29 Games like William and Sly on Xbox that you should try

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Ranking compiled by Lluis Enric Mayans, Founder & Head of ContentUpdated May 19, 2026How this is calculatedOrdered by an attribute-similarity model, not editorial opinion.

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We filtered the 49 games similar to William and Sly down to the 29 that fit the “Xbox” category. Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Sonic Frontiers and Control top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to William and Sly.

iRank99/ 100

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GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

The best games like William and Sly on Xbox

29 similar games foundUpdated May 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to William and Sly. 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.

#1Ori and the Will of the WispsClosest overall match

iRank92

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeCozyOpen WorldFantasyExploration

Steam👍 97%· 144KRAWG👍 89%· 1.3KMC91IGDB91· 12OC91· 178

Year 2020Dev Moon Studios · Microsoft StudiosPlaytime ~11hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Both are open-world action games — sharing precision platforming, Metroidvania exploration and adventure storytelling

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, punishing difficulty and visual 2d, while skipping vibe casual

A New Journey Begins Embark on an adventure with all new combat and customization options while exploring a vast, exotic world encountering larger than life enemies and challenging puzzles. Seek help from discoverable allies on your path to unravel Ori’s true destiny.

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: visuals.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100

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Steam Xbox Nintendo

#2Sonic FrontiersClosest on visuals

iRank80

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person3D

Steam👍 89%· 28KIGDB72· 8OC71· 137

Year 2022Dev Sonic Team · SegaOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, precision platforming and strong narrative focus

≠ Its own twist: deep RPG systems, action RPG combat and setting scifi, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Visuals82Progression78

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Steam Epic Xbox

#3Control

iRank85

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 86%· 60KIGDB83· 15OC84· 183

Year 2019Dev Remedy Entertainment · 505 GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and strong narrative focus

≠ Where it differs: brings shooter, third-person shooting and horror tension, while skipping precision platforming

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone and setting.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression73Visuals57

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeCozyOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 90%· 4.7KRAWG👍 62%· 230MC74IGDB77· 5

Year 2009Dev Feral Interactive · Square EnixPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, precision platforming and cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Where it differs: brings stealth mechanics, combat magic and ranged combat, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Mini Ninjas is set in a cartoonish version of medieval Japan and puts you into the role of a cute ninja. Your village was attacked by an Evil Samurai Warlord, who uses magic to turn the innocent animals into his loyal soldiers.

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: combat and tone.

It predates William and Sly by 15 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals57Tone40

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Steam Xbox PS

#5Alba: A Wildlife AdventureClosest on tone

iRank91

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeCasualCozyNarrativeOpen WorldExploration3D

Steam👍 98%· 8.0KRAWG👍 96%· 82MC81OC82· 28

Year 2020Dev ustwo gamesPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, vibe casual and cozy, relaxing feel.

≠ Missing: Metroidvania exploration.

Alba: a Wildlife Adventure is a new tale from the creators of Monument Valley and Assemble with Care. When Alba visits her grandparents on a Mediterranean island, she is ready for a peaceful summer of wildlife exploration with her friend Ines.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Tone82

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Steam GOG Epic

#6Sherlock Holmes: The Devil's Daughter

iRank73

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeCasualOpen WorldExplorationThird Person3D

Steam👍 80%· 14KIGDB67· 8OC65· 41

Year 2016Dev Frogwares · Bigben InteractiveOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Both are open-world action games — sharing adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and vibe casual

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, dark, oppressive atmosphere and multiplayer gameplay, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for William and Sly.

It predates William and Sly by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100World100Progression100Visuals79Game mode66

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

RAWG👍 77%· 21IGDB86· 4OC79· 136

Year 2026Dev Pearl AbyssOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Nearly identical: adventure storytelling, open world exploration and melee combat.

≠ Missing: Metroidvania exploration.

Crimson Desert is an open-world action-adventure set in the beautiful yet brutal continent of Pywel. Discover adventure, uncover wonders, and experience thrilling action as you witness the saga surrounding Kliff, leader of the Greymanes, whose mission takes him on an incredible journey.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Setting100World100Progression100

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Steam

#8Mafia II: Definitive Edition

iRank70

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 74%· 37KIGDB61· 4

Year 2020Dev D3T Limited · 2KOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with shooter, third-person shooting and first-person shooting, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for William and Sly.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100World100Progression100Visuals57

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Steam GOG Epic

#9Bully: Scholarship Edition

iRank82

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 84%· 41KRAWG👍 86%· 765MC72IGDB80· 3

Year 2008Dev Rockstar New England · Rockstar GamesPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Both are open-world action games — sharing adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings sandbox freedom, deep simulation and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Set in Bullworth Academy, a fictional British private school, this game tells about school bullying and the troublesome period of growing to adolescence. You assume the role of Jimmy Hopkins, a 15-year-old boy and a “problem child”, who was already kicked out of many schools for his misbehavior.

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone.

It predates William and Sly by 16 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100World70Visuals57

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Steam Xbox

#10Grand Theft Auto III

iRank89

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 87%· 15KRAWG👍 86%· 1.6KMC93IGDB95· 2

Year 2001Dev DMA Design · CapcomPlaytime ~1hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with third-person shooting, shooter and deep simulation, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

The one that established the template: a 3D open city with radio stations, missions on call and free roaming between them. Historically it matters enormously. It has aged the hardest of the era — no mission checkpoints, no map markers for much of it, a silent protagonist, and shooting that amounts to auto-aim and hoping.

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone and visuals.

It predates William and Sly by 23 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Game mode100Progression100Combat72World70Visuals43

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExploration

Steam👍 83%· 20KIGDB77· 7OC77· 208

Year 2022Dev Tango Gameworks · Bethesda SoftworksOn Xbox · PC · PS5

✓ Same family of open-world action games: adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, shooter and first-person shooting, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: visuals and tone.

Genre100Game mode100World100Progression100Combat69Setting42

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Steam Epic Xbox

#12Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas - The Definitive Edition

iRank79

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 79%· 14K

Year 2021Dev Grove Street Games · Rockstar GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · Android

✓ Fits the open-world action games cluster, with adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: shooter, third-person shooting and racing gameplay, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: setting and tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mostly positive, against very positive for William and Sly.

Genre100Combat100Game mode100Progression100World89Visuals57

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 62%· 32KIGDB69· 15OC68· 134

Year 2018Dev Avalanche Studios · Square EnixOn PS4 · PC · Xbox

✓ Both are open-world action games — sharing adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: shooter, third-person shooting and sandbox freedom, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for William and Sly.

Genre100Combat100Progression100Game mode78World70Visuals57

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Steam Xbox PS

#14Mafia II (Classic)

iRank85

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldFantasyExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 94%· 58KRAWG👍 88%· 2.2KMC77IGDB73· 6

Year 2010Dev 2K Czech · 2K GamesPlaytime ~13hOn PC · PS · Xbox

✓ Fits the open-world action games cluster, with adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Where it differs: brings third-person shooting, shooter and racing gameplay, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

A tightly linear crime story set in a 1940s and 50s American city, more interested in Vito's decade than in filling a map with icons — the world is a backdrop for the narrative, not a checklist. The writing and period detail are why people still recommend it. This original SKU is the problem: it is a 32-bit build that crashes and stutters badly on current Windows, and the Definitive Edition exists.

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone and combat.

It predates William and Sly by 14 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100Game mode86World71Setting61Visuals57

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Steam Xbox PS

#15Mafia III

iRank61

GenreActionSubgenreOpen World Action

SoloMeleeNarrativeOpen WorldExplorationThird Person

Steam👍 57%· 63KIGDB68· 23

Year 2016Dev Hangar 13 · 2K GamesOn PS4 · PC · Mac

✓ Fits the open-world action games cluster, with adventure storytelling, strong narrative focus and open world exploration

≠ Its own twist: shooter, third-person shooting and racing gameplay, while skipping Metroidvania exploration

New Bordeaux and its period soundtrack are exceptional, and the story handles race and its era with more seriousness than the genre usually manages. Driving feels heavy and right. The structure undercuts all of it — the same racket-clearing loop repeats across every district, and the mission variety runs out long before the map does.

Where it drifts furthest from William and Sly: tone.

On reception: its Steam reviews are mixed, against very positive for William and Sly.

It predates William and Sly by 8 years, with what that implies technically.

Genre100Progression100World90Game mode79Combat72Visuals57

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Steam GOG

Complete list of games like William and Sly on Xbox

The full catalog of games sharing gameplay DNA with William and Sly, 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.