Unleash Your Inner Alchemist: Top 5 Noita Alternatives

Liam Alexander 01 Jan 2024

If you're a fan of the popular action-adventure game Noita, you'll know all about its unique pixel-based physical systems, interesting spells, and challenging enemy patterns. Despite its allure, it's only natural to crave something new and exciting after a while. The good news is there are many games out there that offer elements of strategic spellcasting and survival similar to Noita's. Ready to discover new worlds, spells, and enemies? Let's dive into our top five Noita alternatives that you should consider playing.

1. Enter the Gungeon

Released by development team Dodge Roll, Enter the Gungeon is a thrilling bullet hell roguelike video game that invites players to dodge, dive, and spellcast their way across varying levels.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

In Enter the Gungeon, players choose one of four heroes, each with their unique abilities and backstory. Their mission is to navigate through the Gungeon’s levels, an ever-changing labyrinth of bullet horrors, while battling the Gungeon's dangerous inhabitants. The game does an outstanding job of blending strategy with sheer chaos, as players must dodge a hailstorm of bullets while simultaneously picking the right moments to fight back.

Laden, with a selection of over 200 different guns and items for combat, Enter the Gungeon also features mini-games and puzzles, enhancing the fun and diversity of the gameplay. The game is set in a dark and foreboding dungeon, crafted with appealing 16-bit graphics, giving it a charming, retro feel. Its story, though fairly simplistic, is engaging enough to keep you invested while you blast through wave upon wave of enemies.

2. Dead Cells

Developed and published by Motion Twin, Dead Cells is a roguelike-Metroidvania hybrid that offers challenging combat, intricate levels, and an immensity of weaponry and skills to choose from.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Rather than a traditional storyline, Dead Cells puts the player in control of a mass of cells that occupy and control the body of a deceased prisoner at the start of each game. As the journey progresses, players battle their way through a series of procedurally generated dungeons, fighting against hordes of fearsome creatures. Every death in Dead Cells is permanent, meaning you start each new game from the beginning, making it a classic roguelike experience with high stakes.

You explore an ever-changing castle, learning its secrets and patterns to help navigate your way around deadly traps, secretive doors, and hidden treasure. The game’s world is beautifully rendered with stylish pixel art visuals, ensuring an immersive experience. It also features a non-linear progression system, which encourages exploration and fosters a sense of discovery.

3. Spelunky 2

The long-anticipated sequel to the original cult classic, Spelunky 2, is an addictively challenging roguelike/platformer game that will test your strategic wits—and patience.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Spelunky 2 continues in its predecessor's footsteps, offering a fun but challenging platformer experience. Players control a spelunker and explore a series of caves while collecting treasure, battling enemies, and dodging traps. The caves are procedurally generated, making for a distinct and fresh experience each time you play.

The story is a direct continuation of the original, where you play as the daughter of the original protagonist. The game greatly expands on the original's story, offering a bigger, denser universe with multiple planets to explore and a larger focus on the mythos of the Spelunky world. The setting of Spelunky 2 varies from lush jungles to volcanic pits, providing visually rich and diverse landscapes for you to navigate. Alongside its tight controls and deep systems, the layers upon layers of complexity and secrets in Spelunky 2 make for a compelling alternative to Noita.

4. Risk of Rain 2

Risk of Rain 2, developed by Hopoo Games, skillfully blends classic multiplayer roguelike elements with a third-person shooter format to craft an engaging game experience.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Risk of Rain 2 transports players to an alien world, where they must work together with others to survive the hostile environment and its alien denizens. The game progression in this sequel is wholly different from the original, shifting from a 2D platformer to a fully 3D environment, adding extra depth and dimension to the gameplay. The story itself is minimal, but the core loop of the gameplay keeps you coming back for more.

As with its predecessor, the difficulty increases over time, indicating that this game plans to continuously challenge you. The setting is a beautiful sci-fi landscape that changes each time you play due to its roguelike construction. Its aesthetic and aural background complement the game's brutal yet fair mechanics, making it a fitting choice for fans of Noita who are in search of a challenging but rewarding experience.

5. Subterranean Animism

Subterranean Animism is the tenth title in the popular Touhou Project by Single-Author ZUN. Immerse yourself in fast-paced, bullet-hell gameplay combined with compelling narrative and lore.

Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Subterranean Animism is well-known for its ‘bullet hell’ style gameplay. Players must navigate complex patterns of projectiles while returning their onslaught. The game shines in its strategic elements, as choosing and deploying the right spell cards at the right time is crucial to your survival. The story follows Reimu and Marisa, who descend into the Earth's depths to confront a perceived threat.

Their subsequent encounters with various characters reveal the underlying plot, heavily steeped in Shinto mythology, which unfolds across different stages. The game is set in a fantastical version of Hell, inspired by a blend of Eastern and Western mythology. The splendidly diverse and colorful aesthetic provides a stark contrast to the high-intensity gameplay, making Subterranean Animism a fulfilling alternative to Noita, especially for those with an interest in Japanese folklore and bullet-hell games.

In conclusion, Noita fans have an abundance of alternatives to switch to when they're seeking new experiences or challenges. Whether it's the bullet hell of Enter the Gungeon, the Metroidvania elements of Dead Cells, the platformer aspects of Spelunky 2, the multiplayer experience of Risk of Rain 2, or the narrative-rich Subterranean Animism, there's a world waiting for you. So, are you ready to choose your next adventure and unleash your inner alchemist?