What is the best game similar to Shadow Complex?

The closest game to Shadow Complex is Metroid: Zero Mission, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 10 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and shooter. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Shadow Complex?

The three closest games to Shadow Complex are: 1. Metroid: Zero Mission (97/100, 10 shared attributes) 2. Metroid: Samus Returns (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Metroid Dread (96/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Shadow Complex's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 41 candidates across 13 dimensions.

Is Metroid: Samus Returns similar to Shadow Complex?

Yes, very much so — Metroid: Samus Returns scores 96/100 similarity to Shadow Complex. They share 7 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Adventure games are similar to Shadow Complex?

The best Adventure games similar to Shadow Complex are Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid: Samus Returns, Metroid Dread and Gateways. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Shadow Complex attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and shooter.

How is similarity to Shadow Complex calculated?

We compare Shadow Complex against every game in our catalog using 13 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Shadow Complex experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

41 Games like Shadow Complex that you should try

Games like Shadow Complex · Find similar →

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Looking for games like Shadow Complex? We analyzed its gameplay DNA — adventure storytelling, combat tactical and setting scifi — against over 6,700 titles. These 41 alternatives are ranked by real similarity, not marketing tags. Metroid: Zero Mission leads with 97/100, followed by the rest of the list.

iRank85/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Top games similar to Shadow Complex

41 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Shadow Complex. Each one has been evaluated across 13 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.

#1Metroid: Zero Mission

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExplorationLootSkill Tree2D

IGDB95· 2

Year 2004Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

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

≠ Its own twist: open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Nintendo

#2Metroid: Samus Returns

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB88· 14OC86· 92

Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · Nintendo

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

≠ Missing: puzzle design.

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DHardcore

IGDB84· 11OC87· 153

Year 2021Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · NintendoOn Switch

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

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty and strong narrative focus, while skipping puzzle design

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 250MC72IGDB70· 1

Year 2012Dev Smudged Cat GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design.

≠ Missing: shooter.

Details →

Steam GOG

#5Berry

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 puzzle design

Details →

Steam itch.io

#6Little Kitty, Big City

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExplorationSkill TreeCozyCasual

Steam👍 97%· 13KRAWG👍 87%· 43IGDB89· 1OC76· 55

Year 2024Dev Double Dagger StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and single-player focus

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping puzzle design

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DNarrativeDark

Steam👍 95%· 9.8KRAWG👍 82%· 64MC84

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

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and open world exploration, while skipping shooter

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DNarrative

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 horror tension, strong narrative focus and setting space, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#9qomp

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DHardcore

Steam👍 96%· 531

Year 2021Dev Stuffed Wombat · AtariPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

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

≠ Its own twist: punishing difficulty, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG

#10A Castle Full of Cats

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExplorationCasualNarrativeCozy

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, vibe casual and strong narrative focus, while skipping shooter

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 puzzle design

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#12Yoku's Island Express

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DCozyOpen World

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 precision platforming

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

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 vibe casual and historical setting, while skipping shooter

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DHardcore

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 precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty and visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#15Iconoclasts

iRank85

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 puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, cozy, relaxing feel and visual pixel, while skipping shooter

Details →

Steam GOG PS

Complete list of Shadow Complex alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Shadow Complex, 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.

Gato Roboto

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid

Adventure · Metroidvania

1000 Amps

Adventure · Metroidvania

SHEEPO

Adventure · Metroidvania

FEZ

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid Fusion

Adventure · Metroidvania

Toki Tori 2+

Adventure · Metroidvania

Teslagrad

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ato

Adventure · Metroidvania

Axiom Verge

Adventure · Metroidvania

Carrion

Adventure · Metroidvania

Owlboy

Adventure · Metroidvania

SteamWorld Dig

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Fall

Adventure · Metroidvania

Waking Mars

Adventure · Metroidvania

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Adventure · Metroidvania

AM2R: Return of Samus

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Gunk

Adventure · Metroidvania

Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

Adventure · Metroidvania

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

Adventure · Metroidvania

Saira

Adventure · Metroidvania

Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit

Adventure · Metroidvania

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Adventure · Metroidvania

Wario Land 3

Adventure · Metroidvania

Bad Bots

Adventure · Metroidvania

Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

Adventure · Metroidvania

Explore games similar to Shadow Complex by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Shadow Complex?: The closest game to Shadow Complex is Metroid: Zero Mission, scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. They share 10 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and shooter. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Shadow Complex?: The three closest games to Shadow Complex are: 1. Metroid: Zero Mission (97/100, 10 shared attributes) 2. Metroid: Samus Returns (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Metroid Dread (96/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Shadow Complex's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 41 candidates across 13 dimensions.
Is Metroid: Samus Returns similar to Shadow Complex?: Yes, very much so — Metroid: Samus Returns scores 96/100 similarity to Shadow Complex. They share 7 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to Shadow Complex?: The best Adventure games similar to Shadow Complex are Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid: Samus Returns, Metroid Dread and Gateways. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Shadow Complex attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and shooter.
How is similarity to Shadow Complex calculated?: We compare Shadow Complex against every game in our catalog using 13 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Shadow Complex experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.