La-Mulana similar games & best alternatives

La-Mulana - Trailer
La-Mulana - la-mulana_1.avif
La-Mulana - la-mulana_2.avif
La-Mulana - la-mulana_3.avif
La-Mulana - la-mulana_4.avif
La-Mulana - la-mulana_5.avif
La-Mulana - la-mulana_6.avif

La-Mulana

PlayStation 4, Linux, PC (Microsoft Windows), Mac, PlayStation Vita, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch • 2013

Should you play it?

LA-MULANA is an “Archaeological Ruin Exploration Action Game,” bringing the classic appeal of adventure with the punishing difficulty of retro-inspired gaming. Search inside ancient ruins, seeking out the “Secret Treasure of Life” – which sleeps in the sprawling ruins of “LA-MULANA” and is said to be the beginning of all civilization.

What works

  • Deep and rewarding puzzle design
  • Vast non-linear exploration
  • Immersive ancient ruin atmosphere
  • Challenging boss fights
  • Excellent soundtrack and pixel art

Things to keep in mind

  • Very high difficulty and obtuse puzzles
  • Punishing platforming and controls
  • Requires extensive note-taking
  • Some puzzles require external guides
  • Can be frustrating and inaccessible

What to play next

Top picks

Games that feels the closest overall

  • La-Mulana 2

  • Zexion

  • Environmental Station Alpha

  • TAMASHII

  • MindSeize

  • Evil Tonight

More relaxing

Games that feels like La-Mulana but with a more relaxing feel

  • SteamWorld Dig 2

  • ANIMAL WELL

  • Alwa's Legacy

  • Axiom Verge 2

  • Catmaze

  • Treasure Adventure World

Choose your own criteria ->

Similarity map

How to compare these games

Compare nearby games

Each card is a nearby game on the similarity map, compared with La-Mulana. Swipe sideways to move between games. Titles already listed in What to play next are left out.

  • Cover and title: open that game’s page.
  • What works / keep in mind: the same highlights as the desktop comparison panel.
  • Bars: the main motivational differences versus this game.
How to use the graph

Similarity map

Each dot is a game placed from its motivation profile relative to this page’s game. Direction shows which motivation differs most; distance along that axis shows how large the gap is.

  • Purple star: this page’s game at the centre — everything is relative to it.
  • Direction: each axis is a main motivational difference vs this game (e.g. more / less competitive).
  • Distance on an axis: how large that difference is (ring scales show +/− points).
  • Coloured chips: click to highlight games that mainly differ on that motivation; click again to reset.
  • Dotted line: link between this page’s game and the one selected for comparison.
  • Hover a dot to preview that game in the panel on the right; click to keep that comparison.
  • Scroll or double-click the chart to zoom.

How to read the map This is a polar difference map: direction = which motivation differs, and distance = how much (same units as the sidebar deltas).

Swipe to compare nearby games with La-Mulana. These titles are not in What to play next.

La-Mulana: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Violence, Survival, Fellowship, Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Relaxation, Expression, Leadership.

Last update: 21/08/2026