Braid is considered by many to be an indie masterpiece. It’s painterly-art style, tasteful music, and intricate puzzle design helped launch it into gaming greatness. Fast forward a decade and the impact of Jonathan Blow’s magnum opus can still be felt throughout the gaming community.

While many have played Braid and sang its praises, it’s relatively short story can leave you wanting more. Here’s a list of ten games that are just as good as Braid, if not better in their own way. Whether you love Braid for its puzzles, artwork, old-school 2D-platforming, or you just have a deep passion for indie games, this list is sure to have something you’ll enjoy. 

10. The Swapper

The Swapper: Gameplay

The Swapper is a puzzle platformer set in an atmospheric sci-fi setting. When you first arrive at an abandoned space station, you’re given a device that allows you to make clones of yourself. You use these clones to solve challenging but rewarding puzzles that further progress the story. As you delve deeper into the haunting ambiance of The Swapper, you begin to unravel the mystery behind the station and its inhabitants.

The swapper uses a Claymation art style that adds a sense of texture and depth.

Use clones to solve logic puzzles that increase in difficulty as the game progresses.
 

9. Timespinner

Timespinner: Gameplay

Timespinner is a masterfully crafted Metroidvania style action-platformer. Immediately noticeable is the inspiration taken from the 90s classic, Castlevania: Symphony of the Night. The mechanic that sets it apart from Symphony of the Night is what it has in common with Braid. Much of the game is centered around the use of time manipulation, namely the ability to stop time. There are also many exciting upgrades and abilities to discover that add depth and variety when used in combination with your ability to control time. As you progress through the game’s hazardous and challenging levels, you’ll uncover a cast of dynamic characters that add a sense of weight and believability to the story.

Use a combination of orbs, familiars, and necklaces to take down powerful enemies.

Lush pixel art, a beautiful soundtrack, and excellent storytelling make Timespinner come alive.
 

8. Vagante

Vagante: Gameplay

Vagante is what happens if you take a game like Spelunky and add RPG elements. You start off your treacherous dungeon crawl by selecting from several unique classes that have their own set of strengths and weaknesses. From there, it’s up to you to navigate the difficult dungeons that await. There is an inventory system that allows you to change your gear on the fly, which allows you to make meaningful choices when planning ahead. As you play, you gain experience and level up your character, which further increases their power and adds options. These systems that allow you to evolve and grow your character all combine to make permadeath feel more soul-shattering than usual.

As a mage, you can use powerful magic to take down foes from afar.

Use gold to buy items from the Shopkeeper.

7. Rogue Legacy

Rogue Legacy: Gameplay

Rogue Legacy is a rogue-lite Metroidvania style action-platformer. When you start a new run, you’re given the choice between several heirs of your last character. These offspring have their own strengths and weaknesses that make each playthrough unique.  While there is permadeath, there is a sense of constant progression as each run yields new upgrades and unlockables that benefit future generations. This greatly lessens the sting of losing a character as you know that at least the last run wasn’t totally meaningless.

Every character has weaknesses that drastically alter each playthrough.

Face many powerful enemies as you explore an old medieval castle.

6. Pinstripe

Pinstripe: Gameplay

Pinstripe is a game that focuses less on challenging gameplay and more on an emotional and engaging story. There are elements of puzzle-solving and action platforming, but they take on a more secondary role. Playing as an ex-minister, you’re tasked with traversing the frozen depths of Hell to find your kidnapped daughter. Though that may sound bad, this game isn’t a trudge through doom and gloom by any means. The haunting atmosphere is set by gorgeous art and lush ambient sounds that turn the game into a dark winter wonderland. 

Use slingshots and guns to solve puzzles and take down enemies.

Confront your nemesis, the demonic Mr. Pinstripe.

5. Wings of Vi

 

Wings of Vi: Gameplay

Wings of Vi is a Metroidvania style action-platformer inspired by the masochistic retro games of the past. You use a varied moveset to jump, fly, and slide your way through a variety of challenging levels. But the terrain is only one hurdle to overcome as you also face many difficult enemies and brutal boss battles. Don’t let the cute pixel art fool you, this game will push you to your absolute limits and then some.

Take down challenging bosses with a variety of melee and long-range attacks.

Use skill-based moves like slide to navigate Wings of Vi.

4. Salt and Sanctuary

Salt and Sanctuary: Gameplay

Let’s be honest, if you’ve played Dark Souls, one of the first things you’ll notice about Salt and Sanctuary is the borderline identical design. From estus flasks to bonfires, this game has its own version of nearly everything Dark Souls has. The only thing drastically different between the two is that Salt is a 2D platformer. This creates some interesting gameplay mechanics that separate it from Dark Souls. For one, the game feels less sluggish and more responsive. Boss battles feel more claustrophobic as you can easily trap yourself in corners if you’re not careful. If you’re looking for more Dark Souls and you love platformers, this might be your new favorite game.

Take down bosses using a wide assortment of weapons and abilities.

Unlock powerful upgrades as you level up using a skill tree similar to Final Fantasy X. 

3. Limbo

Limbo: Gameplay

Limbo is a minimalistic puzzle-platformer set in a dark and atmospheric environment. As you enter its monochromatic and isolating world, you’re given few clues to fill you in on who you are and why you’re here. As you progress through the many puzzles of Limbo, you encounter creepy and occasionally disturbing traps and monsters. The only way to overcome these hurdles is trial and error, which leads to some pretty gruesome death scenes. Limbo is relatively short, but the ending is no less climactic. If you love a good puzzle game or even just dark ambiance, you owe it to yourself to pick this one up.

The gruesome death scenes in Limbo are not for the squeamish or faint of heart.

Overcome environmental physics puzzles that increase in difficulty as you progress.

2. Ori and the Blind Forest: Definitive Edition

Ori and the Blind Forest: Gameplay

Ori and the Blind Forest is yet another Metroidvania style action platformer. What sets this apart from the rest is the painstaking attention to detail and commitment to quality. Seriously, this game has some of the most excellent visual and sound design I’ve ever experienced. Add that to an emotional and compelling narrative on par with the likes of Disney to get one of the most praised games from fans and critics alike.

Fast-paced gameplay helps create a sense of urgency.

Assist a mythical creature named Naru in a quest to save the forest of Nibel.

1.  Hollow Knight

Hollow Knight: Gameplay

Hollow Knight is a Metroidvania with a touch of Dark Souls. What separates it from the rest of the list is the extremely tight and focused gameplay. Like many games listed here, you get the usual mix of abilities, weapons, and items to assist you on your quest through the vast kingdom of Hollownest. It becomes apparent that it’s not the upgrades that matter so much the way they are intricately interwoven to the gameplay. Along your journey, you will befriend and battle hosts of bizarre bugs. You can also forge your own path thanks to a non-linear map design. This makes each area feels like its own unique world with fitting monsters, music, and art that gives a sense of discovery and wonder. Hollow Knight is truly a masterpiece of gaming that all players will enjoy.

Unlock a variety of powerful charms that drastically change the way you play the game.

Fight through a beautifully hand-drawn world as you take down swarms of insects.

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