12 Hardcore games like La-Mulana that you should try

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to La-Mulana — the two agree on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. It sets itself apart with fighting mechanics and strong narrative focus.

What brings it close to La-Mulana is punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on tone and progression: this one brings loot and gear systems, and strong narrative focus.

If La-Mulana worked for you because of punishing difficulty, open world exploration and melee combat, the same is here. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and fantasy world. Where the two diverge is visuals and setting: a sci-fi setting and a third-person camera.

If La-Mulana worked for you because of punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, the same is here. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and single-player focus. They part company on setting and game mode: this one brings a sci-fi setting and multiplayer gameplay.

It shares the essentials of what La-Mulana does: punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and pixel art. They part company on setting and tone: this one brings dark, oppressive atmosphere and horror setting.

What brings it close to La-Mulana is punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on setting: this one brings a sci-fi setting.

Of everything here, this is the nearest thing to La-Mulana — the two agree on genre, combat and game mode. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and pixel art.

What brings it close to La-Mulana is punishing difficulty, melee combat and fantasy world, and the two track each other on genre, combat and game mode. The common ground extends to exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. It sets itself apart with cozy, relaxing feel.

Matches like this one are rare: it meets La-Mulana on genre, game mode and tone. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and fantasy world. They part company on visuals and combat: this one brings magic-based combat and a third-person camera.

It shares the essentials of what La-Mulana does: punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on setting: this one brings a sci-fi setting.

What brings it close to La-Mulana is punishing difficulty, melee combat and single-player focus, and the two track each other on genre, combat and tone. To that it adds exploration and discovery, and 2D presentation. They part company on game mode: this one brings multiplayer gameplay.

The thread back to La-Mulana runs through exploration and discovery, punishing difficulty, and single-player focus. Both also lean on 2D presentation. The distance is in setting — its own ground is a sci-fi setting.