Waking Mars

20 Narrative games like Waking Mars that you should try

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We filtered the 40 games similar to Waking Mars down to the 20 that fit the “Narrative” category. Axiom Verge, 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 “Narrative” category, the closest game to Waking Mars is Axiom Verge — scoring 95/100 on our similarity scale. Iconoclasts and The Swapper follow close behind.

#1Axiom Verge95 #2Iconoclasts95 #3The Swapper95 #4Reventure95 #5The Fall94

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The best narrative games like Waking Mars

20 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.

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

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

#6Metroid Dread

94

Metroid Dread

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

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

#9Hollow 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

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

#15STAR 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

Complete list of narrative 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.

Ato

Ato

Adventure · Metroidvania

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Legacy of Kain: Soul Reaver

Adventure · Metroidvania

ANIMAL WELL

ANIMAL WELL

Adventure · Metroidvania

FEZ

FEZ

Adventure · Metroidvania

Ori and the Blind Forest

Ori and the Blind Forest

Adventure · Metroidvania

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Rankings in the same genre

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