9 Hardcore games like Mark of the Deep 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 37 games similar to Mark of the Deep down to the 9 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Dead Cells, Carrion and Teslagrad top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Mark of the Deep.

iRank77/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Mark of the Deep

9 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Mark of the Deep. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

#1Dead CellsClosest overall match

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeProceduralFantasyExploration

Steam👍 97%· 180KRAWG👍 88%· 1.7KMC88IGDB90· 12OC89· 151

Year 2018Dev Plug In DigitalPlaytime ~10hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and roguelike runs

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, ranged combat and visual 2d, while skipping visual isometric

Dead Cells is a roguelike adventure title developed by Motion Twin. ###Story Not much story is present in the game, as only bits of any information are given out to the players. The game takes place at a remote island, where the players take place of the Prisoner.

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Setting100World100Progression100

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Steam GOG Epic

#2CarrionClosest on combat

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkNarrativeHardcoreExploration

Steam👍 95%· 31KIGDB75· 9OC76· 118

Year 2020Dev Phobia Game Studio · Devolver DigitalOn PS4 · Linux · Android

✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and dark, oppressive atmosphere

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, horror tension and puzzle design, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: setting and visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeExploration

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 punishing difficulty

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, puzzle design and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: setting and visuals.

It predates Mark of the Deep by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone72Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreNarrativeExplorationSci-Fi

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

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

≠ Stands apart with shooter, precision platforming and setting scifi, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: setting and visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone78Setting0Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreProceduralExploration

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming and visual 2d, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone54

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Steam Epic Xbox

#6Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration

Steam👍 85%· 2.6KIGDB82· 13OC79· 82

Year 2017Dev Lizardcube · DotEmuOn PS4 · Linux · Android

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

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, cozy, relaxing feel and visual 2d, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: visuals and tone.

It predates Mark of the Deep by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Tone46

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExplorationPixel Art

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 punishing difficulty

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, visual pixel and visual 2d, while skipping action RPG combat

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.

Where it drifts furthest from Mark of the Deep: visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone56Visuals0

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Steam Epic Xbox

#8VVVVVV

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration

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

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

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

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, puzzle design and setting scifi, while skipping action RPG combat

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 Mark of the Deep: visuals.

It predates Mark of the Deep by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression100Tone61Game mode57Setting51