Waking Mars

21 Puzzle games like Waking Mars that you should try

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We filtered the 40 games similar to Waking Mars down to the 21 that fit the “Puzzle” category. Gateways, Iconoclasts and The Swapper 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 “Puzzle” category, the closest game to Waking Mars is Gateways — scoring 97/100 on our similarity scale. Iconoclasts and The Swapper follow close behind.

#1Gateways97 #2Iconoclasts95 #3The Swapper95 #4Reventure95 #5The Fall94

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The best puzzle games like Waking Mars

21 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.

97

Gateways

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.

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

95

The Swapper

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

95

Reventure

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

Steam GOG Nintendo

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

94

1000 Amps

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2D

Steam👍 79%· 345IGDB72· 2

Year 2012Dev Brandon BrizziPlaytime ~1hOn PC · Apple Macintosh

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

≠ Missing: strong narrative focus.

94

Saira

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloExploration2DFree to Play

Steam👍 81%· 324RAWG👍 13%· 30

Year 2009Dev Nicklas Nygren · KreatorietPlaytime ~1hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: free to play, while skipping strong narrative focus

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

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

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

#12Shadow 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

#13STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

90

STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeSci-FiExploration

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 visual 2d

Steam Epic Xbox

#14SteamWorld Dig 2

89

SteamWorld Dig 2

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeSci-FiExploration2D

Steam👍 95%· 8.9KRAWG👍 86%· 433MC88IGDB89· 11OC88· 84

Year 2017Dev Image & FormPlaytime ~5hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and historical setting, while skipping strong narrative focus

#15Ato

89

Ato

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeNarrativeExploration2D

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, punishing difficulty and open world exploration, while skipping setting scifi

Complete list of puzzle 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.

Toki Tori 2+

Toki Tori 2+

Adventure · Metroidvania

SteamWorld Dig

SteamWorld Dig

Adventure · Metroidvania

ANIMAL WELL

ANIMAL WELL

Adventure · Metroidvania

FEZ

FEZ

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ori and the Blind Forest

Ori and the Blind Forest

Adventure · Metroidvania

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Adventure · Metroidvania

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