6 Games Like Spelunky [Recommendations]

INTRODUCTION / OPENING PARAGRAPH

Roguelike games are becoming a larger trend every passing day in the indie developer scene. The idea of running around randomized maps and structures, finding loot that changes constantly, and death usually means a full restart entices gamers young and old. After saying that you would think how could anyone like a game like that? Well, gamers who love a good challenge do, and thanks to games like Spelunky, there’s plenty of reasons to endure the challenge. Then we here at Honey’s Anime began to undertake our own challenge to make another list that should please fans of games like Spelunky. That’s right folks, today we’re looking at 6 Games Like Spelunky.

In creating this 6 Games Like Spelunky list, we really had to delve into what makes games like Spelunky so much fun. Sure people love a good challenge but if all a game was was frustrating, that wouldn’t be fun to anyone but a very niche amount of people. The are games like Spelunky based on their colorful art, fun challenge and great gameplay. Thus as we made our list, we looked for games that harkened the very essence of Spelunky in every way. After many deaths—in game, mind you—and lots of resets, we have finally made a list of games like Spelunky we’re proud of and we know you’ll enjoy it too. Now then, it’s time to enter 6 games like Spelunky!


Similar Games to Spelunky

1. Crypt of the NecroDancer

  • System/Platform: PS4, Xbox One, PS Vita, iOS, PC
  • Publisher: Klei Entertainment
  • Developer: Brace Yourself Games
  • Release Date: Apr 23, 2015

Cadence is on a missions to find her father who has disappeared. As Cadence travels looking for him, she ends up in a crypt controlled by a powerful NecroDancer who takes Cadence’s heart. If she wants her heart back, Cadence will have to survive the NecroDancer’s summoned minions in a domain of music. Any move or action Cadence takes links to her heart and if she makes too many poor actions, her life will be in jeopardy. Get ready to fight to the beat in Crypt of the NecroDancer.

In this roguelike gam,e be prepared to play a dungeon crawler as well as a rhythm game and that’s what we love about Klei Entertainment’s Crypt of the NecroDancer. Players can use controllers, keyboards and even a dance pad to move Cadence around various environments trying to kill baddies and get loot. On one hand you want to hit notes in time to gain high points but missing notes can lead to death in the form of being open to enemy attacks. Crypt of the NecroDancer looks cute and plays great so it’s easily worthy of being the first on our list of games like Spelunky. Remember though folks, like Spelunky and other roguelike titles, if Candace dies it is game over and you’ll be restarting from the beginning…

Crypt of the Necrodancer- Launch Trailer (Official Trailer)


2. Terraria

  • System/Platform: PS4, PC, iOS, Xbox One, Nintendo 3DS, Android, Xbox 360, PS3, PS Vita
  • Publisher: 505 Games, Re-Logic, Headup Games (EU)
  • Developer: Re-Logic
  • Release Date: May 16, 2011

Want to explore dungeons and fight off monsters in a world that’s always random? Want to dive into caves that could hold endless resources or endless monsters? That is what awaits you in Terraria. Build structures, fight monsters and live in a world of epic 2D glory. The only limits are what your mind can think of doing so go wild, young adventurer.

Terraria may be a bit more forgiving than Spelunky if a player dies—seeing as how you can get your items back—but that doesn’t mean Terraria should be seen as a simple game. Exploration is the key to Terraria’s success and that means taking risks at times. A smart player will make sure to be prepared for any situation but sometimes diving into trouble is just as fun. Terraria and Spelunky may have many differences in what players can and can’t do in both titles, but they share that same feeling of searching for rewards in a random environment. Definitely check out Terraria if you love games like Spelunky.

Terraria Official Trailer (Official Trailer)


3. Super Meat Boy

  • System/Platform: Xbox 360, PC, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, Android
  • Publisher: Team Meat
  • Developer: Team Meat
  • Release Date: Oct 20, 2010

Meat Boy has just had his girlfriend—Bandage Girl—kidnapped by the nefarious Dr. Fetus! Now it’s up to this square meat person to save the day. Wall jump, run and avoid death to reach the end of each stage. However, besides robots, weird chainsaws and various other harmful environmental factors, Dr. Fetus has plenty of goons waiting to kill you. Can you be the hero? Well, answer that in Super Meat Boy.

Oh the anger at times. Seriously folks, Super Meat Boy from developers Team Meat is a lot of fun but gosh is it curse out loud tough. Thankfully you never feel as if the game is to blame for the deaths when Super Meat Boy controls very well and has plenty of room to learn how to get better. Spelunky challenge reminds us exactly of Super Meat Boy, where getting better means the way to completing game. The constant restarting and dying may annoy at times but at the end of the day because Super Meat Boy is so much fun, you won’t care to die a couple dozen times just to reach the next stage. Now excuse us, we need to defeat a level we’ve been dying on for the last ten minutes.



Any Games Like Spelunky ?

4. Delver

  • System/Platform: PC
  • Publisher: Priority Interrupt
  • Developer: Priority Interrupt
  • Release Date: Sept 6, 2013

Delver gives you—the player—the role of an adventurer who explores in dark dungeons looking for sweet loot. However, these aren’t empty dungeons, things lurk in the dark and you need to be ready. Armed with weapons you’re not empty handed and you do stand a chance at making it big. Remember though, death means just that. Once you die in Delver, be prepared to restart in a random new dungeon and try it all over again.

Like Spelunky, Delver may look like an older game but it sure doesn’t play like one. Players control an adventurer in first person as they explore randomized dungeon looking for items and loot all while fighting creepy enemies. As with most roguelike titles, permadeath is a thing as well though so be ready to restart over and over in your attempt at success. Developer Priority Interrupt is still in early access with Delver but it looks like eventually, this could turn into an even greater title. Explore dungeons like Spelunky, gain gold and fight baddies…yeah it’s obvious why Delver is on our 6 Games like Spelunky list.


5. The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth

  • System/Platform: PC, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, New Nintendo 3DS, Xbox One, iOS, Nintendo Switch
  • Publisher: Nicalis
  • Developer: Nicalis
  • Release Date: Nov 4, 2014

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth acts as an updated version of the already great roguelike title. Players take control of Isaac, a young naked boy who has gotten lost in an odd dungeon like place trying to hide from his murderous religious mother. With odd demons and creatures facing down Isaac, his tears act as his only initial starting weapon. Help Isaac escape his fate in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. Are you ready to explore the depths or will you poor Isaac face his fate alone?

The Binding of Isaac already is a well-known title but The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth adds plenty of additions that make the game even better. More powers, more randomized maps and more characters to play as really makes this entry the best one so far. Like Spelunky, no set item is ever appears in one location in The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth. Players will the player will need to search hidden rooms and fights against tons of different enemies and bosses to hopefully make it to the next floor. We here at Honey’s Anime love The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth titles and find ourselves going back to it every so often.

The Binding of Isaac: Rebirth- Release Date Trailer (Official Trailer)


6. Rogue Legacy

  • System/Platform: PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Xbox One
  • Publisher: Cellar Door Games
  • Developer: Cellar Door Games
  • Release Date: Jun 27, 2013

Our 6 Games like Spelunky list ends with Rogue Legacy, easily one of our favorite roguelike titles ever. Taking control of a knight, you are tasked with entering a large randomized castle to defeat several bosses and enemies. However, upon death your character’s story ends but your children take up your mantle to beat their own trials inside the castle. Making it even more interesting, the knight’s children aren’t all the same and some suffer from some odd disabilities like seeing the world upside down or being unable to even see colors. In Rogue Legacy legends will be made and lost all in equal measure…how will your legend go?

Rogue Legacy by developer Cellar Door Games is worthy of our last spot on this amazing list of games like Spelunky. Players will fight ass various classes such as mages and assassins as they try to gain further along in the castle. Death means you lose your current character but your next character gains some stats and gold from the past warrior giving you some form of a handicap unlike Spelunky. The various disabilities in game add some cool gameplay mechanics—some better than others mind you—making each new run a fun challenge. With amazing art, a fun set of gameplay mechanics and plenty of reasons to keep replaying, Rogue Legacy is something you have to at least give a try and trust us you’ll be hooked once you do.

Rogue Legacy Trailer | E3 2014 | PS4, PS3 & PS Vita (Official Trailer)


Final Thoughts

What makes a good roguelike game is having an element of challenge—obviously—and all while making players get better and better to get full enjoyment of the game. Once you learn a way to play that suits your style most roguelike titles become easier in terms of mastering its content. However, with any game like Spelunky never let your guard down, as death waits for those who are unaware. Now that we here at Honey’s Anime are done with our list, you can sound off in the comments. Let us know how we did and what games we could have or should have included in our list. As always don’t forget to return to our amazing site for more great articles and lists coming at you very soon.

Terraria-game-300x386 6 Games Like Spelunky [Recommendations]

Writer

Author: Aaron

Hey everyone I’m Aaron Curbelo or Blade as I’m called by my YouTube Subscribers. I’ve been an anime/manga fan since I was a young kid. In terms of anime I have watched nearly a thousand shows and have read hundreds of manga series. I love writing and honestly was so happy to join Honey’s Anime to get a shot to write articles for such a wonderful site. I’m a firm believer in respect in the anime community being the most important embodiment we should all have. We all love anime and we have varying opinions of series but we should respect one another for those differences! Life is too precious to spend it making needless arguments in a community that should be the shining example of loving an amazing medium. I hope as a writer for Honey’s Anime I can bring you folks some amazing articles to read and enjoy!

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