Headlander

44 Games like Headlander that you should try

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 analyzed over 2,000 titles across 9 gameplay attributes and found 44 genuine alternatives — not generic genre suggestions. Berry, qomp and Metroid: Zero Mission lead the list, with Berry reaching a 97/100 similarity score. Every game here is ranked by how closely it replicates what makes Headlander special.

iRank84/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Tags

Solo

Year 2016Dev Double Fine Productions

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗Xbox ↗PS ↗

Quick answer

The closest game to Headlander is Berry — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. qomp and Metroid: Zero Mission follow close behind.

#1Berry97 #2qomp97 #3Metroid: Zero Mission96 #4Rogue Legacy 297 #5SHEEPO97

🗳️

Help us build the best rankings

Community powered

Vote on each result below — good match or not. Every vote directly shapes how we rank similar games for everyone.

Games like Headlander

44 similar games found

97

iRank99

Berry

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DCozy

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 pixel, while skipping shooter

97

iRank96

qomp

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DHardcore

Steam👍 96%· 531

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

✓ 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

#3Metroid: Zero Mission

96

iRank95

Metroid: Zero Mission

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DOpen World

IGDB95· 2

Year 2004Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

✓ 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

#4Rogue Legacy 2

97

iRank90

Rogue Legacy 2

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DHardcore

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, roguelike runs and punishing difficulty, while skipping shooter

Steam Epic Xbox

97

iRank90

SHEEPO

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DCasual

Steam👍 97%· 578OC75· 13

Year 2020Dev Kyle Thompson · TBAPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual, cozy, relaxing feel and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

#6Metroid: Samus Returns

97

iRank87

Metroid: Samus Returns

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB88· 14OC86· 92

Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · Nintendo

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

≠ Missing: shooter.

#7The Messenger

97

iRank88

The Messenger

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DHardcore

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 and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

Steam Epic Xbox

#8SteamWorld Dig 2

96

iRank90

SteamWorld Dig 2

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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, vibe casual and historical setting, while skipping shooter

#9Metroid Dread

97

iRank86

Metroid Dread

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DHardcore

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

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

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping melee combat

97

iRank85

Iconoclasts

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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, strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping shooter

97

iRank85

Gato Roboto

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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, punishing difficulty and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

Steam GOG Nintendo

97

iRank82

Teslagrad

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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, punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

#13Metroid Fusion

96

iRank85

Metroid Fusion

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB85· 2

Year 2002Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

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

≠ Where it differs: brings loot and gear systems, skill tree progression and visual pixel

97

iRank81

Gateways

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 250MC72IGDB70· 1

Year 2012Dev Smudged Cat GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, while skipping shooter

95

iRank87

Axiom Verge

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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 strong narrative focus, setting cyberpunk and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

Steam Epic Xbox

Games like Headlander

SteamWorld Dig

SteamWorld Dig

Adventure · Metroidvania

Carrion

Carrion

Adventure · Metroidvania

Waking Mars

Waking Mars

Adventure · Metroidvania

Owlboy

Owlboy

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Fall

The Fall

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Swapper

The Swapper

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ato

Ato

Adventure · Metroidvania

Reventure

Reventure

Adventure · Metroidvania

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Adventure · Metroidvania

Little Kitty, Big City

Little Kitty, Big City

Adventure · Metroidvania

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Headlander?: The closest game to Headlander is Berry, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Headlander?: The three closest games to Headlander are: 1. Berry (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. qomp (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Metroid: Zero Mission (96/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Headlander's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 44 candidates across 9 dimensions.
Is qomp similar to Headlander?: Yes, very much so — qomp scores 97/100 similarity to Headlander. They share 7 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to Headlander?: The best Adventure games similar to Headlander are Berry, qomp, Metroid: Zero Mission and Rogue Legacy 2. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Headlander attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming.
How is similarity to Headlander calculated?: We compare Headlander against every game in our catalog using 9 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Headlander experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.