIGDB76· 5OC75· 47

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

✓ Shared with Ecco the Dolphin: adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and melee combat

≠ Its own twist: Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam GOG Nintendo

#13La-Mulana

iRank76

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcore2DPixel Art

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

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

✓ Like Ecco the Dolphin, it's known for adventure storytelling, punishing difficulty and melee combat

≠ Where it differs: brings Metroidvania exploration, precision platforming and puzzle design, while skipping horror tension

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

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