9 Dark games like Tales of Kenzera: Zau 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 40 games similar to Tales of Kenzera: Zau down to the 9 that fit the “Dark” category. Dead Cells, Ori and the Blind Forest and qomp top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

iRank77/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best dark games like Tales of Kenzera: Zau

9 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Tales of Kenzera: Zau. 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

SoloMeleeHardcoreDarkNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

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 precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, procedural generation and ranged combat, while skipping puzzle design

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 mode100Tone100Progression100Combat72Setting59

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Steam GOG Epic

#2Ori and the Blind ForestClosest on combat

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeDarkHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

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 cozy, relaxing feel, open world exploration and loot and gear systems, while skipping action RPG combat

It predates Tales of Kenzera: Zau by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Visuals100Tone82Progression59

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Steam Xbox

#3qomp

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeDarkExploration2D

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: linear, story-driven structure and visual pixel, while skipping action RPG combat

You have been trapped between paddles for decades. Now it is time to take matters into your own hands and try to escape this endless torment. In qomp you use only a single button to defeat bosses, solve puzzles and overcome platforming challenges. At the end of your journey lies freedom. Or does it?

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Visuals56

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Steam GOG

#4Carrion

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkNarrativeHardcoreExploration2D

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, horror setting and setting scifi, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Tales of Kenzera: Zau: setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100Progression100Visuals51

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeDarkExploration2D

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, horror tension and setting scifi, while skipping action RPG combat

Where it drifts furthest from Tales of Kenzera: Zau: setting.

It predates Tales of Kenzera: Zau by 10 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeDarkExploration2D

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: open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping action RPG combat

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?

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Tone84Visuals52

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Steam GOG Nintendo

#7Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

iRank80

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeDarkFantasyExploration

Steam👍 74%· 1.9KRAWG👍 82%· 243MC91

Year 1999Dev Sony Interactive Entertainment · Square EnixPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · SEGA

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

≠ Its own twist: horror tension, horror setting and post-apocalyptic world, while skipping precision platforming

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver is a third-person action-adventure title developed by Crystal Dynamics. It is the direct continuation of Blood Omen: Legacy of Kain and is the second title in the series. ###Plot The game takes place 1500 years after the events of Blood Omen.

Where it drifts furthest from Tales of Kenzera: Zau: visuals and setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

It predates Tales of Kenzera: Zau by 25 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone86Setting34

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Steam GOG PS

#8Castlevania II: Simon's Quest

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloDarkFantasyExploration2D

Year 1987Dev Konami

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems

≠ Where it differs: brings horror setting, while skipping puzzle design

Where it drifts furthest from Tales of Kenzera: Zau: setting and tone.

It predates Tales of Kenzera: Zau by 37 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone47Setting41

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Nintendo

#9Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit

iRank64

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeDarkExploration2D

Steam👍 85%· 3.7KRAWG👍 26%· 297MC64IGDB74· 6

Year 2012Dev Arkedo Studio · SEGAPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings ranged combat, while skipping action RPG combat

Skeletonized rabbit Ash lives in Hell, he's a prince of that place. Ash is busy recovering his hellish reputation - killing everyone in Hell, who saw his photo with a rubber duckling in the bath. Apparently, among the princes of Hell to play with the duckling is not common.

Where it drifts furthest from Tales of Kenzera: Zau: tone.

It predates Tales of Kenzera: Zau by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Combat70Tone34

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Steam Xbox PS

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