6 Hardcore games like Shape of Dreams that you should try

Games like Shape of Dreams · 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 50 games similar to Shape of Dreams down to the 6 that fit the “Hardcore” category. The Incredible Adventures of Van Helsing, Hyper Light Drifter and Magicka top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Shape of Dreams.

iRank87/ 100

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

The best hardcore games like Shape of Dreams

6 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Shape of Dreams. 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.

#1The Incredible Adventures of Van HelsingClosest overall match

iRank71

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opHardcoreNarrativeFantasyExplorationSkill TreeIsometric

Steam👍 83%· 10KRAWG👍 58%· 326MC72IGDB64· 5

Year 2013Playtime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

✓ Same family of isometric Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with tower defense planning, dark, oppressive atmosphere and melee combat, while skipping MOBA team gameplay

An isometric action RPG with a gothic, faintly comic tone, carried by the running commentary between Van Helsing and his ghostly companion Katarina, who is also a functional part of your build. The atmosphere and writing lift it above the usual Diablo clone. Build variety is where it runs out — few late-game specs are viable, so experimentation quietly funnels you back to the obvious ones.

Where it drifts furthest from Shape of Dreams: combat.

It predates Shape of Dreams by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Visuals100Tone71Progression55Setting52

Details →

Steam Xbox

#2Hyper Light DrifterClosest on tone

iRank90

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

SoloMultiplayerCo-opNarrativeHardcoreFantasyExplorationIsometric

Steam👍 93%· 19KIGDB89· 11OC84· 59

Year 2016Dev Heart MachineOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of isometric Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with shooter, Metroidvania exploration and melee combat, while skipping MOBA team gameplay

Where it drifts furthest from Shape of Dreams: combat and setting.

It predates Shape of Dreams by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression59Visuals39Setting38

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#3Magicka

iRank80

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

Co-opSoloMultiplayerNarrativeHardcoreFantasyIsometric

Steam👍 85%· 32KIGDB70· 2

Year 2011Dev Arrowhead Game Studios · Paradox InteractiveOn Linux · PC

✓ Same family of isometric Action RPGs: deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Stands apart with melee combat, combat magic and setting mythology, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Shape of Dreams: combat.

It predates Shape of Dreams by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Visuals100Game mode75Setting61Combat0

Details →

Steam

#4Legends of EisenwaldClosest on progression

iRank66

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

SoloTacticalNarrativeHardcoreFantasySkill TreeIsometric

Steam👍 76%· 1.8KRAWG👍 47%· 50MC71IGDB68· 2

Year 2015Dev Aterdux EntertainmentPlaytime ~4hOn PC

✓ Fits the isometric Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, adventure storytelling and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings turn-based strategy, combat magic and ranged combat, while skipping action RPG combat

Knight's EditionThe Knight's Edition contains Legends of Eisenwald OST in MP3 and FLAC formats and artbook. The last two screenshots above in the carousel are from the arbtook. About the GameLegends of Eisenwald is an adventure game with tactical battles, RPG and strategy elements.

Where it drifts furthest from Shape of Dreams: setting and game mode.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Shape of Dreams.

It predates Shape of Dreams by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Progression83Combat66Visuals48Game mode34

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPGSub-subgenreIsometric ARPG

MultiplayerCo-opSoloHardcoreFantasyExplorationSkill TreeIsometric

Steam👍 73%· 208KRAWG👍 65%· 56OC88· 19

Year 2024Dev Grinding Gear GamesPlaytime ~13hOn PC

✓ Fits the isometric Action RPGs cluster, with deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with MMO world and community, horror tension and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping MOBA team gameplay

Path of Exile 2 is a new seven-act storyline that is available alongside the original Path of Exile 1 campaign. ... Path of Exile 2 retains all expansion content that has been created over the last six years and introduces a new skill system, ascendancy classes, engine improvements and more.

Where it drifts furthest from Shape of Dreams: combat.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Shape of Dreams.

Genre100Visuals100Setting80Game mode75Tone62Progression57

Details →

Steam

#6Fire Emblem: Radiant DawnClosest on setting

iRank75