35 Games like Headlander on PC 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 43 games similar to Headlander down to the 35 that fit the “PC” category. The Fall, Shadow Complex and Teslagrad top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Headlander.

iRank84/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best games like Headlander on PC

35 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

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.

#1The FallClosest overall match

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 88%· 3.7KIGDB78· 2OC74· 38

Year 2014Dev Over The MoonOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: puzzle design, horror tension and strong narrative focus

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting72

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Shadow ComplexClosest on setting

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB85· 4

Year 2009Dev ChAIR Entertainment Group · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, combat tactical and loot and gear systems

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Visuals100Combat58Progression52

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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 strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

###Best for mobile The game is an adventure-platformer, where the player takes control over the main character, traveling through the Martian caves. You will have to manage the thrust of the jetpack that the protagonist has. The game was released on the PC in 2012. Before this, it was repeatedly recognized as the best game for mobile devices. ###Key features The game is set in the future.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100

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

Released 3 years after Headlander.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals58

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals51

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

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!

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting78

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Setting71Visuals62

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Steam Epic Xbox

#9Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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 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.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Setting70Visuals52

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Steam GOG Xbox

#10Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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 dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

Released 4 years after Headlander.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Setting66Visuals51

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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, vibe casual and historical setting, while skipping shooter

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting55

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Steam GOG Epic

#12Bad Bots

iRank52

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

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 visual pixel, while skipping shooter

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.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for Headlander.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Combat81Visuals75

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

Released 6 years after Headlander.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100

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Steam Epic Xbox

#14SHEEPO

iRank90

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

Sheepo is a quirky metroidvania platformer featuring a shape-shifting sheep-thing, who must traverse an uncharted planet in order to collect samples of each living species for an intergalactic species database.

Released 4 years after Headlander.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100

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Steam GOG Epic

#15Berry

iRank99

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

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.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals51

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Steam itch.io

Complete list of games like Headlander on PC

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.