Computed from player tags · Not ranked by quality
24 games like Salt and Sanctuary (2026)
Every game below overlaps with Salt and Sanctuary 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: Vampyr, which both horror, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult.
- Salt and Sanctuary is tagged Souls-like, Metroidvania, Dark Fantasy, 2D, Difficult, RPG, Action, Platformer 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
Vampyr
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 8 player tags including RPG, Story Rich and Horror; released around the same time (2018).
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 RPGStory RichHorrorDark FantasyDarkGoreAction RPGSouls-like
- 2
Hollow Knight
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 9 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-likePlatformer2DDifficultIndieStory RichDark Fantasy
- 3
Blasphemous
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy and difficult; shares 10 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 FantasyGore2DIndieDifficultPlatformer
- 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-likeDifficult2DPlatformerStory RichIndieGore
- 5
Blasphemous 2
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, story-rich and difficult; shares 9 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 Scroller2DPlatformerAction RPGHorror
- 6
Darkest Dungeon
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Dark Fantasy, RPG 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 FantasyRPGDifficultDarkIndie2DHorror
- 7
DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Souls-like, Dark Fantasy and RPG; released around the same time (2015).
DARK SOULS™ II: Scholar of the First Sin brings the franchise’s renowned obscurity & gripping gameplay to a new level. Join the dark journey and experience overwhelming enemy encounters, diabolical hazards, and unrelenting challenge.
DARK SOULS II: Scholar of the First Sin at a glance Released 2015 Studio FromSoftware, Inc. Player sentiment 84% positive of 131,673 Price $39.99 Souls-likeDark FantasyRPGDifficultAction RPGDarkStory Rich
- 8
Darksiders III
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Souls-like, RPG and Story Rich; released around the same time (2018).
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-likeRPGStory RichDark FantasyGoreDifficultDark
- 9
Thymesia
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Souls-like, Difficult and Dark Fantasy.
Thymesia is a gruelling action-RPG with fast-paced combat and an intricate plague weapon system. In a kingdom where death spreads, play as a mysterious character known by the code name "Corvus". Prey upon your enemies, wield the power of disease and find the truth in your own memories.
Thymesia at a glance Released 2022 Studio OverBorder Studio Player sentiment 82% positive of 10,077 Price $7.99 Souls-likeDifficultDark FantasyAction RPGRPGDarkGoreHorror
- 10
Ori and the Will of the Wisps
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 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 Rich2DIndieDifficultSouls-like
- 11
Fran Bow
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 7 player tags including Story Rich, Horror and Indie; released around the same time (2015).
Fran Bow is a creepy adventure game that tells the story of Fran, a young girl struggling with a mental disorder and an unfair destiny.
Fran Bow at a glance Released 2015 Studio Killmonday Games AB Player sentiment 97% positive of 22,936 Price $14.99 Story RichHorrorIndieDarkGoreDark Fantasy2D
- 12
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 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 FantasyRPGGoreDark
- 13
Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Metroidvania, Platformer and Story Rich; 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 MetroidvaniaPlatformerStory RichDifficult2DIndieSide Scroller
- 14
Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice - GOTY Edition
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 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 FantasyRPGGoreDark
- 15
Dust: An Elysian Tail
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich and atmospheric; shares 8 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 PlatformerMetroidvaniaIndieRPG2DStory RichSide ScrollerAction RPG
- 16
DARK SOULS: REMASTERED
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Souls-like, Dark Fantasy and RPG; 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 FantasyRPGDifficultDarkAction RPGStory Rich
- 17
Jump King
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Difficult, Indie and Platformer; 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 DifficultIndiePlatformer2DSouls-likeHorrorSide Scroller
- 18
Lies of P
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Souls-like, Dark Fantasy and Action RPG.
Lies of P is a thrilling soulslike that takes the story of Pinocchio, turns it on its head, and sets it against the darkly elegant backdrop of the Belle Epoque era.
Lies of P at a glance Released 2023 Studio NEOWIZ Player sentiment 92% positive of 81,935 Price $59.99 Souls-likeDark FantasyAction RPGStory RichDarkRPGDifficult
- 19
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 8 player tags including Metroidvania, Souls-like and Dark Fantasy.
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 Fantasy2DDifficultIndieDarkAction RPG
- 20
Dark Souls
Why it matched: both fantasy, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Souls-like, Dark Fantasy and RPG.
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 at a glance Released 2011 Studio FromSoftware Player sentiment 92% positive of 154,662 Price $39.99 Souls-likeDark FantasyRPGDifficultDarkAction RPGStory Rich
- 21
Exanima
Why it matched: both horror, fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including RPG, Dark Fantasy and Difficult; 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 RPGDark FantasyDifficultIndieSouls-likeHorror
- 22
Dark Souls III
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 (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 FantasyDifficultRPGStory RichAction RPG
- 23
Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation
Why it matched: both horror, story-rich, atmospheric and difficult; shares 6 player tags including Difficult, Story Rich and Horror; released around the same time (2018).
A roguelite monster-management simulation inspired by the likes of the SCP Foundation, Cabin in the Woods, and Warehouse 13. Order your employees to perform work with the creatures and watch as it unfolds; harness greater energy, and expand the facility
Lobotomy Corporation | Monster Management Simulation at a glance Released 2018 Studio ProjectMoon Player sentiment 94% positive of 56,811 Price $24.99 DifficultStory RichHorrorGoreIndie2D
- 24
Hyper Light Drifter
Why it matched: both fantasy, atmospheric and difficult; shares 7 player tags including Indie, Difficult and RPG; 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 IndieDifficultRPG2DAction RPGMetroidvaniaSouls-like
Common questions
What game is most like Salt and Sanctuary?
Vampyr, on the evidence we have. It both horror, 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 Salt and Sanctuary" 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 Salt and Sanctuary. 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.