Games Like Hollow Knight (2026): 10 Metroidvania Adventures

Hollow Knight has a reputation for good reason: a hand-drawn underground kingdom, tough but fair fights and a map that rewards curiosity. If you've finished it, or you'd just like another adventure with the same feeling of slowly uncovering a world, there's a whole genre waiting.

That genre is usually called Metroidvania, after the old Metroid and Castlevania games. Below are ten to explore, listed in no particular order and sorted from A to Z. Each description comes from the game's own Steam store page, so I haven't included anything I couldn't read there. If you'd like something to play away from your desk, my guide to Game Pass games you can play offline explains what works without a connection.

Metroidvania adventures in this Hollow Knight-style list

In the Free to play column, Yes means the game's Steam page lists it as free to download and No means it doesn't. Every game here carries a No, so check the page in your own country before you decide.

Game	Platforms	Good for	Free to play
Animal Well	Windows (Steam)	Secret-filled underground maze to explore	No
Axiom Verge	Windows, Linux (Steam)	Retro alien-world exploration	No
Blasphemous	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Dark, gruesome action-platformer	No
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night	Windows (Steam)	Castle exploring in the classic style	No
Dead Cells	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Roguelite with a changing castle	No
ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights	Windows (Steam)	Dark fantasy adventure in a ruined kingdom	No
Guacamelee! 2	Windows (Steam)	Colourful luchador platformer with humour	No
Nine Sols	Windows, Mac (Steam)	Lore-heavy action with precise combat	No
Ori and the Will of the Wisps	Windows (Steam)	Beautiful, emotional platforming adventure	No
Salt and Sanctuary	Windows, Mac, Linux (Steam)	Hard-hitting 2D action RPG on a haunted island	No

Ten Metroidvania games to explore after Hollow Knight, A to Z

Animal Well

Best for: Patient explorers who enjoy a dense, interconnected map where collected items change the surroundings in surprising ways.

Axiom Verge

Best for: Players who love old-school side-scrolling adventures and want to explore a strange world where glitches can alter the environment.

Blasphemous

Best for: Experienced adult players who like tough hack-and-slash combat in a nightmarish setting. Check the age ratings carefully.

Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night

Best for: Fans of gothic castle adventures who want a big map, plenty of demons and a heroine who grows stronger as she explores.

Dead Cells

Best for: Players who enjoy fast 2D combat and starting over, because the castle shifts every run and there are no checkpoints.

ENDER LILIES: Quietus of the Knights

Best for: Anyone who wants a moody, atmospheric 2D adventure about uncovering a ruined kingdom's secrets with help from fallen knights.

Guacamelee! 2

Best for: Players who'd like a lighter, funnier take, with luchador moves, chicken-based powers and quirky bosses.

Nine Sols

Best for: Players who enjoy tight, skill-based fighting and rich storytelling in an Asian-fantasy world tied to an ancient alien civilisation.

Ori and the Will of the Wisps

Best for: Players who want a large, exotic world with big enemies and puzzles to solve, and a gentler mood than most on this list.

Salt and Sanctuary

Best for: Players who like deep RPG systems and harsh combat across cursed cities, dungeons and ruins in a stylised world.

What defines a Metroidvania adventure

The word gets used loosely, so here's what most of the games on this page share. Knowing the ingredients helps you spot what you'd enjoy most.

• One big connected map. You revisit old areas as you grow stronger.
• New abilities open new paths. A door you couldn't pass earlier becomes reachable later.
• Exploration is the reward. Hidden rooms and secrets are part of the fun.
• Side-on action. Most are 2D, with jumping, fighting and platforming.
• Challenge. Many are demanding, and bosses can take several attempts.

Matching Metroidvania games to the kind of player you are

• Fans of atmosphere might look for moody, quiet worlds with a strong art style.
• Combat-focused players should look for precise, skill-based fighting.
• Explorers will love the games with dense maps full of secrets.
• Players who dislike frustration can start with the lighter, more colourful options.
• Anyone who likes starting afresh may enjoy the roguelite-style option, where each run changes.

For a different pace, free offline puzzle games for PC and free offline horror games for Android are worth a look when you want something shorter.

Questions to settle before you start a Metroidvania

• How difficult do I want it to be? Some of these are gentler than others.
• Do I want a gloomy mood or something bright and funny?
• Does my computer meet the requirements on the Steam page?
• Is a controller supported, or does the page suggest a keyboard will do?
• What is the age rating on the store page?

Age ratings and darker themes in Metroidvania games

Many Metroidvania games look like cartoons or paintings but deal with dark themes. From the Steam pages I read, ratings vary a great deal: Ori and the Will of the Wisps is listed as suitable for younger players, whereas Blasphemous and Bloodstained carry far stricter listings. If a young person is going to play, please check each game's rating on its store page and talk about it first.

Mistakes players make when looking for a Hollow Knight-like game

• Expecting identical combat and then quitting early.
• Choosing the hardest game first and getting discouraged.
• Forgetting to check the system requirements.
• Skipping the store page's age rating.
• Giving up before the first new ability opens up the map.

Tips for your first hour in a new Metroidvania

1. Look at the controls in the settings and adjust them to suit your hands.
2. Explore every corner of the first area, because secrets are often tucked away.
3. Make a mental note of blocked paths so you know where to return.
4. Take breaks after tough boss fights.
5. Check the options for accessibility and difficulty settings.

Do you make mobile or PC games? Tool makers can ask to be considered for a featured place on this list.

Picking your next Metroidvania after Hollow Knight

Decide whether you're after atmosphere, tight combat or secrets, and choose one or two games that fit. Play for a few evenings and see whether you want to keep exploring. If you're short on storage, free offline games for PC under 500MB lists lighter options.

Frequently asked questions

What is a Metroidvania?

It's a type of 2D adventure with one large connected map, where new abilities open up places you couldn't reach before. The name comes from the Metroid and Castlevania series.

Are there other games like Hollow Knight?

Yes. The list above covers ten Metroidvania and Metroidvania-inspired games, ranging from dark and punishing to bright and funny.

Are these games free to download?

Every game in the table carries a No in the free to play column, which means its Steam page doesn't list it as free to download. Check the page in your country for details.

Are Metroidvania games suitable for children?

It depends on the game. Some are gentle, while others contain strong violence or dark themes. Check the age rating on each store page and play together first if you're unsure.

Do I need a controller?

Many of these games can be played with a keyboard, but a controller can feel more natural. Check each store page for the supported controls.