12 Hardcore games like Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap that you should try

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We filtered the 36 games similar to Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap down to the 12 that fit the “Hardcore” category. Ori and the Blind Forest, Gato Roboto and Teslagrad top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap.

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best hardcore games like Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

12 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap. 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.

#1Ori and the Blind Forest

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCozyHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 60KIGDB88· 14OC90· 97

Year 2015Dev Moon Studios · Microsoft StudiosOn PC · Xbox · Switch

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

≠ Stands apart with puzzle design, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeCozyHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 5.1KIGDB76· 5OC75· 47

Year 2019Dev doinksoft · Devolver DigitalOn PC · Xbox · Switch

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

≠ Its own twist: setting scifi and visual pixel, while skipping fantasy world

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreCozyExploration2D

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 puzzle design, strong narrative focus and setting scifi, while skipping fantasy world

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 80%· 2.6KRAWG👍 64%· 70MC80OC80· 11

Year 2012Dev NIGORO · AGM PLAYISMPlaytime ~3hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings puzzle design, open world exploration and visual pixel, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 91%· 15KIGDB91· 6OC89· 71

Year 2022Dev Cellar Door GamesOn Xbox · PS4 · PC

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

≠ Stands apart with deep RPG systems, roguelike runs and procedural generation, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

Steam👍 93%· 13KRAWG👍 87%· 334MC84IGDB87· 8OC86· 81

Year 2018Dev Sabotage · Devolver DigitalPlaytime ~6hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Stands apart with visual pixel, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam Epic Xbox

#7Ato

iRank97

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

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, puzzle design and strong narrative focus, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam itch.io

#8qomp

iRank96

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreExploration2D

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: puzzle design, strong narrative focus and dark, oppressive atmosphere, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam GOG

#9STAR WARS Jedi: Fallen Order™

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration

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 puzzle design, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration

Steam👍 97%· 18K

Year 2023Dev rittzlerPlaytime ~2hOn PC

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

≠ Its own twist: action RPG combat, deep RPG systems and open world exploration, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Steam

#11Dead Cells

iRank91

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloMeleeHardcoreFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 97%· 180KRAWG👍 88%· 1.7KMC88IGDB90· 12OC89· 151

Year 2018Dev Plug In DigitalPlaytime ~10hOn PC · PS · Xbox

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

≠ Where it differs: brings roguelike runs, action RPG combat and deep RPG systems, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloHardcoreExploration2DNarrative

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, strong narrative focus and setting scifi, while skipping cozy, relaxing feel

Details →

Nintendo

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