Nine Parchments similar games & best alternatives

Nine Parchments

PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Xbox One • 2017

Should you play it?

Nine Parchments is a co-operative blast'em up game of magic mayhem from Frozenbyte, creators of the Trine series!

What works
  • Beautiful graphics and music
  • Engaging cooperative multiplayer
  • Challenging and skillful combat
  • Variety of characters and spells
  • Good replay value and progression
Things to keep in mind
  • Minimal story and narrative depth
  • Linear level design with limited exploration
  • Some technical issues with multiplayer
  • No ability to switch characters mid-run
  • Friendly fire can frustrate some players

What to play next

Similar games, hidden gems, and fresh directions from this game.

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Nevergrind Online

  • Ember Knights

  • Zombie Party

  • Sky Knights

  • Monster Hunter Rise: Sunbreak Demo

  • Zombie Estate 2

  • Storm Striker

  • WARSHIFT

  • Predecessor
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Sky Knights

  • Gunheart

  • Perennial Order
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Cooperation

    Inside the Backrooms
  • Fantasy

    The Huntsman: Winter's Curse
  • Competence

    HROT

Similarity map

Explore nearby similar games and see why they’re close.

How to use the graph
Similarity map

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

  • Purple star: this page’s game — everything on the map is relative to it.
  • 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 for a screenshot preview, score, and top score gaps; click to compare in the panel on the right.
  • 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 (hidden on purpose).

Nine Parchments: A very typical example of its motivational profile. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Competition, Fellowship, Status, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Intimacy. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on Domination, Exploration.

Why this game works

A motivational profile of the game, with the closest similar game for each player motivation.

  • Autonomy

    Game with the same Autonomy vibe

    3

    "Players can freely choose characters, equipment, and switch between two characters in battle, allowing some control over playstyle."

    Capsule for Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed Hyperdimension Neptunia U: Action Unleashed

    "Players choose characters and spells freely, but cannot switch characters mid-run, encouraging planned choices and some freedom within runs."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Challenging combat requiring skillful dodging, resource management, and mastery of weapons; difficulty modes increase challenge."

    Capsule for HROT HROT

    "Challenging combat requiring skillful spell selection, positioning, and teamwork, especially on higher difficulties and hardcore mode."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    1

    "Some leaderboard and arena modes exist, but most play is casual or cooperative without heavy focus on competition."

    Capsule for Paint the Town Red Paint the Town Red

    "Some leaderboard elements in arena mode and hardcore runs, but mostly cooperative play without heavy player-vs-player competition."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    3

    "Encourages multiple playthroughs to unlock all content and endings; players show attachment and replay motivation despite some grind and repetition."

    Capsule for Later Alligator Later Alligator

    "Encourages multiple playthroughs to unlock characters, spells, and achievements; players report habitual replay and grinding."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    5

    "Highly cooperative gameplay with emphasis on teamwork, communication, and shared problem solving."

    Capsule for Inside the Backrooms Inside the Backrooms

    "Strongly cooperative gameplay with up to 4 players, requiring teamwork, coordination, and friendly fire mechanics."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    2

    "Players customize builds via talent trees and equipment, but within predefined systems."

    Capsule for Farmer Against Potatoes Idle Farmer Against Potatoes Idle

    "Players customize builds via talent trees and spell loadouts, but level design and progression are linear with limited environmental interaction."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -3

    "The game promotes teamwork and balanced roles rather than dominance or superiority over others; no toxic PvP community."

    Capsule for Bloodsports.TV Bloodsports.TV

    "Gameplay emphasizes shared team effort and mutual respect; friendly fire punishes careless dominance; no PvP mode."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Colorful fantasy world, humorous characters, and immersive music provide a strong escape from reality."

    Capsule for Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut Shantae: Risky's Revenge - Director's Cut

    "Colorful fantasy world with immersive visuals and music provides strong escapism and stress relief."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social interaction, no evidence of obligation or pressure."

    Capsule for Takelings House Party Takelings House Party

    "Players engage voluntarily for fun and social interaction; no evidence of obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    3

    "Players try different spell decks and strategies to overcome challenges; deck randomness encourages adaptation."

    Capsule for The Knight Witch The Knight Witch

    "Players experiment with different spell combinations and character builds; some randomness in spell acquisition encourages adaptation."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    -2

    "Linear level design with limited exploration; focus is on progressing through known stages rather than discovering new areas."

    Capsule for Iron Meat Iron Meat

    "Linear level design with limited exploration; some hidden items and collectibles encourage minor exploration."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Some character customization via skins and hats; limited but present self-expression through cosmetic choices."

    Capsule for Rat Quest Rat Quest

    "Character customization via skins, hats (cosmetic), and talent trees allows personal expression within limits."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Set in a dark fairy tale universe with fantasy characters, magic, and mythical creatures."

    Capsule for The Huntsman: Winter's Curse The Huntsman: Winter's Curse

    "Set in the Trine universe with magical spells, fantasy creatures, and a fairy tale atmosphere."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    4

    "Strong community and social play focus, with players enjoying shared experiences and cooperative achievements."

    Capsule for GUNTOUCHABLES GUNTOUCHABLES

    "Strong community and social play focus; players enjoy shared experiences and cooperative achievements."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    4

    "Character leveling, unlock systems, and skill trees provide clear learning and development opportunities."

    Capsule for Galaxy Squad Galaxy Squad

    "Character leveling, talent trees, and unlocking new spells and characters provide learning and development."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; long sessions reported."

    Capsule for Neon Chrome Neon Chrome

    "Typical sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; long sessions reported."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -3

    "Requires focused attention during combat; not designed for background or casual idle play."

    Capsule for Dead Effect Dead Effect

    "Requires focused attention during combat; not suitable for background or casual idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    3

    "Cooperative play fosters social interaction and bonding, though no deep emotional connections are described."

    Capsule for Species: Unknown Species: Unknown

    "Cooperative play fosters social bonding and friendly interactions, though not deeply intimate relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    1

    "Players can coordinate team actions but no formal leadership or authority roles are emphasized."

    Capsule for Obscure Obscure

    "Some players coordinate team roles and strategies, but no formal leadership or authority roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    4

    "Strong progression through leveling, equipment upgrades, and unlocking characters and abilities."

    Capsule for BERSERK and the Band of the Hawk BERSERK and the Band of the Hawk

    "Strong progression through leveling, unlocking characters, spells, and cosmetic items."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    2

    "Some players find the music and atmosphere relaxing, but gameplay can be tense and challenging."

    Capsule for Camera Obscura Camera Obscura

    "Visuals and music are relaxing, but gameplay can be tense and challenging, especially in hardcore mode."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Colorful visuals and spell effects provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

    Capsule for Spellsworn Spellsworn

    "Colorful spell effects and dynamic combat provide sensory stimulation and excitement."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    1

    "Some recognition through achievements and cosmetic unlocks, but limited social status or popularity elements."

    Capsule for Punch A Bunch Punch A Bunch

    "Some recognition through achievements and unlocks, but limited social status or popularity mechanics."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    -3

    "Minimal narrative focus; story is simple and mostly a backdrop to combat."

    Capsule for Kung Fu Strike - The Warrior's Rise Kung Fu Strike - The Warrior's Rise

    "Minimal narrative and weak story; mostly context-free combat and progression."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires strategic spell crafting, build planning, and tactical combat decisions."

    Capsule for Runers Runers

    "Requires tactical spell selection, positioning, and team coordination to overcome enemy immunities and challenges."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Combat difficulty and survival mode provide suspense and excitement."

    Capsule for Armed with Wings: Rearmed Armed with Wings: Rearmed

    "Challenging combat and hardcore mode provide suspense and thrill; friendly fire adds unpredictability."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    3

    "Generally perceived as good value for price, especially for multiplayer fun and replayability."

    Capsule for The Break-In The Break-In

    "Good perceived value for price, especially with replayability and multiplayer fun."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    3

    "Combat involves melee and magical attacks against enemies with graphic gore and destruction."

    Capsule for Hexen: Beyond Heretic Hexen: Beyond Heretic

    "Combat involves magical attacks and destruction of enemies; some melee attacks; no excessive gore."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources in challenging boss fights and hardcore modes."

    Capsule for Dwarven Realms Dwarven Realms

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources; hardcore mode punishes failure severely."

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Last update: 01/06/2026