27 Melee games like Leap Year 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 41 games similar to Leap Year down to the 27 that fit the “Melee” category. STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™, Ato and Darksiders II: Deathinitive Edition top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Leap Year.

iRank97/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best melee games like Leap Year

27 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Leap Year. 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.

#1STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™Closest overall match

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExploration

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

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

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, fighting mechanics and setting scifi, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

Cal Kestis—one of the last surviving members of the Jedi Order after the purge of Order 66—is now a Padawan on the run. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game set after Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith™.

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: visuals and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

Genre100Combat100Tone100World100Game mode83Progression68

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Steam Epic Xbox

#2AtoClosest on setting

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreOpen WorldFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

Steam👍 97%· 466

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

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

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, while skipping deep RPG systems

Ato is an Atmospheric Sword Dueling Game set in the Era of Feudal Japan. It tells a visually driven story about a father who has given up his past ways in order to live a life of peace with his wife and child. However this peace is soon disturbed as his child is taken from him...

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

Genre100Combat100Tone100Setting100World100Visuals100

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Steam itch.io

#3Darksiders II: Deathinitive EditionClosest on game mode

iRank77

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMultiplayerMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationLoot

Steam👍 79%· 20KIGDB76· 14OC74· 67

Year 2015Dev Vigil Games · THQ NordicOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, fighting mechanics and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping precision platforming

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: visuals and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100

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Steam GOG Epic

#4VVVVVV

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreFantasyExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 96%· 10KRAWG👍 76%· 512MC81IGDB80· 4

Year 2010Dev NicalisPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · iOS

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

≠ Stands apart with setting scifi and setting space, while skipping deep RPG systems

VVVVVV is a 2D platformer designed in retro style. You play as Captain Viridian, the fearless leader of the team of conquerors of the dimension. And unexpectedly you crash and lose touch with each other. You will have to explore the world in which you are trapped and find your partners. You have the opportunity to plunge into the atmosphere of old-school accompanied by a great soundtrack.

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting.

It predates Leap Year by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Tone82Progression64

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Steam GOG PS

#5Ori and the Blind Forest

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreOpen WorldFantasyExplorationLoot2D

Steam👍 94%· 60KIGDB88· 14OC90· 97

Year 2015Dev Moon Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox · Switch

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with dark, oppressive atmosphere, cozy, relaxing feel and skill tree progression, while skipping deep RPG systems

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Setting100World100Progression85Game mode83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreOpen WorldFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

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

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

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

≠ Missing: deep RPG systems.

In La-Mulana, the player assumes the role of an adventurer archeologist and explores the ruins of a forgotten ancient civilization. ###Plot The game follows an archeologist named Lemeza Kosugi. He continues the research of the lost city of La-Mulana that was started by his father Shorn.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Setting100World100Visuals100Game mode83

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Steam GOG Xbox

#7Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExplorationPixel 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: cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, 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 Leap Year: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Game mode83Setting67Progression67

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Steam GOG Xbox

#8Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreExplorationPixel 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, dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Game mode83Tone74Progression66

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreOpen WorldFantasyExploration

Steam👍 97%· 18K

Year 2023Dev rittzlerPlaytime ~2hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, combat magic and visual third person, while skipping puzzle design

When reality feels like it's falling apart, one might retreat to a world in their dreams to escape it. Unfotunately, dreams aren't made to last. Explore a perverse image of noble living. Grow strong, and escape this rotten dream.

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: visuals.

Genre100Setting100World100Game mode83Tone76Progression69

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Steam

#10Teslagrad

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeExploration2D

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 cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Tone92Game mode83Progression65Visuals64

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Steam GOG PS

#11Iconoclasts

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 86%· 4.9KIGDB85· 8OC84· 57

Year 2018Dev Joakim Sandberg · Bifrost EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Game mode83Progression69Tone41

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExplorationPixel Art2D

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

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

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

≠ Missing: puzzle design.

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.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Game mode83Tone78Progression69

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Steam Epic Xbox

#13Waking Mars

iRank76

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

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 setting scifi, while skipping deep RPG systems

###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.

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode83Progression67Visuals64Tone42

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Steam GOG

#14The Fall

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 88%· 3.7KIGDB78· 2OC74· 38

Year 2014Dev Over The MoonOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Its own twist: shooter, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping deep RPG systems

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

It predates Leap Year by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode83Visuals64Progression63Tone40

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Steam GOG Epic

#15Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

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, while skipping puzzle design

On reception: its Steam reviews are very positive, against overwhelmingly positive for Leap Year.

Genre100Combat100Setting100Game mode83Progression66Visuals64

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Steam GOG Epic

Complete list of melee games like Leap Year

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Leap Year, 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.