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16 Hardcore games like VVVVVV that you should try

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We filtered the 37 games similar to VVVVVV down to the 16 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Outland, The Messenger and Rogue Legacy 2 top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to VVVVVV.

iRank84/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Tags

HardcoreSoloMultiplayer

Year 2010Dev Nicalis

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗PS ↗Nintendo ↗itch.io ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Hardcore” category, the closest game to VVVVVV is Outland — scoring 92/100 on our similarity scale. The Messenger and Rogue Legacy 2 follow close behind.

#1Outland92 #2The Messenger90 #3Rogue Legacy 290 #4STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™88 #5qomp88

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The best hardcore games like VVVVVV

16 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to VVVVVV. Each one has been evaluated across 14 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.

92

Outland

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

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 and co op, while skipping puzzle design

#2The Messenger

90

The Messenger

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: puzzle design.

Steam Epic Xbox

#3Rogue Legacy 2

90

Rogue Legacy 2

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 precision platforming

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

Steam Epic Xbox

#4STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

88

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-FiSpaceFantasyExploration

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 precision platforming

≠ Stands apart with action RPG combat, deep RPG systems and fighting mechanics, while skipping multiplayer gameplay

Steam Epic Xbox

88

qomp

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2DPixel Art

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: strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and linear, story-driven structure, while skipping setting scifi

88

La-Mulana

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

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, while skipping setting scifi

86

Teslagrad

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-FiExploration2D

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 strong narrative focus and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping fantasy world

86

Gato Roboto

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-FiExploration2DPixel 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, while skipping puzzle design

Steam GOG Nintendo

86

Ato

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2DPixel Art

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, strong narrative focus and open world exploration, while skipping setting scifi

#10Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

86

Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

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

85

Rain World

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMultiplayerMeleeHardcoreSci-FiExplorationPixel Art2D

Steam👍 94%· 52KIGDB62· 11OC67· 67

Year 2017Dev Videocult · Adult Swim GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings survival mechanics, roguelike runs and horror tension, while skipping puzzle design

#12Metroid Dread

85

Metroid Dread

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreSci-FiExploration2D

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 strong narrative focus, while skipping puzzle design

84

Carrion

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreSci-FiExplorationPixel 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, dark, oppressive atmosphere and strong narrative focus, while skipping fantasy world

#14Ori and the Blind Forest

83

Ori and the Blind Forest

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

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 strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and cozy, relaxing feel, while skipping setting scifi

81

Dead Cells

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2DPixel 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 precision platforming

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems, while skipping puzzle design

Complete list of hardcore games like VVVVVV

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with VVVVVV, ordered from highest to lowest similarity score. Use the filters above to narrow down by genre, setting or game mode and find the alternative that best fits your playstyle.

Pseudoregalia

Pseudoregalia

Adventure · Metroidvania

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