Games like Headlander · Find similar →
More about this game →Headlander is hard to replace: few games combine adventure storytelling, melee combat and setting scifi in quite the same way. We compared Headlander against over 6,700 titles across 9 gameplay attributes and found 43 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Metroid Fusion, The Fall and Metroid: Zero Mission lead the list, with Metroid Fusion reaching a 87/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Headlander special.
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The closest game to Headlander is Metroid Fusion — scoring 87/100 on our similarity scale. The Fall and Metroid: Zero Mission follow close behind.
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Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Headlander. Each one has been evaluated across 9 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.
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and shooter
≠ Where it differs: brings loot and gear systems, skill tree progression and visual pixel
It predates Headlander by 14 years, with what that implies technically.
✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and shooter
≠ Its own twist: open world exploration, loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping melee combat
It predates Headlander by 12 years, with what that implies technically.
✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, vibe casual and historical setting, while skipping shooter
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!
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, punishing difficulty and visual pixel, while skipping shooter
Released 3 years after Headlander.
✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, strong narrative focus and visual pixel, while skipping shooter
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.
Released 5 years after Headlander.
✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter
✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Where it differs: brings strong narrative focus, setting cyberpunk and visual pixel, while skipping shooter
✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter
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?
Released 5 years after Headlander.
✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming
≠ Stands apart with horror tension, puzzle design and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter
Released 4 years after Headlander.
✓ 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 shooter
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.
The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Headlander, 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.
Waking Mars
Adventure · Metroidvania
Rogue Legacy 2
Adventure · Metroidvania
SHEEPO
Adventure · Metroidvania
The Messenger
Adventure · Metroidvania
Metroid: Samus Returns
Adventure · Metroidvania
Ato
Adventure · Metroidvania
Gateways
Adventure · Metroidvania
STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™
Adventure · Metroidvania
Ori and the Blind Forest
Adventure · Metroidvania
Hollow Knight: Silksong
Adventure · Metroidvania
The Swapper
Adventure · Metroidvania
ANIMAL WELL
Adventure · Metroidvania
Shantae: Half-Genie Hero
Adventure · Metroidvania
Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap
Adventure · Metroidvania
Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest
Adventure · Metroidvania
Reventure
Adventure · Metroidvania
La-Mulana
Adventure · Metroidvania
Bad Bots
Adventure · Metroidvania
Metroid
Adventure · Metroidvania
Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit
Adventure · Metroidvania
1000 Amps
Adventure · Metroidvania
AM2R: Return of Samus
Adventure · Metroidvania
Toki Tori 2+
Adventure · Metroidvania
The Gunk
Adventure · Metroidvania
Saira
Adventure · Metroidvania
Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance
Adventure · Metroidvania
Wario Land 3
Adventure · Metroidvania
Little Kitty, Big City
Adventure · Metroidvania
Newest titles in the list, for anyone who has already played the classics.