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Spelunky 2 similar games & best alternatives

Spelunky 2

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2020

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Quick resume

Spelunky 2 builds upon the unique, randomized challenges that made the original a roguelike classic, offering a huge adventure designed to satisfy players old and new. Meet the next generation of explorers as they find themselves on the Moon, searching for treasure and missing family.

Global score

93/100

Genres

Action, Indie, Adventure, Platform

Similar games

    Pros

    • Deep and rewarding gameplay
    • High replayability with secrets and alternate paths
    • Tight controls and polished mechanics
    • Challenging but fair difficulty
    • Fun multiplayer co-op mode

    Cons

    • Steep learning curve can be frustrating
    • Some areas feel congested or unfair
    • Lack of polish in hitboxes and ui
    • No native mod support limits content expansion
    • Online multiplayer can be glitchy

    Motivations

    • Autonomy

      Game with the same Autonomy vibe

      4

      "Players have freedom to choose trade routes, goods, and strategies with multiple gameplay options and decision making."

      Capsule for Merchants of Kaidan Merchants of Kaidan

      "Players have significant freedom to choose routes, decide how to interact with shops, enemies, and items, and explore secrets independently."

    • Competence

      Game with the same Competence vibe

      5

      "The game is skill-based with a steep learning curve, rewarding mastery of controls and strategy against challenging AI opponents."

      Capsule for Punch A Bunch Punch A Bunch

      "The game is highly skill-based with a steep learning curve, rewarding mastery of mechanics and knowledge of enemy behavior."

    • Competition

      Game with the same Competition vibe

      -2

      "Focus is primarily on cooperative play and personal skill improvement rather than direct competition; PvP mode exists but is not the main draw."

      Capsule for Warhammer: Vermintide 2 Warhammer: Vermintide 2

      "Focus is primarily on individual runs and personal improvement; PvP exists but is considered a minor gimmick."

    • Continuation

      Game with the same Continuation vibe

      4

      "Many players report long play sessions and habitual engagement despite frustration."

      Capsule for Jump King Jump King

      "Players report long play sessions and habitual engagement despite frequent deaths and frustration."

    • Cooperation

      Game with the same Cooperation vibe

      3

      "Local co-op and multiplayer modes exist and are enjoyed, though main experience is single-player."

      Capsule for JumpJet Rex JumpJet Rex

      "Online and local co-op modes exist and are enjoyed, adding a cooperative dimension to gameplay."

    • Creativity

      Game with the same Creativity vibe

      3

      "Community mods, custom maps, and game modes allow creative expression beyond base game; some players enjoy modding."

      Capsule for Counter-Strike Counter-Strike

      "Players experiment with different paths, item uses, and strategies; modding community adds creative content."

    • Domination

      Game with the same Domination vibe

      -3

      "Interactions emphasize balanced competition and mutual respect rather than dominance or trash talk."

      Capsule for Once Upon a Galaxy Once Upon a Galaxy

      "Interactions emphasize shared challenge and mutual respect rather than dominance or trash talk."

    • Escapism

      Game with the same Escapism vibe

      4

      "Players use the game as a stress reliever and immersive distraction with intense, satisfying combat."

      Capsule for SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising SYNTHETIK: Legion Rising

      "Players use the game as a challenging distraction and stress relief, immersing in its punishing world."

    • Expectation

      Game with the same Expectation vibe

      -4

      "Engagement is voluntary and driven by intrinsic motivation and personal desire to improve."

      Capsule for Dustforce DX Dustforce DX

      "Engagement is driven by intrinsic motivation, personal desire to improve, and love of challenge."

    • Experimenting

      Game with the same Experimenting vibe

      4

      "Players try different classes, item uses, and strategies; the game encourages learning through trial and error."

      Capsule for Pixel Dungeon Pixel Dungeon

      "Players try new routes, tactics, and item combinations, embracing trial and error learning."

    • Exploration

      Game with the same Exploration vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on discovering secrets, hidden levels, and multiple paths."

      Capsule for Garbanzo Quest Garbanzo Quest

      "Strong emphasis on discovering secrets, alternate paths, and hidden bosses."

    • Expression

      Game with the same Expression vibe

      2

      "Character customization and skins available, though limited compared to other games."

      Capsule for BrainBread 2 BrainBread 2

      "Character variety and cosmetic skins exist, but customization is limited compared to other games."

    • Fantasy

      Game with the same Fantasy vibe

      4

      "The game features imaginative creatures, bosses, magic, and fantasy settings beyond realistic scenarios."

      Capsule for Terraria Terraria

      "The game features imaginative settings, creatures, and scenarios beyond realistic experience."

    • Fellowship

      Game with the same Fellowship vibe

      3

      "Co-op play and community sharing of experiences foster a sense of belonging."

      Capsule for Dead Rising 2: Off the Record Dead Rising 2: Off the Record

      "Community sharing, co-op play, and collaborative discovery foster a sense of belonging."

    • Growth

      Game with the same Growth vibe

      5

      "Strong emphasis on learning enemy patterns, skill acquisition, and personal improvement through progression systems."

      Capsule for Orbital Bullet – The 360° Rogue-lite Orbital Bullet – The 360° Rogue-lite

      "Learning enemy patterns, mechanics, and strategies is central to player progression."

    • Health

      Game with the same Health vibe

      -4

      "The game encourages long sedentary play sessions with intense focus and frustration, no physical activity involved."

      Capsule for JUMP KING QUEST JUMP KING QUEST

      "The game encourages long sedentary play sessions with intense focus, no physical activity."

    • Idle

      Game with the same Idle vibe

      -4

      "Requires constant attention and focus due to high difficulty and fast-paced action."

      Capsule for Catacomb Kids Catacomb Kids

      "Requires constant attention and focus due to high difficulty and fast-paced action."

    • Intimacy

      Game with the same Intimacy vibe

      1

      "Some social interaction in co-op and community, but limited close emotional connections."

      Capsule for Noobs Are Coming Noobs Are Coming

      "Some social interaction through co-op and community, but limited emotional closeness."

    • Leadership

      Game with the same Leadership vibe

      -3

      "Players mostly participate equally in co-op without strong leadership or authoritative roles."

      Capsule for Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Complete Edition Travis Strikes Again: No More Heroes Complete Edition

      "Players mostly support each other in co-op without formal leadership roles."

    • Progression

      Game with the same Progression vibe

      4

      "Players collect items, unlock shortcuts, and complete puzzles to advance; achievements and secrets add to progression."

      Capsule for Emissary Zero Emissary Zero

      "Players collect items, unlock shortcuts, and accumulate knowledge to advance further."

    • Relaxation

      Game with the same Relaxation vibe

      -3

      "The game induces frustration and tension more than relaxation or flow."

      Capsule for ALTF4 ALTF4

      "The game induces tension and frustration more than relaxation or flow states."

    • Sensation

      Game with the same Sensation vibe

      3

      "Vibrant visuals, dynamic audio, and varied gameplay provide stimulating sensory and emotional experiences."

      Capsule for It Takes Two Friend's Pass It Takes Two Friend's Pass

      "Dynamic visuals, sound design, and emergent gameplay provide sensory and emotional stimulation."

    • Status

      Game with the same Status vibe

      1

      "Some recognition through achievements and community status, but mostly individual focus."

      Capsule for Obama Maze Obama Maze

      "Some recognition through achievements and community respect, but mostly individual focus."

    • Story

      Game with the same Story vibe

      2

      "Light narrative and lore exist but gameplay is the primary focus."

      Capsule for Crypt of the NecroDancer Crypt of the NecroDancer

      "There is a light narrative and lore, but gameplay is the main focus."

    • Strategy

      Game with the same Strategy vibe

      5

      "High mental challenge requiring planning, problem solving, and strategic decision making."

      Capsule for Ratopia Ratopia

      "High mental challenge with planning, risk assessment, and problem solving required."

    • Thrill

      Game with the same Thrill vibe

      4

      "Players experience suspense and excitement from risky situations and narrow escapes."

      Capsule for Heat Signature Heat Signature

      "Players experience suspense, tension, and excitement from risky situations and near-death moments."

    • Value

      Game with the same Value vibe

      4

      "Players perceive high value due to extensive content, unique gameplay, and replayability."

      Capsule for Baba Is You Baba Is You

      "Players perceive high value due to extensive content, replayability, and challenge."

    • Violence

      Game with the same Violence vibe

      3

      "Combat and destruction are core mechanics with weapons, traps, and attacks on opposing players."

      Capsule for Midnight Ghost Hunt Midnight Ghost Hunt

      "Combat and destruction are core mechanics, with frequent enemy kills and environmental hazards."

    • Survival

      Game with the same Survival vibe

      5

      "Avoiding death and managing limited resources are key gameplay elements."

      Capsule for Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon® Tom Clancy's Ghost Recon®

      "Avoiding death and managing resources is central to gameplay."

    Analysis

    Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Cooperation, Fellowship, Intimacy, Leadership. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Survival. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Leadership.

    How to use the graph
    Similar games map

    Each dot is a game. They are arranged from the same motivation profile as in the “Motivations” section below. Closer dots usually mean more similar reasons to play (exploration, competition, relaxation, etc.)—not that one game is “better” than another.

    • Larger dot with a light outline: the game you are viewing.
    • Colour: groups of games with comparable motivation patterns (statistical clusters).
    • Hover a dot to see the game name; click to open its page.
    • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom out and see more games.

    Why don’t the axes read like a score? This view uses t-SNE: it only keeps who is close to whom. The scales are not “good to bad” or hours played—they separate groups on the map. Read distance between dots, not the axis numbers.

    Where to buy

    Last update: 30/04/2026