Puzzle Games Like Limbo You Shouldn’t Miss

If you’re a fan of Limbo’s haunting atmosphere, clever puzzles, and minimalist storytelling, this list is for you. These puzzle-platformers deliver similar vibes with their own unique twists, perfect for gamers hunting for fresh titles in 2025. From eerie indie darlings to under-the-radar gems, here’s a deep dive into games that’ll scratch that Limbo itch.

Inside – A Darker, Deeper Spiritual Successor

Inside is the follow-up to Limbo from Playdead, plunging you into a dystopian world where a lone boy navigates a nightmarish landscape of control and conformity. You guide the boy through eerie environments, solving environmental puzzles while dodging relentless pursuers. The game’s oppressive atmosphere and subtle narrative make it a masterclass in storytelling without words.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer with horror elements
• Art Style: Monochromatic with muted colors, 2.5D visuals
• Story: A wordless tale of a boy escaping a sinister, authoritarian world
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS
• Puzzles: Physics-based, environmental challenges like manipulating objects or timing movements

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: As Playdead’s second game, Inside refines Limbo’s formula with tighter puzzles, a more detailed world, and a creepier vibe. The trial-and-death mechanic—where you learn through failure—mirrors Limbo’s punishing yet rewarding design. It’s a must-play for fans craving a similar mood with enhanced visuals and storytelling.

Release Year: 2016
Platform Availability: Widely available across modern consoles, PC, and mobile, making it easy to jump in.

Little Nightmares II – Creepy Kids in a Twisted World

Little Nightmares II drops you into a unsettling universe where you control Mono, a boy with a paper bag on his head, teaming up with Six to escape a distorted reality. The game blends platforming with light puzzles and stealth, all wrapped in a grotesque, Tim Burton-esque aesthetic. Expect to feel small and vulnerable as you face oversized, monstrous threats.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer with horror and stealth
• Art Style: Dark, stylized 2.5D with exaggerated proportions
• Story: A cryptic narrative about two kids surviving a nightmarish world
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch
• Puzzles: Environmental puzzles involving teamwork, stealth, and object manipulation

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: Like Limbo, Little Nightmares II thrives on atmosphere, using minimal dialogue and a haunting soundtrack to immerse you in dread. The puzzles, while simpler, echo Limbo’s environmental focus, and the sense of being a small figure in a dangerous world feels familiar. It’s perfect for players who love Limbo’s eerie tone but want a bit more horror.

Release Year: 2021
Platform Availability: Accessible on all major consoles and PC, with enhanced versions for next-gen systems.

The Swapper – A Sci-Fi Puzzle Gem with Clones

The Swapper is a lesser-known indie that strands you on an abandoned space station, where you solve puzzles using a device that creates and swaps clones of yourself. Its handcrafted clay visuals and existential story give it a unique, melancholic vibe. This under-the-radar title is a hidden gem for puzzle fans who love deep mechanics.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer with Metroidvania elements
• Art Style: Handmade clay models, dark sci-fi aesthetic
• Story: A lone astronaut unravels the mystery of a derelict station and alien entities
• Platforms: PC, PS3, PS4, PS Vita, Wii U, Xbox One
• Puzzles: Clone-based mechanics, gravity manipulation, and spatial challenges

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: The Swapper shares Limbo’s lonely, atmospheric feel and focus on environmental puzzles. While sci-fi instead of horror, its dark tone and trial-and-error puzzle-solving evoke Limbo’s punishing yet satisfying gameplay. Its unique clone mechanic adds a fresh twist, making it a standout for fans seeking something off the beaten path.

Release Year: 2013
Platform Availability: Older platforms dominate, but it’s still playable on PC and select consoles via backward compatibility.

Gris – A Gorgeous Journey Through Grief

Gris is a visually stunning platformer where you guide a young girl through a watercolor-like world, unlocking abilities to solve puzzles and progress. It’s less horror-focused than Limbo but shares its emotional depth and minimalist storytelling. The game’s breathtaking art and music make every moment feel like a painting come to life.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer with exploration
• Art Style: Watercolor-inspired, vibrant yet somber
• Story: A wordless narrative about coping with loss
• Platforms: PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch, iOS, Android
• Puzzles: Light environmental puzzles tied to platforming and ability unlocks

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: Gris captures Limbo’s knack for telling a story through visuals and atmosphere, though it trades horror for emotional resonance. The puzzles are simpler but still engaging, and the side-scrolling gameplay feels familiar. It’s a great pick for Limbo fans who want a more uplifting yet equally poignant experience.

Release Year: 2018
Platform Availability: Broadly available, including mobile, making it a versatile choice for on-the-go gaming.

Typoman – Words Shape Your World

Typoman is a quirky puzzle-platformer where you manipulate letters to form words that alter the environment. You play as a character made of letters, navigating a dark, surreal world filled with linguistic challenges. This indie title’s clever wordplay and eerie vibe make it a unique Limbo alternative.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer
• Art Style: Monochromatic with splashes of color, 2D surreal design
• Story: A loose narrative about a letter-based hero in a dangerous world
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch, Wii U, iOS, Android
• Puzzles: Word-based puzzles, environmental hazards, and platforming

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: Typoman’s monochromatic art and haunting atmosphere echo Limbo’s aesthetic, while its puzzles offer a fresh spin with word manipulation. The trial-and-death approach to solving challenges feels right at home for Limbo fans, and its creative mechanics make it a standout. It’s a hidden gem for those who love cerebral indie games.

Release Year: 2015
Platform Availability: Available on most platforms, including mobile, for easy access.

Planet Alpha – A Vibrant Yet Mysterious Adventure

Planet Alpha takes you to an alien world bursting with color, where you control the day-night cycle to solve puzzles and evade threats. You play as a stranded astronaut navigating lush landscapes filled with robotic enemies and strange creatures. Its side-scrolling gameplay and enigmatic story give it a Limbo-like feel with a sci-fi twist.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer with stealth elements
• Art Style: Vibrant, colorful 2D visuals
• Story: A silent narrative about survival on an alien planet
• Platforms: PC, PS4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
• Puzzles: Time-based environmental puzzles, platforming, and stealth

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: While brighter than Limbo, Planet Alpha shares its focus on environmental puzzles and a wordless story. The sense of being a small figure in a vast, dangerous world mirrors Limbo’s vulnerability, and the trial-and-error puzzle-solving keeps you hooked. It’s a great option for fans wanting a less grim but equally immersive experience.

Release Year: 2018
Platform Availability: Limited to major consoles and PC, but still widely playable.

Munin – Norse Mythology Meets Physics Puzzles

Munin casts you as Odin’s raven, transformed into a human girl, solving physics-based puzzles to reclaim your wings. The game’s rotating environments and Nordic-inspired art create a unique puzzle-platforming experience. It’s an underappreciated indie that blends Limbo’s challenge with mythological flair.

Key Gameplay Features:

• Genre: Puzzle-platformer
• Art Style: 2D, Nordic-inspired with muted tones
• Story: A mythological quest to restore a raven’s powers
• Platforms: PC, Mac, Linux, iOS, Android
• Puzzles: Physics-based, environmental rotation, and object interaction

Why It’s Similar to Limbo: Munin’s eerie atmosphere and physics-driven puzzles feel like a cousin to Limbo’s design. The trial-and-death mechanic and minimalist storytelling align with Limbo’s approach, while the Norse setting adds a fresh layer. It’s a hidden gem for puzzle fans looking for something unique.

Release Year: 2014
Platform Availability: Primarily PC and mobile, ideal for budget-conscious gamers.

These seven games capture the essence of Limbo’s haunting puzzles, atmospheric worlds, and minimalist storytelling, each with its own spin. Whether you’re drawn to Inside’s dystopian dread, Gris’s emotional beauty, or Munin’s mythological charm, there’s something here for every Limbo fan in 2025. Got a favorite Limbo-like game we missed? Drop it in the comments or share your thoughts—I’d love to hear what’s on your playlist!