Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Nine Sols (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Nine Sols 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: Hollow Knight, which both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult.
- Nine Sols is tagged Metroidvania, Souls-like, Difficult, Action, 2D, Platformer, Hand-drawn, Atmospheric 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
Hollow Knight
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Platformer.
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-likePlatformer2DDifficultIndieStory RichHand-drawn
- 2
Salt and Sanctuary
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 player tags including Souls-like, Metroidvania and Dark Fantasy.
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 Fantasy2DDifficultPlatformerIndieGore
- 3
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Story Rich; 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 MetroidvaniaPlatformerStory RichAction-Adventure2DIndieDifficultSouls-like
- 4
Star Wars Jedi: Fallen Order
Why it matched: both science fiction, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Action-Adventure, Souls-like and Story Rich.
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 Action-AdventureSouls-likeStory RichSci-fiPlatformerMetroidvania
- 5
Biomutant
Why it matched: both science fiction, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Martial Arts, Story Rich and Sci-fi; 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 Martial ArtsStory RichSci-fiIndieSouls-like
- 6
Black Myth: Wukong
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Mythology, Souls-like and Story Rich; released around the same time (2024).
Black Myth: Wukong is an action RPG rooted in Chinese mythology. You shall set out as the Destined One to venture into the challenges and marvels ahead, to uncover the obscured truth beneath the veil of a glorious legend from the past.
Black Myth: Wukong at a glance Released 2024 Studio Game Science Player sentiment 96% positive of 1,209,348 Price $59.99 MythologySouls-likeStory RichAction-AdventureDark FantasyDifficult
- 7
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 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 Fantasy2DDifficultIndieHand-drawn
- 8
Skul: The Hero Slayer
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and difficult; shares 7 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 Indie2DPlatformerMetroidvaniaDifficultAction-AdventureStory Rich
- 9
Blasphemous 2
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Difficult; released around the same time (2023).
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-likeDifficult2DPlatformerAction-AdventureStory Rich
- 10
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Story Rich.
“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 MetroidvaniaPlatformerStory RichDifficult2DIndie
- 11
Hyper Light Drifter
Why it matched: both science fiction, fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Indie, Difficult and 2D.
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 IndieDifficult2DMetroidvaniaSouls-likeSci-fi
- 12
Darksiders III
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Souls-like, Action-Adventure and Story Rich.
Return to an apocalyptic Earth in Darksiders III, a hack-n-slash Action Adventure where players assume the role of FURY in her quest to hunt down and dispose of the Seven Deadly Sins. The most enigmatic of the Four Horsemen, FURY must bring balance to the forces that now ravage Earth.
Darksiders III at a glance Released 2018 Studio Gunfire Games Player sentiment 76% positive of 17,431 Price $39.99 Souls-likeAction-AdventureStory RichDark FantasyGoreDifficult
- 13
Katana ZERO
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Platformer and Indie.
Katana ZERO is a stylish neo-noir, action-platformer featuring breakneck action and instant-death combat. Slash, dash, and manipulate time to unravel your past in a beautifully brutal acrobatic display.
Katana ZERO at a glance Released 2019 Studio Askiisoft Player sentiment 98% positive of 76,036 Price $14.99 Story RichPlatformerIndie2DDifficultGoreSci-fi
- 14
Dead Cells
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, 2D and Souls-like.
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
- 15
Eastern Exorcist
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including 2D, Souls-like and Platformer; released around the same time (2021).
Eastern Exorcist is a stunning 2D side-scrolling action RPG set in a fantasy eastern world with the vicious spirits and monsters. Play as a skilled exorcist against chaotic evil to fight your way through the brutal world, and experience different stories of joy and sorrow.
Eastern Exorcist at a glance Released 2021 Studio Wildfire Game（无锡野火数字科技有限公司） Player sentiment 84% positive of 6,775 Price $17.99 2DSouls-likePlatformerHand-drawnIndieMartial ArtsDifficultMetroidvania
- 16
Cave Story
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Platformer, Metroidvania and Indie.
Run, jump, shoot, fly and explore your way through a massive action-adventure reminiscent of classic 8- and 16-bit games.
Cave Story at a glance Released 2004 Studio Daisuke Amaya Player sentiment 93% positive of 8,305 Price $14.99 PlatformerMetroidvaniaIndie2DDifficultStory RichSci-fi
- 17
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Souls-like, Sci-fi and Action-Adventure; released around the same time (2023).
The story of Cal Kestis continues in STAR WARS Jedi: Survivor™, a galaxy-spanning, third-person, action-adventure game.
Star Wars Jedi: Survivor at a glance Released 2023 Studio Respawn Entertainment Player sentiment 71% positive of 85,859 Price $69.99 Souls-likeSci-fiAction-AdventureStory RichDifficult
- 18
ELEX
Why it matched: both science fiction, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 4 player tags including Sci-fi, Story Rich and Difficult.
ELEX is a handcrafted action role-playing experience from the award-winning creators of the Gothic series, set in a brand new post-apocalyptic Science Fantasy universe that puts players into a huge seamless game world full of original characters, mutated creatures, deep moral choices and powerful action.
ELEX at a glance Released 2017 Studio Piranha Bytes Player sentiment 74% positive of 19,605 Price $29.99 Sci-fiStory RichDifficultDark Fantasy
- 19
Half-Life
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Sci-fi, Story Rich and Gore.
Named Game of the Year by over 50 publications, Valve's debut title blends action and adventure with award-winning technology to create a frighteningly realistic world where players must think to survive. Also includes an exciting multiplayer mode that allows you to play against friends and enemies around the world.
Half-Life at a glance Released 1998 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 96% positive of 163,786 Price $9.99 Sci-fiStory RichGoreAction-AdventureDifficult
- 20
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Souls-like, Difficult and Story Rich.
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 FantasyGore
- 21
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Souls-like, Difficult and Story Rich.
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 FantasyGore
- 22
Hacknet
Why it matched: both science fiction, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Story Rich, 2D and Difficult.
Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports.
Hacknet at a glance Released 2015 Studio Team Fractal Alligator Player sentiment 94% positive of 26,101 Price $1.49 Story Rich2DDifficultSci-fiIndie
- 23
Blasphemous
Why it matched: both fantasy and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Dark Fantasy.
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 FantasyGore2DIndieDifficultPlatformer
- 24
Vampyr
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Story Rich, Dark Fantasy and Gore.
London, 1918. You are newly-turned Vampyr Dr. Jonathan Reid. As a doctor, you must find a cure to save the city’s flu-ravaged citizens. As a Vampyr, you are cursed to feed on those you vowed to heal.
Vampyr at a glance Released 2018 Studio DONTNOD Entertainment Player sentiment 77% positive of 25,168 Price $39.99 Story RichDark FantasyGoreSouls-likeAction-Adventure
Common questions
What game is most like Nine Sols?
Hollow Knight, on the evidence we have. It both 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 Nine Sols" 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 Nine Sols. 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.