13 Cozy games like Yoku's Island Express that you should try

Games like Yoku's Island Express · Find similar →

We filtered the 42 games similar to Yoku's Island Express down to the 13 that fit the “Cozy” category. Berry, Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap and Shantae: Half-Genie Hero top the list, ranked by affinity and similarity score to Yoku's Island Express.

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GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

The best cozy games like Yoku's Island Express

13 similar games foundUpdated July 2026

Handpicked by our similarity algorithm, these are the titles with the highest gameplay match to Yoku's Island Express. 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.

#1Berry

iRank99

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyExploration2DMelee

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 strong narrative focus, melee combat and visual pixel, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam itch.io

#2Wonder Boy: The Dragon's Trap

iRank83

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 85%· 2.6KIGDB82· 13OC79· 82

Year 2017Dev Lizardcube · DotEmuOn PS4 · Linux · Android

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

≠ Stands apart with punishing difficulty and melee combat, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#3Shantae: Half-Genie Hero

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 90%· 2.4KIGDB81· 16OC81· 71

Year 2016Dev WayForward · XSEED GamesOn PS4 · PC · PS5

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

≠ Stands apart with melee combat and setting anime, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam Xbox Nintendo

#4SHEEPO

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyOpen WorldExploration2D

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, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam GOG Epic

#5Owlboy

iRank84

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyFantasyExploration2D

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: strong narrative focus, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping open world exploration

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyOpen WorldExploration2D

Steam👍 85%· 1.1KRAWG👍 36%· 61IGDB79· 5OC80· 19

Year 2013Dev Two Tribes · Two Tribes PublishingPlaytime ~2hOn PC · PS · Apple Macintosh

✓ Both are Metroidvanias — sharing adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with vibe casual and vibe relaxing, while skipping fantasy world

Details →

Steam PS Nintendo

#7Ori and the Blind Forest

iRank92

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyOpen WorldFantasyExploration2D

Steam👍 94%· 60KIGDB88· 14OC90· 97

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

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with strong narrative focus, dark, oppressive atmosphere and punishing difficulty

Details →

Steam Xbox

#8Little Kitty, Big City

iRank89

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyOpen WorldExplorationCasual

Steam👍 97%· 13KRAWG👍 87%· 43IGDB89· 1OC76· 55

Year 2024Dev Double Dagger StudioPlaytime ~4hOn PC · Xbox · Nintendo

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and cozy, relaxing feel

≠ Its own twist: deep simulation, sandbox freedom and vibe casual, while skipping precision platforming

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyExploration2DMelee

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: punishing difficulty, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping puzzle design

Details →

Steam GOG Nintendo

#10Iconoclasts

iRank85

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyExploration2DMelee

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 strong narrative focus, melee combat and setting scifi, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#11Teslagrad

iRank82

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyExploration2DMelee

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, strong narrative focus and melee combat, while skipping open world exploration

Details →

Steam GOG PS

#12ANIMAL WELL

iRank90

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyOpen WorldExploration2D

Steam👍 96%· 24KRAWG👍 83%· 77OC89· 57

Year 2024Dev Shared MemoryPlaytime ~7hOn PC · PS · Nintendo

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, strong narrative focus and vibe relaxing, while skipping fantasy world

Details →

Steam

#13A Castle Full of Cats

iRank95

GenreAdventureSubgenreMetroidvania

SoloCozyExplorationCasualNarrative

Steam👍 99%· 4.4KRAWG👍 90%· 20

Year 2022Dev DevcatsPlaytime ~2hOn PC · Linux

✓ Fits the Metroidvanias cluster, with adventure storytelling, Metroidvania exploration and puzzle design

≠ Stands apart with horror tension, vibe casual and strong narrative focus, while skipping precision platforming

Details →

Steam GOG

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