12 Hardcore games like Tales of Kenzera: Zau that you should try

Games like Tales of Kenzera: Zau · 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 40 games similar to Tales of Kenzera: Zau down to the 12 that fit the “Hardcore” 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

Did you find what you were looking for?

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Tales of Kenzera: Zau

12 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 on genre

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

Details →

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

Details →

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

Details →

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

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#5STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™Closest overall match

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreNarrativeFantasyExploration

Steam👍 88%· 172KRAWG👍 85%· 2.3KMC80IGDB83· 13OC82· 176

Year 2019Dev Respawn Entertainment · Electronic ArtsPlaytime ~8hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and action RPG combat

≠ Stands apart with fighting mechanics, open world exploration and setting scifi, while skipping dark, oppressive atmosphere

Cal Kestis—one of the last surviving members of the Jedi Order after the purge of Order 66—is now a Padawan on the run. Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order is an action-adventure game set after Star Wars: Episode III — Revenge of the Sith™.

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone93Setting28

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#6Ato

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 97%· 466

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

✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings fighting mechanics, open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping action RPG combat

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...

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Tone92Visuals65

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 cozy, relaxing feel 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 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone78

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 puzzle design

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

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone89Setting0

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 80%· 2.6KRAWG👍 64%· 70MC80OC80· 11

Year 2012Dev NIGORO · AGM PLAYISMPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping action RPG combat

In La-Mulana, the player assumes the role of an adventurer archeologist and explores the ruins of a forgotten ancient civilization. ###Plot The game follows an archeologist named Lemeza Kosugi. He continues the research of the lost city of La-Mulana that was started by his father Shorn.

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

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals81Tone65

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and deep RPG systems

≠ Stands apart with roguelike runs and procedural generation, while skipping puzzle design

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Tone51

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#11Wonder 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 puzzle design

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

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting55

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

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 visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

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 mode100Progression100Tone56Visuals54

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

Explore games similar to Tales of Kenzera: Zau by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games