What is the best game similar to Waking Mars?

The closest game to Waking Mars is Metroid: Zero Mission, scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.

What are the top games like Waking Mars?

The three closest games to Waking Mars are: 1. Metroid: Zero Mission (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Metroid: Samus Returns (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Berry (93/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Waking Mars's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 40 candidates across 10 dimensions.

Is Metroid: Samus Returns similar to Waking Mars?

Yes, very much so — Metroid: Samus Returns scores 97/100 similarity to Waking Mars. They share 7 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.

What Adventure games are similar to Waking Mars?

The best Adventure games similar to Waking Mars are Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid: Samus Returns, Berry and Metroid Fusion. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Waking Mars attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming.

How is similarity to Waking Mars calculated?

We compare Waking Mars against every game in our catalog using 10 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Waking Mars experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.

40 Games like Waking Mars that you should try

Games like Waking Mars · Find similar →

More about this game →

If Waking Mars left you wanting more, this list of 40 similar games is for you. Each one shares part of its essence — adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and melee combat — and is ranked by a similarity score computed across 10 attributes. Metroid: Zero Mission comes closest (96/100).

iRank77/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Top games similar to Waking Mars

40 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Waking Mars. Each one has been evaluated across 10 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.

#1Metroid: Zero Mission

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2DOpen World

IGDB95· 2

Year 2004Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

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

≠ Its own twist: shooter, open world exploration and loot and gear systems, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Nintendo

#2Metroid: Samus Returns

iRank87

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB88· 14OC86· 92

Year 2017Dev Nintendo Entertainment Planning & Development · Nintendo

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming.

≠ Missing: puzzle design.

Details →

Nintendo

#3Berry

iRank99

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 99%· 145

Year 2021Dev Leuns · DegicaPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Web

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

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel, visual pixel and visual topdown, while skipping puzzle design

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB85· 2

Year 2002Dev Nintendo R&D1 · Nintendo

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

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, loot and gear systems and skill tree progression, while skipping puzzle design

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 250MC72IGDB70· 1

Year 2012Dev Smudged Cat GamesPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh · Linux

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design.

≠ Missing: strong narrative focus.

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 6.5KIGDB84· 15OC85· 90

Year 2015Dev Thomas Happ GamesOn PS4 · Linux · PC

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

≠ Where it differs: brings setting cyberpunk and visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeExploration2DDark

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: dark, oppressive atmosphere, open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping melee combat

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 86%· 4.9KIGDB85· 8OC84· 57

Year 2018Dev Joakim Sandberg · Bifrost EntertainmentOn PS4 · Linux · PC

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with cozy, relaxing feel and visual pixel

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#9qomp

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

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: punishing difficulty, dark, oppressive atmosphere and linear, story-driven structure, while skipping setting scifi

Details →

Steam GOG

#10The Swapper

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 7.5KRAWG👍 63%· 528MC87IGDB88· 10OC85· 33

Year 2013Dev Curve DigitalPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of Metroidvanias: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Where it differs: brings horror tension, setting space and horror setting, while skipping melee combat

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloNarrativeSci-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 punishing difficulty, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Nintendo

#12Hollow Knight: Silksong

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 89%· 407KIGDB90· 4OC91· 121

Year 2025Dev Team CherryOn Xbox · PS4 · Linux

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

≠ Stands apart with fantasy world, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam GOG Xbox

#13The Fall

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

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 dark, oppressive atmosphere

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#14SHEEPO

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

Steam👍 97%· 578OC75· 13

Year 2020Dev Kyle Thompson · TBAPlaytime ~3hOn PC · Xbox · Apple Macintosh

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

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

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#15Teslagrad

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-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 punishing difficulty and cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam GOG PS

Complete list of Waking Mars alternatives

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with Waking Mars, 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.

Ato

Adventure · Metroidvania

Owlboy

Adventure · Metroidvania

1000 Amps

Adventure · Metroidvania

Rogue Legacy 2

Adventure · Metroidvania

Carrion

Adventure · Metroidvania

SteamWorld Dig 2

Adventure · Metroidvania

Shadow Complex

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Messenger

Adventure · Metroidvania

Metroid

Adventure · Metroidvania

Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest

Adventure · Metroidvania

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Adventure · Metroidvania

Gato Roboto

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ori and the Blind Forest

Adventure · Metroidvania

ANIMAL WELL

Adventure · Metroidvania

SteamWorld Dig

Adventure · Metroidvania

Little Kitty, Big City

Adventure · Metroidvania

AM2R: Return of Samus

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Gunk

Adventure · Metroidvania

FEZ

Adventure · Metroidvania

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Adventure · Metroidvania

Bad Bots

Adventure · Metroidvania

Saira

Adventure · Metroidvania

Toki Tori 2+

Adventure · Metroidvania

Castlevania: Harmony of Dissonance

Adventure · Metroidvania

Wario Land 3

Adventure · Metroidvania

Explore games similar to Waking Mars by category

Rankings in the same genre

Best Metroidvania Games Best Adventure Games

Frequently asked questions

What is the best game similar to Waking Mars?: The closest game to Waking Mars is Metroid: Zero Mission, scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. They share 7 gameplay attributes, including adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming. It's the most faithful alternative currently available.
What are the top games like Waking Mars?: The three closest games to Waking Mars are: 1. Metroid: Zero Mission (96/100, 7 shared attributes) 2. Metroid: Samus Returns (97/100, 7 shared attributes) 3. Berry (93/100, 8 shared attributes). All share Waking Mars's most important gameplay attributes, ranked out of 40 candidates across 10 dimensions.
Is Metroid: Samus Returns similar to Waking Mars?: Yes, very much so — Metroid: Samus Returns scores 97/100 similarity to Waking Mars. They share 7 attributes, including adventure storytelling and Metroidvania exploration. It's one of the most direct alternatives available.
What Adventure games are similar to Waking Mars?: The best Adventure games similar to Waking Mars are Metroid: Zero Mission, Metroid: Samus Returns, Berry and Metroid Fusion. All share the Adventure genre alongside other key Waking Mars attributes like adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and precision platforming.
How is similarity to Waking Mars calculated?: We compare Waking Mars against every game in our catalog using 10 gameplay attributes: genre, atmosphere, world structure, play modes, combat style, and more. Each category is weighted differently — genre matters more than visual style, for instance. The result is a 0-100 score reflecting how closely a game replicates the Waking Mars experience, not just whether it shares the same genre label.