10 Best Games Like Shady Part of Me

Shady Part of Me is a puzzle-platformer that takes players on a story-driven adventure through a surreal dreamscape. The game is creative and innovative in many ways. Most notably, it features dual gameplay mechanics. Players control two versions of the same character, a small girl and her shadow. Interestingly, the girl moves through a 3D world, while the shadow moves through a 2D plane. Both worlds are full of creative environmental puzzles that require a witty mind to solve. It is also worth noting the game’s hand-painted, watercolor art style, which makes the dream world come alive.

While this game is outstanding, there are many other similar games with innovative, deeply immersive gameplay designs. Here is an overview of the ten best games like Shady Part of Me.

10. Portal 2

Portal is a puzzle-platformer just like Shady Part of Me has won over 70 industry accolades because of its innovative gameplay. Players solve environmental puzzles by opening portals that they can use to alter the directions of moving objects. Portal 2 applies the original game’s concept and gameplay design on a much larger scale. It features more puzzles and challenges for players to solve. It also introduces advanced physics mechanics to make the puzzles more creative. Moreover, it introduces a new two-player co-op mode with an entirely new campaign, playstyle, characters, and storyline.

9. It Takes Two- Games Like Shady Part of Me

It Takes Two follows the fun-filled, dangerous adventure of a quarreling couple turned into small ragdolls. The two find themselves trapped in a fantasy world, and players must guide them out and break the magic spell. They must work together to beat enemies, overcome various challenges, and solve intriguing puzzles. They have certain unique abilities and can also use the items and environments around them. Moreover, the gameplay and narrative are intricately intertwined to deliver an immersive, interactive storytelling experience. Players can play alongside friends via the couch online co-op modes with a split-screen feature.

8. Neva- Games Like Shady Part of Me

Neva is a story-driven, emotionally charged puzzle-platformer that follows the adventure of a young girl and her wolf companion. Players guide the two through a decaying world on a quest to restore its beauty. It is worth noting that the game takes some time to master, and players must learn how to make the two characters work together. Both characters must cooperate to solve many environmental puzzles. Additionally, they must watch each other’s backs when fighting enemies scattered across the world. Interestingly, the game also evolves as the wolf grows, affecting the characters’ relationship and playstyles.

7. Papo & Yo

Papo & Yo takes players through a magical adventure and tells an intriguing story of the relationship between a boy and his beastly best friend. Monster, Quico’s best friend, is a huge, intimidating beast with a weakness for poisonous frogs. He goes berserk when he sees one, putting Quico and himself at risk. As such, the two must go on an adventure to find a cure for Monster’s addiction. The game features dynamic environments that Quico can interact with to solve puzzles and explore. He must also learn to use Monster’s strengths and weaknesses to their advantage.

6. Animal Well

Just like Shady Part of Me,  Animal Well is a puzzle-platformer with Metroidvania gameplay mechanics. Players guide a fuzzy little creature through a delightful but sometimes dangerous world. While the small creature looks helpless, it can use its surrounding environments and the items it collects to fight and escape enemies. Additionally, the world is full of creative environmental puzzles that players can solve by manipulating their environments. All items that players collect have multiple uses, making the playstyle versatile. Moreover, the game’s Metroidvania mechanics and regular updates keep the gameplay evolving.

5. Gris

Gris just like Shady Part of Me focuses on adventure and storytelling combined with puzzle-solving gameplay mechanics. It follows the adventures of Gris, a young girl with a special dress that gives her magical abilities unlocked by sorrow. Her newfound magical abilities help her navigate her surreal world, which is encapsulated in an immersive atmosphere that enhances the game’s emotional touch. The story unfolds as Gris explores the world, which features detailed animation and delicate art. Additionally, she must solve light puzzles as she goes, and she has the option to take on skill-based challenges.

4. Games Like Shady Part of Me- Hannah

Hannah is a 3D puzzle-platformer that follows a young girl on her quest to save her kidnapped doll. It takes players back to the 80s with its Pop Culture theme, which influences the game’s visuals and narrative. The game is story-rich, and the relationship between Hannah and her doll is an emotional one. The narrative is versatile, and an Obedience System tracks players’ actions and changes the story and environments to adapt to their choices. Moreover, the game also challenges players to combine their wits and skills to solve creative puzzles as they explore the retro world.

3. Ori and the Blind Forest

Ori and the Blind Forest features a visually stunning world under threat from a dark force. The story behind the world’s destruction is deeply emotional and unravels gradually as players explore. The adventure is exciting, and the level of detail that goes into the hand-painted world is impressive. This game is especially ideal for players longing for some action, thanks to its fast-paced combat system. Moreover, the combat and adventure only get better because of the Metroidvania system and upgradable abilities.

2. Games Like Shady Part of Me- Hands of Timber

Hands of Timber tells an emotional story of a wooden girl looking for her creator in a world made of memories. Some of the memories are good, others bad, and some even incomplete. Players must learn to navigate this surreal 3D world by mastering the wooden character’s jumping mechanics. Moreover, they must solve puzzles as they move to advance along their journey. Besides solving puzzles and unraveling mysteries, players must also overcome hostile enemies along the way by using ropes to manipulate them. Players also enjoy an original soundtrack that enhances the gameplay experience.

1. Little Nightmares

Little Nightmares takes center stage just like Shady Part of Me. It is a horror puzzle-platformer that tasks players with escaping a house of horrors. Players guide a miniature character through a huge house inhabited by zombified adults. Stealth is essential, as players must remain quiet and out of sight. Additionally, they must explore every inch of the house to find an exit.

The game’s standout feature is the ability to interact with the environment, solving puzzles while searching for exits and hiding places. Interestingly, Little Nightmares II introduces another character, new creatures, fresh environments, and a combat system.