Games Like Back to the Dawn

Craft, Steal, Brawl and Escape! It’s time to bust out of the toughest prisons in the world as you return to the life of an inmate in The Escapists 2, now with multiplayer! Have you got what it takes to escape?

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 56.1%, Strategy 18.4%, Simulation 10.9%, Indie 6.2%, Singleplayer 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive prison-escape simulator that mirrors the core survival and planning mechanics found in Back to the Dawn.

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a groundbreaking role playing game. You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.

Why similar: Detective 30.7%, Choices Matter 18.4%, RPG 17.6%, Story Rich 15.7%, CRPG 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: The gold standard for detective RPGs, featuring unparalleled choice-driven narrative and complex character development.

Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future.

Why similar: RPG 31.5%, Story Rich 28.4%, Multiple Endings 28%, Adventure 7.2%, Indie 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a deep, narrative-driven RPG experience centered on survival, social management, and making difficult choices in a confined environment.

Gamedec is a single-player cyberpunk isometric RPG. You are a game detective, who solves crimes inside virtual worlds. Use your wits to gather info from your witnesses and suspects, getting to the bottom of deceptive schemes. The game continually adapts to your decisions and never judges.

Why similar: Detective 23%, Choices Matter 12.2%, CRPG 11%, Investigation 10.9%, RPG 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: An isometric detective RPG that focuses entirely on investigation and the consequences of your choices rather than traditional combat.

Survive the galaxy's toughest prison and rise to the top of a space gang! Explore, fight, craft, trade and learn convicts' stories to escape the facility. Space Prison is a turn-based tactical survival game with deep strategy and social RPG elements.

Why similar: Strategy RPG 52.5%, RPG 27.3%, Simulation 8.4%, Strategy 7.7%, Indie 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares the specific theme of surviving and navigating the social politics of a high-security prison in a sci-fi setting.

"Murders on Yangtze River" is an Ace Attorney-like detective game that takes you on a journey through early 20th century China as you solve a series of intriguing cases. Use your logical reasoning and deduction skills to uncover clues, interrogate suspects, and solve the mysteries.

Why similar: Detective 43.8%, Story Rich 14.6%, Investigation 14.5%, Mystery 10.2%, RPG 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A compelling detective adventure that focuses on piecing together clues and solving complex mysteries.

The toughest prison sim in the yard has been locked back up to serve another sentence in 2D!

Why similar: RPG 52.9%, Simulation 20.2%, Adventure 15.9%, Indie 11%

Why You'll Like It: A classic, gritty prison simulation that captures the harsh social hierarchy and daily struggle of incarceration.

The Thaumaturge is a character-driven RPG with a rich story, morally ambiguous choices, and turn-based combat. In a city on the brink of change, use your mystical powers to read emotions, uncover motives, and command folklore-inspired demons — while resisting the temptation of your own pride.

Why similar: Detective 22.4%, CRPG 14.6%, Investigation 11.9%, RPG 11.6%, Choices Matter 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: A story-rich isometric RPG that emphasizes investigation and moral ambiguity within a historical setting.

Miles Edgeworth's dramatic turnabouts take center stage! Experience both Ace Attorney Investigations games in one gorgeous collection! Investigate crime scenes and solve tough, intriguing cases through logic and deduction. When Edgeworth's past and present collide, his future begins!

Why similar: Detective 25.2%, Crime 22%, Investigation 19%, Story Rich 10%, Mystery 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a polished, puzzle-heavy detective experience that focuses on gathering evidence and outsmarting opponents.

Step into a living illustrated world in a time when Europe is at a crossroads of great religious and political change. Walk in the footsteps of Andreas Maler, a master artist who finds himself in the middle of murders, scandals, and intrigue in the Bavarian Alps.

Why similar: Detective 25.7%, Investigation 20.2%, Story Rich 14.4%, Multiple Endings 13.1%, Choices Matter 10.5%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in narrative mystery where every choice you make significantly impacts the story and the lives of those around you.

When a high-ranking security officer saves you from prison, you end up a pawn in her schemes. Now you must eliminate anyone standing in the way of her secret plans and try to get your life back while working two jobs. No tenant, employee or superior is safe from your spying.

Why similar: Story Rich 22.2%, Choices Matter 21.9%, Multiple Endings 21%, Simulation 11.6%, Strategy 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the oppressive, surveillance-heavy atmosphere of a system designed to silence you, requiring careful social maneuvering.

Roadwarden is an illustrated text-based RPG that uses isometric pixel art and combines mechanics borrowed from RPGs, Visual Novels, adventure games and interactive fiction.

Why similar: RPG 25.5%, Pixel Graphics 16.2%, Story Rich 12.1%, Choices Matter 11.7%, Detective 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A text-based RPG that excels at world-building and forces you to manage resources and relationships to survive in a hostile land.

Hero's Adventure:Road to Passion is a wuxia open-world RPG. You will commence your journey as an underdog in the tumultuous Martial World and will be met with a wide array of choices as you navigate your own heroic saga.

Why similar: RPG 34.6%, Multiple Endings 23.8%, Pixel Graphics 19%, Strategy 6%, Adventure 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: An open-world RPG with deep character progression and multiple endings that reward strategic planning.

Cyber Manhunt is a story-oriented puzzle game focusing on big data, hacking, citizen privacy, and social workers. It focuses on social issues such as cyber violence and privacy breaches.

Why similar: Detective 22%, RPG 22%, Crime 18.6%, Mystery 12.4%, Simulation 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A simulation game that focuses on investigative work and uncovering secrets through digital means.

Wandering Sword is a Chinese martial-arts RPG where you play a young swordsman caught up in a feud and nearly dies. Escaping the event puts you on the path of pursuing the highest form of martial arts and exploring the pugilistic world to become the great hero you are always destined to be.

Why similar: RPG 37.6%, Pixel Graphics 25.6%, Story Rich 20.1%, Adventure 5%, Strategy 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: A pixel-art RPG that features tactical combat and a rich, choice-driven narrative.

A retro, pixel art style adventure in New York, inspired by ’80s cop shows. You are Jack Kelly and you’ve been framed for murder. Now as a regular beat cop you have to find out, who did that. Expect thick crime story, a lot of black humour and all the other things you can find on the streets of Brooklyn.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 26.9%, Crime 24.7%, Detective 17.2%, Choices Matter 8.3%, Story Rich 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: Combines pixel-art aesthetics with a gritty crime-solving narrative that requires careful time management and social navigation.

What if you could hear every word spoken at the scene of a crime? “Acoustic Detectives” wanted for testing our new device! Return aurally to crime scenes and use the voices you hear to identify potential suspects and solve the mysteries. What is it that’s connecting these seemingly unrelated cases?

Why similar: Detective 26.7%, Crime 24%, Investigation 12.9%, RPG 10.1%, Story Rich 10%

Why You'll Like It: A unique detective game where you must solve crimes by listening to audio logs, mirroring the investigative focus of the seed game.

Breakout 13 is a thrilling narrative game with interactive cinematic experience. Based on true stories. Embark on a revealing journey as you attempt to break free from a negligent correctional institute and carve out your own path to justice. Each decision you make shapes the story.

Why similar: Detective 26.6%, Strategy RPG 21.6%, Choices Matter 15%, Multiple Endings 13.2%, RPG 12.2%

Why You'll Like It: An interactive fiction game that deals with themes of confinement and rebellion against an oppressive system.

A keenly dark twist on the traditional murder mystery setting, The Deed is an Adventure/RPG game about getting away with murder. Arran Bruce, the rightful heir to Dunshiel House, returns home to settle a score with his estranged family.

Why similar: Detective 24.1%, Crime 24%, RPG 11.3%, Story Rich 9.4%, Pixel Graphics 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, crime-focused RPG where your choices determine the outcome of a murder investigation.

Untangle a gripping conspiracy in this noir-influenced mystery, laced with classic RPG elements. Navigate seedy streets to collect clues, upgrade skills and customize weapons. Brawl in turn-based combat with timed hits & combos, to reveal the dark truth that plagues the city’s core and your sanity.

Why similar: Detective 19.9%, Crime 17.8%, Strategy RPG 13.3%, RPG 10.2%, Pixel Graphics 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: A retro-styled detective RPG that captures the noir atmosphere and investigative gameplay of the genre.

NORCO is a dialogue-focused point & click adventure that immerses the player in the sinking suburbs and industrial swamplands of an increasingly surreal and distorted South Louisiana.

Why similar: Investigation 28.5%, Pixel Graphics 23%, Story Rich 21.5%, Mystery 19.1%, Adventure 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: Features a striking pixel-art aesthetic and a deeply atmospheric, story-rich mystery that feels similar in tone to the seed game.

Play as a Prisoner or a Guard with up to 12 players(or alone) in an online prison game. Loot, Craft, and make your way to the exit, or investigate and arrest wanted players as a guard!

Why similar: Detective 47.1%, RPG 21.7%, Strategy RPG 15.5%, Strategy 6%, Simulation 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the simulation aspects of prison life, requiring players to balance strategy and social interaction.

Prepare the next monarch by finding her hobbies, training her for battle, and befriending the citizens she'll one day protect. Dive into an all-new parenting-simulator-RPG adventure, where every decision you make will not only affect the future of your daughter but that of an entire empire!

Why similar: Multiple Endings 27.7%, Choices Matter 26.4%, RPG 19.4%, Story Rich 13%, Simulation 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: Offers a life-simulation experience with deep branching paths and multiple endings based on your choices.

Take back your identity in Muffles’ Life Sentence, a darkly comedic narrative adventure set in a prison where inmates are remade to match their crimes.

Why similar: Crime 27.6%, RPG 20.8%, Pixel Graphics 18.3%, Story Rich 18%, Adventure 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: A dark-humored RPG that explores life within a prison setting using card-battler mechanics.

No flashy visuals, just pure mental gymnastics. Actively search, cross-reference, and unravel the truth from a complex database. In this hardcore text-based deduction game, the devil is always in the details. Detective, are you ready?

Why similar: Detective 41.9%, RPG 17.2%, Story Rich 14.3%, Mystery 10.4%, Simulation 4.8%

Why You'll Like It: A text-based detective game that emphasizes puzzle-solving and psychological investigation.

Justice.exe is a dialogue-heavy dystopian legal drama in which you defend sentient AI in court. Discover key story elements in dialogue, build your case by studying arguments, and engage the opposing counsel in wits, charisma and skullduggery. Small choices might alter the fate of your clients.

Why similar: Detective 23%, Crime 18.1%, Choices Matter 12.2%, Story Rich 10%, Multiple Endings 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: A dystopian simulation game that focuses on the moral weight of your decisions within a corrupt system.

Command your minions to solve mysteries and cover up scandals in a high-class boarding school, where the competition is cut-throat and image is everything. But be careful - one of your minions is a traitor.

Why similar: Detective 32.2%, Investigation 14.5%, Choices Matter 12.7%, RPG 12.5%, Story Rich 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A strategy-heavy detective RPG that forces you to manage a school's social hierarchy while uncovering secrets.

Survive a mad Sultan's reign in this brutal resource management RPG. Draw a card every seven days and complete its challenge. Make dreadful choices to stay alive: will you die a loyal servant, become a kingslayer, or call down the gods' judgement?

Why similar: Choices Matter 21.1%, Multiple Endings 18.6%, RPG 18.3%, Story Rich 17%, Simulation 5.7%

Discover a digital realm shrouded in mystery. Sequel to an award-winning narrative driven hacking simulator puzzle game. Play as an AI assistant in a major corporation. Deploy intricate social engineering tactics and expose hidden truths in a world of ambition and high-tech deception.

Why similar: Detective 31.7%, Investigation 18.4%, Choices Matter 12.6%, Story Rich 11.7%, Mystery 11.1%

Far Away is a visual novel full of dark humor depicting immersive storylines rather than romantic drama. You will play as Krosa, a typical girl who experiences gang conflicts, crimes, conspiracies, and family grudges in the port city of Bedjan.

Why similar: Crime 22.4%, Choices Matter 21.3%, Investigation 18.6%, Story Rich 15.3%, Multiple Endings 13%

Why You'll Like It: A visual novel that prioritizes choice-based storytelling and character relationships.

Prison Notes is a RPG with text-based ADV and cultivation elements. You act as a young migrant worker, wrongly imprisoned in the prison known as "The Coral Reef".What challenges and adventures are awaiting? Will you finally find a way out? Your choices and actions will decide the end of your story.

Why similar: Detective 23.8%, Strategy RPG 16.3%, Crime 14.5%, RPG 12.7%, Story Rich 10.4%

Trials of Innocence is an indie courtroom detective game. Step into the shoes of the main character, rookie lawyer Luna Ray, and navigate her journey through the legal world. Unravel a shocking conspiracy that changes the fate of many, including herself, and confront her inner choices.

Why similar: Detective 28.1%, Crime 19.7%, Investigation 12.6%, Story Rich 10.6%, Mystery 8.7%

You've never played a game like this before. Road to Empress I is a cinematic palace adventure where your choices decide everyone's fate. Tackle multiple story branches and a high mortality rate with charm, wisdom and courage? First...survive.

Why similar: Choices Matter 29%, RPG 20.6%, Story Rich 17.4%, Multiple Endings 14.4%, Strategy RPG 6.1%

A young single man returns to his hometown and takes over the family's matchmaking business. Matchmaking Inc. is a modern-themed RPG designed for men that combines gameplay elements of simulation management and text adventure.

Why similar: Choices Matter 22.2%, Multiple Endings 20.4%, RPG 20.4%, Pixel Graphics 17.8%, Story Rich 17%

Soulflow is a 2.5D fantasy-detective game that offers a unique experience with its graphic style. In this story-based role play game, players must gather information from others during the day and try to solve the murders in the neighborhood to stay free.

Why similar: Detective 23.6%, Investigation 14.2%, Crime 11.9%, Multiple Endings 11.5%, Choices Matter 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy investigation game that utilizes time-management mechanics to uncover the truth.

《学生时代》是一款可自由构筑的校园人生模拟器。你将在高度还原的中国校园中，从入学一路走到高考，与多个性格鲜明的同学一起成长，互相陪伴。你的养成和选择，不但会决定你的人生，也会影响到朋友们的未来。

Why similar: Multiple Endings 35.3%, RPG 35.2%, Story Rich 29.6%

Getting away with murder has never been easy. These three members of a proud and noble family are separated by five centuries, but have in common a vengeful and murderous intent. Plans must be formed, blood must be spilled and evidence must be planted ...

Why similar: Crime 26.3%, Detective 23.1%, Choices Matter 12.6%, Story Rich 10.3%, RPG 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A crime-focused adventure that builds on the choice-driven mechanics of its predecessor.

《觅长生》是一款想要还原真实修仙世界的开放世界角色扮演游戏。 在这里，你可以体验到从零开始一步步积攒修为突破境界的逆天修仙之旅，也可以体验到那些充满修仙味的故事和剧情。当然也少不了寻求奇遇、探索秘境，更可以和游戏中的角色互动，与人为善或是杀人夺宝全都由你自己抉择。

Why similar: RPG 41.7%, Strategy RPG 26.7%, Story Rich 14.6%, Strategy 6.5%, Simulation 4.8%

Following the previous one, “Fate Seeker II” character development, thinking and exploration and other elements. You can experience real-time combat without switching scenes, and feel the delightful martial arts anytime.

Why similar: RPG 56.1%, Investigation 25%, Story Rich 14.4%, Singleplayer 3.2%, Sexual Content 1.4%

A genealogical mystery straight out of 1998. Scour the early Internet for clues, uncover hidden connections, and piece together the family tree behind the secretive Roottree Corporation.

Why similar: Detective 47.3%, Investigation 19.5%, Mystery 15.9%, Story Rich 11.1%, Adventure 2.6%

Beast Saga is an open-world RPG set in a martial arts universe where you play as a young wolf tribe member named Lang Jiusi. Immerse yourself in a world of free exploration, gathering, crafting, life skills, martial arts cultivation, forming alliances and experiencing unique Jianghu adventures.

Why similar: CRPG 18%, Choices Matter 17.4%, RPG 17.3%, Multiple Endings 15.1%, Story Rich 14.5%

"The Scroll of Taiwu" is an indie game themed around Chinese mythology and wuxia. Players assume the role of the mysterious "heir of the Taiwu clan" in an alternate ancient China, working through generations of heirs to defeat a powerful hereditary enemy and shape the fate of the human world.

Why similar: RPG 35.4%, Strategy RPG 35.3%, Strategy 7.3%, Simulation 7.2%, Adventure 6.7%

Welcome to the charming world of Eastward - population declining! Journey through a society on the brink of collapse. Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people! Wield a trusty frying pan and mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown…

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 33.5%, Story Rich 26.6%, RPG 24.6%, Adventure 7.7%, Singleplayer 4.1%

Home Behind 2 is a Roguelike RPG which set in Scaria, a country engulfed in a ten-year civil war. Lead a patchwork group of revolutionary fighters into the depths of the government's territory as you struggle to overthrow a brutal authoritarian regime!

Why similar: RPG 38.4%, Story Rich 21.8%, Strategy 11.8%, Simulation 10.9%, Adventure 10.7%

Texas, 1980. Walton City has fallen to a zombie outbreak. Lead a band of desperate survivors from refuge to refuge by scavenging, crafting, and fighting in a relentless struggle for survival. Plan wisely, stick together, and — above all — keep moving if you want to make it out alive.

Why similar: Choices Matter 35.1%, Multiple Endings 31%, Story Rich 26.9%, 2.5D 7%

The game world is set in a turbulent state and the mighty Tang-Man declines. The threats from the old enemies keep coming one after another.As a nobody, will you choose either to leave yourself out of it or to fight for Tang-Man's future and turning the tide? The journey of yours,is unpredictable.

Why similar: Choices Matter 32.1%, RPG 27.9%, Multiple Endings 27.4%, Strategy 3.6%, Singleplayer 2.2%

Immigration Enforcement Case #112: You are under arrest. Unless your friends can cross a broken America, retrieve your identifying documents and stay out of trouble... this is the end of the American dream for you.

Why similar: RPG 26.7%, Pixel Graphics 25.9%, Choices Matter 16.6%, Multiple Endings 12.8%, Simulation 8.7%

Control the confident, sexy Karryn as she becomes the new Chief Warden in the notorious all-male prison in this RPG. Go manage the prison and its inmates, but can you also manage Karryn's ever rising desires? Experience the true adult game that fully marries adult elements into all gameplay!

Why similar: Sexual Content 25%, Strategy RPG 24.7%, RPG 24.4%, Multiple Endings 14.4%, Strategy 4.5%

Thirteen girls awaken, only to find themselves in a prison. What awaits them: a Witch Trial. Help them prepare for the trial by exploring the prison in order to find the witch hidden amongst them. Find the witch, learn what kind of magic she holds, dispel the lies, and prepare for the execution.

Why similar: Detective 41.1%, Mystery 13.6%, Story Rich 13.5%, Multiple Endings 9.5%, Investigation 9.2%

MINDS BENEATH US is an emotional sci-fi narrative game. Through the eyes of a humble individual, experience a mad world where humans are exploited as computing devices for AI. Listen to the concerns of those you meet and offer guidance. Together, face challenges and confront an uncertain destiny.

Why similar: Choices Matter 25.8%, Multiple Endings 20.7%, RPG 20.4%, Story Rich 20.1%, Adventure 5.3%

Experience an award-winning, story-driven sci-fi survival game. Help Jan Dolski, the survivor of an ill-fated space expedition, create alternative versions of himself to escape a hostile planet and tackle personal turmoil with his unconventional crew.

Why similar: Story Rich 47.2%, Strategy 23.8%, Adventure 18.3%, Singleplayer 10.6%

The player will play the role of an older unmarried young man Lao Wang, because of the lack of money for marriage in thinking of ways to accidentally be attracted by the pop-up ads of an online game endorsed by a certain celebrity, and the gears of destiny began to turn at that moment.

Why similar: CRPG 43.1%, RPG 22.9%, Multiple Endings 19.5%, Story Rich 14.5%

Confront time and fate in the 2D action RPG, Astlibra Revision. Explore meticulously crafted worlds, fight brutal boss battles, and upgrade your skills to take down enemies lurking around every corner.

Why similar: RPG 68.2%, Story Rich 23.2%, Adventure 8.6%

The world has been thrown into chaos, and it's up to you and your friends to battle the corrupted beasts of the Rotwood. Upgrade your gear, choose your preferred weapon, and hone your skills to defend your safe haven.

Why similar: RPG 72.1%, Adventure 19.8%, Singleplayer 8.2%

Crimes across the times. Are you able to solve them all?

Why similar: Detective 31.3%, Choices Matter 14.4%, Multiple Endings 12.6%, Story Rich 11.4%, Investigation 10.2%

Demonic Mahjong is a Roguelike deckbuilding game inspired by the timeless mechanics of Mahjong. Masterfully use the tiles in your hand to craft powerful combinations, reach staggering high scores, and develop strategies that are uniquely your own!

Why similar: Strategy 63.1%, Sexual Content 17%, Funny 12.1%, Singleplayer 7.8%

《龙胤立志传》是一款融合门派经营的开放江湖武侠游戏。在各大门派割据一方的神州之上，你可以自由驰骋，历经奇遇，修炼神功，踏上行侠仗义或行凶作恶之路，也可以经营自己的门派，攻城略地，称霸一方，最终谱写一段独一无二的武林传奇。

Why similar: Strategy RPG 39.6%, RPG 24.9%, Story Rich 17.8%, Simulation 7.5%, Strategy 4.4%

You will take on the role of the Second Prince of Xuan, heir of the Southern Regime. With foreign invaders entrenched in the north and a complacent court content to linger in the south, you face a defining choice:The choice… is yours!

Why similar: RPG 29.4%, Choices Matter 18.7%, CRPG 15.1%, Multiple Endings 12.8%, Simulation 9%

Legal Dungeon is a game about organizing Police Investigation Documents. The player must review and provide an Investigation Verdict on reports ranging from petty theft to murder, in eight different criminal cases. Weigh the value of people’s lives to unlock all the collectables.

Why similar: Detective 42.9%, Simulation 24.2%, Adventure 19.5%, Indie 13.4%