Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Outland (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Outland 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 atmospheric and difficult.
- Outland is tagged Platformer, Action, Metroidvania, 2D, Co-op, Adventure, Indie, Bullet Hell 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.
- 1 are from the same studio: Returnal.
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 atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Great Soundtrack; 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 MetroidvaniaPlatformerGreat Soundtrack2DDifficultIndieController
- 2
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 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 SoundtrackMetroidvaniaPlatformerDifficult2DIndieController
- 3
Touhou Luna Nights
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 8 player tags including Metroidvania, Difficult and Bullet Hell.
Touhou Luna Nights is a Metroidvania title with a heavy emphasis on exploration and action. Developed by Team Ladybug, creators of multiple fantastic action games thus far.
Touhou Luna Nights at a glance Released 2019 Studio Team Ladybug Player sentiment 97% positive of 14,936 Price $17.99 MetroidvaniaDifficultBullet HellPlatformer2DControllerIndieGreat Soundtrack
- 4
ibb & obb
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 7 player tags including Online Co-Op, Platformer and Indie; released around the same time (2014).
ibb & obb is a two player cooperative game set in a puzzle filled world where gravity goes both up and down. You can only succeed by working closely together. Find a friend for some true local co-op couch fun or match up online.
ibb & obb at a glance Released 2014 Studio Sparpweed Player sentiment 89% positive of 6,830 Price $11.99 Online Co-OpPlatformerIndie2DDifficultGreat SoundtrackController
- 5
Super Crate Box
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Platformer and 2D; released around the same time (2012).
Vlambeer's SUPER CRATE BOX is coming to bring back the glory of the golden arcade age, when all that really mattered was getting on that high score list. Grab your baseball cap and loosen your pants, it's time to fight endless hordes of enemies and collect every weapon crate you can.
Super Crate Box at a glance Released 2012 Studio Vlambeer Player sentiment 89% positive of 6,444 Price Free IndiePlatformer2DArcadeDifficultControllerGreat Soundtrack
- 6
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Great Soundtrack.
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 Soundtrack2DIndieDifficult
- 7
Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 7 player tags including Platformer, 2D and Metroidvania; released around the same time (2012).
A crazy action-adventure platformer... In Hell.
Hell Yeah! Wrath of the Dead Rabbit at a glance Released 2012 Studio Arkedo Player sentiment 85% positive of 3,724 Price $14.99 Platformer2DMetroidvaniaGreat SoundtrackIndieControllerDifficult
- 8
Returnal
Why it matched: made by the same studio, Housemarque; both atmospheric and difficult; shares 4 player tags including Bullet Hell, Online Co-Op and Difficult.
BREAK THE CYCLE Fight to survive as this award-winning third-person shooter brings Selene’s story to PC. Take on roguelike challenges. Engage enemies in bullet hell-fuelled clashes. Share your journey through Returnal™ with another player.
Returnal at a glance Released 2023 Studio Housemarque Player sentiment 81% positive of 11,035 Price $59.99 Bullet HellOnline Co-OpDifficultMetroidvania
- 9
Celeste
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 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 SoundtrackIndiePlatformer2D
- 10
Dead Cells
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Metroidvania, 2D and Difficult; 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 Metroidvania2DDifficultPlatformerIndie
- 11
Antichamber
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, Difficult and Great Soundtrack; released around the same time (2013).
Antichamber is a mind-bending psychological exploration game where nothing can be taken for granted. Discover an Escher-like world where hallways wrap around upon each other, spaces reconfigure themselves, and accomplishing the impossible may just be the only way forward.
Antichamber at a glance Released 2013 Studio Alexander Bruce Player sentiment 95% positive of 17,755 Price $19.99 IndieDifficultGreat SoundtrackMetroidvaniaPlatformer
- 12
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Difficult and Indie; released around the same time (2015).
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number is the brutal conclusion to the Hotline Miami saga, set against a backdrop of escalating violence and retribution over spilled blood in the original game.
Hotline Miami 2: Wrong Number at a glance Released 2015 Studio Dennaton Games Player sentiment 94% positive of 79,987 Price $14.99 Great SoundtrackDifficultIndie2DArcade
- 13
Hyper Light Drifter
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Great Soundtrack, 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 Great SoundtrackIndieDifficult2DMetroidvania
- 14
Limbo
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, Platformer and 2D; released around the same time (2010).
Uncertain of his sister's fate, a boy enters LIMBO
Limbo at a glance Released 2010 Studio Playdead Player sentiment 92% positive of 62,016 Price $12.49 IndiePlatformer2DDifficultController
- 15
Rayman Legends
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Platformer, Great Soundtrack and 2D; released around the same time (2013).
Michel Ancel, the celebrated creator of Rayman®, Beyond Good & Evil®, and the Raving Rabbids®, returns to unleash his innovative creativity on this new entry into the Rayman® franchise.When Rayman, Globox, and the Teensies discover a mysterious tent filled with captivating paintings, they are suddenly transported to a series of...
Rayman Legends at a glance Released 2013 Studio Not recorded Player sentiment 90% positive of 12,323 Price $29.99 PlatformerGreat Soundtrack2DControllerDifficult
- 16
Furi
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Bullet Hell, Difficult and Controller; released around the same time (2016).
The jailer is the key, kill him and you’ll be free. Fight your way free in this ultra-responsive, fast-paced sword-fighting and dual-stick shooting game.
Furi at a glance Released 2016 Studio The Game Bakers Player sentiment 90% positive of 14,026 Price $19.99 Bullet HellDifficultControllerIndieGreat Soundtrack
- 17
Salt and Sanctuary
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Metroidvania, 2D and Difficult; 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 Metroidvania2DDifficultPlatformerIndie
- 18
Ikaruga
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 7 player tags including Bullet Hell, Arcade and Great Soundtrack.
Shoot! Dodge! and... Get Hit!? "Ikaruga" is a vertical shoot 'em up that features an unique polarity-switching gameplay. Switch the ship's polarity and "get hit and absorb" enemy bullets! Achieve High Score with the chain bonus!
Ikaruga at a glance Released 2001 Studio Treasure Player sentiment 95% positive of 2,364 Price $9.99 Bullet HellArcadeGreat SoundtrackDifficultIndie2DController
- 19
12 is Better Than 6
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Indie, 2D and Difficult; released around the same time (2015).
12 is Better Than 6 is a dynamic top-down shooter with stealth elements, presented in a Wild West theme. The story puts you in the shoes of escaped slave fleeing to the United States in 1873.
12 is Better Than 6 at a glance Released 2015 Studio Ink Stains Games Player sentiment 84% positive of 10,276 Price $1.99 Indie2DDifficultGreat SoundtrackArcade
- 20
Rogue Legacy 2
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 7 player tags including Arcade, Metroidvania and Platformer.
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 ArcadeMetroidvaniaPlatformerIndieDifficult2DGreat Soundtrack
- 21
DiRT 4
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Arcade, Controller and Online Co-Op; released around the same time (2017).
DiRT 4 is all about embracing fear. It’s about the thrill, exhilaration and adrenaline that is absolutely vital to off-road racing. It’s about loving the feeling of pushing flat out next to a sheer cliff drop, going for the gap that’s too small and seeing how much air you can get. Be Fearless.
DiRT 4 at a glance Released 2017 Studio Codemasters Player sentiment 80% positive of 16,257 Price Not listed ArcadeControllerOnline Co-OpDifficultGreat Soundtrack
- 22
Titan Souls
Why it matched: both atmospheric and difficult; shares 5 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Great Soundtrack; 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 DifficultIndieGreat Soundtrack2DController
- 23
Just Shapes & Beats
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 6 player tags including Great Soundtrack, Bullet Hell and Difficult; released around the same time (2018).
"Just Shapes & Beats" is a chaotic co-op musical bullet-hell based on three simple things: avoid Shapes, move to the kick-ass Beats, and die, repeatedly.
Just Shapes & Beats at a glance Released 2018 Studio Berzerk Studio Player sentiment 98% positive of 26,015 Price $11.99 Great SoundtrackBullet HellDifficult2DIndieOnline Co-Op
- 24
Super Hexagon
Why it matched: both difficult; shares 6 player tags including Difficult, Great Soundtrack and Indie; released around the same time (2012).
Super Hexagon is a minimal action game by Terry Cavanagh, with music by Chipzel.
Super Hexagon at a glance Released 2012 Studio Terry Cavanagh Player sentiment 97% positive of 25,111 Price $2.99 DifficultGreat SoundtrackIndieArcade2DController
Common questions
What game is most like Outland?
Hollow Knight, on the evidence we have. It both 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 Outland" 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 Outland. 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.
What else did the makers of Outland do?
Returnal is also from Housemarque, and appears in the list below for that reason as well as on tag overlap.
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.