Well, 'Hyper Light Drifter' can be considered as a game like Cave Story. It has a beautiful art style and intense combat. The exploration aspect is also important in both games. You need to discover new areas and items as you progress. 'Risk of Rain' is another one. It has a lot of replayability due to randomly generated levels and items. And 'Binding of Isaac' has that sense of adventure and discovery, with lots of secrets and different items to find, just like Cave Story.
One game like Cave Story is 'La - Mulana'. It has similar exploration elements where you journey through ancient ruins filled with traps and secrets. Another is 'Spelunky'. It offers procedurally generated levels, much like Cave Story has a lot of variety in its levels. And 'Metroidvania' - style games such as 'Axiom Verge' also share similarities. In Axiom Verge, you explore an alien world, upgrade your character, and fight strange enemies, just like in Cave Story.
Hollow Knight can be considered too. It offers complex level design and a deep, mysterious story, just like Celeste. There are many hidden areas to discover and tough enemies to defeat.
One option is 'Red Dead Redemption 2'. It has a rich story set in the Wild West. You can experience a detailed open world, interact with various characters, and go through an engaging storyline filled with moral choices. Another is 'Sleeping Dogs'. It offers a great story set in the criminal underworld of Hong Kong. The combat and driving mechanics are also quite good. Also, 'Saints Row' series can be considered. It has a more over - the - top and humorous take on the open - world crime genre, with lots of customization options for your character.
One option is Ragnarok Online. It has a similar anime - style graphics and a large, diverse world to explore. There are various classes to choose from and lots of quests.
One option is Far Cry 4. It has a similar open - world environment filled with dangerous foes and a complex story set in a fictional Himalayan region. Another is Horizon Zero Dawn. It features a post - apocalyptic world where you have to fight against robotic creatures and uncover the secrets of the past, much like exploring the mysteries in Far Cry 3. Also, Assassin's Creed Origins can be a great choice. It has a large open world, stealth elements, and a story full of political intrigue and exploration, similar to the engaging narrative of Far Cry 3.
The Ni no Kuni series can be considered. In these games, you encounter and befriend different magical creatures. The gameplay involves strategic battles with these creatures. Moreover, the world - building and art style are quite charming, much like the immersive world of Monster Hunter Stories. It gives players a rich experience of interacting with fantastical beings.
One game similar to Cave Story on Switch is Blaster Master Zero. It has a similar side - scrolling adventure style with exploration and combat elements. Another is Shantae: Half - Genie Hero. It features a charming protagonist, platforming action, and an engaging story like Cave Story. And then there's Axiom Verge, which offers a lot of exploration, unique power - ups, and a mysterious world to discover, much like Cave Story.
There are several. For example, Super Crate Box. It's a fast - paced arcade - style game where you have to collect crates while avoiding enemies. It has that simple, addictive gameplay like Cave Story. Then there's Binding of Isaac: Rebirth (has a freeware version). It has a lot of randomized elements in terms of levels and items, and a really strange and interesting world to explore, much like Cave Story. Additionally, 0 A.D. is a freeware real - time strategy game. Although it's a different genre, it has a passionate community and offers a lot of depth in gameplay, similar to how Cave Story offers a lot to discover within its world.
Terraria can be considered as good as Cave Story. It has a vast open - world sandbox environment where you can build, explore, and fight. There are numerous items to collect and bosses to defeat. Axiom Verge is another. It has a retro - style gameplay with a complex world full of mysteries. It also has interesting power - ups and a great atmosphere. And Stardew Valley, while different in genre, has that same charm of discovery. You explore the village, interact with characters, and build up your farm, all in a very immersive way.
One similar game is 'La-Mulana'. It has a lot of exploration elements just like Cave Story. You need to traverse through ancient ruins, solve puzzles, and fight against various enemies. The graphics have a retro feel to them which is also a characteristic shared with Cave Story.
One game similar to Cave Story is Kero Blaster. It has a similar retro - style graphics and gameplay mechanics. You play as a frog - like character and go through various levels fighting enemies.