Waking Mars

25 Melee games like Waking Mars that you should try

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We filtered the 40 games similar to Waking Mars down to the 25 that fit the “Melee” category. Metroid Fusion, Axiom Verge and Iconoclasts top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Waking Mars.

iRank77/ 100

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

Tags

NarrativeSolo

Year 2012Dev Tiger Style

Stores

Steam ↗GOG ↗

Quick answer

Within the “Melee” category, the closest game to Waking Mars is Metroid Fusion — scoring 96/100 on our similarity scale. Axiom Verge and Iconoclasts follow close behind.

#1Metroid Fusion96 #2Axiom Verge95 #3Iconoclasts95 #4Bad Bots94 #5The Fall94

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The best melee games like Waking Mars

25 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 Fusion

96

Metroid Fusion

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

95

Axiom Verge

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

Steam Epic Xbox

95

Iconoclasts

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

94

Bad Bots

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 55%· 260MC49IGDB50· 2

Year 2013Dev Point Five Projects · Digital TribePlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Where it differs: brings ranged combat and visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

94

The Fall

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

93

Teslagrad

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

93

Berry

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

#8Hollow Knight: Silksong

92

Hollow Knight: Silksong

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

92

qomp

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

92

Owlboy

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 84%· 6.1KRAWG👍 74%· 307MC88IGDB89· 13OC88· 98

Year 2016Dev D-Pad StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Its own twist: cozy, relaxing feel, fantasy world and visual pixel

#11Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest

92

Raider Kid and the Ruby Chest

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeExploration2DFantasy

RAWG👍 78%· 27

Year 2003Dev Jupiter · NintendoOn Nintendo

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

≠ Its own twist: fantasy world, while skipping puzzle design

91

SHEEPO

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

91

Carrion

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration2D

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 punishing difficulty

90

The Gunk

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration

Steam👍 86%· 5.7KIGDB66· 4OC71· 75

Year 2021Dev Image & Form · ThunderfulOn Xbox · PC

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings vibe relaxing, linear, story-driven structure and setting space, while skipping precision platforming

#15Shadow Complex

90

Shadow Complex

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

IGDB85· 4

Year 2009Dev ChAIR Entertainment Group · Microsoft Game StudiosOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, combat tactical and loot and gear systems, while skipping strong narrative focus

Complete list of melee games like Waking Mars

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.

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

Adventure · Metroidvania

Gato Roboto

Gato Roboto

Adventure · Metroidvania

Rogue Legacy 2

Rogue Legacy 2

Adventure · Metroidvania

The Messenger

The Messenger

Adventure · Metroidvania

SteamWorld Dig 2

SteamWorld Dig 2

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ato

Ato

Adventure · Metroidvania

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Adventure · Metroidvania

SteamWorld Dig

SteamWorld Dig

Adventure · Metroidvania

ANIMAL WELL

ANIMAL WELL

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ori and the Blind Forest

Ori and the Blind Forest

Adventure · Metroidvania

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