Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Dead Cells (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Dead Cells on things players said about it rather than on our opinion of what feels alike. Each entry shows what it matched on, so you can throw out the ones matching on the part you did not care about.
The short version
- Closest match: Skul: The Hero Slayer, which both fantasy and difficult.
- Dead Cells is tagged Adventure, Action Roguelike, Metroidvania, Pixel Graphics, Rogue-like, 2D, Souls-like, Rogue-lite by Steam players. Those tags are what the matching runs on.
- 24 games qualify, each with at least fifty player reviews behind its sentiment figure.
- 1 are free to download, so you can test the resemblance yourself at no cost.
How these were matched
Steam tags carry the most weight, because players apply them and they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Souls-like, Atmospheric and Cozy exist as tags and as nothing else, which is exactly the vocabulary this question needs. Formal genres count for less, themes and a shared studio for more.
Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are thrown out before matching. Nearly everything is tagged Singleplayer, so matching on it is matching on nothing. That cutoff is computed from the catalogue rather than fixed, so it moves as the catalogue grows.
All 24, closest first
- 1
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Indie, Action Roguelike and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2021).
Guide 'Skul' on his quest to single-handedly take on the Imperial Army and rescue his King from captivity, in an action-packed rogue-lite 2D platformer for the ages.
Skul: The Hero Slayer at a glance Released 2021 Studio SOUTHPAW GAMES Player sentiment 93% positive of 57,566 Price $19.99 IndieAction RoguelikePixel Graphics2DRogue-likeRogue-litePlatformerMetroidvania
- 2
Rogue Legacy 2
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 11 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Indie; released around the same time (2022).
Rogue Legacy 2 is what you'd get if you mashed Rogue Legacy and a sequel together. Every time you die, your children will succeed you, and each child is unique. Your daughter might be a Colourblind Archer, and your son could be a Pacifistic Chef. Either way, one of them is getting conscripted.
Rogue Legacy 2 at a glance Released 2022 Studio Cellar Door Games Player sentiment 91% positive of 15,128 Price $24.99 MetroidvaniaPlatformerIndieRogue-liteDifficult2DRogue-likeProcedural Generation
- 3
Wizard of Legend
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Action Roguelike, Pixel Graphics and Rogue-like; released around the same time (2018).
Wizard of Legend is a no-nonsense, action-packed take on wizardry that emphasizes precise movements and smart comboing of spells in a rogue-like dungeon crawler that features over a hundred unique spells and relics!
Wizard of Legend at a glance Released 2018 Studio Contingent99 Player sentiment 91% positive of 21,051 Price $15.99 Action RoguelikePixel GraphicsRogue-likeRogue-liteIndieHack and SlashDifficult2D
- 4
Hollow Knight
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Platformer; released around the same time (2017).
Forge your own path in Hollow Knight! An epic action adventure through a vast ruined kingdom of insects and heroes. Explore twisting caverns, battle tainted creatures and befriend bizarre bugs, all in a classic, hand-drawn 2D style.
Hollow Knight at a glance Released 2017 Studio Team Cherry Player sentiment 97% positive of 559,290 Price $14.99 MetroidvaniaSouls-likePlatformer2DDifficultIndieDark Fantasy
- 5
Hyper Light Drifter
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Pixel Graphics, Indie and Difficult; released around the same time (2016).
Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.
Hyper Light Drifter at a glance Released 2016 Studio Heart Machine Player sentiment 93% positive of 19,135 Price $19.99 Pixel GraphicsIndieDifficultHack and Slash2DMetroidvaniaSouls-like
- 6
Jump King
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2019).
Take up the challenge and face true high-stakes platforming in Jump King! Struggle upwards in search of the Smoking Hot Babe of legend, but explore with care; a single missed jump could lead to a long fall back down...
Jump King at a glance Released 2019 Studio Nexile Player sentiment 90% positive of 13,391 Price $12.99 DifficultIndiePixel GraphicsPlatformer2DFunnySouls-like
- 7
Salt and Sanctuary
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Souls-like, Metroidvania and Dark Fantasy; released around the same time (2016).
Explore a haunting, punishing island in this stylized 2D action RPG. Salt and Sanctuary combines fast and brutal 2D combat with richly developed RPG mechanics in a cursed realm of forgotten cities, blood-soaked dungeons, and desecrated monuments.
Salt and Sanctuary at a glance Released 2016 Studio Ska Studios Player sentiment 89% positive of 21,874 Price $17.99 Souls-likeMetroidvaniaDark Fantasy2DDifficultPlatformerIndie
- 8
Blasphemous
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Metroidvania, Pixel Graphics and Souls-like; released around the same time (2019).
Blasphemous is a brutal action-platformer with skilled hack’n slash combat set in the nightmare world of Cvstodia. Explore, upgrade your abilities, and perform savage executions on the hordes of enemies that stand between you and your quest to break eternal damnation.
Blasphemous at a glance Released 2019 Studio The Game Kitchen Player sentiment 90% positive of 66,881 Price $24.99 MetroidvaniaPixel GraphicsSouls-likeDark Fantasy2DIndieDifficultPlatformer
- 9
Heroes of Hammerwatch
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Rogue-lite, Action Roguelike and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2018).
Heroes of Hammerwatch is a rogue-lite action-adventure. Explore and battle your way through procedurally generated levels on your own or with up to 3 friends.
Heroes of Hammerwatch at a glance Released 2018 Studio Crackshell Player sentiment 87% positive of 9,527 Price $2.99 Rogue-liteAction RoguelikePixel GraphicsIndie2DHack and SlashProcedural GenerationRogue-like
- 10
Halls of Torment
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Action Roguelike, Rogue-lite and Pixel Graphics.
Slay hordes of terrifying monsters in this horde survival roguelite. Descend into the Halls of Torment where the Lords of the underworld await you. Treasures, magical trinkets, and a growing cast of heroes will grant you the power to vanquish these horrors from beyond. How long can you survive?
Halls of Torment at a glance Released 2024 Studio Chasing Carrots Player sentiment 95% positive of 31,787 Price $6.66 Action RoguelikeRogue-litePixel GraphicsDark FantasyRogue-likeHack and Slash2D
- 11
Nine Sols
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Difficult.
Nine Sols is a lore rich, hand-drawn 2D action-platformer featuring Sekiro-inspired deflection focused combat. Embark on a journey of eastern fantasy, explore the land once home to an ancient alien race, and follow a vengeful hero’s quest to slay the 9 Sols, formidable rulers of this forsaken realm.
Nine Sols at a glance Released 2024 Studio RedCandleGames Player sentiment 94% positive of 45,195 Price $29.99 MetroidvaniaSouls-likeDifficult2DPlatformerIndieDark Fantasy
- 12
Stoneshard
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Rogue-like, Pixel Graphics and Procedural Generation; released around the same time (2020).
Stoneshard is a hardcore turn-based RPG about the harsh life of a medieval mercenary: travel with your own caravan, descend into procedurally generated dungeons, learn new skills, survive hunger and injuries - and remember, every mistake can mean death and loss of progress.
Stoneshard at a glance Released 2020 Studio Ink Stains Games Player sentiment 75% positive of 35,515 Price $24.99 Rogue-likePixel GraphicsProcedural Generation2DDark FantasyIndieDifficultReplay Value
- 13
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and 2D; released around the same time (2020).
Play the critically acclaimed masterpiece. Embark on a new journey in a vast, exotic world where you’ll encounter towering enemies and challenging puzzles on your quest to unravel Ori’s destiny.
Ori and the Will of the Wisps at a glance Released 2020 Studio Moon Studios Player sentiment 97% positive of 146,084 Price $29.99 MetroidvaniaPlatformer2DIndieDifficultSouls-like
- 14
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Dark Fantasy; released around the same time (2021).
ENDER LILIES is a dark fantasy 2D action RPG about unraveling the mysteries of a destroyed kingdom. On this sorrowful journey, encounter horrific enemies against whom a moment of inattention could be fatal. Overcome these hardships and seek the truth with the help of fallen knights.
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights at a glance Released 2021 Studio Live Wire Player sentiment 94% positive of 45,705 Price $24.99 MetroidvaniaSouls-likeDark Fantasy2DDifficultIndie
- 15
Spelunky 2
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 9 player tags including Platformer, Difficult and Replay Value; released around the same time (2020).
Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family.
Spelunky 2 at a glance Released 2020 Studio Mossmouth Player sentiment 93% positive of 21,915 Price $19.99 PlatformerDifficultReplay ValueIndieProcedural Generation2DAction RoguelikeRogue-like
- 16
Darkest Dungeon
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Dark Fantasy, Rogue-like and Difficult; released around the same time (2016).
Darkest Dungeon is a challenging gothic roguelike turn-based RPG about the psychological stresses of adventuring. Recruit, train, and lead a team of flawed heroes against unimaginable horrors, stress, disease, and the ever-encroaching dark. Can you keep your heroes together when all hope is lost?
Darkest Dungeon at a glance Released 2016 Studio Red Hook Studios Player sentiment 92% positive of 161,942 Price $3.74 Dark FantasyRogue-likeDifficultIndie2DRogue-lite
- 17
Hand of Fate
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Rogue-like, Action Roguelike and Indie; released around the same time (2015).
Deckbuilding comes to life in Hand of Fate! An infinitely replayable series of quests - earn new cards, build your deck, then try to defeat it! In a cabin at the end of the world, the game of life and death is played. Draw your cards, play your hand, and discover your fate.
Hand of Fate at a glance Released 2015 Studio Defiant Development Player sentiment 89% positive of 10,682 Price $19.99 Rogue-likeAction RoguelikeIndieRogue-liteHack and SlashDifficult
- 18
Exanima
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Dark Fantasy, Difficult and Indie; released around the same time (2015).
Explore, fight, survive and unravel mysteries in this unique and unforgiving 3D isometric RPG set in an original dark, low fantasy world. Exanima's exceptional attention to detail and realistic simulation of all things aim to provide a deeply immersive and dynamic gameplay experience.
Exanima at a glance Released 2015 Studio Bare Mettle Entertainment Player sentiment 80% positive of 13,896 Price $14.99 Dark FantasyDifficultIndieSouls-likeRogue-likeAction Roguelike
- 19
Titan Souls
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Souls-like, Pixel Graphics and Difficult; released around the same time (2015).
Between our world and the world beyond lie the Titan Souls, the spiritual source of all living things. Scattered amongst the ruins and guarded by the idle titans charged with their care, a solitary hero armed with a single arrow is assembling shards of the Titan Soul in a quest for truth and power.
Titan Souls at a glance Released 2015 Studio Acid Nerve Player sentiment 79% positive of 13,818 Price $14.99 Souls-likePixel GraphicsDifficultIndie2DRogue-like
- 20
Never Split the Party
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 9 player tags including Action Roguelike, Rogue-like and Indie; released around the same time (2019).
Never Split the Party is an ultra social rogue-like! You're one of four adventurers joining together to explore a procedurally generated dungeon, amass powerful upgrades, and cooperate with your fellow adventures to conquer and crush the evil dungeon champions!
Never Split the Party at a glance Released 2019 Studio Legend Studio Player sentiment 76% positive of 4,400 Price Free Action RoguelikeRogue-likeIndieReplay ValueDifficultPixel GraphicsProcedural GenerationRogue-lite
- 21
Hades
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Action Roguelike, Rogue-lite and Hack and Slash; released around the same time (2020).
Defy the god of the dead as you hack and slash out of the Underworld in this rogue-like dungeon crawler from the creators of Bastion, Transistor, and Pyre.
Hades at a glance Released 2020 Studio Supergiant Games Player sentiment 98% positive of 308,085 Price $24.99 Action RoguelikeRogue-liteHack and SlashIndieRogue-likeReplay ValueDifficult
- 22
Vampire Survivors
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Action Roguelike, Pixel Graphics and Rogue-lite; released around the same time (2022).
Mow down thousands of night creatures and survive until dawn! Vampire Survivors is a gothic horror casual game with rogue-lite elements, where your choices can allow you to quickly snowball against the hundreds of monsters that get thrown at you. Be the bullet hell!
Vampire Survivors at a glance Released 2022 Studio poncle Player sentiment 98% positive of 265,103 Price $3.74 Action RoguelikePixel GraphicsRogue-lite2DIndieRogue-likeDark Fantasy
- 23
Slay the Spire
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Rogue-like, Rogue-lite and Replay Value; released around the same time (2019).
We fused card games and roguelikes together to make the best single player deckbuilder we could. Craft a unique deck, encounter bizarre creatures, discover relics of immense power, and Slay the Spire!
Slay the Spire at a glance Released 2019 Studio Mega Crit Player sentiment 97% positive of 217,947 Price $24.99 Rogue-likeRogue-liteReplay ValueIndieDifficult2DProcedural Generation
- 24
Crypt of the NecroDancer
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Difficult, Rogue-like and Pixel Graphics; released around the same time (2014).
Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat! Groove to the epic Danny Baranowsky soundtrack, or select songs from your own MP3 collection!
Crypt of the NecroDancer at a glance Released 2014 Studio Brace Yourself Games Player sentiment 95% positive of 26,481 Price $14.99 DifficultRogue-likePixel GraphicsIndie2DRogue-liteProcedural Generation
Common questions
What game is most like Dead Cells?
Skul: The Hero Slayer, on the evidence we have. It both fantasy and difficult. That is a statement about overlap, not a promise you will like it as much: two games can share every tag and still feel different to play.
How is "similar to Dead Cells" decided?
By overlap on the tags Steam players applied to each game, the formal genres, the themes both sit in, and whether the same studio made them. Tags carry the most weight because players write them, so they describe how a game feels rather than how it was filed. Tags carried by more than a third of the catalogue are ignored: matching on "Singleplayer" is matching on nothing. Every entry below shows exactly what it matched on.
Are these ranked by quality?
No. They are ordered by how much they overlap with Dead Cells. Where two games overlap equally, the better received one goes first, but that only moves a game a place or two. Each entry shows its own player sentiment so you can weigh that separately.
Do you get paid for these recommendations?
No. The order is computed from tag and genre overlap and nothing else. No placement here can be bought, and a game appearing high on this page is a statement about resemblance rather than an endorsement.