Oddworld: Soulstorm, the game that has captured the hearts of countless players across the globe with its challenging puzzle aspects and morally introspective storyline. But sometimes, you just need something different to switch gears without straying too far away from the gameplay style you've grown to love. Here are five alternative games that have a similar aesthetic or gameplay.

1. INSIDE

A Brief Introduction to INSIDE

The first on our list is "INSIDE", a puzzle-platformer adventure game developed and published by Playdead. Released in 2016, this game offers a strong narrative and appealing characters combined with a unique gameplay style that makes it a sound contender as an alternative to Oddworld: Soulstorm.

INSIDE's Gameplay, Story, and Setting

INSIDE seamlessly blends a visually stunning environment with a heart-wrenching story. The game allows you to control an unnamed boy who navigates through a dark and dystopian world filled with scientific experiments gone wrong. This intricate yet horrifying setting and the need to solve mind-bending puzzles draw a parallel to Oddworld: Soulstorm. The story focuses on themes of mind control, the nature of freedom, and the horrors that lie beneath unassuming facades. Played from a 2.5D perspective, the game features a notably minimalist design with monochromatic visuals, providing an immersive and darkly atmospheric gaming experience.

2. Little Nightmares

A Drop Introduction to Little Nightmares

We would like to recommend "Little Nightmares" as your next game. It's a horror adventure game with puzzle-platformer elements, developed by Tarsier Studios and launched by Bandai Namco Entertainment. If you appreciate the dark aesthetic of Oddworld: Soulstorm, this game would be a great alternative.

Little Nightmares’ Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Little Nightmares offers a deeply engaging storyline with an array of unique and haunting characters. The game revolves around a nine-year-old girl named Six, who is trapped in a place called ‘The Maw’, filled with corrupted souls looking for their next meal. The game's atmospheric horror, along with its challenging puzzles, mirrors the intense, fear-inducing environment of Oddworld: Soulstorm. As you navigate through The Maw, the disturbing visuals and the chilling sound design make for an unsettling yet satisfying gaming experience.

3. Ori and the Blind Forest

A Quick Glimpse at Ori and the Blind Forest

Played and loved by millions of fans worldwide, "Ori and the Blind Forest", developed by Moon Studios and published by Xbox Game Studios, is another game that encapsulates the emotional storytelling and challenging gameplay akin to Oddworld: Soulstorm.

Ori and the Blind Forest's Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Just like Oddworld: Soulstorm, this game combines challenging platform sequences with a story of self-discovery and redemption. You control Ori, a white guardian spirit, and Sein, the light and eyes of the Spirit Tree, as they traverse through an exotic world filled with fantastical creatures while overcoming intricate puzzles to save their forest. This game oozes beauty in every aspect, be it the whimsical hand-painted artwork, the captivatingly animated character movement, or the emotionally-charged orchestral score, making it an enchanting gaming experience.

4. Hollow Knight

An Introduction to Hollow Knight

If you're a fan of the 'Metroidvania' style of gameplay featured in Oddworld: Soulstorm, then you'll definitely love "Hollow Knight". Developed and published by Team Cherry, this indie game delivers a beautiful, haunting world filled with challenging gameplay.

Hollow Knight's Gameplay, Story, and Setting

In Hollow Knight, you control a silent, knight-like insectoid exploring the underground kingdom of Hollownest to uncover its secrets and history. As you navigate through its beautifully hand-drawn world, you'll encounter complex characters, challenging boss battles and intricate acrobatic navigation puzzles. The combat style of Hollow Knight is one of its highlights. It’s deep, intricate and in perfect harmony with the game's exploration and discovery elements. These qualities, paired with a hauntingly atmospheric soundtrack, make Hollow Knight a brilliant alternative to Oddworld: Soulstorm.

5. Limbo

A Peek at Limbo

Next on our list is "Limbo". Developed and published by Playdead, this indie puzzle-platformer offers a chilling atmosphere and a heart-tugging storyline that fans of Oddworld: Soulstorm will appreciate.

Limbo's Gameplay, Story, and Setting

Limbo depicts a young boy's journey in search of his sister in a surreal, monochromatic, film-grain environment. It's a stylistically beautiful yet intensely dark world, filled with various traps and brain-teasing puzzles. The game doesn’t use written or spoken words to tell its story, relying heavily on environmental storytelling and visual cues instead. With its eerie atmosphere and smartly designed puzzles, Limbo remains an unforgettable gaming experience comparable to Oddworld: Soulstorm.

Conclusion

Even though Oddworld: Soulstorm remains a thrilling experience, it’s always great to discover and delve into games that offer new visuals, characters, and stories while providing a familiar gameplay style. Each of these five games will give you a new perspective while satisfying your craving for quest-filled, extraordinary universe similar to Oddworld: Soulstorm. Happy Gaming!