F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch Thumbnail

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch similar games & best alternatives

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch

PC (Microsoft Windows), Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 5 • 2021

Related articles

Quick resume

F.I.S.T.: Forged In Shadow Torch is a Metroidvania action game featuring exploration, intense combat and challenging platforming.

Global score

87/100

Genres

Action, Adventure, Indie, Role-playing (RPG), Simulator, Sport, Platform

Similar games

    Pros

    • Beautiful graphics and animations
    • Fluid and satisfying combat system
    • Large, detailed map with secrets and collectibles
    • Engaging exploration and backtracking
    • Good value for price and content length

    Cons

    • Some technical issues and occasional crashes
    • Combat can be clunky or frustrating at times
    • Underwater sections and puzzles criticized
    • Story is serviceable but not deeply compelling
    • Limited fast travel points leading to tedious backtracking

    Analysis

    A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Cooperation, Leadership, Violence. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Violence, Exploration, Sensation.

    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.

    Motivations

    • Autonomy
      4

      "Players have freedom to explore a large map, choose weapons and combos, and decide their approach to combat and exploration."

    • Competence
      4

      "Combat requires skillful timing, learning combos, parrying, and pattern recognition; bosses provide challenging tests of player ability."

    • Competition
      -3

      "Focus is on single-player experience with no evidence of competitive modes or leaderboards."

    • Continuation
      3

      "Players report long playtimes, backtracking, and exploration incentives encouraging extended engagement."

    • Cooperation
      -5

      "Game is a single-player Metroidvania with no cooperative multiplayer or teamwork elements."

    • Creativity
      3

      "Players can customize weapon paint schemes and experiment with combos and weapon switching to create unique fighting styles."

    • Domination
      -5

      "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over other players; interactions are single-player focused."

    • Escapism
      4

      "Immersive world, story, and gameplay provide a strong escape from real life stress and offer engaging distraction."

    • Expectation
      -4

      "Players engage voluntarily out of interest and enjoyment; no indications of obligation or external pressure."

    • Experimenting
      3

      "Players try different combos, weapons, and explore new areas; some sequence breaking possible."

    • Exploration
      4

      "Large interconnected map with secrets, collectibles, and gating abilities encourages discovery and backtracking."

    • Expression
      2

      "Weapon skins and paint schemes allow some degree of self-expression, though limited to cosmetic changes."

    • Fantasy
      4

      "Anthropomorphic animals in a dieselpunk world with exaggerated combat moves create a strong fantasy experience."

    • Fellowship
      -4

      "Single-player game with minimal social interaction or community involvement described."

    • Growth
      4

      "Players learn combos, master combat mechanics, and acquire new abilities that enhance gameplay and progression."

    • Health
      -4

      "Typical sedentary gaming experience with no physical activity or health-related features."

    • Idle
      -4

      "Requires focused attention and continuous engagement; not suitable for casual or background play."

    • Intimacy
      -4

      "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional sharing; primarily a solo experience."

    • Leadership
      -5

      "No leadership or group management elements; single-player focused gameplay."

    • Progression
      4

      "Players collect items, unlock weapons and abilities, and complete challenges to advance and upgrade."

    • Relaxation
      2

      "Generally enjoyable and satisfying gameplay with some tension during boss fights and difficult sections."

    • Sensation
      4

      "High-quality graphics, animations, sound effects, and music provide strong sensory stimulation."

    • Status
      -4

      "No social status or recognition systems; achievements are personal and not publicly ranked."

    • Story
      3

      "Narrative with characters and cutscenes is present and moderately engaging, though not deeply complex."

    • Strategy
      3

      "Combat and boss fights require learning patterns, timing, and planning combos; some puzzle elements present."

    • Thrill
      3

      "Boss fights and difficult platforming sections provide moments of suspense and challenge."

    • Value
      4

      "Players report good content length and quality for price; seen as a worthwhile purchase."

    • Violence
      3

      "Combat focused on melee attacks and defeating robotic enemies; stylized violence is central to gameplay."

    • Survival
      2

      "Players must avoid damage and defeat enemies to survive; resource management is minimal but present."

    Where to buy

    Come talk about it on Discord!

    Last update: 29/04/2026