Valdis Story: Abyssal City similar games & best alternatives

Valdis Story: Abyssal City

PC (Microsoft Windows) • 2013

Should you play it?

Assume the role of Wyatt in this Action/Exploration Platformer as you explore the ruins of a holy city that was lost many years ago. Battle various types of demons, angels, and a new threat known only as the “Ferals”, using swordsmanship, martial arts, and sorcery.

What works
  • Challenging and rewarding combat system
  • Multiple playable characters with unique playstyles
  • Deep customization and skill trees
  • High replayability with varied builds and difficulties
  • Beautiful hand-drawn graphics and excellent soundtrack
Things to keep in mind
  • Steep learning curve and high difficulty may frustrate some players
  • Lack of global map and some confusing navigation
  • Platforming controls can be imprecise
  • Story and lore are somewhat sparse and require exploration to understand
  • No multiplayer or cooperative features

What to play next

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

Top picks

Games that feel the closest overall

  • Wings of Vi

  • Rabi-Ribi

  • Exanima

  • Rusted Moss

  • SanctuaryRPG: Black Edition

  • GRIME

  • Dungeonmans

  • Revita

  • Super Meat Boy
Hidden Gems

Less popular games with surprisingly high similarity

  • Advent NEON®

  • Dungeon Peplum

  • Drifting Lands
If you liked…

Recommendations by what you enjoyed most

  • Competence

    Zexion
  • Continuation

    Aces & Adventures
  • Fantasy

    Barony

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).

Valdis Story: Abyssal City: Less representative of its motivational profile, with noticeable differences. Motivations that often define this kind of title include Fellowship, Violence, Survival, Cooperation. Here, the score leans higher than usual among comparable games on Competition, Status. 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

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    "Players have extensive control over character builds, skill trees, and playstyles, enabling personal freedom in gameplay decisions."

    Capsule for Path of Exile 2 Path of Exile 2

    "Players have freedom to choose characters, playstyles, skill trees, and upgrade paths, allowing personal control over gameplay."

  • Competence

    Game with the same Competence vibe

    5

    "The game is highly challenging with complex boss fights and demanding combat mechanics, requiring skill mastery and rewarding player improvement."

    Capsule for Zexion Zexion

    "The game is challenging with complex combat, boss fights requiring skill and pattern learning, and rewarding mastery."

  • Competition

    Game with the same Competition vibe

    3

    "Includes ranked mode and leaderboards encouraging comparison with others."

    Capsule for Tin Can Tin Can

    "Includes boss ranking system and leaderboards encouraging comparison and skill improvement against others."

  • Continuation

    Game with the same Continuation vibe

    5

    "High replayability with multiple characters, unlocks, and modes encourages long sessions and habitual play."

    Capsule for Aces & Adventures Aces & Adventures

    "High replayability with multiple characters, builds, and difficulty levels leading to long playtime and habitual engagement."

  • Cooperation

    Game with the same Cooperation vibe

    -4

    "Single-player focused with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

    Capsule for Freedom Planet 2 Freedom Planet 2

    "Single-player focused with no multiplayer or cooperative gameplay elements."

  • Creativity

    Game with the same Creativity vibe

    4

    "Players can customize characters extensively and experiment with builds, skills, and equipment."

    Capsule for Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER - Fantasy Maiden Wars - DREAM OF THE STRAY DREAMER -

    "Players can customize characters extensively via skill trees, equipment, and magic, enabling creative builds."

  • Domination

    Game with the same Domination vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and respectful."

    Capsule for Melatonin Melatonin

    "No evidence of exerting control or superiority over others; gameplay is individual and respectful."

  • Escapism

    Game with the same Escapism vibe

    4

    "Fantasy setting and immersive gameplay provide strong escape from real life stresses."

    Capsule for Age of Wonders Age of Wonders

    "Immersive fantasy world and challenging gameplay provide strong escape from real-life stress."

  • Expectation

    Game with the same Expectation vibe

    -4

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation or external pressure."

    Capsule for Settlement Survival Settlement Survival

    "Players engage voluntarily out of intrinsic interest and enjoyment, not obligation or external pressure."

  • Experimenting

    Game with the same Experimenting vibe

    4

    "Encourages trying different characters, builds, and strategies to overcome challenges."

    Capsule for Runestone Keeper Runestone Keeper

    "Encourages trying different characters, builds, and strategies to overcome challenges and bosses."

  • Exploration

    Game with the same Exploration vibe

    4

    "Metroidvania style encourages discovering new areas, secrets, and backtracking with new abilities."

    Capsule for STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜® STRIDER™ / ストライダー飛竜®

    "Metroidvania style encourages discovering new areas, secrets, and backtracking with new abilities."

  • Expression

    Game with the same Expression vibe

    3

    "Customization of characters through equipment and skill trees allows personal expression of playstyle."

    Capsule for Full Metal Furies Full Metal Furies

    "Character customization through skill trees, equipment, and magic allows personal expression of playstyle."

  • Fantasy

    Game with the same Fantasy vibe

    5

    "Set in a fantasy world with magic, monsters, and mythical elements."

    Capsule for Barony Barony

    "Set in a fantasy world with angels, demons, magic, and mythical story elements."

  • Fellowship

    Game with the same Fellowship vibe

    -5

    "No social or community features; gameplay is solo and independent."

    Capsule for Blade Assault Blade Assault

    "No social or community features; gameplay is solo and independent."

  • Growth

    Game with the same Growth vibe

    5

    "Strong focus on learning combat mechanics, skill acquisition, and character progression through leveling and gear upgrades."

    Capsule for Nioh: Complete Edition Nioh: Complete Edition

    "Strong emphasis on learning combat mechanics, improving skills, and character development through leveling."

  • Health

    Game with the same Health vibe

    -4

    "Requires long sedentary play sessions with intense focus; no physical activity elements."

    Capsule for Gothic II: Gold Edition Gothic II: Gold Edition

    "Requires extended sedentary play sessions with intense focus; no physical activity elements."

  • Idle

    Game with the same Idle vibe

    -4

    "Requires constant attention and focus due to precision platforming and challenging combat."

    Capsule for JUMP KING QUEST JUMP KING QUEST

    "Requires constant attention and precision, especially in combat and platforming sections."

  • Intimacy

    Game with the same Intimacy vibe

    -5

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

    Capsule for Glittermitten Grove Glittermitten Grove

    "No evidence of forming close relationships or emotional social interactions."

  • Leadership
    Insufficient data

    No nearest game available

  • Progression

    Game with the same Progression vibe

    5

    "Character leveling, skill point allocation, equipment upgrades, and unlocking new abilities drive progression."

    Capsule for UnEpic UnEpic

    "Character leveling, skill trees, equipment upgrades, and boss ranking rewards drive progression."

  • Relaxation

    Game with the same Relaxation vibe

    -3

    "The game is challenging and can be frustrating, requiring focus and persistence rather than relaxation."

    Capsule for R-Type Final 2 R-Type Final 2

    "Game is challenging and can be frustrating, requiring focus and persistence rather than relaxation."

  • Sensation

    Game with the same Sensation vibe

    4

    "Engaging combat animations, music, and detailed environments provide strong sensory stimulation."

    Capsule for Lost Judgment Lost Judgment

    "Engaging combat, music, and visuals provide strong sensory and emotional stimulation."

  • Status

    Game with the same Status vibe

    2

    "Leaderboard rankings provide some social recognition, though limited in scope."

    Capsule for ROGUE LIGHT DECK BUILDER ROGUE LIGHT DECK BUILDER

    "Leaderboards and boss rankings provide some social recognition, though limited."

  • Story

    Game with the same Story vibe

    3

    "The narrative and lore add to player immersion."

    Capsule for 9 Days 9 Days

    "Narrative with characters, lore, and plot twists enriches player immersion beyond context-free action."

  • Strategy

    Game with the same Strategy vibe

    4

    "Requires planning and tactical thinking to learn boss patterns, optimize builds, and execute combat strategies."

    Capsule for NanoApostle NanoApostle

    "Requires planning builds, learning boss patterns, and tactical combat decisions."

  • Thrill

    Game with the same Thrill vibe

    4

    "High tension and suspense from difficult platforming and boss fights create thrilling experiences."

    Capsule for Wings of Vi Wings of Vi

    "Boss fights and timed platforming provide suspense, challenge, and excitement."

  • Value

    Game with the same Value vibe

    4

    "High replay value, frequent updates, and extensive content provide strong return on investment."

    Capsule for AI War 2 AI War 2

    "High replayability, free updates, and content depth provide good return on investment."

  • Violence

    Game with the same Violence vibe

    4

    "Combat focused on defeating enemies and bosses with weapons and magic."

    Capsule for DARK SOULS™ II DARK SOULS™ II

    "Combat focused on defeating enemies and bosses with melee and magic attacks."

  • Survival

    Game with the same Survival vibe

    3

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources to progress through stages and bosses."

    Capsule for Holo X Break Holo X Break

    "Players must avoid death and manage resources to progress through difficult enemies and bosses."

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Last update: 01/06/2026