Ultimate Metroidvania Games Like Hollow Knight 2026
What are the best Metroidvania games that match Hollow Knight’s quality? The best Metroidvania games that rival Hollow Knight include Nine Sols (2024), Ori and the Will of the Wisps, Animal Well (2024), Blasphemous 2, and Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights.
After sinking over 200 hours into Hollow Knight and exploring countless Metroidvanias since its 2017 release, I’ve discovered several games that genuinely match or even exceed Team Cherry’s masterpiece in specific areas. With the explosive growth of the genre (over 1,350 Metroidvanias released post-Hollow Knight versus only 150 before), I’ve played through the best of them to bring you this comprehensive guide.
| Game Category | Key Appeal | Best For Players Who |
|---|---|---|
| Recent Masterpieces (2024) | Nine Sols, Animal Well | Want fresh innovations |
| Atmospheric Excellence | Ori series, Ender Lilies | Love emotional storytelling |
| Combat Innovation | Dead Cells, Blasphemous 2 | Prefer action-focused gameplay |
| Classic Experiences | Axiom Verge, Bloodstained | Enjoy traditional Metroidvania |
Recent Masterpieces That Match Hollow Knight’s Excellence
Nine Sols: The Taopunk Revolution
When I first booted up Nine Sols in March 2026, I wasn’t expecting to find a game that could genuinely rival Hollow Knight’s atmospheric storytelling. Yet here’s a title that Red Candle Games has crafted into what many critics are calling “one of 2024’s best Metroidvanias and a near-masterpiece.” The Taopunk aesthetic—a brilliant fusion of Taoist philosophy with cyberpunk elements—creates an atmosphere as distinct and memorable as Hollow Knight’s insect kingdom.
What truly sets Nine Sols apart is its Sekiro-inspired parrying combat system. Where Hollow Knight demands precision dodging and nail-bouncing techniques, Nine Sols requires you to master the art of deflection. I found myself completely rewired after years of Hollow Knight muscle memory, and the challenge felt refreshingly different. The hand-drawn 2D visuals rival Hollow Knight’s artistic excellence, though with an Eastern philosophical lens that explores themes of immortality and sacrifice.
The game currently sits at “Overwhelmingly Positive” on Steam, and after completing it myself, I understand why. The boss battles are intricate dances of pattern recognition and perfect timing, reminiscent of Hollow Knight’s most challenging encounters but with that crucial parry mechanic adding a new dimension. For players who’ve been waiting for Hollow Knight: Silksong’s release date, Nine Sols offers a complete experience that doesn’t feel like a mere stopgap.
Animal Well: Puzzle Perfection Without Combat
Animal Well represents the boldest departure from Hollow Knight’s formula while somehow capturing its essence perfectly. Created by solo developer Billy Basso and released in 2026, this game strips away traditional combat entirely, focusing instead on environmental puzzles and exploration that rivals Hollow Knight’s sense of discovery.
My first playthrough took me 15 hours, but I’ve since invested another 30 discovering the game’s impossibly deep secrets. The 97% positive Steam rating reflects what I experienced: a world so densely packed with mysteries that every screen holds potential revelations. Where Hollow Knight rewards combat mastery, Animal Well rewards curiosity and observation. I found myself taking screenshots constantly, marking potential puzzle solutions and hidden paths.
The pixel art might seem simple at first glance, but the lighting effects and animation work create an atmosphere as captivating as Hollow Knight’s hand-drawn style. Critics have called it “endlessly inventive with unfathomable depth,” and I completely agree. For players who loved Hollow Knight’s exploration but found the combat overwhelming, Animal Well provides an equally satisfying alternative path through the genre.
Established Champions That Rival Hollow Knight
Ori and the Will of the Wisps: The Emotional Masterpiece
If Hollow Knight is the Dark Souls of Metroidvanias, then Ori and the Will of the Wisps is its Studio Ghibli counterpart. Moon Studios created what many consider “the greatest Metroidvania since Hollow Knight,” and after playing both extensively, I can confirm it arguably surpasses Hollow Knight in certain aspects—particularly in visual presentation and emotional storytelling.
The game’s 96% positive Steam rating comes from its ability to tell a wordless story that moved me to tears multiple times. Where Hollow Knight’s narrative unfolds through cryptic lore tablets and environmental storytelling, Ori delivers its emotional punches through stunning orchestral music and visual narrative beats. The platforming feels sublime—I’d argue it’s the best-feeling 2D movement in any game I’ve played, with a fluidity that makes traversal itself a joy.
Accessibility is where Ori truly shines compared to Hollow Knight. The difficulty options make it approachable for newcomers while still offering challenges for veterans. I initially played on normal difficulty and found it perfectly balanced, then returned on hard mode for a experience closer to Hollow Knight’s challenge level. This flexibility makes it an excellent entry point for players intimidated by Hollow Knight’s notorious difficulty spikes.
Dead Cells: The Roguelike Revolution
Dead Cells occupies a unique position in this list, blending Metroidvania exploration with roguelike mechanics in a way that shouldn’t work but absolutely does. With 5-10 million owners on Steam and a 96% positive rating from over 40,000 reviews, Motion Twin has created something special that matches Hollow Knight’s replay value through entirely different means.
Where Hollow Knight offers a carefully crafted static world, Dead Cells provides procedurally generated levels that somehow maintain the genre’s exploration feel. I’ve logged over 150 hours and still discover new weapon combinations and secret areas. The combat feels faster and more aggressive than Hollow Knight’s measured approach—think Hollow Knight’s Colosseum of Fools as an entire game.
The genius lies in how Dead Cells handles progression. While individual runs reset upon death, permanent unlocks and abilities carry forward, creating that Metroidvania sense of growing stronger and accessing new areas. Currently maintaining 1,500+ daily concurrent players years after release, it’s become my go-to game when I want Hollow Knight’s tight combat without committing to another 40-hour playthrough.
Ender Lilies: Quietus of the Knights
Ender Lilies might be the closest spiritual successor to Hollow Knight I’ve encountered. Live Wire’s 2021 release captures that same melancholic atmosphere, with a young priestess protagonist purifying corrupted knights in a kingdom destroyed by rain that transformed people into undead monsters. The parallels to Hollow Knight’s fallen kingdom are obvious, yet the execution feels fresh and distinctive.
The summon-based combat system initially threw me off—instead of direct attacks, you collect spirits of defeated bosses who fight alongside you. But once I adapted, I found it offered strategic depth comparable to Hollow Knight’s charm system. The piano-heavy soundtrack creates an atmosphere as memorable as Christopher Larkin’s work on Hollow Knight, though with a more ethereal, tragic quality.
What impressed me most was the black and white aesthetic that manages to be both beautiful and haunting. Critics have called it “one of the best Hollow Knight follow-ups,” and I agree—it pays homage while carving its own identity. The difficulty sits slightly below Hollow Knight’s, making it perfect for players who want that atmospheric experience without quite as much frustration.
Blasphemous 2: Dark Religious Excellence
The Game Kitchen’s Blasphemous 2 improved on its predecessor in every way, creating what reviewers called a “princely sequel.” If Hollow Knight drew inspiration from dark fantasy, Blasphemous 2 dives headfirst into religious horror with grotesque pixel art that’s simultaneously repulsive and beautiful.
The multiple weapons system adds variety that Hollow Knight’s nail-focused combat lacks. I found myself switching between the Veredicto flail, Sarmiento & Centella rapier and dagger, and Ruego Al Alba prayer blade depending on situations, each offering distinct playstyles. The platforming improvements from the first game now rival Hollow Knight’s precision, with abilities that transform traversal in meaningful ways.
The RPG elements run deeper than Hollow Knight’s charm system, with skill trees for each weapon and extensive customization options. After completing the game in 25 hours, I immediately started new game plus to experiment with different builds. For players who loved Hollow Knight’s atmosphere but wanted more RPG mechanics and combat variety, Blasphemous 2 delivers exactly that.
Classic Metroidvanias That Stand the Test of Time
Axiom Verge: The Super Metroid Successor
Created entirely by solo developer Thomas Happ, Axiom Verge represents the closest thing to a pure Super Metroid successor while incorporating modern design sensibilities. Where Hollow Knight modernized Symphony of the Night’s formula, Axiom Verge does the same for Nintendo’s classic.
The glitch-based mechanics remain innovative even today—corrupting enemies and environments to solve puzzles feels fresh years later. I particularly loved the Address Disruptor gun that transforms enemies into helpful platforms or removes corrupted blocks. These mechanics create “aha” moments as satisfying as discovering Hollow Knight’s hidden abilities.
The alien atmosphere and isolated feeling match Hollow Knight’s lonely exploration, though with a sci-fi bent that appeals to different sensibilities. If you’re seeking that pure Metroidvania experience without Hollow Knight’s extreme difficulty, Axiom Verge provides a more measured challenge while maintaining genre excellence.
Guacamelee! 2: Colorful Co-op Excellence
DrinkBox Studios’ Guacamelee! 2 proves Metroidvanias don’t need dark atmospheres to excel. The Mexican culture-inspired setting bursts with color and humor, offering a complete tonal shift from Hollow Knight while matching its mechanical precision.
The four-player co-op transforms the typically solitary genre into a social experience. I played through with friends and found the chaos enhanced rather than diminished the experience. The wrestling-based combat system, with its combo chains and juggling mechanics, offers depth comparable to Hollow Knight’s nail arts and spells.
The dimension-swapping mechanics add unique puzzle-solving elements, requiring you to shift between worlds to navigate platforms and defeat enemies existing in alternate realities. It’s the perfect palate cleanser after Hollow Knight’s oppressive atmosphere while maintaining the genre’s core excellence.
Bloodstained: Ritual of the Night
When Castlevania creator Koji Igarashi launched his Kickstarter for Bloodstained, fans expected a spiritual successor to Symphony of the Night. What we received exceeded expectations, creating an authentic Igavania experience that stands alongside genre greats.
The gothic horror aesthetic and RPG systems offer a different flavor from Hollow Knight’s minimalist approach. With hundreds of weapons, armor pieces, and shards (magical abilities), the customization runs incredibly deep. I spent hours farming specific shards to complete builds, finding the loot-based progression as addictive as Hollow Knight’s charm hunting.
The game’s scope impressed me most—it’s massive, with secrets that took the community months to fully uncover. For players who want Hollow Knight’s exploration depth with more traditional RPG progression and loot systems, Bloodstained delivers the definitive modern Igavania experience.
Understanding What Makes These Games Hollow Knight’s Equals
After playing through dozens of Metroidvanias post-Hollow Knight, I’ve identified the key elements that elevate certain games to match Team Cherry’s masterpiece. It’s not just about copying Hollow Knight’s formula—the best alternatives understand what made it special while offering their own innovations.
Atmospheric world-building remains crucial. Each game I’ve highlighted creates a distinct atmosphere as memorable as Hollow Knight’s Hallownest. Whether it’s Nine Sols’ Taopunk aesthetic, Animal Well’s mysterious ecosystem, or Blasphemous 2’s religious horror, these worlds feel lived-in and purposeful.
Mechanical precision separates great Metroidvanias from good ones. Every game on this list features controls as tight as Hollow Knight’s, whether that’s Ori’s fluid platforming, Dead Cells’ responsive combat, or Nine Sols’ frame-perfect parrying. This precision makes challenging sections feel fair rather than frustrating.
The sense of discovery and progression defines the genre, and these games understand that unlocking new abilities should fundamentally change how you interact with the world. I still remember the excitement of obtaining Hollow Knight’s Monarch Wings (double jump), and each recommended game provides similar transformative moments.
Accessibility and Difficulty Considerations
One area where several games improve upon Hollow Knight is accessibility. I’ve introduced many friends to Metroidvanias, and Hollow Knight’s difficulty often proves prohibitive. Games like Ori and the Will of the Wisps offer difficulty options that maintain the experience while reducing frustration.
For players seeking Hollow Knight’s quality without its punishing difficulty, I recommend starting with Ori and the Will of the Wisps or Guacamelee! 2. Both offer excellent introductions to the genre with optional challenges for veterans. Animal Well provides a different approach—removing combat entirely while maintaining the exploration challenge.
Conversely, players seeking greater challenges than Hollow Knight should try Nine Sols or Blasphemous 2 on higher difficulties. The parrying requirements in Nine Sols particularly demand perfection beyond even Hollow Knight’s Path of Pain.
The Hollow Knight Legacy and Genre Impact
Understanding Hollow Knight’s influence helps appreciate why these games succeed. With 15 million copies sold and approaching the lifetime sales of entire Metroid or Castlevania series individually, Hollow Knight transformed from indie darling to genre-defining template. The explosion from 150 pre-Hollow Knight Metroidvanias to over 1,350 since demonstrates its massive impact.
As someone following Team Cherry’s latest Silksong news, I’ve watched how Hollow Knight set new baseline expectations. Players now expect atmospheric world-building, tight controls, meaningful progression, and artistic excellence as standard. The games I’ve recommended understand and meet these expectations while adding their own innovations.
The influence extends beyond just game design. Silksong’s impact on indie developers shows how even unreleased sequels shape the market, with multiple developers delaying September 2026 releases to avoid competing with the anticipated launch.
Platform Considerations and Performance
Through extensive testing across platforms, I’ve found certain games excel on specific systems. Hollow Knight plays brilliantly everywhere, but the Switch version’s portability makes it my preferred platform for Metroidvanias. Dead Cells particularly shines on Switch, with quick suspend/resume perfect for its run-based structure.
PC remains optimal for games like Nine Sols and Animal Well, where precise controls benefit from higher frame rates. Steam Deck has become my favorite way to play these games, combining PC performance with portable convenience. Every game I’ve recommended runs flawlessly on Deck, making it the ultimate Metroidvania machine.
For console players, PlayStation and Xbox versions typically offer stable 60fps performance essential for precision platforming. The recent PS5 and Series X updates for older titles like Dead Cells and Ori provide enhanced visuals while maintaining that crucial responsiveness.
Community and Longevity
The Metroidvania community’s passion rivals any gaming genre, and these recommended games maintain active communities years after release. Dead Cells still receives regular updates with new content, while games like Animal Well have players discovering secrets months post-launch.
Steam Workshop support in games like Bloodstained extends longevity through user-created content. The speedrunning communities for Ori and Dead Cells remain incredibly active, with new strategies and routes discovered regularly. This community engagement ensures these games remain fresh long after initial completion.
I regularly return to these games between new releases, and each offers enough depth for multiple playthroughs. Whether it’s trying new builds in Dead Cells, hunting secrets in Animal Well, or perfecting speedrun routes in Ori, the replay value matches Hollow Knight’s extensive content.
Looking Forward: The Future of Metroidvanias 2026
As we await Hollow Knight Silksong’s release trailer and eventual launch, the genre continues evolving. The games I’ve highlighted represent the current pinnacle of Metroidvania design, each pushing boundaries in different directions.
The trend toward accessibility options and difficulty modifiers makes the genre more inclusive without sacrificing core challenge. Hybrid approaches like Dead Cells’ roguelike elements and Animal Well’s puzzle focus show there’s room for innovation within established formulas.
Cultural diversity in settings—from Nine Sols’ Taoist mythology to Guacamelee’s Mexican folklore—enriches the genre beyond traditional fantasy and sci-fi themes. This variety ensures the post-Hollow Knight landscape offers something for every preference while maintaining the quality bar Team Cherry established.
Final Recommendations
After hundreds of hours exploring these worlds, I can confidently say each game on this list matches Hollow Knight’s excellence in its own way. For players seeking the closest experience to Hollow Knight, start with Nine Sols or Ender Lilies. Those wanting innovation should try Animal Well or Dead Cells. Players preferring more accessible experiences will love Ori and the Will of the Wisps.
The beauty of the current Metroidvania landscape is that we’re no longer waiting for the next Hollow Knight—we have multiple games achieving that level of quality through different approaches. Whether you prioritize atmosphere, combat, exploration, or storytelling, there’s a game here that rivals or exceeds Hollow Knight in that aspect.
The genre’s golden age continues in 2026, with each new release learning from Hollow Knight while pushing boundaries further. As someone who’s played virtually every notable Metroidvania since Hollow Knight’s release, I’m excited to see where developers take the genre next. Until Silksong arrives, these games provide more than enough excellence to satisfy any Hollow Knight fan’s cravings.