23 Puzzle games like Pine Hearts that you should try

Games like Pine Hearts · 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:Puzzle×← Back to home

We filtered the 40 games similar to Pine Hearts down to the 23 that fit the “Puzzle” category. A Castle Full of Cats, Toki Tori 2+ and ANIMAL WELL top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Pine Hearts.

iRank97/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best puzzle games like Pine Hearts

23 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Pine Hearts. Each one has been evaluated across 11 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.

#1A Castle Full of CatsClosest overall match

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCasualNarrativeCozyRelaxingExploration

Steam👍 99%· 4.4KRAWG👍 90%· 20

Year 2022Dev DevcatsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with horror tension and horror setting, while skipping visual 3d

A Castle Full of Cats is a catvania hidden object game where you need to find all the cursed cats in the castle. Save each and every cat and unleash the power of love!

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCasualCozyRelaxingExploration

Steam👍 85%· 1.1KRAWG👍 36%· 61IGDB79· 5OC80· 19

Year 2013Dev Two Tribes · Two Tribes PublishingPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, open world exploration and visual 2d, while skipping strong narrative focus

###Re-re-re-re-release Despite its cute appearance Toki Tori 2+ is a challenging puzzle adventure experience. It offers the player a unique take on popular Metroidvania gameplay - you progress by exploring, observing and experimenting with a game’s world.

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals.

It predates Pine Hearts by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone92Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeRelaxingCozyExploration

Steam👍 96%· 24KRAWG👍 83%· 77OC89· 57

Year 2024Dev Shared MemoryPlaytime ~7hOn PC · PS · Nintendo

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

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, horror tension and open world exploration, while skipping vibe casual

Explore a dense, interconnected labyrinth, and unravel its many secrets. Collect items to manipulate your environment in surprising and meaningful ways. Encounter creatures both beautiful and unsettling, as you attempt to survive what lurks in the dark. There is more than what you see.

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone84Visuals0

Details →

Steam

#4FEZ

iRank88

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCasualNarrativeRelaxingExploration

Steam👍 93%· 16KRAWG👍 80%· 1.2KMC91IGDB86· 12OC88· 50

Year 2012Dev POLYTRON · Microsoft StudiosPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, open world exploration and fantasy world, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

FEZ is a 2D and 3D game at the same time. Even though it is a platformer game in which you solve puzzles in the dimension your looking at, you can manipulate with the world itself by rotating it all around.

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals.

It predates Pine Hearts by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone74Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#5Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeCozyExplorationMelee

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 puzzle design

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, melee combat and fantasy world, while skipping vibe casual

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 Pine Hearts: visuals.

It predates Pine Hearts by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone60Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeCozyExplorationMelee

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 precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping vibe casual

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone55Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeCozyExplorationMelee

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 puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, punishing difficulty and melee combat, while skipping vibe casual

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

It predates Pine Hearts by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone46Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#8Ori and the Blind Forest

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeCozyExplorationMelee

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 precision platforming, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping vibe casual

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals.

It predates Pine Hearts by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression58Tone50Visuals0

Details →

Steam Xbox

#9Yoku's Island Express

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyExplorationOpen WorldFantasy

Steam👍 96%· 5.2KRAWG👍 87%· 215IGDB85· 10OC83· 71

Year 2018Dev Team17 DigitalPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, open world exploration and fantasy world, while skipping vibe casual

Yoku has arrived on Mokumana and he’s ready for the easy life, soaking up the sun and delivering parcels on a tropical paradise! However, an ancient Island deity is trapped in a restless sleep - and it’s all down to Yoku to traverse the island using a unique blend of pinball mechanics, platforming and open world exploration, in an amazing adventure to help those in need!

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone38Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCasualExplorationMeleeSci-Fi

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 puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

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!

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone28Visuals0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCasualExplorationMeleeSci-Fi

Steam👍 94%· 11KIGDB81· 8OC82· 45

Year 2013Dev Image & FormOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

It predates Pine Hearts by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone28Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#12The Swapper

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExplorationSci-FiSpace

Steam👍 94%· 7.5KRAWG👍 63%· 528MC87IGDB88· 10OC85· 33

Year 2013Dev Curve DigitalPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, horror tension and setting scifi, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

The Swapper is a classical platform game with several elements of Metroidvania focused on solving puzzles. The game follows a female astronaut stranded on the abandoned space research station in a science-fictional universe.

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

It predates Pine Hearts by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone27Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#13Reventure

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExplorationDarkOpen World

Steam👍 95%· 9.8KRAWG👍 82%· 64MC84

Year 2019Dev PixelattoPlaytime ~3hOn PC · iOS · Nintendo

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

≠ Its own twist: precision platforming, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

An adventure with 100 different endings You are a wannabe hero who is supposed to do hero-ish things but sometimes blows that off and does crazy stuff instead. Features: One hundred different endings Choose your path, every decision leads to a new ending. Will you find the real one?

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone26Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG Nintendo

#14Ato

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExplorationMeleeHardcore

Steam👍 97%· 466

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

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

≠ Where it differs: brings precision platforming, fighting mechanics and punishing difficulty, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

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...

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone25Visuals0

Details →

Steam itch.io

#15The Fall

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExplorationMeleeDark

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, precision platforming and horror tension, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Where it drifts furthest from Pine Hearts: visuals and tone.

It predates Pine Hearts by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone23Visuals0

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

Complete list of puzzle games like Pine Hearts

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Pine Hearts, 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.