Salt and Sanctuary similar games & best alternatives

Salt and Sanctuary

Mac, PlayStation 4, PC (Microsoft Windows), Nintendo Switch, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation Vita • 2016

Should you play it?

Explore a haunting, punishing island in this stylized 2D action RPG. Salt and Sanctuary combines fast and brutal 2D combat with richly developed RPG mechanics in a cursed realm of forgotten cities, blood-soaked dungeons, and desecrated monuments.

What works
  • Deep and rewarding combat
  • Extensive exploration with interconnected map and secrets
  • Large skill tree and build variety
  • Dark fantasy atmosphere and lore
  • Local co-op multiplayer
Things to keep in mind
  • Lack of in-game map causing navigation difficulty
  • Some bosses and enemies can feel repetitive or unbalanced
  • Platforming sections can be frustrating
  • Limited online multiplayer options
  • Some ui and inventory management issues

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Caveblazers

  • Hellpoint: The Thespian Feast

  • Fortune Summoners

  • TowerClimb

  • Shovel Knight: Shovel of Hope

  • GRIME

  • Infernax

  • Risk of Rain (2013)

  • Vagante
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • TowerClimb

  • Songbringer

  • HeXen II
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Exploration

    GRIME II
  • Fantasy

    DARK SOULS™ II
  • Growth

    First Cut: Samurai Duel

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).

Salt and Sanctuary: Broadly representative of its motivational profile, with a few distinct shifts. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Cooperation, Fellowship. It leans lower than usual among comparable games on 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 have freedom to explore, build, fight, and choose progression paths with skill trees and crafting."

    Capsule for RuneScape: Dragonwilds RuneScape: Dragonwilds

    "Players have freedom in character build, skill tree choices, and exploration order with multiple paths and secrets."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    4

    "Challenging combat requiring skill, timing, and learning enemy patterns; progression through upgrades and mastery of weapon proficiency."

    Capsule for The Surge The Surge

    "Challenging combat requiring skillful dodging, parrying, and boss pattern learning; progression through leveling and equipment upgrades."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    -3

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration; multiplayer co-op exists but no strong emphasis on competitive modes."

    Capsule for 5089: The Action RPG 5089: The Action RPG

    "Focus is on personal progression and exploration; multiplayer is local co-op only with no online competitive modes."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    4

    "Many players report long playtimes, multiple playthroughs, and high replay value with NG+ and build experimentation."

    Capsule for Black Myth: Wukong Black Myth: Wukong

    "Players report long playtimes, multiple playthroughs, and high replay value with new builds and NG+ modes."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    2

    "Supports local co-op and Remote Play Together, encouraging cooperative play, but lacks online multiplayer."

    Capsule for METAL SLUG 2 METAL SLUG 2

    "Local co-op supported, allowing cooperative play, but no online multiplayer; cooperation is possible but limited."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    3

    "Players can customize weapons, skills, and builds with a large skill tree and equipment variety."

    Capsule for Afterimage Afterimage

    "Extensive skill tree and weapon customization; players create unique builds and modify equipment with crafting and upgrades."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -4

    "Interactions emphasize skill and mutual respect rather than dominance or power over others."

    Capsule for Enter the Gungeon Enter the Gungeon

    "Interactions emphasize equal challenge and personal mastery rather than dominance or power over others."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Players immerse in a dark fantasy world with rich lore and atmosphere, providing strong escape from reality."

    Capsule for Lies of P Lies of P

    "Dark, immersive world with atmospheric exploration and lore encourages players to escape into the game's fantasy."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and love of the genre; no external obligation noted."

    Capsule for Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition Pathfinder: Wrath of the Righteous - Enhanced Edition

    "Players engage voluntarily driven by intrinsic interest and love for the genre; no obligation or pressure noted."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Players experiment with different character classes, skill builds, combos, and exploration paths."

    Capsule for Sacred Gold Sacred Gold

    "Players experiment with different builds, weapons, and skill paths; exploration of new areas with unlocked abilities."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    5

    "Large, interconnected map with secrets, multiple paths, and rewarding exploration is a core feature."

    Capsule for GRIME II GRIME II

    "Highly praised interconnected map with many secrets, shortcuts, and optional bosses; encourages thorough exploration."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Character customization includes appearance changes, skill builds, and equipment enchantments allowing personal expression."

    Capsule for Divinity II: Developer's Cut Divinity II: Developer's Cut

    "Character customization includes appearance, class choice, and equipment fashion; some limits but meaningful self-expression."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Dark fantasy setting with mythical creatures, undead, and supernatural elements."

    Capsule for DARK SOULS™ II DARK SOULS™ II

    "Dark fantasy setting with mythical creatures, undead, and supernatural lore; strong roleplaying and imaginative fiction."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    1

    "Some social connection through local co-op, but mostly single-player experience."

    Capsule for Shadowgrounds Shadowgrounds

    "Some social connection through local co-op and message system, but primarily a solitary experience."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Strong emphasis on learning, skill development, and mastering combat mechanics over time."

    Capsule for First Cut: Samurai Duel First Cut: Samurai Duel

    "Strong emphasis on learning combat mechanics, mastering bosses, and developing character builds and skills."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -5

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some frustration reported but no physical engagement."

    Capsule for Hellpoint: The Thespian Feast Hellpoint: The Thespian Feast

    "Sedentary gameplay with no physical activity; some frustration reported but no physical health engagement."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires continuous attention and focus during fast-paced combat and platforming; not suited for idle or background play."

    Capsule for Immortal Redneck Immortal Redneck

    "Requires continuous attention and focus due to challenging combat and platforming; not suitable for idle play."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -4

    "Social interactions are surface-level, mostly limited to local co-op without deep emotional connections."

    Capsule for Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!! Cook, Serve, Delicious! 2!!

    "Limited social interaction mostly surface-level; local co-op offers some connection but no deep relationships."

  • Leadership

    Game with the same Leadership vibe

    -3

    "No leadership roles; players act individually or cooperatively without hierarchical control."

    Capsule for Cry of Fear Cry of Fear

    "No explicit leadership roles; players act independently or cooperatively without hierarchical control."

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Strong progression through leveling, skill trees, gear acquisition, and unlocking new abilities."

    Capsule for CrossCode CrossCode

    "Strong progression through leveling, skill trees, equipment upgrades, and unlocking new abilities."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "High difficulty and punishing combat create tension and challenge rather than relaxation."

    Capsule for Unworthy Unworthy

    "Sustained tension from challenging enemies, platforming, and punishing death mechanics; not primarily relaxing."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    3

    "Dark atmospheric visuals and sound design provide sensory stimulation and emotional engagement."

    Capsule for PILGRIM PILGRIM

    "Dark atmospheric visuals and sound design provide immersive sensory experience with emotional intensity."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    -4

    "Focus on personal achievement and mastery rather than social recognition or popularity"

    Capsule for Graviteam Tactics: Mius-Front Graviteam Tactics: Mius-Front

    "Focus on individual achievement and mastery rather than social recognition or popularity."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    2

    "Emergent player-driven stories rather than scripted narrative; lore is present but secondary."

    Capsule for Haven & Hearth Haven & Hearth

    "Lore and story are fragmented and subtle, encouraging player discovery but not strongly narrative-driven."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Boss fights and base building require planning, tactical thinking, and resource management."

    Capsule for V Rising V Rising

    "Combat and build planning require strategic thinking; boss fights demand timing, positioning, and resource management."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    3

    "Tense combat and risk of death create suspense and excitement"

    Capsule for Dark Devotion Dark Devotion

    "Tense combat and platforming create suspense and excitement; risk of death adds thrill."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "Players report high value for price with many hours of gameplay and replayability."

    Capsule for Sea of Survivors Sea of Survivors

    "Players report high value for price with many hours of gameplay, replayability, and content."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat focused on defeating enemies and bosses with weapon attacks and blood effects."

    Capsule for Unworthy Unworthy

    "Combat focused on defeating enemies and bosses with visceral, bloody effects and weapon variety."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources like stamina and health; death penalties encourage careful play."

    Capsule for Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree Mandragora: Whispers of the Witch Tree

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources like health and stamina; death has significant penalties."

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Last update: 01/06/2026