Risk of Rain (2013) similar games & best alternatives

Risk of Rain (2013)

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

Should you play it?

Risk of Rain is an action platformer with roguelike elements. With permanent death as a primary feature, players will have to play their best to get as far as possible. Fight on a mysterious planet with randomly spawning enemies and bosses, either alone or with 3 friends in online co-op.

What works
  • Challenging and rewarding gameplay
  • High replayability with unlockables and artifacts
  • Unique characters with distinct playstyles
  • Excellent soundtrack and atmospheric pixel art
  • Local and online cooperative multiplayer
Things to keep in mind
  • Multiplayer setup can be difficult and buggy
  • Small character sprites can be hard to see
  • Lack of official multiplayer server browser
  • Some balance issues between characters
  • No native controller support for menus

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • TowerClimb

  • Roguelands

  • Vagante

  • Roboquest

  • Salt and Sanctuary

  • Enter the Gungeon

  • Magicite

  • Caveblazers

  • Astral Ascent
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • TowerClimb

  • Catacomb Kids

  • HeXen II
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Omega Strikers
  • Continuation

    Doomsday Hunters
  • Growth

    Across the Obelisk

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).

Risk of Rain (2013): 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 Intimacy, Relaxation.

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

    4

    "Players can choose from multiple characters with unique playstyles and decide on item and upgrade combinations, allowing for personal control over gameplay approach."

    Capsule for Mana Spark Mana Spark

    "Players choose from multiple unique characters and customize builds through item pickups, allowing personal playstyle and decision-making."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "High skill ceiling with fast-paced, competitive gameplay requiring quick decision-making, positioning, and mastery of unique character abilities."

    Capsule for Omega Strikers Omega Strikers

    "High skill ceiling with challenging gameplay, requiring mastery of character abilities, timing, and strategic item use."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on cooperative or solo play with no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards; players set their own goals and pace."

    Capsule for Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince Trine 4: The Nightmare Prince

    "Focus is on individual or cooperative play with no mention of ranked modes or leaderboards; players set personal goals."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "High replayability with many unlockables, meta progression, and varied content encourages long-term habitual play and repeated runs."

    Capsule for Doomsday Hunters Doomsday Hunters

    "Strong replayability with unlockables, artifacts, and randomized elements encouraging long-term habitual play."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    4

    "Supports local and online co-op up to 4 players; multiplayer enhances experience and is recommended."

    Capsule for Moon Hunters Moon Hunters

    "Supports local and online co-op up to 4 players, with teamwork important though some limitations in multiplayer setup."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players experiment with different characters, spells, and item combinations to create unique builds."

    Capsule for The Legend of Bum-Bo The Legend of Bum-Bo

    "Players create unique builds by combining various items and selecting characters with distinct skills."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize shared survival and cooperation rather than dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for ICARUS ICARUS

    "Interactions emphasize shared survival and cooperation rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Immersive sci-fi setting and challenging gameplay provide strong distraction and engagement from real life."

    Capsule for AI War 2 AI War 2

    "Immersive sci-fi setting and challenging gameplay provide engaging distraction and stress relief."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation."

    Capsule for 暖雪 Warm Snow 暖雪 Warm Snow

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and enjoyment rather than obligation."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Encourages trying different characters, abilities, and item combinations to discover new synergies and strategies."

    Capsule for FORWARD: Escape the Fold - Ultimate Edition FORWARD: Escape the Fold - Ultimate Edition

    "Encourages trying different characters, item combinations, and artifacts to discover new strategies."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    3

    "Randomized level layouts and hidden lore encourage discovery and curiosity-driven exploration."

    Capsule for Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken Deep Sleep: Labyrinth of the Forsaken

    "Randomized level layouts and hidden secrets motivate curiosity-driven discovery."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    2

    "Character selection and item builds allow some degree of self-expression, though no cosmetic customization noted."

    Capsule for Deathstate: Abyssal Edition Deathstate: Abyssal Edition

    "Character selection and item builds allow some degree of self-expression, though visual customization is limited."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    4

    "Set in a sci-fi fantasy world with imaginative enemies, powers, and lore."

    Capsule for GODBREAKERS GODBREAKERS

    "Set in an imaginative sci-fi world with fantastical enemies, items, and lore."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    3

    "Community and cooperative play foster social connection and shared experiences."

    Capsule for Saints Row IV: Re-Elected Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

    "Community and cooperative play foster social connection and shared experiences."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Players learn mechanics, improve skills, and develop characters through leveling and perks."

    Capsule for Across the Obelisk Across the Obelisk

    "Players learn mechanics, unlock characters and items, and improve skills over time."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

    Capsule for Chivalry: Medieval Warfare Chivalry: Medieval Warfare

    "Primarily sedentary gameplay with no physical activity involved."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

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

    Capsule for Frenzy Retribution Frenzy Retribution

    "Requires continuous attention and focus due to increasing difficulty and fast-paced combat."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -3

    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level cooperative play without deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for SnowRunner SnowRunner

    "Social interactions are mostly surface-level cooperative play without deep emotional connections."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -2

    "Players mostly participate equally in cooperative play without strong leadership roles."

    Capsule for Titan Quest Anniversary Edition Titan Quest Anniversary Edition

    "Players mainly participate equally in cooperative gameplay without explicit leadership roles."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, upgrades, and experience to enhance characters and unlock content."

    Capsule for Knights Within Knights Within

    "Strong emphasis on accumulating items, upgrades, and unlocking characters to progress."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -2

    "Gameplay is tense and challenging with moments of flow but sustained pressure and difficulty."

    Capsule for Witchfire Witchfire

    "Gameplay is tense and challenging, with increasing difficulty creating sustained pressure."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Dungreed Dungreed

    "Enjoyable pixel art visuals and a highly praised dynamic soundtrack provide sensory stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -3

    "No social recognition or ranking systems; focus is on personal achievement."

    Capsule for ScourgeBringer ScourgeBringer

    "Lack of social ranking or recognition systems; focus is on personal achievement."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Narrative is present but light and secondary to gameplay; some players appreciate the lore."

    Capsule for Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter Serious Sam Classic: The Second Encounter

    "Lore is subtle and revealed through item and monster logs, providing narrative immersion for interested players."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires tactical planning in character builds, item management, and combat approaches to succeed."

    Capsule for Full Mojo Rampage Full Mojo Rampage

    "Requires planning item builds, managing time, and tactical use of character abilities."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "Rising difficulty and risk create suspense, tension, and excitement."

    Capsule for Risk of Rain 2 Risk of Rain 2

    "Increasing difficulty and risk create suspense and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Highly praised for content and replayability relative to price."

    Capsule for SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition

    "Highly praised for replayability and content relative to price."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Core gameplay involves combat, destruction of enemies and bosses with weapons and melee attacks."

    Capsule for GIGANTIC ARMY GIGANTIC ARMY

    "Core gameplay involves combat, defeating enemies and bosses with various weapons and abilities."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    5

    "Central theme is managing resources and avoiding death in a hostile environment."

    Capsule for Organ Trail: Director's Cut Organ Trail: Director's Cut

    "Central theme of surviving hostile environments with resource and time management."

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Last update: 01/06/2026