21 Games with a sci-fi setting like Cave Story+ that you should try

If Cave Story+ worked for you because of punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting, the same is here. To that it adds single-player focus and pixel art. They part company on tone and setting: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and fantasy world.

Genre puts it alongside Cave Story+, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds single-player focus. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings a cyberpunk setting and a third-person camera.

It comes from the same genre as Cave Story+ and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. Both also lean on single-player focus. The distance is in visuals and setting — its own ground is a cyberpunk setting and an isometric view.

The thread back to Cave Story+ runs through punishing difficulty, ranged combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds 2D presentation and single-player focus. They part company on setting: this one brings an anime aesthetic.

The genre is the same as Cave Story+’s, and with it strong narrative focus, ranged combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and setting: this one brings post-apocalyptic world and multiplayer gameplay.

Shelved next to Cave Story+ for good reason: punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to pixel art and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is game mode and setting: post-apocalyptic world and multiplayer gameplay.

Same family as Cave Story+: punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus and 2D presentation. Where the two diverge is tone and visuals: a casual, approachable feel and a space setting.

On paper it is what Cave Story+ is — punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting — though the resemblance is mostly at that level. To that it adds single-player focus. They part company on visuals and game mode: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and multiplayer gameplay.

Shelved next to Cave Story+ for good reason: punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: a cyberpunk setting and a first-person view.

It comes from the same genre as Cave Story+ and shares punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: loot and gear systems, and a cyberpunk setting.

The thread back to Cave Story+ runs through shooting mechanics, ranged combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus and pixel art. Where the two diverge is visuals: a first-person view.

Genre puts it alongside Cave Story+, and so does punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and game mode: dark, oppressive atmosphere and multiplayer gameplay.

It comes from the same genre as Cave Story+ and shares punishing difficulty, ranged combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds single-player focus and 2D presentation. They part company on game mode and visuals: this one brings a casual, approachable feel and multiplayer gameplay.

Shelved next to Cave Story+ for good reason: punishing difficulty, ranged combat and a sci-fi setting. The common ground extends to single-player focus. Where the two diverge is visuals and game mode: competitive edge and multiplayer gameplay.

Same family as Cave Story+: punishing difficulty, melee combat and a sci-fi setting. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on visuals and game mode: this one brings horror setting and co-op play.