Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Hollow Knight (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Hollow Knight 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: Ori and the Will of the Wisps, which both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult.
- Hollow Knight is tagged Metroidvania, Souls-like, Platformer, Great Soundtrack, 2D, Difficult, Indie, Singleplayer 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.
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
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Great Soundtrack; 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 MetroidvaniaPlatformerGreat SoundtrackStory RichExplorationCute2DIndie
- 2
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 10 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Metroidvania and Platformer; released around the same time (2016).
“Ori and the Blind Forest” tells the tale of a young orphan destined for heroics, through a visually stunning Action-Platformer crafted by Moon Studios.
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2016 Studio Moon Studios GmbH Player sentiment 95% positive of 71,430 Price $19.99 Great SoundtrackMetroidvaniaPlatformerStory RichCuteDifficult2DIndie
- 3
Salt and Sanctuary
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 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 Fantasy2DDifficultPlatformerIndieSide Scroller
- 4
Nine Sols
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 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-likeDifficult2DPlatformerHand-drawnStory RichIndie
- 5
Celeste
Why it matched: both story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Difficult, Great Soundtrack and Indie; released around the same time (2018).
Help Madeline survive her inner demons on her journey to the top of Celeste Mountain, in this super-tight platformer from the creators of TowerFall. Brave hundreds of hand-crafted challenges, uncover devious secrets, and piece together the mystery of the mountain.
Celeste at a glance Released 2018 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 97% positive of 146,352 Price $4.99 DifficultGreat SoundtrackIndiePlatformer2DStory RichCuteSide Scroller
- 6
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 9 player tags including Platformer, Metroidvania and Indie; released around the same time (2013).
Immerse yourself in a gorgeous hand-painted world on a search for your true identity. As the mysterious warrior, Dust, your action-packed journey will take you from peaceful glades to snowy mountaintops and beyond.
Dust: An Elysian Tail at a glance Released 2013 Studio Humble Hearts LLC Player sentiment 95% positive of 19,062 Price $14.99 PlatformerMetroidvaniaIndie2DGreat SoundtrackExplorationStory RichController
- 7
Dark Souls III
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Souls-like, Dark Fantasy and Difficult; released around the same time (2016).
Dark Souls continues to push the boundaries with the latest, ambitious chapter in the critically-acclaimed and genre-defining series. Prepare yourself and Embrace The Darkness!
Dark Souls III at a glance Released 2016 Studio FromSoftware Player sentiment 94% positive of 439,389 Price $59.99 Souls-likeDark FantasyDifficultExplorationStory RichGreat Soundtrack
- 8
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 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 FantasyGreat Soundtrack2DDifficultIndieMultiple Endings
- 9
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Souls-like, Difficult and Story Rich; released around the same time (2019).
Game of the Year - The Game Awards 2019 Best Action Game of 2019 - IGN Carve your own clever path to vengeance in the award winning adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. Take Revenge. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice at a glance Released 2019 Studio FromSoftware Player sentiment 95% positive of 354,843 Price $59.99 Souls-likeDifficultStory RichDark FantasyGreat Soundtrack
- 10
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Souls-like, Difficult and Story Rich; released around the same time (2019).
Game of the Year - The Game Awards 2019 Best Action Game of 2019 - IGN Carve your own clever path to vengeance in the award winning adventure from developer FromSoftware, creators of Bloodborne and the Dark Souls series. Take Revenge. Restore Your Honor. Kill Ingeniously.
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition at a glance Released 2019 Studio FromSoftware, Inc. Player sentiment 95% positive of 354,898 Price $59.99 Souls-likeDifficultStory RichDark FantasyGreat Soundtrack
- 11
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Indie, 2D and Platformer; 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 Indie2DPlatformerMetroidvaniaDifficultSide ScrollerStory RichCute
- 12
Child of Light
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Platformer and 2D; released around the same time (2014).
Aurora, a young girl from 1895 Austria, awakens on the lost fairytale continent of Lemuria. To return home she must fight against the dark creatures of the Queen of the Night, who have stolen the sun, the moon and the stars. At stake is not only Lemuria, but Aurora’s true destiny.
Child of Light at a glance Released 2014 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 91% positive of 13,481 Price $14.99 Great SoundtrackPlatformer2DStory RichHand-drawnCuteSide ScrollerIndie
- 13
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Souls-like, Story Rich and Exploration; released around the same time (2019).
A galaxy-spanning adventure awaits in Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order, a 3rd person action-adventure title from Respawn. An abandoned Padawan must complete his training, develop new powerful Force abilities, and master the art of the lightsaber - all while staying one step ahead of the Empire.
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order at a glance Released 2019 Studio Criterion Games Player sentiment 88% positive of 175,096 Price $39.99 Souls-likeStory RichExplorationPlatformerMetroidvania
- 14
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Dark Fantasy, Exploration and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2016).
Set in a huge open world, Dragon’s Dogma: Dark Arisen presents a rewarding action combat experience.
Dragon's Dogma: Dark Arisen at a glance Released 2016 Studio Capcom Player sentiment 88% positive of 49,002 Price $29.99 Dark FantasyExplorationGreat SoundtrackStory RichDifficult
- 15
Styx: Master of Shadows
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Story Rich, Dark Fantasy and Difficult; released around the same time (2014).
Styx: Master of Shadows is an infiltration game with RPG elements taking place in a dark fantasy universe, where you sneak, steal and assassinate your way through as Styx, a Goblin two-centuries of age.
Styx: Master of Shadows at a glance Released 2014 Studio Cyanide Studio Player sentiment 83% positive of 11,709 Price $19.99 Story RichDark FantasyDifficultGreat SoundtrackIndie
- 16
Biomutant
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Exploration, Cute and Story Rich; released around the same time (2021).
BIOMUTANT® is an open-world, post-apocalyptic Kung-Fu fable RPG, with a unique martial arts styled combat system allowing you to mix melee, shooting and mutant ability action.
Biomutant at a glance Released 2021 Studio Experiment 101 Player sentiment 66% positive of 20,181 Price $39.99 ExplorationCuteStory RichIndieSouls-like
- 17
Wuppo: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both story-rich and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Metroidvania, Exploration and Platformer; released around the same time (2016).
Play as an exiled 'wum' looking for a new home in this bizarre but charming world, filled with strange creatures, puzzles, monsters and political chaos.
Wuppo: Definitive Edition at a glance Released 2016 Studio snekflat Player sentiment 94% positive of 5,976 Price $14.99 MetroidvaniaExplorationPlatformer2DCuteGreat SoundtrackStory RichDifficult
- 18
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Metroidvania, Side Scroller and Platformer; released around the same time (2019).
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night is an exploration-focused, side-scroller action RPG by Koji Igarashi. Play as Miriam, an orphan scarred by an alchemist's curse that slowly crystallizes her body. Battle through a demon-infested castle and defeat its master to save yourself, and all of humanity!
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night at a glance Released 2019 Studio ArtPlay Player sentiment 93% positive of 41,617 Price $39.99 MetroidvaniaSide ScrollerPlatformerGreat SoundtrackDark FantasyExploration2DDifficult
- 19
DARK SOULS: REMASTERED
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Souls-like, Dark Fantasy and Difficult; released around the same time (2018).
Then, there was fire. Re-experience the critically acclaimed, genre-defining game that started it all. Beautifully remastered, return to Lordran in stunning high-definition detail running at 60fps.
DARK SOULS: REMASTERED at a glance Released 2018 Studio QLOC Player sentiment 92% positive of 154,698 Price $39.99 Souls-likeDark FantasyDifficultGreat SoundtrackExplorationStory Rich
- 20
Blasphemous
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Dark Fantasy; 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 MetroidvaniaSouls-likeDark Fantasy2DIndieDifficultPlatformerGreat Soundtrack
- 21
Blasphemous 2
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Difficult.
The Penitent One awakens as Blasphemous 2 joins him once again in an endless struggle against The Miracle. Dive into a perilous new world filled with mysteries and secrets to discover, and tear your way through monstrous foes that stand between you and your quest to end the cycle once and for all.
Blasphemous 2 at a glance Released 2023 Studio The Game Kitchen Player sentiment 91% positive of 21,269 Price $9.49 MetroidvaniaSouls-likeDifficultSide Scroller2DPlatformerStory RichMultiple Endings
- 22
Risen
Why it matched: both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Exploration, Dark Fantasy and Story Rich.
Delve into a gritty, raw and atmospheric fantasy world in which every action has a consequence. In the epic world of Risen, filled with mysterious earthquakes, fearsome monsters and unimaginable treasures, forge your path with the sword, learn the art of staff fighting or become a powerful mage.
Risen at a glance Released 2009 Studio Piranha Bytes Player sentiment 89% positive of 10,815 Price $14.99 ExplorationDark FantasyStory RichGreat SoundtrackDifficult
- 23
Omori
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Indie and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2020).
Explore a strange world full of colorful friends and foes. When the time comes, the path you’ve chosen will determine your fate... and perhaps the fate of others as well.
Omori at a glance Released 2020 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 97% positive of 88,417 Price $19.99 Story RichIndieGreat SoundtrackMultiple EndingsHand-drawn2DExploration
- 24
Dead Cells
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, 2D and Souls-like; released around the same time (2018).
Dead Cells is a roguelite, metroidvania inspired, action-platformer. You'll explore a sprawling, ever-changing castle... assuming you’re able to fight your way past its keepers in 2D souls-lite combat. No checkpoints. Kill, die, learn, repeat.
Dead Cells at a glance Released 2018 Studio Motion Twin Player sentiment 97% positive of 183,007 Price $24.99 Metroidvania2DSouls-likeDifficultPlatformerDark FantasyIndie
Common questions
What game is most like Hollow Knight?
Ori and the Will of the Wisps, on the evidence we have. It both open world, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric 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 Hollow Knight" 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 Hollow Knight. 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.