Ori And the Blind Forest Alternatives and Similar Games

Hollow Knight is more than just a platforming game. It’s a meticulously crafted metroidvania where you explore an underground bug-ridden kingdom. As you explore the interconnected world you’ll not only fight big and small insects but also interact with a variety of different characters. Combat consists of careful dodging, dashing and timing of your attacks and spells whilst learning the enemy’s moves. Don’t expect every area you step foot on to be marked on a map. If you’d like to make navigation easier, then buying maps is a necessity. Throughout the game you unlock various new skills that let you access locations previously inaccessible. You also get to equip Charms found or bought which grant you useful bonuses. If you’re into 2D metroidvanias, then you don’t want to miss out on Hollow Knight. But even if you haven’t

Featuring anime-style characters, enemies and bosses, Momodora: Reverie Under the Moonlight plunges you into an immersive metroidvania world that you’re bound to enjoy whether you’re a fan of anime or not. Next to 2D platforming and satisfying exploration, great animations can be seen as you slash, shoot arrows and dodge your way through well-designed pixelated environments. If the normal difficulty seems too brutal, then don’t worry, as this game features 3 difficulty options you can choose at the start of the game, while another one is unlocked by beating the title on hard mode. Not only will combat keep you hooked, but also the game’s narrative and the variety of different characters you’ll get to interact with. Discover shortcuts and find many useful items to use as you rest at bells which serve as checkpoints. If you’re l

Though platforming is present in Owlboy, this breathtaking adventure game tackles on a form of navigation difficult to execute greatly in 2D: flying. As a young owl named Otus you explore highly-detailed pixelated islands in the sky while carrying various objects as well as your buddies to solve environmental puzzles and take down any threat in your path. Not only is Owlboy carefully crafted visually, but it also features a gripping story with tough themes you maybe wouldn’t expect to see tackled on when seeing the game’s charming art style. Overall if you’re looking for a different take on the 2D side-scroller genre with an engaging story set in a beautiful world coupled with an atmospheric soundtrack then Owlboy is a short yet memorable journey for you.

This 2D side-scroller surely doesn’t sport the same kind of visuals as the Ori games, but don’t let its retro aesthetic put you off. Axiom Verge is a remarkable metroidvania with maze-like areas to navigate and platform your way through. Environments explored get marked on your map, and you can even set a reminder, a marker in the location you are currently in so you can find where that inaccessible path is later without mindless backtracking. A diverse range of guns and tools are unlocked as you progress through the game that nicely open the mysterious world up and keep things interesting. Whether you’ll follow the equally eerie story or just enjoy the fun gameplay, Axiom Verge is a metroidvania that progressively gets better the more you play it and is certainly worth checking out.

While Bastion doesn’t have any platforming, that doesn’t mean you won’t enjoy the isometric action-RPG gameplay set in cute linear environments torn to pieces. As you fight and explore you will hear a voice narrating the adventure, including the actions you make. Combat consists of simple dodging and attacking using melee and ranged weapons which are upgradeable, while only two weapons can be carried during a level. For an easier experience Bastion lets you start the game in ‘No-Sweat Mode’ which lets you easily continue where you died instead of starting back at the start of the level. After beating the main campaign you can dive into New Game Plus or try to rack up the highest score in any level in Score Attack mode. If you’re looking for a game with some good replay value, then Bastion is well worth checking out.

There’s a lot to like in Shovel Knight, a 2D platformer with a comedic tone, interesting characters, fun gameplay and great retro art. This game will keep you smiling throughout the 3 campaigns as you upgrade your equipment and fight a range of different bosses. Best of all, the first campaign can even be fully played in local co-op, while the rest are pure single-player adventures that don’t disappoint. If you’re looking for a modern title inspired by the old 8-bit games then Shovel Knight is the perfect game to play.

Ubisoft’s small and hidden gem has you platform your way through a stunning hand-painted fantasy world in real-time while engaging in battle via a turn-based system where you control two characters at a time from your party, swapping them out for other party members when needed. Progress as Aurora and control Igniculus both on the battlefield and off it for things you can’t do as you upgrade your party members via their own individual skill trees. It’s certainly not a game as fast-paced as Ori and the Blind Forest, but this 2D action RPG is an underrated side-scroller that immerses you in every way, from the visuals and well-crafted narrative to the characters and superb soundtrack.