Any games similar to this?

[Eric]

So I just finished the game and absolutely loved it. It was challenging and obtuse at times, but pretty solid overall. So I'm wondering, what are some other games similar to this one on Steam? I've heard Axiom Verge is good, so I might pick that up next, but I'd love to hear your thoughts. Thanks.

[Henry Hatsworth]

Cave Story

[mato]

A game similar to this? Super Metroid.

I can't recommend Axiom Verge. In my opinion it does too many things wrong to be an enjoyable experience. For example, there are way too many abilities with their own key binding; I think it was twice more than in ESA. I'm not sure what my biggest problem with the game was, but the bland environments (every area looks the same) and the poorly done bosses definitely didn't help.

[Eric]

Thanks for the comments, guys. I've already played Cave Story on the Wii, though I might get it for PC. Also, I've played Super Metroid many times over. It's a great fun. As for Axiom Verge, that's what I've heard from others as well--bland level design. I started playing the Shantae series recently, which is an action-platformer.

[mato]

I've just started playing Momodora, and it seems to have a lot similarities with ESA (even though the game is more like Cave Story).
For example, the only way to recover health is by touching save crystals or health recovery crystals, and the enemies don't drop anything when killed. Furthermore, much like ESA, Momodora also has an obsession with eyes; there are eyeballs everywhere.

[Oymon]

If you're looking for fun Metroidvanias...

Shadow Complex: This gem finally hit PCs a while ago. Great fun and a unique take on the whole 2.5D gameplay style.

Ori and the Blind Forest: Beautiful game! Can’t recommend it enough! Play it now!

Xeodrifter: A cute, if very short little game. Has a unique foreground/background thing going on. Worth looking into for cheap.

Outland: I’ve played a bit of this. Very stylised, and quite difficult.

Ghost 1.0: I’ve heard good things about this game, but haven’t gotten around to playing it yet. Might be good...might not, I don’t know...

Guacamelee: Haven’t played this, but I’ve heard good stuff about it.

There are others, but that’s just a selection from my Steam Library.

Enjoy!

[peteza34]

La Mulana.

Also +1 to Ori and the Blind Forest, though its not really similar to this game.

[ej]

I'll describe some of the games I've personally played or completed.
Outland is good, but hard. Not much harder than this game though. Uses light/dark mechanics from Ikaruga.
Castle in the Darkness. Minimalist and hard.
Out there somewhere. Very short and simplistic, but adorable.
Mystik Belle. Gorgeous art. More focus on item puzzles and humor.
Guacamelee - more focus on beat'em up gameplay.
Unepic and Ghost 1.0 are 2 indie Metroidvanias by the same author. Personally, I prefer Unepic. Many stats, lots of inventory management and character customization, weird quests. Ghost 1.0 is more dynamic, easier to get into, but feels dumb and derivative to me. Still, a good game.
Axiom Verge is a game I love and hate simultaneously.

An finally, if you want to play something really hardcore:
Exile on Amiga or Atari ST. Huge map, complex controls, realistic physics, obtuse puzzles. This game got it all :)

[mato]

Untitled Story[www.mattmakesgames.com], made by the guy who may now be more known for making TowerFall.
Most of the game's focus is on platforming challenges and boss fights. The bosses are much like the ones in Donkey Kong Country 2 where you have to dodge attacks until you get a chance to get in a single hit and then repeat it 3 (usually) more times.

The game is also available for free, which wasn't the case initially.

[solamon77]

Hollow Knight just came out and it's probably the best metroidvania I've ever played. The art style isn't similar, but the gameplay is.

[Old_Albert]

If you enjoed post game puzzles in ESA then you got to chek out La-Mulana. I think it definetely inspired ESA in some ways. It's an amazing hard (in both puzzles and action-platforming) metrodivania that feels like grand adventure.

Also Rabi-Ribi is amazing.

[Hempuli]

(La-Mulana definitely inspired ESA's postgame!)

[River's]

La-Mulana definitely. Be prepared to take notes of everything or you will give up eventually unless you can play it all day long.

If it is this gameplay that attracts you, rather than the puzzles, then check Rex Rocket (looks cheap instead it is a joy to play after a few power-ups) and Elliot Quest (here take notes as well).

[Bou]

I don't recommend Axiom Verge, it's very bland. It's not the same setting but you might take a look at Aquaria.

[5M0k1N]

knytt underground maybe? you dont have upgrades and the such in the game but it has tons of mysteries and a huge map to explore

[Denzo (aka spotted_illuminator)]

I hate Axiom Verge and La-Mulana's designs music and art styles but I love Hollow Knight, Cave Story, Owlboy and THIS ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥!

cuz i prefer games that are at least a bit easy and enjoyable, Axiom Verge is but La-Mulana is too difficult for me. Don't like it. Just Don't.