Games Like Arise: A Simple Story

The Gardens Between is a surreal puzzle adventure that follows best friends, Arina and Frendt, as they fall into a mysterious world of beautiful garden islands. Manipulate time to solve puzzles and discover the secrets of each island.

Why similar: Time Manipulation 38.5% ★, Emotional 17.9%, Surreal 15.2%, Relaxing 8.6%, Story Rich 7%

Why You'll Like It: Like Arise, this game centers on manipulating time to navigate through emotional, memory-based puzzles.

A deep, interactive adventure about love and loss, beautifully depicted and offering an intense cinematic experience. What would you do to save the one you love?

Why similar: Story Rich 27.3%, Relaxing 18.5%, Emotional 18%, Adventure 12.4%, Third Person 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: This narrative-driven experience uses time-loop mechanics to explore the tragedy of loss and the desire to change the past.

A short, fully voiced, story-first adventure across two worlds. Rearrange words into platforms in Izzy’s diary, then wield word magic to shape your path in the fantasy she writes. Gentle puzzles, watercolour wonder, and a bittersweet story of family, loss, and healing.

Why similar: Emotional 25.7%, Puzzle Platformer 23.6%, Platformer 14.2%, Relaxing 10.3%, Story Rich 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game masterfully weaves a deeply emotional narrative into its puzzle-platforming gameplay, much like the storytelling in Arise.

Guide two brothers on an epic fairy tale journey from visionary Swedish film director, Josef Fares and top-tier developer Starbreeze Studios. Control both brothers at once as you experience co-op play in single player mode, like never before.

Why similar: Emotional 34%, Story Rich 16.9%, Local Co-Op 14.1%, Adventure 11.2%, Puzzle 7%

Why You'll Like It: A powerful, emotional journey that uses unique control mechanics to tell a story of grief and connection.

A land of discovery stretches out before you. Explore the beautiful, rugged world of RiME. Armed with your wits and a will to overcome—and the guidance of a helpful fox—you must explore the enigmatic island, reach the tower's peak, and unlock its closely guarded secrets.

Why similar: Exploration 19.6%, 3D Platformer 17.7%, Puzzle 10.9%, Relaxing 10.7%, Colorful 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful 3D puzzle-platformer that deals with themes of loss and acceptance through wordless, atmospheric storytelling.

Explore the corners of a surrealistic post-human world to give life on Earth a second chance in this touching story about sacrifice and hope.

Why similar: Platformer 21.6%, Emotional 21.2%, Surreal 16.5%, Exploration 13.3%, Adventure 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A 3D platformer that explores themes of life, death, and the environment through a surreal and emotional lens.

Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 17%, Platformer 16.9%, Surreal 14.6%, Relaxing 14.1%, Story Rich 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: An artistic masterpiece that uses platforming to represent the stages of grief and emotional recovery.

The Last Campfire is an adventure, a story of a lost ember trapped in a puzzling place, searching for meaning and a way home.

Why similar: Emotional 20.4%, 3D Platformer 15.5%, Puzzle Platformer 14%, Relaxing 10.6%, Cute 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A gentle, puzzle-focused adventure that explores themes of hope and finding one's purpose.

Explore the ancient, mysterious world of Journey as you soar above ruins and glide across sands to discover its secrets.

Why similar: Relaxing 30.7%, Exploration 24.6%, Adventure 11.7%, Story Rich 9.6%, Family Friendly 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential atmospheric adventure that focuses on the emotional impact of a wordless, shared journey.

Unravel is a physics-based puzzle platformer. Yarny, a character made from a single thread of yarn, must embark on a larger than life adventure.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 21.9%, Platformer 19%, Family Friendly 17.9%, Puzzle 11.4%, Colorful 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A heartfelt puzzle-platformer where the mechanics are tied to the theme of connection and memory.

Embark on an emotional first-person narrative adventure where you control the story—and affect its outcomes—with your real-life blinks. With this innovative technique you will fully immerse yourself in a world of memories, both joyous and heartbreaking, as your whole life flashes before your eyes.

Why similar: Emotional 43.1%, Story Rich 15.4%, Surreal 13.2%, Cute 6%, Colorful 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A highly emotional narrative experience that uses a unique mechanic to reflect on the fleeting nature of life.

A single-player journey of discovery through an ancient world of wonders, created by solo developer Jonas Manke.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 16.8%, 3D Platformer 14.3%, Platformer 10.2%, Relaxing 9.7%, Cute 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A relaxing, visually stunning 3D exploration game that captures the sense of wonder found in Arise.

Scarf is an atmospheric and emotional journey about what it means to be a hero. An adventure game mixing puzzles and 3D platforms. Explore beautifully crafted worlds and discover your true destiny with the help of a dragon-shaped scarf.

Why similar: 3D Platformer 16.6%, Emotional 15.2%, Platformer 10.1%, Relaxing 8.5%, Exploration 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A 3D platformer that emphasizes exploration and a gentle, story-rich atmosphere.

In a world torn between nature’s grace and cold machine invasion, one girl and her companion must rely on their bond to survive and protect what they hold dear. Their story of hope, loss, and love will stay with you long after the journey ends.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 29.2%, Emotional 25.7%, Platformer 17.3%, Cute 10.9%, Puzzle 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic puzzle-platformer that balances atmospheric exploration with a touching, emotional story.

When humans get too lonely, they turn into monsters… Set sail across a beautiful and evolving world of darkness and light, and discover what it means to be human.

Why similar: Emotional 40%, Platformer 25.2%, 3D Platformer 16%, Adventure 9.8%, Stylized 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game uses 3D platforming to externalize the internal emotional struggles of its protagonist, similar to the metaphorical world of Arise.

Time Loader is a story-driven puzzle-platformer with tiny robots, alternate realities, nostalgic music, and primitive tech from the 90s!

Why similar: Time Manipulation 30.6% ★, Emotional 14.6%, 3D Platformer 14.2%, Puzzle Platformer 14.2%, Platformer 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: Features time-manipulation mechanics and puzzle-solving that mirror the core gameplay loop of Arise.

Immerse yourself in a unique narrative experience and explore the thousand summer colors of Dordogne as you revisit your childhood to uncover lost family secrets in this touching formative journey.

Why similar: Emotional 21%, Nature 16.4%, Relaxing 10.6%, Cute 9.8%, Family Friendly 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy game that focuses on childhood memories and the bittersweet nature of looking back at the past.

Set out on a mystical adventure of self-discovery against the backdrop of fantastical landscapes of The Tower. Meet its dwellers and unravel their stories. Manipulate spirits to solve puzzles, and lead Ina on her path to freedom.

Why similar: Surreal 25.7%, Puzzle Platformer 25.3%, Platformer 14%, Story Rich 8.5%, Exploration 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal puzzle-platformer with a strong focus on atmosphere and a mysterious, emotional narrative.

Experience the altered memories of a dying man, reliving his entire life as a little boy while lying on his deathbed. Explore the profound depths of his subconscious as you assist Griffin to shed the remains of his miserable life before his impending demise.

Why similar: Emotional 23%, Puzzle Platformer 17.4%, Surreal 13.1%, Platformer 10.4%, Cute 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle-platformer that explores themes of childhood trauma and emotional healing.

Hoa is a beautiful puzzle-platforming game that features breathtaking hand-painted art, lovely music, and a peaceful, relaxing atmosphere.

Why similar: Relaxing 20.6%, Platformer 14.6%, Cute 14.5%, Exploration 12.9%, Puzzle Platformer 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, hand-painted puzzle-platformer that emphasizes atmosphere and emotional resonance.

The world has been swallowed into the grey void of time and space. The only key to the winding puzzle - a time-controling pocket-watch - lies in the hands of a clockmaker Father. The watch creates a mysterious barrier between the Father and his estranged Daughter.

Why similar: Time Manipulation 39.4% ★, Puzzle Platformer 18.3%, Emotional 16.7%, Platformer 7%, Story Rich 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle game centered on time-manipulation mechanics that impact the lives of the characters around you.

My Memory of Us is a moving fairy tale about friendship and hope in the darkest moments of our times. Enter a hand-crafted, gorgeously animated 2D world full of adventure, exploration, stealth and puzzles. Meet the kids brought up in different worlds and help them survive during times of occupation.

Why similar: Emotional 21.9%, Puzzle Platformer 21.3%, Relaxing 14.8%, Platformer 13.7%, Cute 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A side-scrolling platformer that uses a unique art style to tell a touching story of friendship during difficult times.

Traverse a dried-out seabed littered with the remains of a decaying civilization. Keep your unique vessel going, overcome numerous obstacles and withstand the hazardous weather conditions. How far can you make it? What will you find?

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 23.7%, Nature 20%, Platformer 14.7%, Exploration 12.9%, Story Rich 10.8%

Why You'll Like It: A meditative journey across a desolate landscape that emphasizes the emotional weight of travel and survival.

Spirit of the North is a single-player 3rd-person adventure game inspired by the breathtaking and mysterious landscapes of Iceland. Play as an ordinary red fox whose story becomes entwined with the guardian of the Northern Lights, a female spirit fox.

Why similar: Relaxing 24.4%, Exploration 20.3%, Adventure 19.4%, Indie 9.8%, Puzzle 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric adventure that focuses on exploration and the emotional bond between the player and the world.

Explore the remains of a fallen world from fascinating perspectives! Slip into the role of different animals to uncover the fate of an ancient world. Dive into deep waters, fly at lofty heights, dig underground as a mole or even climb steep cliffs with a mountain goat, there are lots of ways of getting around.

Why similar: Emotional 20.2%, Nature 17.4%, Relaxing 11%, Exploration 9.1%, Family Friendly 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: An exploration-focused game that allows you to experience the world from different perspectives to uncover a lost history.

Degrees of Separation is a puzzle platformer where cooperation is built into every move. Two contrasting souls, Ember and Rime, fall in love, but are separated by an enigmatic force, and must use their powers to progress through a spectacular world of fantasy and adventure.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 31.3%, Puzzle Platformer 22.8%, Platformer 11.8%, Story Rich 9.2%, Relaxing 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A puzzle-platformer that uses environmental manipulation mechanics to tell a story about two characters who cannot touch.

Help the cursed souls of Limbo escape their endless time loop in the afterlife. As Kulebra, a newly-deceased snake, witness their grief and guide them toward closure through point-and-click puzzles, light stealth, and empathy-driven boss encounters.

Why similar: Time Manipulation 34.8% ★, Emotional 17.1%, Relaxing 6.9%, Story Rich 6.9%, Exploration 5.8%

Do plants feel? A unique boy from the village and a girl lost her memory stay together for the adventure in the Chengying plain, a breathtaking place but fulfilled with bushy vines. Through changing viewpoints and the way of thinking, solve puzzles and move towards the source of the Treeman.

Why similar: Emotional 25.1%, Nature 20.9%, Puzzle Platformer 19.4%, Cute 9.7%, Story Rich 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: A casual, emotional puzzle game that explores the relationship between nature and human identity.

Hazel Sky is a heartfelt adventure about a young engineer facing his destiny and his desires. Fix ramshackle flying machines and jump, climb, swing, and slide through a beautiful, mysterious world.

Why similar: Emotional 24.8%, 3D Platformer 21.3%, Story Rich 10.9%, Exploration 10.2%, Third Person 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A story-rich adventure that focuses on personal growth and the challenges of the past.

The House of Hikmah is a fully voice-acted, narrative-driven 3D adventure game exploring grief, legacy and the search for answers after profound loss. Solve puzzles, encounter historical scholars of the Islamic Golden Age, and uncover timeless lessons in a beautifully imagined House of Wisdom.

Why similar: Emotional 16.9%, 3D Platformer 15.1%, Puzzle Platformer 13.9%, Platformer 11.1%, Surreal 8.8%

Jivana is a story-driven adventure game. Embody Aelis, a water priestess who uses her powers to open the path for her community, forced to flee after the appearance of a huge cataclysm. Explore the enchanting landscapes of Jivana, use your ability to manipulate water and lead your people to safety.

Why similar: Emotional 24.5%, Puzzle Platformer 19.5%, Platformer 13.6%, Exploration 9.2%, Nature 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional adventure game that emphasizes narrative and personal discovery through its world design.

Nomori is a mind-bending adventure game where you control time and space to journey through a shattered spirit world. Take shortcuts through portals, rotate your perspective, and control the flow of time to move forward, whichever way that is.

Why similar: Time Manipulation 25% ★, Puzzle Platformer 14.5%, Surreal 12%, Nature 8%, Relaxing 7.2%

Transform into a bird and fly to explore and experience a vibrant world of floating islands in the sky. Venture down into lost ancient ruins where each step leads you closer to the end of the world.

Why similar: Relaxing 20.8%, Exploration 20.5%, Nature 12.8%, Adventure 9.8%, 3D Platformer 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A game focused on flight and exploration that captures the same sense of freedom and melancholy as Arise.

Harmony’s Odyssey is a 3D fantasy adventure puzzle game set on mythical dioramas full of riddles, perky creatures and magic. Embark on a fantastic journey through remote fabled lands tangled by a rowdy cat and bring peace to its inhabitants.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 22.9%, Local Co-Op 20.6%, Relaxing 13.9%, Cute 11.8%, Family Friendly 11.3%

A cute yet challenging puzzle-platformer with a unique mechanic of moving the world itself to create new paths. Play solo or with a friend in local co-op mode to help Ben & Abi navigate this mysterious world. Test your logic skills by solving clever puzzles to help them find their way back home

Why similar: Local Co-Op 17.4%, Puzzle Platformer 14.5%, Emotional 13.3%, Surreal 11.4%, Platformer 8.8%

Cast away on an island paradise complete with a cast of friendly frogs. Enjoy sandbox island life and explore at your own pace, solving sticky situations for your new friends and trading your way to fixing your ship!

Why similar: 3D Platformer 15%, Puzzle Platformer 14.6%, Nature 14%, Emotional 11%, Relaxing 8.9%

Old Man’s Journey, a soul-searching puzzle adventure, tells a story of life, loss, and hope. Interacting with the world around you, you'll shape the landscape to create the old man's path forward. Experience heartache and hope as you embark on a heartfelt journey through a sunkissed world.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 16.7%, Emotional 16.6%, Family Friendly 13.4%, Story Rich 12.9%, Exploration 9%

Zeno has accidentally banished his sister, so what now? Create paradoxes to help him complete trials and bring her back, obviously. Take on a wide variety of puzzles while collaborating with your past self and experiencing a fully-voiced cinematic story as you help Zeno bring her back.

Why similar: Time Manipulation 36.7% ★, 3D Platformer 16.1%, Puzzle Platformer 14.6%, Relaxing 8.1%, Cute 7.2%

Timeworks is a time-traveling 3D puzzle platformer with a bouncy cartoon style. Work along past versions of yourself to solve puzzles, create unique Items, and fill out your quotas for your mysterious employers.

Why similar: Time Manipulation 30.8% ★, 3D Platformer 19.5%, Puzzle Platformer 18.8%, Platformer 10.2%, Story Rich 6%

Play as a tiny lil' mushroom who's lost in the forest and can't find its way home. Explore unique areas freely at your own pace, chat with friendly inhabitants, and take on different adventures to get back home!

Why similar: Nature 18.6%, 3D Platformer 16.1%, Cute 11.2%, Relaxing 10.9%, Exploration 8.6%

Adapta Solva is a short puzzle platformer adventure. Play as an Adaptarian to absorb elements from magical shrines to solve puzzles and overcome obstacles. Uncover the truth behind your creation in a world laid to ruin by an unknown cause.

Why similar: 3D Platformer 21.3%, Puzzle Platformer 19%, Platformer 13.8%, Exploration 8.8%, Nature 8.4%

Evergate is a haunting 2D puzzle-platformer set in a stunning hand-drawn vision of the Afterlife with an original score recorded by a live orchestra. Navigate 85 challenging stages and unleash the extraordinary powers of the genre-defining 'Soulflame' to help a lost soul reincarnate on earth!

Why similar: Time Manipulation 31% ★, Puzzle Platformer 17.4%, Emotional 14.2%, Platformer 10.5%, Story Rich 6.5%

✉️ Become a living letter and find your way to the one who still waits for you! Fly, sail, roll, solve puzzles, uncover secrets, and travel through time and continents in this adventure platformer!😸

Why similar: Emotional 18.9%, 3D Platformer 18.9%, Platformer 11.4%, Relaxing 10.3%, Cute 8.7%

Let's fall together.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 19.6%, Surreal 15.3%, Emotional 10.3%, Relaxing 9.5%, Exploration 9.4%

Control the strings of fate and embark on a grand adventure with Drev and Nieve. A magical, story-driven 2.5D puzzle-platformer where puppeteering mechanics and a whimsical, theater-inspired world intertwine.

Why similar: 3D Platformer 22.8%, Puzzle Platformer 20.7%, Emotional 15.5%, Platformer 13.5%, Cute 8.3%

Embark on a daring journey through life and master the skill of paper plane flight. Explore colorful worlds with unique challenges, find secrets and unlock your full potential!

Why similar: Emotional 30.2%, Nature 25.9%, Family Friendly 13.4%, Colorful 11.1%, Stylized 9.7%

Dive into the mind of Lucienne, a tormented painter. Leap through emotional memories, solve puzzles where shapes deceive and emotion leads the way. A dreamlike platformer where each painting brings you one step closer to yourself.

Why similar: Surreal 17.4%, 3D Platformer 17%, Emotional 14%, Puzzle Platformer 12%, Family Friendly 8.2%

When you cut ties to the past, new bonds form. Build relationships with other Yarnys in local co-op or as a single player, fostering friendship and support as you journey together.

Why similar: Local Co-Op 49.8%, Puzzle Platformer 8.9%, Puzzle 8%, Platformer 8%, Cute 7.3%

Starshifter is a game about shapeshifting, desert animals, and finding your place.

Why similar: Nature 25.1%, Cute 11.4%, 3D Platformer 11.3%, Platformer 10.7%, Story Rich 8.3%

Eternal Hope is a puzzle platformer game that follows the story of Ti’bi – a boy who must embark on a journey of love and hope to find his beloved’s soul.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 27.9%, Platformer 19.7%, Emotional 19.5%, Story Rich 12.1%, Puzzle 6.1%

Enter the hauntingly beautiful shadow world of In His Time, a 2D puzzle-solving adventure game. There you will meet Olly and join him to solve puzzles throughout each step of his emotional journey of growth and self-discovery.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 34.6%, Platformer 17.3%, Story Rich 13%, Exploration 10.7%, Cute 8.3%

Andarin Weppes is a first person puzzle experience of a man with ever advancing dementia...

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 19.2%, 3D Platformer 18.6%, Surreal 16.9%, Emotional 15.8%, Platformer 11.3%

How to Say Goodbye is a beautiful narrative puzzle game inspired by picture books. Reorganize the environment and solve puzzles to help a group of ghosts on their quest to finally move on.

Why similar: Emotional 29.9%, Puzzle Platformer 20.1%, Relaxing 15%, Cute 12.8%, Colorful 9%

In the wake of catastrophe find the means to make your family whole again.

Why similar: Emotional 52.9%, Story Rich 20.8%, Puzzle 10.6%, Adventure 8.8%, Indie 4.4%

A Tiny Sticker Tale is a cozy miniature adventure about changing the world, using the power of stickers!

Why similar: Emotional 31.6%, Relaxing 14.9%, Exploration 11.9%, Family Friendly 10.9%, Cute 9.8%

Make up for lost time with Once Again, If you could travel through time, who’s the first person you’d meet? An interactive story about a boy who spends his summers wandering between past and present... After meeting her, summer will never be the same again...Who is she, and what journey awaits you?

Why similar: Emotional 38.7%, Story Rich 17.1%, Colorful 16.5%, Adventure 8.5%, Relaxing 6.3%

An atmospheric vehicle adventure that follows the emotional journey of a boy and his ship as he embarks on a voyage to find a new home.

Why similar: Puzzle Platformer 30.6%, Emotional 21%, Platformer 17.5%, Relaxing 10.9%, Stylized 7.7%

Causal Loop is a narrative puzzler that blends mind-bending mechanics with a rich sci-fi story about time, consequence, and survival. Solve intricate puzzles by using the signature “echo” mechanic to record, replay, and interact with up to three versions of your past self. Can you break the loop?

Why similar: Time Manipulation 29% ★, Puzzle Platformer 19%, Emotional 15.8%, Platformer 11.8%, Story Rich 7.8%

Play as a border collie and restore color to your human’s world in an atmospheric journey through the northern isles of Scotland. Explore land and sea, uncover hidden paths, herd animals and free wildlife to bring color back to her world, while revealing an emotional story about saying farewell.

Why similar: Emotional 19.7%, Nature 16.1%, Relaxing 9.6%, Exploration 8%, Story Rich 7.9%