Games Like Before Your Eyes

What Remains of Edith Finch is a collection of strange tales about a family in Washington state. As Edith, you’ll explore the colossal Finch house, searching for stories as she explores her family history and tries to figure out why she's the last one in her family left alive.

Why similar: Story Rich 33.1%, Walking Simulator 26.5%, First-Person 11.6%, Emotional 10.6%, Mystery 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: It is the gold standard for first-person environmental storytelling, exploring the lives and deaths of a family through deeply personal vignettes.

A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to artificially fulfill his last wish.

Why similar: Emotional 40.7%, Story Rich 30%, Interactive Fiction 11.7%, Indie 6.2%, Psychological 4.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares a profound focus on life-reflection and the emotional weight of memories as characters journey through a dying man's past.

Firewatch is a single-player first-person mystery set in the Wyoming wilderness, where your only emotional lifeline is the person on the other end of a handheld radio.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 31.3%, Story Rich 26.4%, First-Person 14.2%, Mystery 12%, Adventure 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a masterclass in first-person narrative and character-driven dialogue that feels intimate and emotionally resonant.

The Beginner's Guide is a narrative video game from Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable. It lasts about an hour and a half and has no traditional mechanics, no goals or objectives. Instead, it tells the story of a person struggling to deal with something they do not understand.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22%, Story Rich 18.5%, Emotional 18%, Philosophical 8.8%, First-Person 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-narrative experience that explores the relationship between creator and player, mirroring the personal vulnerability found in Before Your Eyes.

An immersive, narrative videogame that retells Joel Green’s 4-year fight against cancer through about two hours of poetic, imaginative gameplay that explores themes of faith, hope and love.

Why similar: Emotional 40.9%, Story Rich 18.6%, Walking Simulator 17.1%, Surreal 8.4%, Indie 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: An autobiographical, deeply emotional walking simulator that tackles the difficult themes of grief and loss with raw honesty.

Florence Yeoh feels a little... stuck. Her life is an endless routine of work, sleep, and spending too much time on social media. Then one day, she meets a cello player named Krish who changes everything about how she sees the world and herself.

Why similar: Narrative 40% ★, Story Rich 13%, Interactive Fiction 12.1%, Emotional 10.5%, Indie 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: A short, poignant interactive story that captures the emotional highs and lows of a relationship through simple, expressive mechanics.

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 32.7%, Emotional 22.2%, Walking Simulator 15.7%, Indie 9.8%, Choices Matter 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game features an emotional, time-loop narrative centered on the struggle to prevent a tragic loss.

June 7th, 1995. 1:15 AM. You arrive home after a year abroad. You expect your family to greet you, but the house is empty. Something's not right. Where is everyone? And what's happened here? Unravel the mystery for yourself in Gone Home, a story exploration game from The Fullbright Company.

Why similar: Narrative 39.4% ★, Walking Simulator 33%, Story Rich 8.1%, First-Person 6%, Emotional 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: A pioneering walking simulator that masterfully uses environmental storytelling to uncover the intimate history of a family.

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 52.5%, Story Rich 25.4%, Adventure 9.7%, Indie 6.2%, Walking Simulator 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: It uses a unique control mechanic to create a powerful emotional connection between the player and the narrative's tragic arc.

OneShot is a surreal top down Puzzle/Adventure game with unique gameplay capabilities. You are to guide a child through a mysterious world on a mission to restore its long-dead sun. The world knows you exist.

Why similar: Story Rich 42%, Surreal 12.9%, Cute 11.5%, Indie 9%, Choices Matter 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-narrative game that breaks the fourth wall to create a unique, personal bond between the player and the protagonist.

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: Story Rich 23%, Hand-drawn 21%, Surreal 13.9%, Indie 12.6%, Walking Simulator 11%

Why You'll Like It: A visually stunning experience that uses platforming and art to represent the stages of grief and emotional recovery.

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

Why similar: Narrative 39.8% ★, Walking Simulator 21.1%, Story Rich 10.3%, Indie 7.4%, Adventure 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: A wordless, atmospheric masterpiece that conveys a profound emotional arc entirely through its world and music.

Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Ride, record, meet people, and unravel the strange world around you in this third-person meditative exploration game.

Why similar: Narrative 31.1% ★, Emotional 20%, Philosophical 12.4%, Interactive Fiction 11.1%, Story Rich 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, reflective game focused on preserving memories and documenting a world before it changes forever.

Hitchhike your way to freedom in this crazy procedurally generated road trip. No one's road is the same!

Why similar: Emotional 32.6%, Story Rich 17.7%, First-Person 14.6%, Interactive Fiction 14.5%, Colorful 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A procedural narrative adventure where your choices directly impact the emotional journey of various characters in a dystopian setting.

Spiritfarer® is a cozy management game about dying. As ferrymaster to the deceased, build a boat to explore the world, care for your spirit friends, and release them into the afterlife. The Spiritfarer Farewell Edition includes the heartwarming base game and three major content updates.

Why similar: Emotional 53.6%, Story Rich 20.5%, Hand-drawn 10.8%, Cartoony 6.2%, Indie 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: It approaches the heavy themes of death and letting go with a gentle, narrative-driven journey that emphasizes kindness and closure.

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 26.2%, Cute 23%, Indie 17.1%, Adventure 15.1%, Family Friendly 13%

Why You'll Like It: A brief, atmospheric, and emotionally uplifting exploration game that focuses on the quiet beauty of a personal journey.

A fateful meeting sets off a chain reaction, upending Mark's life. People disappear and memories prove unreliable. Uncover a hidden truth with Mark and his friends in this narrative adventure and race to unravel the mystery before it's too late.

Why similar: Emotional 43.2%, Interactive Fiction 17.2%, Story Rich 15.9%, Psychological 12.5%, Mystery 5.4%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional, character-driven narrative that focuses on the fleeting moments of adolescence and the weight of life's choices.

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: Narrative 48.4% ★, Emotional 21.5%, Story Rich 7.7%, Hand-drawn 5%, Family Friendly 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: A nostalgic, hand-painted narrative adventure that explores childhood memories and the passage of time.

Embark on an emotional journey of losing the love of one's life. Manipulate time, solve puzzles, reshape surroundings as you push forward into the bittersweet recollections of a past life. This is a story about happiness and hardship, joy and sorrow. A story that all of us will one day experience.

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

Why You'll Like It: It uses time manipulation as a core mechanic to explore the emotional arc of a life from beginning to end.

Unpacking is a zen puzzle game about the familiar experience of pulling possessions out of boxes and fitting them into a new home. Part block-fitting puzzle, part home decoration, you are invited to create a satisfying living space while learning clues about the life you’re unpacking.

Why similar: Story Rich 39.9%, Cute 21.7%, Family Friendly 11.8%, Indie 10.2%, Colorful 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: It tells a life story through the simple, meditative act of organizing possessions across different stages of a character's life.

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 41.6%, Philosophical 17.2%, Story Rich 15.8%, Cute 6.6%, Family Friendly 6.4%

Why You'll Like It: A gentle, emotional puzzle-adventure about finding purpose and helping others find peace.

Explore a strange world full of colorful friends and foes. When the time comes, the path you’ve chosen will determine your fate... and perhaps the fate of others as well.

Why similar: Story Rich 45.3%, Hand-drawn 17.7%, Emotional 13.6%, Indie 10.4%, Colorful 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological narrative that uses surreal imagery to explore deep-seated trauma and the power of memory.

A woman alone in a house. A mystery and a love story. Explore the present to uncover the past, in a short story of love and loss and a life well-lived. A narrative exploration game that examines a world where memories are constantly fading and jumbled.

Why similar: Emotional 41.4%, Walking Simulator 22.7%, First-Person 9.8%, Mystery 8.4%, Indie 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: A poignant, short exploration of memory loss that invites players to piece together a life through domestic objects.

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

Why similar: Story Rich 39.6%, Mystery 23.5%, First-Person 16.7%, Adventure 8.5%, Indie 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply philosophical exploration of time, existence, and the beauty of discovery in a dying universe.

What if the physical objects of everyday life, the possessions we hold close, were actual windows to the past? Peer into distant memories and unseen futures in Hindsight.

Why similar: Narrative 31.6% ★, Emotional 30.5%, Story Rich 13.6%, Interactive Fiction 9.9%, Stylized 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the significance of everyday objects as portals into memory and the passage of time.

What if you lost all your memories? An emotional family drama seen through the eyes of a woman with Alzheimer's disease. As Annie’s life slowly unravels, uncover memories of her deceased brother as her past bleeds into the present.

Why similar: Narrative 30% ★, Emotional 24.7%, Story Rich 9.4%, Walking Simulator 8.4%, First-Person 6.1%

From the creators of Before Your Eyes — You are Isaac, a 6-month-old baby, developing mysterious psychic powers. What you want most is to be loved and accepted by your family, but a secretive tech corporation wants you for their own.

Why similar: Narrative 29.2% ★, Emotional 22.4%, Interactive Fiction 10.3%, Story Rich 8.6%, First-Person 5.4%

Led by her new friend, Mr. Voice, Misfortune ventures into the woods, where mysteries are unraveled and a little bad luck unfolds.

Why similar: Story Rich 36.9%, Interactive Fiction 18.1%, Choices Matter 12.5%, Indie 10.4%, Cute 10%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, narrative-heavy adventure that balances whimsical storytelling with heavy, emotional themes.

From the creators of What Remains of Edith Finch. Enter the surreal world of The Unfinished Swan and explore a mysterious, hidden kingdom by splatting paint to reveal the world around you.

Why similar: Narrative 24.1% ★, Surreal 18.3%, Walking Simulator 14.4%, Story Rich 9.9%, First-Person 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: A unique, mechanic-driven exploration of a surreal, story-rich world that unfolds as you interact with it.

Sayonara Wild Hearts is a dreamy arcade game about riding motorcycles, skateboarding, dance battling, shooting lasers, wielding swords, and breaking hearts at 200 mph.

Why similar: Story Rich 28%, Stylized 24.1%, Colorful 22.6%, Indie 10.8%, Singleplayer 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic, music-driven experience that captures the emotional intensity of a breakup through a vibrant, dreamlike journey.

I have some memories of saying goodbye that I don't want to forget, so I turned them into 11 minigames and backed them up in this collection.

Why similar: Narrative 42.4% ★, Emotional 14.3%, Interactive Fiction 9.6%, Story Rich 8.9%, Philosophical 6.7%

A bonkers time-loop tragicomedy murder mystery thriller featuring multiple casualties and a suspicious cat, from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise.

Why similar: Narrative 40.4% ★, Emotional 26.8%, Story Rich 11%, Interactive Fiction 10.1%, Mystery 5%

Forgotten Fields is a game about yearning and nostalgia. Play as Sid - a struggling writer who travels back to his childhood home one last time before it's sold off. Visit old friends, relive memories and play through sections of Sid's book in this warm game about the passage of time.

Why similar: Narrative 42.1% ★, Emotional 15%, Interactive Fiction 11%, Walking Simulator 9%, Philosophical 8%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-focused game that captures the struggle of creativity and the bittersweet nature of reflecting on the past.

Uncover secrets, experience history, solve puzzles and understand one another. Immerse yourself and explore a surreal and colorful world in this short, first-person adventure.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 28.7%, Surreal 26.7%, First-Person 13.3%, Colorful 8.2%, Adventure 7.8%

The End of You is a short, emotional narrative game about love lost, the ghosts of the past, and the painful crawl towards closure.

Why similar: Narrative 38.1% ★, Emotional 24.3%, Psychological 10.6%, Story Rich 9%, Walking Simulator 8.3%

A "Blind" simulator that lets you experience a new perspective and immersive sensory journey. Step into a world of darkness using your guide cane.

Why similar: Emotional 40%, Walking Simulator 20.8%, Story Rich 16.6%, Psychological 15.6%, Indie 3.6%

When the Past was Around is an adventure point-and-click puzzle game about love, moving on, letting go, and the joy and pain of everything in between.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 20.5%, Philosophical 19.7%, Surreal 15.6%, Story Rich 14.2%, Hand-drawn 9.8%

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: Emotional 21.3%, Story Rich 16%, Interactive Fiction 14%, Walking Simulator 11%, Hand-drawn 10.8%

Two doctors traverse backwards through a dying man's memories to fulfill his last wish. This is To the Moon's standalone sequel, but can also be played first.

Why similar: Emotional 40.5%, Interactive Fiction 17.4%, Story Rich 16%, Psychological 15.5%, Cute 4.7%

The prequel to Road 96. Play Zoe and Kaito where it all started. Change their destinies!

Why similar: Narrative 29.9% ★, Emotional 18%, Interactive Fiction 12.9%, Walking Simulator 11.9%, Story Rich 8.4%

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: Narrative 47.3% ★, Emotional 30.9%, Story Rich 10.7%, Choices Matter 3.8%, Colorful 3.6%

A first-person narrative adventure game, telling the story of a sick child playing a 2D platformer. Made in partnership with Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity!

Why similar: Narrative 41.5% ★, Emotional 14.1%, Walking Simulator 8.9%, Interactive Fiction 8.1%, Story Rich 6.6%

What Comes After is a side-scrolling adventure and a short heartwarming story about learning how to love yourself. Help Vivi in her journey on the train to the afterlife and back.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 33%, Emotional 25.2%, Cartoony 12.5%, Philosophical 12%, Story Rich 9.5%

Spiral is a third-person narrative exploration game that shares a poetic vision of cognitive degeneration. Step into the shoes of Bernard as you help him and support him while braving his unravelling mind and reliving his most treasured moments.

Why similar: Emotional 36.3%, Narrative 18.7% ★, Walking Simulator 15.8%, Story Rich 15.1%, Stylized 4.4%

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: Narrative 36.1% ★, Emotional 26.7%, Story Rich 11.4%, Hand-drawn 6.1%, Interactive Fiction 5.7%

Guide brush strokes and solve a variety of puzzles to help an aspiring artist complete her masterpiece amid her brusque neighbor’s gaze and his pesky cat. As her painting starts to take shape, uncover an emotional tale of chance and artistry revealed behind unrelated yet familiar moments.

Why similar: Narrative 54% ★, Interactive Fiction 13.4%, Story Rich 11.6%, First-Person 7.8%, Hand-drawn 7.3%

Alone in the forest glade he shared with his wife, a woodworker struggles to accept her passing. Help him hold on to cherished memories of their life together as he struggles to care for himself and his now empty home. Pine is a single-serving game focused on telling a beautiful, emotional tale.

Why similar: Emotional 30.5%, Narrative 27.9% ★, Interactive Fiction 11.4%, Story Rich 11.1%, Hand-drawn 7.7%

A thoughtful and deeply personal title with stripped-down mechanics. The lack of dialogue or text allows you to create your own narrative through your time with four characters. Each short story will allow players to be swept away by the haunting lyrics of over twenty original, nostalgic songs.

Why similar: Narrative 45.8% ★, Emotional 18.7%, Interactive Fiction 11.7%, Walking Simulator 10.6%, Story Rich 6.8%

A song from years ago triggers a flood of memories for champion swimmer Miriam. Embark on an evocative journey through her turbulent childhood and the complicated relationship she shared with her devoted mother.

Why similar: Emotional 40.8%, Interactive Fiction 27.6%, Story Rich 12.7%, Adventure 8.3%, Colorful 5.5%

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.

Why similar: Philosophical 29.6%, Surreal 24.3%, First-Person 17.9%, Mystery 9.9%, Colorful 6.7%

As a young soldier returning to an eerily deserted home, you'll explore enigmatic rooms and uncover a haunting, tragic story. Experience an atmospheric journey filled with suspense, mysterious encounters, and a deep narrative.

Why similar: Emotional 24.4%, Walking Simulator 16.7%, Story Rich 15%, Psychological 10.4%, First-Person 9.8%

Set off on a delightful expedition and use your photographic eye to uncover the mysteries of the magical TOEM in this hand-drawn adventure game. Chat with quirky characters, solve their problems by snapping neat photos, and make your way through a relaxing landscape!

Why similar: Hand-drawn 30.9%, Family Friendly 19%, Cute 17.2%, Stylized 15.2%, Adventure 11.5%

The Beach Episode™ of To the Moon, Finding Paradise, and Impostor Factory. But something's off.

Why similar: Narrative 50.1% ★, Emotional 30%, Story Rich 12.6%, Adventure 2.9%, Indie 2.8%

Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. Sneak out late, make new friends, uncover hidden truths, and collect words that will change the course of fate!

Why similar: Emotional 39.2%, Interactive Fiction 17.7%, Story Rich 15.6%, Hand-drawn 7%, Colorful 6.2%

A magical adventure about two high school sweethearts set at the end of their school days - and the end of the world. Explore a crumbling town and help friends face their inner demons, which could be the key to stopping reality itself disintegrating. And don’t forget to pet the cats.

Why similar: Emotional 37.1%, Story Rich 15.9%, Psychological 15.3%, Philosophical 13.4%, Surreal 8.5%

Leila is a heartfelt, hand-animated narrative game about the small yet significant struggles we all face. Solve story-driven puzzles, relive fragile memories, and discover a deeply personal journey that may feel more familiar than you expect.

Why similar: Narrative 41.3% ★, Emotional 20.9%, Psychological 9.5%, Story Rich 9.3%, Hand-drawn 7.5%

Uncover the mystery of Thalassa, a first-person psychological drama set under the sea. Ill-fate has fallen on your former crew and friends and it’s up to you to find answers onboard the wreckage. Experience the melancholic underwater journey of human stories facing life and loss.

Why similar: Emotional 25%, Interactive Fiction 16.6%, Narrative 15.6% ★, Psychological 10%, First-Person 9%

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

Why similar: Emotional 19.2%, Philosophical 14.3%, Story Rich 13.5%, First-Person 8.8%, Interactive Fiction 8.8%