Games like Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

This is a modern action-adventure platformer with a focus on transforming into different monsters to explore and solve puzzles. It features hand-drawn animation and a soundtrack from renowned composers.

89% positive from 2,606 · 2019 · 28% finish it · Steam Deck Playable · Lowest ever $7.49 (2023-10-25)

AdventureActionIndieMetroidvania Platformer2D

Six games like Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

Owlboy

84% positive from 6,092 reviews20167% finish itDeck Verified

Story-driven platform adventure with flight mechanics. Explore skies, recruit friends, and battle enemies in a detailed pixel art world.

What players likedPlayers praise its beautiful pixel art, charming characters, and heartfelt story, calling it a fun platformer/puzzle experience.

The catchThe pixel art carries a game whose combat and controls feel clumsy and tedious.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, 2D and Platformer.

Games like Owlboy →

Outland

80% positive from 3,948 reviews20145% finish it

A 2D platformer with a polarity-switching mechanic. Players use light and dark powers to navigate challenges.

What players likedOutland is a visually striking Metroidvania with an evolving light/dark color-switching mechanic and epic boss fights.

The catchMovement and combat feel stiff and imprecise, which makes later fights frustrating.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, 2D and Platformer.

Games like Outland →

Guacamelee! 2

91% positive from 3,335 reviews201813% finish itDeck Verified

This is a Metroidvania action-platformer featuring brawling combat and dimension-shifting mechanics. It offers a vibrant, culturally inspired adventure with cooperative play.

What players likedPlayers praise Guacamelee! 2 as an innovative, story-driven metroidvania with fun characters and satisfying melee combat.

The catchPunishing pixel-perfect platforming and instant death traps overshadow the fun combat.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, 2D and Platformer.

Games like Guacamelee! 2 →

Shantae and the Pirate's Curse

93% positive from 3,055 reviews2015Deck Verified

Action-platformer where Shantae uses pirate gear to explore islands, fight monsters, and solve puzzles. It features a humorous tone and Metroidvania-style progression.

What players likedPlayers praise its Metroidvania platforming, comparing it to Mario, for its fantastic game feel, level design, and engaging pirate gear mechanics.

The catchConstant backtracking through the same areas, with navigation that often leaves you lost.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, 2D and Platformer.

Games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse →

Phoenotopia: Awakening

83% positive from 2,852 reviews202115% finish itDeck Unsupported

This is a narrative-driven 2D action-adventure game with puzzle-solving and combat. Players explore a vibrant world, using diverse tools to overcome challenges and uncover a cosmic mystery.

What players likedPlayers praise its engaging story, unique characters, and colorful world, comparing it to games with good combat, movement, and puzzles.

The catchClunky, unpolished controls with no coyote time or input buffering fight you constantly.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, 2D and Platformer.

Games like Phoenotopia: Awakening →

Ghost Song

83% positive from 1,438 reviews202230% finish itDeck Verified

This is a 2D Metroidvania adventure game with atmospheric exploration and combat. Players explore an alien world, acquire abilities, and battle creatures using a heat-based blaster and melee system.

What players likedPlayers praise Ghost Song as a beautiful, atmospheric Metroid-style game with intriguing story and characters.

The catchMovement is sluggish and forced backtracking without fast travel drags the game out.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, 2D and Platformer.

Games like Ghost Song →

More about Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom

What players liked

Players praise its engaging and challenging gameplay, responsive controls, and crisp visuals, comparing it to classic Sega Master System games.

The catch

Enemies and hazards are placed to push you into cheap, untelegraphed deaths.

Reviews: 89% positive from 2,606
Released: 2019
Finish it: 28% of players
Steam Deck: Steam Deck Playable
Price: Lowest ever $7.49 (2023-10-25)
Play: Single-player

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 89% positive, but with 2,606 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View Monster Boy and the Cursed Kingdom on Steam

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