Games Like A Day of Maintenance

The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Made by Croteam and written by Tom Jubert (FTL, The Swapper) and Jonas Kyratzes (The Sea Will Claim Everything).

Why similar: Philosophical 34.2%, Puzzle 16.9%, Robots 14.4%, Sci-fi 9.8%, Story Rich 7.6%

No Longer Home is a game about letting go of the life you've built due to circumstances beyond your control. Immerse yourself in the lives of Bo and Ao and learn about their dreams, frustrations and fears. Welcome the magic of the everyday and somewhat extraordinary.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.7%, Interactive Fiction 17.4%, Philosophical 16.3%, Dialogue Heavy 13.5%, Story Rich 7.1%

Crash headfirst into this witch-tech open world, drifting and driving on the back of your new motorbroom. Make deliveries, trick out your broom, and race your new friends (and crushes) as the sun sets. Get into gossip, sort your life out, and discover what it means to find home.

Why similar: Driving 31.6%, LGBTQ+ 22.4%, Dialogue Heavy 15.3%, Exploration 9%, Story Rich 7.8%

EXISTENTIAL is a first-person story-driven puzzle game that offers a unique solution that will put your existence into the game world.

Why similar: Philosophical 33.1%, Sci-fi 11.7%, Puzzle 10.2%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 9.6%

Coffee Talk is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator about listening to fantasy-inspired modern peoples’ problems, and helping them by serving up a warm drink or two.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 35.7%, LGBTQ+ 18.2%, Philosophical 15.7%, Interactive Fiction 13.6%, Story Rich 6.5%

A 3D narrative adventure featuring, humour, Italian desserts and authentic archaeology.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 24.3%, Dialogue Heavy 22.1%, Interactive Fiction 20%, Relaxing 6.7%, Exploration 6.1%

A story-based exploration game about the very far future. With the help of two Artificial Intelligences, explore a universe conquered by humanity, uncover your purpose in it, and try to stop it from falling apart.

Why similar: Philosophical 35.7%, Interactive Fiction 19.2%, Sci-fi 14.1%, Exploration 13.5%, First-Person 5.2%

Drive your daily bus route and reconnect with an old friend

Why similar: Driving 44.9%, Exploration 14.9%, Relaxing 9.3%, First-Person 9%, Linear 8.1%

On a secret arctic research base, a scientist, soldier, AI, and eldritch beast struggle for happiness. A short visual novel about love and pain set in an alternate history where humanity is ruled by eldritch gods.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 25.8%, Philosophical 24.1%, Robots 14.3%, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Story Rich 8.3%

Dust off your coffee machine and prepare your warmest smile to meet your customers again in the second episode of the much loved coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator; Coffee Talk Episode 2: Hibiscus & Butterfly.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 42.2%, LGBTQ+ 21.7%, Interactive Fiction 17.6%, Relaxing 7.9%, Story Rich 6.5%

Drive through the world as a famous author in this upcoming free narrative game. Manage your fuel (coffee) and figure out how to navigate with no GPS and a broken radio. Meet a host of interesting characters and don’t forget to LOOK BEHIND YOU.

Why similar: Driving 43.2%, Interactive Fiction 25.3%, Puzzle 9.8%, Exploration 7.5%, Stylized 3.9%

“Lone Bird in the Tree” is an ADV with male and female versions of each of the four characters. The story alternates between the “future” of the main character, who is deeply traumatized by the grief of his/her best friend, and the “story leading up to the loss of his/her best friend”.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 31.3%, Interactive Fiction 17.6%, Philosophical 15.1%, Dialogue Heavy 14.3%, Exploration 11.1%

Explore an afrofuturistic 3D world scavenging and journaling your way to becoming a wildtender: someone who heals the relationship between humans and more-than-human beings. Reflect on the choices you make, the artifacts you leave behind, and the worlds that will grow out of them.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 31.3%, Interactive Fiction 29.9%, Exploration 16.1%, First-Person 10.2%, Story Rich 10.1%

Help Artificial Intelligence named HAWKING activate an incredible mechanism that can reload the Universe!

Why similar: Philosophical 24.5%, Robots 22.3%, Exploration 11.4%, Puzzle 11.3%, Sci-fi 10.3%

Stardream is a story-driven investigation game set in a retro 60s-inspired space ark. As Darlene, a taxi driver turned into a pressured investigator, uncover a hidden truth that could shatter a perfect society.

Why similar: Driving 33.7%, Interactive Fiction 18.1%, Exploration 10.5%, Story Rich 9.8%, Sci-fi 8.5%

After a botched face lift, a movie star confines herself to her penthouse apartment where she learns that her fans’ obsession may have turned fatal. Is her apartment really the safest place to be? Follow the clues and try to stay sane when it seems like the entire world has turned against you.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 22.1%, Interactive Fiction 21.9%, Dialogue Heavy 17%, Exploration 10.7%, Puzzle 9.6%

A visual novel exploring a near-apocalyptic vision of North Texas, told through the poetic words of a young woman going home.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.4%, Philosophical 22.5%, Dialogue Heavy 18.8%, Interactive Fiction 18.2%, Linear 6.7%

Log In to the near future metaverse platform E-ON. Explore and connect with Ellie as you break the bounds of your unverified account and uncover the truth of the world and Ellie.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 21.2%, Interactive Fiction 18.5%, Philosophical 17.9%, Dialogue Heavy 17.7%, Investigation 8%

A quiet town awaits death. Two young women fall in love.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 30%, Philosophical 24.3%, Interactive Fiction 20%, Story Rich 9.4%, Linear 7.9%

Artificial Intelligence, Real Problems: You are Makenzy Turner, an affable RoboTechnician employed by AI megacorp, Indelligent Solutions. With your trusty assistant ARI, use high-tech tools and old-fashioned empathy to mend everything from broken parts to broken hearts.

Why similar: Philosophical 25.3%, Dialogue Heavy 23.4%, Interactive Fiction 15.3%, Sci-fi 9.2%, Story Rich 7.9%

Hitchhiker is a mystery game set along lost highways, where your goal is to solve the puzzle of your own backstory.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 28%, Philosophical 27.6%, Interactive Fiction 13.3%, Story Rich 11%, First-Person 8.6%

The winds of the frozen wasteland are calling in this atmospheric horror game. Operate an aging vehicle to locate the missing driver of the previous expedition. Be careful not to stray from the path...

Why similar: Driving 39.1%, Exploration 11.8%, First-Person 8.6%, Sci-fi 8.4%, Linear 8.3%

An autobiographical adventure about pain, identity, and the rituals we create to heal. As you assist the mysterious S. in coming to terms with different types of grief, 𝘗𝘭𝘶𝘮 𝘙𝘰𝘢𝘥 𝘛𝘦𝘢 𝘋𝘳𝘦𝘢𝘮 invites you to slow down, reflect, and embrace every version of yourself. 🌺

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 28.4%, Dialogue Heavy 20.2%, Philosophical 17.8%, Exploration 9.4%, Story Rich 7.5%

MYRIORAMA is a top-down action-adventure game in the style of classic 2D Zelda titles, but with a twist: players will solve puzzles and complete dungeons by rearranging the rooms of the dungeons themselves!

Why similar: Philosophical 30.8%, LGBTQ+ 30.5%, Exploration 13.6%, Puzzle 12.3%, Sci-fi 8.7%

A boy and an old man stand in front a pond, waiting for a swan's song. Meanwhile, they talk about life, death, and the passage of time.

Why similar: Philosophical 36.1%, Dialogue Heavy 27.6%, Interactive Fiction 18.3%, Relaxing 8.8%, Linear 4%

Short interactive story-telling 3D platform adventure game. The gameplay is about 45~60 mins.

Why similar: Philosophical 31.1%, Dialogue Heavy 25.3%, Interactive Fiction 19.1%, Exploration 7%, Linear 6.7%

A short narrative about a trip with friends over the weekend. Decide what River does during the trip. Help your friends, explore the place, or just enjoy the scenery.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 24.2%, Interactive Fiction 23.1%, LGBTQ+ 20.5%, Relaxing 7.2%, Story Rich 7.1%

The Moon's haunted - and when an astronaut loses contact with Earth, the adventure begins in full. Fill up your oxygen, load up the guns, and set out on an interstellar FPS adventure across the stars, filled with puzzles, fights, exploration, and strange secrets of the universe.

Why similar: Philosophical 24%, Robots 21.8%, Sci-fi 10.6%, Puzzle 8.3%, Exploration 8.1%

Summerland is a first-person narrative game about morality and the afterlife. You take control of Matthew, a detective reliving the events of his past, being questioned on his morals along the way. In every door lies another memory, and every memory unlocks another door.

Why similar: Philosophical 28.7%, Interactive Fiction 18.7%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 9.1%, First-Person 8.2%

BatteryNote is a multi-ending sci-fi adventure visual novel game. You can recharge three robots with limited lifespans, bringing them back to life. Interact with them through conversations or experiment by applying high voltage. How they spend their final moments is entirely up to you.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 29.2%, Robots 24.3%, Philosophical 23.4%, Sci-fi 9.7%, Story Rich 9.4%

In Beastfolk Barber (code name: Project Salon), you're a barber in a city full of beastfolk. Chat with your customers, style their look, help them see something new in the mirror... and in themselves.

Why similar: Philosophical 24.2%, Interactive Fiction 22.3%, LGBTQ+ 22.2%, Dialogue Heavy 16.9%, Relaxing 6.2%

As a research android, learn what it is to be human by living a student life in this bittersweet slice of life visual novel. Record new experiences, revel in mundanity, and be a strange machine and a strange person.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 39.5%, Robots 25.5%, Interactive Fiction 17.7%, Sci-fi 8.1%, Story Rich 5.1%

An interactive point-and-click space story about rediscovering a life, our friendships, our choices and regrets.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.6%, Philosophical 21.3%, Dialogue Heavy 18.9%, Interactive Fiction 18.5%, Relaxing 6.8%

Awakening is a first person experimental puzzle game with a unique gameplay based on pattern recognition. Guide a soul that decided to find meaning by solving puzzle machines with videos. Use inductive reasoning to discover the challenges while exploring an oneiric environment.

Why similar: Philosophical 53.4%, Puzzle 17%, First-Person 12.1%, Exploration 7.6%, Story Rich 6%

One of them is visiting a friend in Chicago. The other wants to shake things up in New York City. It starts in San Francisco, but where this relationship goes is all up to you.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 43.5%, Dialogue Heavy 26.1%, Interactive Fiction 23.2%, Story Rich 6.2%, Singleplayer 1%

Olivia Herrera's closest friend Kyle went missing at a frat house two years ago. A party at that frat house is her chance to investigate what happened to him, and get to the bottom of a strange connection she shares with her former group of friends.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.6%, Dialogue Heavy 20.4%, Interactive Fiction 17.8%, Story Rich 8.2%, Investigation 8%

A queer mystery game about book banning. Play as Ruby (they/them), a journalism major on a surreal, after-hours adventure to investigate the disappearance of books from their college library.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 30.7%, Interactive Fiction 17.1%, Puzzle 10.4%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 10.1%

A GxG coming-of-age visual novel. Nina sucks at choosing. But when a mysterious incident happens at the arts academy, will she muster the courage to choose–or will she let someone else decide on her behalf?

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 33.1%, Interactive Fiction 21.2%, Dialogue Heavy 18.6%, Linear 6.3%, Story Rich 5.9%

《蓝色形态(Bule Form)》是一款BL向角色扮演。以都市为主要活动地点，在都市与战区之间辗转。在战斗中打败你的敌人，探索地图破解机关谜题推进剧情发展。

Why similar: Philosophical 25.6%, LGBTQ+ 24%, Robots 18%, Sci-fi 8.1%, Exploration 7.9%

Deadwood Drive is a low-poly open-world adventure set in a mountain town with a dark secret. With an old trusty truck and unbelievable tools, you'll run a logging business by day - and dismantle a mind-control conspiracy by night.

Why similar: Driving 38.2%, Interactive Fiction 24.5%, Exploration 12.2%, Sci-fi 8.4%, Linear 7.8%

CycleQuest is an educational puzzle game goaled with teaching the basics of circular economy in an interactive way! Kai is an Econ student, who finds themselves applying circular economy principles to solve the various issues of campus residents and protect them from losing their livelihood.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 25.2%, Dialogue Heavy 21.7%, Philosophical 20.9%, Puzzle 10.2%, Relaxing 8.9%

A haunting 3D adventure set in a world of servitude, decay, and forgotten futures. Will you accept your fate—or defy the inevitable?

Why similar: Philosophical 26%, LGBTQ+ 20.6%, Interactive Fiction 19%, Exploration 9%, Story Rich 7%

A philosophical horror experience in the Alps: As Friedrich Nietzsche confronts his own shadow, he becomes lost between layers of reality.

Why similar: Philosophical 39.2%, Interactive Fiction 24.7%, Exploration 12.3%, Sci-fi 9.1%, First-Person 8%

Step into the role of Esme, an AI built by Annie but built for what purpose? Evolve and learn by solving visual puzzles accompanied by beautiful hand-drawn artwork. Learn all about Annie's life, befriend her, and grow together.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 23.3%, Dialogue Heavy 23.1%, Philosophical 16.7%, Puzzle 10.8%, Relaxing 8.1%

Join a boy named Timothy and his alien friend Gus on a journey of self discovery as they explore the colorful world of Fragment.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 31.7%, Philosophical 29%, Puzzle 15.4%, Exploration 13.7%, Story Rich 6.7%

Be the person you needed. Brew tea, listen well, and guide branching stories in a narrative slice-of-life about showing up when it matters. No perfect answers. Only your choices and what they set in motion.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 26.9%, Philosophical 25.6%, Interactive Fiction 20.3%, Story Rich 9.8%, Relaxing 8.1%

In this Physics-based VR Adventure, Jump, climb, and swing through mystic nature as Paul, A Frog. On a journey to find self worth, meet new friends, find hidden secrets, and get to the root of your fears.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 26.6%, Philosophical 23.8%, Dialogue Heavy 20.3%, Story Rich 9.5%, Relaxing 8.2%

Welcome to the Night Market. Survive your journey while navigating a foreign land, rife with political intrigue, arbitrary rules and secrets designed to keep you distracted. Fall in love, explore a world with rich characters, and try to save the realm.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 37.3%, LGBTQ+ 25.9%, Interactive Fiction 22.5%, First-Person 6.9%, Story Rich 6.1%

Investigate the FInnish top-secret project to end all life by proving to the Finns that you are no german spy, but a real local! Featuring 12 Sauna levels, meticulously crafted on real cottages and public saunas. Physics based Löyly throwing mechanics, and locals to meet!

Why similar: Philosophical 26.9%, Dialogue Heavy 24.5%, Exploration 13.2%, Investigation 11.9%, First-Person 8.6%

Something's hiding in the cassette. Rearrange the words of your enemies to investigate a small-town conspiracy in this mystery puzzle game.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 34.2%, LGBTQ+ 23.2%, Story Rich 11.4%, Puzzle 11.2%, Exploration 10.1%

A narrative-driven sci-fi exploration game that sees a couple being torn apart by invisible forces whilst trying to salvage an abandoned spaceship and uncover its mysteries.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 27.9%, Interactive Fiction 21.8%, Dialogue Heavy 12%, Sci-fi 11.1%, Exploration 9.1%

You came here with a motive, so as everyone, except that you are able to change theirs. Ride with Lucas to turn down all the love interests or end their trouble in this (obviously artificial intelligence-themed) sci-fi BL visual novel. Enjoy the long-waited grand finale in this trilogy!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 30.2%, Interactive Fiction 26.2%, Dialogue Heavy 23.7%, Sci-fi 9.2%, Story Rich 8.8%

Live through the last ten minutes of Juan Fuentes, who has been given the chance to choose his very last words. Captured by Victoriano Huerta's army after the Ten Tragic Days during the Mexican Revolution, Juan will confront his life, death, family, relationships and existence.

Why similar: Philosophical 32.7%, Interactive Fiction 26.3%, Dialogue Heavy 20%, Linear 4.7%, Stylized 4.5%

Dive into a small, dense open world with cryptic puzzles, weird interactions and interesting characters. Will you fit in? Join in divine communion? Or become something of your own!

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 38.9%, Philosophical 35.2%, Exploration 13.5%, Puzzle 5.4%, Stylized 2.6%

You are ready to say goodbye to life, but are you prepared to face your life's truth? Navigate a grad student's life between greed and fear in his final 6 hours (and beyond) in this BL visual novel.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 31.1%, Interactive Fiction 25%, Dialogue Heavy 23.9%, Sci-fi 9%, Story Rich 8.9%

Frog Bard is a short, poetic experience about finding inspiration in the world around you. Explore a simple forest and perform reflective ballads as you travel from inn to inn.

Why similar: Driving 43.1%, Interactive Fiction 18.9%, Relaxing 11.4%, Exploration 7.8%, Story Rich 6.3%

A retro-futuristic rhythm-based co-op road trip game where two players drive, react in sync, and overcome challenges together.

Why similar: Driving 36.1%, Puzzle 15.2%, Exploration 14.7%, Sci-fi 9.3%, Relaxing 8.6%

Just Another Life is a narrative-driven "life simulation" visual novel mixed with adventure game puzzle elements. Play as John Doe, just another life in the little town of Hope. Help John learn the stories of the various characters of Hope, and help him overcome the hurdles to his own happiness.

Why similar: Philosophical 28.6%, Dialogue Heavy 23.4%, Interactive Fiction 20.4%, Story Rich 9.1%, Puzzle 8.5%

Malfunction II is a journey that'll feature vast exploration and difficult obstacles to overcome. You've awakened on an inescapable planet crawling with the Plague and your objective is to uncover the mysteries behind this dilemma and to finally put an end to the Plague- once and for all.

Why similar: Robots 17.6%, Puzzle 17.5%, Exploration 16.2%, Relaxing 12.3%, Sci-fi 10.4%

After crash-landing on a mysterious planet, novice engineer Nova Collins must unravel the secrets of a town's messy past to escape it. Talk your way through this enigmatic place, but beware: ideas manifest as things that can be traded and lost, so don't lose yourself along the way...

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 25.3%, LGBTQ+ 23.9%, Interactive Fiction 13.8%, Investigation 9.5%, Story Rich 9.3%