13 Hardcore games like Leap Year that you should try

Games like Leap Year · Find similar →

Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

Filter by:Hardcore×← Back to home

We filtered the 41 games similar to Leap Year down to the 13 that fit the “Hardcore” category. STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™, Ato and Ori and the Blind Forest top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Leap Year.

iRank97/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Leap Year

13 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

Details →

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

Details →

Steam itch.io

#3Ori and the Blind ForestClosest on progression

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

Details →

Steam Xbox

#4Carrion

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

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

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreNarrativeExploration2D

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting.

Genre100Tone100Game mode83Progression63Visuals63Setting0

Details →

Nintendo

#7VVVVVVClosest on game mode

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

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

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

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

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#11Wonder 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

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#12Outland

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 80%· 4.0KIGDB85· 4

Year 2011Dev Housemarque · Ubisoft EntertainmentOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter and co op, while skipping puzzle design

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

It predates Leap Year by 13 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Tone74Game mode65Visuals64Progression63

Details →

Steam

#13Gato Roboto

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2DPixel Art

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 and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

Where it drifts furthest from Leap Year: setting.

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

Genre100Combat100Visuals100Game mode83Progression69Tone59

Details →

Steam GOG Nintendo

Explore games similar to Leap Year by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games