10 Hardcore games like Skul: The Hero Slayer 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 38 games similar to Skul: The Hero Slayer down to the 10 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Dead Cells, Carrion and Teslagrad top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Skul: The Hero Slayer.

iRank84/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Skul: The Hero Slayer

10 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Skul: The Hero Slayer. Each one has been evaluated across 15 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

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeProceduralFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

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 dark, oppressive atmosphere and ranged combat

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.

Genre100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100Visuals100

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Steam GOG Epic

#2CarrionClosest on combat

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, puzzle design and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Skul: The Hero Slayer: setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone60

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 puzzle design, cozy, relaxing feel and setting scifi, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Skul: The Hero Slayer: setting.

It predates Skul: The Hero Slayer by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone86Visuals59

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Steam GOG PS

#4Metroid DreadClosest on tone

iRank86

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 roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Skul: The Hero Slayer: setting.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Visuals57Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreProceduralExploration2D

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems.

≠ Missing: action RPG combat.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone88

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: roguelike runs.

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.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone90

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Steam Epic Xbox

#7Wonder 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 roguelike runs

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals59

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Steam GOG Epic

#8VVVVVV

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExplorationPixel 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 puzzle design, setting scifi and setting space, while skipping roguelike runs

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 Skul: The Hero Slayer: setting.

It predates Skul: The Hero Slayer by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression100Visuals100Tone92Game mode56

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 roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Skul: The Hero Slayer: setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone51

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Steam GOG Nintendo

#10Outland

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

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, multiplayer gameplay and co op, while skipping roguelike runs

Where it drifts furthest from Skul: The Hero Slayer: game mode.

It predates Skul: The Hero Slayer by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Progression100Tone85Visuals59Game mode34

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Steam

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