10 Metroidvania games like The Holy Gosh Darn 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 48 games similar to The Holy Gosh Darn down to the 10 that fit the “Metroidvania” category. Guacamelee!, Dust: An Elysian Tail and Islets top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to The Holy Gosh Darn.

iRank96/ 100

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GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

The best metroidvania games like The Holy Gosh Darn

10 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to The Holy Gosh Darn. Each one has been evaluated across 11 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.

#1Guacamelee!Closest on genre

iRank84

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeFantasyExploration2D

IGDB84· 11

Year 2013Dev Drinkbox Studios · Spike ChunsoftOn PlayStation 3 · Linux · PC

✓ Shared with The Holy Gosh Darn: deep RPG systems, puzzle design and precision platforming

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat and co op, while skipping strong narrative focus

Where it drifts furthest from The Holy Gosh Darn: game mode.

It predates The Holy Gosh Darn by 11 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Setting100Progression100Visuals100Game mode48

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#2Dust: An Elysian TailClosest overall match

iRank84

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 19KRAWG👍 67%· 626MC84IGDB82· 7

Year 2012Dev Humble Hearts · Microsoft StudiosPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with The Holy Gosh Darn: deep RPG systems, precision platforming and Metroidvania exploration

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, fighting mechanics and setting anime, while skipping puzzle design

Dust: an Elysian Tale is an action role-playing game with metroidvania elements set in an imaginary world called Falana. Dust, the main character, with his sentient sword called Blade of Ahrah and guardian Fidget explores the “2D” side-scrolled environments.

It predates The Holy Gosh Darn by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Tone100Visuals100Setting79

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Steam GOG Xbox

#3Islets

iRank88

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 96%· 2.3KRAWG👍 87%· 29IGDB81· 2OC79· 19

Year 2022Dev Kyle Thompson · Armor Games StudiosPlaytime ~5hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Like The Holy Gosh Darn, it's known for deep RPG systems, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel and open world exploration, while skipping puzzle design

Iko is an aspiring yet hopeful warrior exploring the land and sky to reunite a series of floating islands. With his rickety airship, he must travel from island to island in order to reignite each one’s magnetic core while fighting off the many adversaries standing in his way.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals100

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Steam GOG

#4Chasm

iRank72

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 73%· 2.7KIGDB70· 8OC72· 39

Year 2018Dev Bit Kid, Inc.On PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ If you enjoyed The Holy Gosh Darn, expect deep RPG systems, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

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

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for The Holy Gosh Darn.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100Progression100Visuals56

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Steam GOG PS

#5Aztaka

iRank68

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 68%· 161

Year 2009Dev CiteremisPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

✓ Like The Holy Gosh Darn, it's known for deep RPG systems, precision platforming and Metroidvania exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings action RPG combat, fighting mechanics and combat magic, while skipping puzzle design

Inspired by Aztec legend, this action/rpg side-scroller will casts you into the middle of a war between the Gods and Mankind.

Where it drifts furthest from The Holy Gosh Darn: setting.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for The Holy Gosh Darn.

It predates The Holy Gosh Darn by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Tone100Combat70Visuals69Progression54

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Steam

#6ENDER MAGNOLIA: Bloom in the Mist

iRank91

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 18KIGDB90· 2OC86· 68

Year 2025Dev Live Wire · Binary Haze InteractivePlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Shared with The Holy Gosh Darn: deep RPG systems, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty, while skipping puzzle design

STORYSet in the Land of Fumes, this prosperous magical superpower is home to vast quantities of magical resources lurking underneath the surface. In hopes of advancing their kingdom's development, artificial life forms known as Homunculi came into being.

Where it drifts furthest from The Holy Gosh Darn: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting59

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeExploration2DSci-Fi

Steam👍 81%· 4.2KRAWG👍 54%· 333MC78IGDB78· 16OC77· 62

Year 2012Dev Capcom · SEGAPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Like The Holy Gosh Darn, it's known for deep RPG systems, precision platforming and Metroidvania exploration

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, setting scifi and setting cyberpunk, while skipping puzzle design

Strider is a platforming hack and slash game developed by Double Helix Games. The game is a reboot of 1989 title, yet the developers didn't intend the game to be viewed as one. The title retells the original game's story.

Where it drifts furthest from The Holy Gosh Darn: setting.

It predates The Holy Gosh Darn by 12 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100Visuals100Setting0

GenreRPGSubgenreAction RPG

SoloMeleeNarrativeFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 3.8KRAWG👍 47%· 329MC78IGDB85· 4OC78· 30

Year 2015Dev AlientrapPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Like The Holy Gosh Darn, it's known for deep RPG systems, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, ranged combat and setting mythology, while skipping puzzle design

The Gods of Olympus have abandoned humanity, leaving you to perish without their benevolence. Take up arms against the Gods, climb Mount Olympus, and take their divine powers for yourself to ensure mankind’s survival!

Where it drifts furthest from The Holy Gosh Darn: setting.

It predates The Holy Gosh Darn by 9 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Tone100Progression100Visuals100Combat71Game mode56

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Steam GOG PS

#9Dex

iRank79