Games like Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

Action-platformer with transformation mechanics. Explore, fight bosses, and use belly-dancing to change forms.

86% positive from 1,704 · 2014 · 7% finish it · Steam Deck Verified · Lowest ever $2.49 (2016-06-08)

Platformer Female Protagonist Metroidvania Pixel GraphicsActionGreat Soundtrack

Six games like Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

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, Great Soundtrack and Female Protagonist.

Games like Shantae and the Pirate's Curse →

Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition

81% positive from 1,263 reviews201813% finish itDeck Verified

This is a 2D metroidvania platformer with gravity-defying movement and challenging exploration. It features pixel art, an original soundtrack, and a focus on uncovering lore.

What players likedPlayers praise this Metroidvania for its unique, challenging movement and stylish art, comparing it to speedrunning games.

The catchThe jump between surfaces movement often snaps to the wrong spot and feels restrictive.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, Female Protagonist and Pixel Graphics.

Games like Dandara: Trials of Fear Edition →

Aquaria

88% positive from 1,527 reviews200812% finish itDeck Playable

Action-adventure game with exploration, combat, and a cooking system. It features a vast underwater world and a compelling story.

What players likedPlayers praise Aquaria as a fondly remembered Metroidvania with an emphasis on exploration and crafting.

The catchSwimming is slow and the huge map is mostly empty corridors, so travel drags.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, Great Soundtrack and Female Protagonist.

Games like Aquaria →

Iconoclasts

86% positive from 4,970 reviews201835% finish itDeck Verified

A narrative-driven 2D action-adventure platformer where you play as a mechanic solving puzzles and fighting bosses. It features a story about fixing the world with a focus on action and emotional depth.

What players likedPlayers praise Iconoclasts for its stunning visuals, compelling story with well-developed characters, satisfying puzzle/platforming mechanics, and excellent boss designs.

The catchUnintuitive default controls and awkward keybindings

Both are tagged Metroidvania, Female Protagonist and Pixel Graphics.

Games like Iconoclasts →

Rabi-Ribi

95% positive from 2,666 reviews2016Deck Verified

A 2D exploration platformer with non-linear gameplay, featuring close-quarters combat by Erina and ranged support from Ribbon, with customizable upgrades. It offers a retro feel with adjustable difficulty.

What players likedPlayers praise Rabi-Ribi as an underrated Metroidvania with rewarding exploration, powerful items, and enjoyable, visually impressive bullet-hell boss battles.

The catchBoss fights drag on for ages as spongy enemies soak up feeble damage.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, Female Protagonist and Pixel Graphics.

Games like Rabi-Ribi →

UNSIGHTED

93% positive from 2,184 reviews202125% finish itDeck Verified

This is a real-time action-adventure game with a focus on exploration, combat, and crafting. Players must manage a ticking clock to save friends from becoming enemies.

What players likedPlayers praise its smooth combat and exploration, comparing it to Hyper Light Drifter and The Legend of Zelda.

The catchNearly every fight comes down to waiting to parry, then hitting, over and over.

Both are tagged Metroidvania, Female Protagonist and Pixel Graphics.

Games like UNSIGHTED →

More like this: Pixel Graphics Metroidvania Female Protagonist Platformer

More about Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

What players liked

Players praise its tight controls, great music, and top-notch animation, calling it a standard Metroidvania experience.

The catch

The map is nearly useless, leaving a lot of backtracking and aimless wandering.

Reviews: 86% positive from 1,704
Released: 2014
Finish it: 7% of players
Steam Deck: Steam Deck Verified
Price: Lowest ever $2.49 (2016-06-08)
Play: Single-player

It is here because it sits in the band this site looks at: well reviewed at 86% positive, but with 1,704 reviews, far fewer than the household names carry.

View Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut on Steam

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