- #1 What Remains of Edith Finch
97% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 52,241 reviews2017
Dev: Giant SparrowPub: Annapurna Interactive
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 6.3 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 17.9%, Walking Simulator 17.2%, Mystery 11.1%, Female Protagonist 10.3%, First-Person 9.3%
Why You'll Like It: This title is a gold standard for narrative-driven, atmospheric exploration that uncovers the secrets of a family's past.
- #2 The Vanishing of Ethan Carter
96% matchVery Positive88% of 8,974 reviews2014
Dev: The Astronauts
Windows
Median: 3.3 hrsMean: 4.0 hrs≥1hr: 88%
The Vanishing of Ethan Carter is a first-person story-driven mystery. Purchase this game to get both the original and the Unreal Engine 4 remaster called The Vanishing of Ethan Carter Redux.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 20%, Walking Simulator 17.7%, Mystery 16.3%, First-Person 9.7%, Atmospheric 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: It mirrors the atmospheric mystery and exploration-heavy gameplay of Call of the Sea in a stunning, isolated setting.
- #3 Quern - Undying Thoughts
96% matchVery Positive91% of 4,053 reviews2016
Dev: Zadbox EntertainmentPub: Blue Brain Games
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 7.8 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Discover the truth about Quern’s past, unfold the mysteries of its present, and be the explorer who shapes its future. Quern introduces reusable puzzle mechanics to the classic genre, making the player think about the game as a whole, and not just as a series of individual challenges.
Why similar: Investigation 13.4%, Puzzle 12.7%, Walking Simulator 12.3%, Mystery 12.3%, Surreal 8.9%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a similar focus on complex, rewarding environmental puzzles set on a mysterious, isolated island.
- #4 The Forgotten City
95% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 13,545 reviews2021
Dev: Modern StorytellerPub: Dear Villagers
Windows
Median: 6.1 hrsMean: 7.7 hrs≥1hr: 75%
The Forgotten City is a narrative-driven time loop adventure in ancient Rome. Discover the ruins of an ancient underground city, travel 2000 years into the past, and unravel the mystery of who destroyed it by cleverly exploiting the power to wind back time. The fate of the city is in your hands.
Why similar: Investigation 20%, Mystery 16.5%, Walking Simulator 13.9%, Story Rich 11.5%, First-Person 11.5%
Why You'll Like It: It features a gripping mystery and time-loop mechanics that reward exploration and careful investigation.
- #5 Firewatch
94% matchVery Positive91% of 99,102 reviews2016
Dev: Campo SantoPub: Panic
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 13.5 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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 21.6%, Story Rich 15.2%, Mystery 15%, First-Person 12%, Atmospheric 10.8%
Why You'll Like It: This game excels at building a compelling narrative through first-person exploration and a deep sense of mystery.
- #6 The Room 4: Old Sins
94% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 18,251 reviews2021
Dev: Fireproof Games
Windows
Median: 4.6 hrsMean: 5.4 hrs≥1hr: 93%
The disappearance of an ambitious engineer and his high-society wife provokes a hunt for a precious artefact. The trail leads you to the attic of their home, and the discovery of an old, peculiar dollhouse. What secrets lie within these walls?
Why similar: Lovecraftian 32.4%, Puzzle 23.8%, Mystery 16.3%, Story Rich 6.1%, Adventure 5.5%
Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the same tactile, intricate puzzle-box mechanics that define the core gameplay loop of Call of the Sea.
- #7 Myst
92% matchVery Positive89% of 2,182 reviews2021
Dev: Cyan Worlds, Inc.
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 68%
Welcome to Myst: a starkly beautiful island, eerily tinged with mystery and shrouded in intrigue. Built from the ground up to play in 2D & VR, explore Myst in a whole new dimension! Journey to the Ages, unravel puzzles, and be a part of the surrealistic adventure that will become your own.
Why similar: Puzzle 26%, Adventure 14.1%, Exploration 14%, First-Person 13.3%, Story Rich 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: As a foundational adventure game, it captures the essence of being stranded on a mysterious island and solving its secrets.
- #8 Obduction
93% matchMostly Positive80% of 3,978 reviews2016
Dev: Cyan, Inc.
Windows · Mac
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 6.4 hrs≥1hr: 84%
A new sci-fi adventure from Cyan, the creators of Myst. Abducted far across the universe, you find yourself on a broken alien landscape with odd pieces of Earth. Explore, uncover, solve, and find a way to make it home.
Why similar: Puzzle 17.8%, Mystery 12.9%, Adventure 11.9%, Walking Simulator 11.4%, First-Person 10.9%
Why You'll Like It: Created by the developers of Myst, this game provides the same sense of wonder and intricate puzzle-solving in a strange, alien environment.
- #9 Draugen
91% matchMostly Positive74% of 2,137 reviews2019
Dev: Red Thread Games
Windows
Median: 3.6 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Draugen is a single-player, first-person Fjord Noir mystery set in 1920s Norway. Explore a forgotten coastal village in your search for your missing sister, accompanied by your independent and enigmatic young ward. Norwegian Game of the Year 2019.
Why similar: Mystery 14%, Historical 12.2%, Story Rich 11.3%, First-Person 11.2%, Puzzle 10.7%
Why You'll Like It: This narrative-focused mystery features a strong sense of place and an emotional story that unfolds through exploration.
- #10 Kona
91% matchVery Positive83% of 3,661 reviews2017
Dev: Parabole
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.0 hrsMean: 4.9 hrs≥1hr: 64%
Northern Canada, 1970. A strange blizzard ravages Atamipek Lake. Step into the shoes of a detective to explore the eerie village, investigate surreal events, and battle the elements to survive. Kona is a chilly interactive tale you won't soon forget.
Why similar: Walking Simulator 15.9%, First-Person 15.7%, Story Rich 11.9%, Atmospheric 10.9%, Adventure 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: It combines first-person exploration with a detective-style mystery set in a beautifully atmospheric, isolated location.
- #11 The Witness
90% matchVery Positive84% of 21,177 reviews2016
Dev: Thekla, Inc.
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 12.3 hrs≥1hr: 77%
You wake up, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that will challenge and surprise you.
Why similar: Puzzle 30.3%, First-Person 14.4%, Walking Simulator 11.2%, Exploration 10.5%, Atmospheric 6.3%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a deep, meditative puzzle experience on a beautiful, uninhabited island that rewards keen observation.
- #12 Outer Wilds
89% matchOverwhelmingly Positive96% of 106,346 reviews2020
Dev: Mobius DigitalPub: Annapurna Interactive
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 16.9 hrs≥1hr: 82%
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: Mystery 20.3%, Story Rich 15.8%, Puzzle 15.3%, Exploration 14.3%, First-Person 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: This game offers unparalleled exploration and mystery-solving as you piece together the history of an ancient civilization.
- #13 The Painscreek Killings
89% matchVery Positive91% of 6,226 reviews2017
Dev: EQ Studios
Windows
Median: 5.1 hrsMean: 6.4 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Investigate an infamous cold case in the eerie, abandoned town of Painscreek. Search for evidence, connect the dots and uncover who killed Vivian Roberts. Can you expose the truth behind this town’s dark secrets?
Why similar: Investigation 20.1%, Mystery 14.6%, Walking Simulator 11.3%, Puzzle 11%, Story Rich 9.4%
Why You'll Like It: This game provides a pure, non-linear mystery-solving experience that relies entirely on your own investigation and note-taking.
- #14 Conarium
88% matchMostly Positive77% of 2,271 reviews2017
Dev: Stormling StudiosPub: Iceberg Interactive
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 4.6 hrs≥1hr: 85%
Conarium is a chilling Lovecraftian game, which follows a gripping story involving four scientists and their endeavor to challenge what we normally consider to be the ‘absolute’ limits of nature. Inspired by H.P. Lovecraft’s novella "At the Mountains of Madness", but largely set after the original story.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 56.2%, Walking Simulator 11.9%, Adventure 7.9%, First-Person 7.9%, Story Rich 4.5%
Why You'll Like It: It leans heavily into the Lovecraftian themes and atmospheric dread that fans of Call of the Sea will find familiar.
- #15 Syberia: The World Before
85% matchVery Positive90% of 5,010 reviews2022
Dev: Microids Studio ParisPub: Microids
Windows
Median: 6.2 hrsMean: 9.5 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Embark on a quest for identity through time, as you piece together the puzzle of two lives.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 14%, Investigation 12.5%, Mystery 11.8%, Puzzle 11.8%, Story Rich 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: This game excels at storytelling and puzzle-solving, featuring a strong female protagonist and a rich, atmospheric world.
- #16 Close To The Sun
86% matchMostly Positive74% of 1,339 reviews2020
Dev: Storm in a TeacupPub: Wired Productions
Windows
Median: 4.3 hrsMean: 5.6 hrs≥1hr: 92%
Deep in international waters, Tesla’s Helios stands still. An unbound utopia for scientific research, Rose Archer steps aboard in search of her sister, quickly to discover not all is as it seems. A single word covers the entrance… QUARANTINE!
Why similar: Female Protagonist 27.4%, Walking Simulator 27.1%, Adventure 17.2%, First-Person 15.3%, Indie 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: It delivers a narrative-rich, Lovecraftian-inspired experience set in a grand, mysterious, and isolated location.
- #17 Lake Ridden
87% matchMostly Positive72% of 292 reviews2018
Dev: Midnight Hub
Windows
Median: 3.0 hrsMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Lake Ridden is a story-driven, first-person puzzle game! A cozy supernatural adventure where you unravel a mysterious past, trying to find your sister. Luckily, you are not alone...
Why similar: Puzzle 22.6%, Female Protagonist 18.9%, Adventure 18.2%, Mystery 12.6%, Walking Simulator 9.8%
Why You'll Like It: It is a classic first-person adventure game that focuses on solving puzzles to uncover the truth behind a mysterious disappearance.
- #18 Moons of Madness
86% matchMostly Positive78% of 2,929 reviews2019
Dev: Rock Pocket GamesPub: Funcom
Windows
Median: 4.0 hrsMean: 5.6 hrs≥1hr: 91%
Moons of Madness is a first-person, story-driven cosmic horror game where the scientific exploration of Mars meets the supernatural dread of Lovecraft.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 45.9%, Adventure 10.3%, First-Person 8.3%, Puzzle 8.2%, Walking Simulator 7.9%
Why You'll Like It: This game blends cosmic horror with first-person puzzle-solving in a way that echoes the supernatural mystery of Norah's journey.
- #19 Röki
84% matchVery Positive89% of 3,207 reviews2020
Dev: Polygon TreehousePub: United Label
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 90%
Röki is a stunning adventure set in the snowcapped wilderness. As Tove, you must explore an uncharted world of hidden legends and forgotten monsters. Solve puzzles, collect curiosities, and uncover a tale of tragic loss, as you chart your path to redemption.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 18.9%, Puzzle 16.1%, Emotional 14.2%, Story Rich 13.7%, Atmospheric 9.4%
Why You'll Like It: This adventure game captures a sense of wonder and folklore-inspired mystery through its beautiful art and puzzle-solving.
- #20 Heaven's Vault
84% matchVery Positive84% of 2,480 reviews2019
Dev: inkle Ltd
Windows
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 12.2 hrs≥1hr: 60%
An archaeologist uncovers a lost history in an ancient space Nebula. Award-winning narrative adventure game with hieroglyphic language puzzles, from the creators of 80 DAYS.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 20.5%, Mystery 17.7%, Puzzle 14.4%, Adventure 8.8%, Atmospheric 8.3%
Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the joy of discovery and deciphering ancient languages, perfect for those who love the archeological mystery of Call of the Sea.
- #21 The Almost Gone
83% matchVery Positive80% of 1,225 reviews2020
Dev: Happy Volcano
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 3.5 hrs≥1hr: 65%
Experience the intricate dioramas and connections of your life, and the ripples we all make, in this award-winning narrative puzzle game about death, loss, and mental health.
Why similar: Puzzle 15.3%, Mystery 14.2%, Female Protagonist 10.3%, Story Rich 9.6%, Investigation 9.1%
Why You'll Like It: It uses a unique perspective to tell a poignant, mysterious story through environmental puzzles.
- #22 RiME
82% matchVery Positive90% of 5,190 reviews2017
Dev: Tequila WorksPub: Grey Box
Windows
Median: 4.1 hrsMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 88%
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: Puzzle 27.5%, Exploration 15.2%, Adventure 14.5%, Atmospheric 14.5%, Colorful 8.2%
Why You'll Like It: This adventure game features beautiful art, emotional storytelling, and environmental puzzles that feel very similar to the tone of the seed game.
- #23 Submerged: Hidden Depths
81% matchVery Positive90% of 861 reviews2022
Dev: Uppercut Games Pty Ltd
Windows
Median: 6.9 hrsMean: 9.5 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Boat, climb, interact and explore in the beautiful ruins of a sunken world.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 22.9%, Walking Simulator 21.6%, Emotional 13.3%, Exploration 11.4%, Atmospheric 9.2%
Why You'll Like It: It provides a relaxing, exploration-focused experience that highlights the beauty of a mysterious, flooded world.
- #24 The Suicide of Rachel Foster
82% matchMixed68% of 6,878 reviews2020
Dev: ONE-O-ONE GAMESPub: Daedalic Entertainment
Windows
Median: 3.5 hrsMean: 4.7 hrs≥1hr: 75%
Coming back to the family hotel after years, a young woman finds herself trapped with the ghosts from her past and an old cellular telephone as the only way to unveil a terrible truth.
Why similar: Walking Simulator 17.7%, Female Protagonist 15.7%, Mystery 15.4%, Story Rich 11.2%, First-Person 10.3%
Why You'll Like It: It is a tense, atmospheric walking simulator that focuses on uncovering dark secrets within an isolated, grand location.
- #25 Call of the Elder Gods
77% matchVery Positive91% of 345 reviews2026
Dev: Out of the Blue GamesPub: Kwalee
Windows
Journey to the far corners of the Earth and unearth ancient horrors in this Lovecraftian narrative puzzle adventure and sequel to 2020’s critically acclaimed Call of the Sea.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 28.1%, Investigation 10.3%, Female Protagonist 8.5%, Puzzle 8.3%, Mystery 7.6%
- #26 Deliver Us The Moon
80% matchVery Positive88% of 9,511 reviews2019
Dev: KeokeN InteractivePub: Wired Productions
Windows
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 5.5 hrs≥1hr: 89%
Deliver Us The Moon is a Sci-Fi thriller set in an apocalyptic near future where Earth's natural resources are depleted. In an effort to solve the energy crisis, global powers created the World Space Agency and secured a promising new source of energy on the moon.
Why similar: Adventure 21.5%, Story Rich 13.3%, Puzzle 13%, Mystery 11.6%, Atmospheric 10.4%
Why You'll Like It: This game combines narrative-driven exploration with environmental puzzles in a high-stakes, atmospheric setting.
- #27 Call of Cthulhu®
81% matchMostly Positive79% of 13,828 reviews2018
Dev: Cyanide StudioPub: Focus Entertainment
Windows
Median: 4.2 hrsMean: 7.2 hrs≥1hr: 87%
1924. Private Investigator Pierce is sent to look into the tragic death of the Hawkins family. Plunge into a world of creeping madness and cosmic horror. Cryptic clues, shadowy figures, and pure terror bar your way as you fight to retain your sanity and solve an otherworldly mystery.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 59.8%, Story Rich 8%, Mystery 7.8%, First-Person 6.3%, Atmospheric 5.8%
Why You'll Like It: It offers a more direct take on the Lovecraftian detective genre with a heavy emphasis on story and psychological mystery.
- #28 The House of Da Vinci
79% matchVery Positive86% of 7,274 reviews2017
Dev: Blue Brain Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.2 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 88%
Enter The House of Da Vinci, a new must-try 3D puzzle adventure game. Solve mechanical puzzles, discover hidden objects, escape from rooms and dive into the authentic atmosphere of the Renaissance. Use all your wits to find out what's behind your master's disappearance.
Why similar: Mystery 19.3%, Puzzle 18%, Historical 11%, Exploration 8.8%, Atmospheric 8.5%
Why You'll Like It: It provides a series of intricate, mechanical puzzles that will satisfy anyone who enjoyed the puzzle design in Call of the Sea.
- #29 Ghost on the Shore
79% matchVery Positive84% of 221 reviews2022
Dev: like CharliePub: Application Systems Heidelberg
Windows · Mac
An exploration game about emotional ties that transcend even death. Riley is faced with a headstrong ghost, urging her on an adventure across atmospheric shores, uncovering the island's tragic secret. Choices in dialogue shape the bond between the two, ultimately deciding Riley's fate.
Why similar: Walking Simulator 15.2%, Female Protagonist 12.4%, Story Rich 11.6%, Mystery 11.2%, Emotional 9.6%
Why You'll Like It: This game emphasizes exploration and narrative choices in a hauntingly beautiful, atmospheric coastal setting.
- #30 A Juggler's Tale
78% matchVery Positive92% of 2,257 reviews2021
Dev: kaleidoscubePub: Assemble Entertainment
Windows
Median: 2.3 hrsMean: 5.4 hrs≥1hr: 74%
Lead Abby the string puppet through a bruised, but beautiful fairy tale world in this cinematic adventure. Solve riddles, evade traps and shake off pursuers on the way to find freedom. Can Abby take control of her fate with all the strings attached?
Why similar: Female Protagonist 30.9%, Story Rich 21.5%, Atmospheric 15.7%, Exploration 11.6%, Adventure 11.3%
Why You'll Like It: This game offers a charming, atmospheric puzzle-platforming experience with a strong narrative focus.
- #31 Dear Esther: Landmark Edition
78% matchMostly Positive75% of 7,501 reviews2017
Dev: The Chinese RoomPub: Secret Mode
Windows · Mac
Median: 1.0 hrsMean: 6.8 hrs≥1hr: 51%
Dear Esther immerses you in a stunningly realised world, a remote and desolate island somewhere in the outer Hebrides. As you step forwards, a voice begins to read fragments of a letter: 'Dear Esther...' - and so begins a journey through one of the most original first-person games of recent years.
Why similar: Walking Simulator 20.3%, Puzzle 14.4%, Investigation 11.8%, First-Person 11.4%, Exploration 9.4%
Why You'll Like It: It is a quintessential atmospheric exploration game that relies on environmental storytelling to convey its mystery.
- #32 Down in Bermuda
76% matchVery Positive89% of 1,654 reviews2021
Dev: Yak & Co
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 14.0 hrs≥1hr: 69%
An unnatural storm leaves an adventurous aviator stranded for decades within the infamous Bermuda. Overcome creatures of the deep and unravel the islands secrets in search of a way back home.
Why similar: Puzzle 29.6%, Mystery 26%, Story Rich 19.8%, Adventure 13.1%, Colorful 3.8%
- #33 Lost in Play
73% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 8,880 reviews2022
Dev: Happy Juice GamesPub: Joystick Ventures
Windows · Mac
Median: 4.4 hrsMean: 5.7 hrs≥1hr: 83%
Solve puzzles, riddles, and embark on an exciting journey of discovery! Join Toto and Gal as they explore dreamscapes and befriend magical creatures. Lost in their imagination, the brother and sister must stick together and solve puzzles to find their way home.
Why similar: Surreal 16.3%, Puzzle 15%, Mystery 14.5%, Female Protagonist 13%, Story Rich 12.3%
- #34 The Gardens Between
76% matchVery Positive94% of 2,758 reviews2018
Dev: The Voxel Agents
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 8.6 hrs≥1hr: 69%
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: Female Protagonist 15.5%, Walking Simulator 14.7%, Surreal 13.1%, Puzzle 12.2%, Mystery 10.8%
- #35 Lake
74% matchVery Positive87% of 5,831 reviews2021
Dev: GamiousPub: Whitethorn Games
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 7.2 hrs≥1hr: 72%
It's 1986 - Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It's up to you.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 26.8%, Walking Simulator 25.8%, Story Rich 19.7%, Atmospheric 11%, Adventure 8.4%
- #36 Amnesia: Rebirth
75% matchMostly Positive77% of 9,302 reviews2020
Dev: Frictional Games
Windows · Linux
Median: 5.5 hrsMean: 10.6 hrs≥1hr: 76%
A first-person horror adventure. Uncover your past and survive the Algerian desert. Fear is your enemy; stay calm to not succumb to an illness threatening you and your loved one. Avoid darkness, hide from monsters and solve puzzles. Adventure Mode available for a less scary experience.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 34.4%, Puzzle 10.5%, First-Person 9.6%, Story Rich 8.9%, Female Protagonist 7.1%
- #37 Boxes: Lost Fragments
72% matchVery Positive93% of 5,451 reviews2024
Dev: Big Loop StudiosPub: Snapbreak
Windows
Median: 3.9 hrsMean: 7.9 hrs≥1hr: 84%
As a legendary thief, your next assignment lures you into a grand and lavish mansion. There you find a series of puzzle boxes, designed for an unknown purpose. What should have been a quick in-and-out, gradually turns into your own harrowing struggle for freedom and answers.
Why similar: Puzzle 29.9%, Mystery 24.5%, Adventure 11.2%, Story Rich 10.7%, Atmospheric 9.1%
- #38 Eastshade
75% matchVery Positive89% of 5,486 reviews2019
Dev: Eastshade Studios
Windows
Median: 1.7 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 61%
You are a traveling painter, exploring the island of Eastshade. Capture the world on canvas using your artist’s easel. Talk to the inhabitants to learn about their lives. Make friends and help those in need. Visit cities, scale summits, unearth mysteries, and discover forgotten places!
Why similar: First-Person 22%, Story Rich 20.3%, Exploration 15.1%, Atmospheric 13.7%, Adventure 13.2%
- #39 Paradise Killer
74% matchVery Positive93% of 4,497 reviews2020
Dev: Kaizen Game WorksPub: Fellow Traveller
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 7.3 hrs≥1hr: 86%
Paradise Island, a world outside reality. There’s been a murder that only "investigation freak" Lady Love Dies can solve. Gather evidence and interrogate suspects in this open world adventure. You can accuse anyone, but you’ll have to prove your case in trial. It’s up to you to decide who’s guilty.
Why similar: Investigation 18.5%, Female Protagonist 16.4%, Surreal 13.9%, Mystery 13.1%, First-Person 11.3%
- #40 The Search
77% matchMostly Positive73% of 1,383 reviews2017
Dev: Jason Godbey
Windows
Median: 48 minMean: 19.7 hrs≥1hr: 44%
Embark on a journey of discovery and inspiration in The Search - a story-driven puzzle-adventure set in a mysterious world where art comes to life!
Why similar: Female Protagonist 15.6%, Surreal 13%, Puzzle 12.7%, First-Person 10.6%, Story Rich 9.8%
- #41 Monument Valley
72% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 8,706 reviews2022
Dev: ustwo games
Windows
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 10.5 hrs≥1hr: 76%
Embark on a journey of forgiveness through impossible environments and illusionary puzzles. Experience this meditative and calming puzzle game by manipulating monuments and creating evolving paths to explore new, surreal, and mysterious worlds.
Why similar: Puzzle 24.3%, Female Protagonist 20.9%, Emotional 13.5%, Adventure 10.5%, Exploration 10.3%
- #42 Alba: A Wildlife Adventure
73% matchOverwhelmingly Positive98% of 8,244 reviews2020
Dev: ustwo games
Windows
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 5.3 hrs≥1hr: 77%
Even the smallest person can make a big difference. Join Alba, as she sets out to save her beautiful island and its wildlife. And possibly start a revolution.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 30.5%, Story Rich 16.4%, Exploration 13.2%, Adventure 11.4%, Colorful 8%
- #43 Jusant
71% matchVery Positive93% of 6,810 reviews2023
Dev: DON'T NOD
Windows
Median: 2.5 hrsMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 66%
Enjoy meditative vibes in Jusant, an action-puzzle climbing game. Scale an immeasurably tall tower and ascend to new heights alongside your watery companion. Master your climbing tools, find your way up through diverse biomes, and piece together the tower’s past.
Why similar: Puzzle 26.8%, Atmospheric 17.8%, Exploration 17.1%, Adventure 14.4%, Colorful 14%
- #44 American Arcadia
70% matchVery Positive94% of 4,179 reviews2023
Dev: Out of the Blue GamesPub: Raw Fury
Windows
Median: 6.9 hrsMean: 7.1 hrs≥1hr: 85%
American Arcadia is a cinematic puzzle game that combines a 2.5D platformer and first-person game to tell the tale of a thrilling escape. Experience the extraordinary story of Trevor, an average man escaping from the world's most popular reality tv show.
Why similar: Emotional 19.3%, First-Person 18.3%, Story Rich 17.6%, Atmospheric 12.2%, Exploration 11.8%
- #45 Omno
71% matchVery Positive92% of 2,781 reviews2021
Dev: Studio InkyfoxPub: Future Friends Games
Windows
Median: 3.1 hrsMean: 6.7 hrs≥1hr: 66%
A single-player journey of discovery through an ancient world of wonders, created by solo developer Jonas Manke.
Why similar: Puzzle 22%, Story Rich 18.2%, Exploration 14.4%, Atmospheric 13.7%, Adventure 12.4%
- #46 Dimhaven - The Lost Source
67% matchVery Positive88% of 886 reviews2026
Dev: Zadbox EntertainmentPub: Blue Brain Games
Windows · Mac
Are you ready for an adventure? Challenges, exploration and puzzles in a narrative driven experience, pick up your camera and test your wits in this first-person mystery by the team behind Quern!
Why similar: Walking Simulator 11.7%, Investigation 10.7%, Mystery 10.4%, Female Protagonist 10.1%, Puzzle 10%
- #47 Syberia
73% matchVery Positive88% of 6,807 reviews2011
Dev: Microids
Windows
Median: 2.4 hrsMean: 6.5 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Join Kate Walker as she travels to remote locations and time periods in this timeless voyage to discover her true destiny.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 22.2%, Adventure 20.6%, Puzzle 19.6%, Mystery 12.2%, Story Rich 11.1%
- #48 Somerville
71% matchMostly Positive70% of 1,881 reviews2022
Dev: Jumpship
Windows
Median: 3.8 hrsMean: 4.3 hrs≥1hr: 75%
In the wake of catastrophe find the means to make your family whole again.
Why similar: Emotional 19.5%, Puzzle 18.7%, Story Rich 16.9%, Atmospheric 13.7%, Adventure 10.1%
- #49 Nobody Wants to Die
68% matchVery Positive83% of 7,266 reviews2024
Dev: Critical Hit GamesPub: PLAION
Windows
Median: 5.0 hrsMean: 6.0 hrs≥1hr: 79%
Lose yourself in the dystopian world of New York, 2329; immortality comes at a price that someone has to pay. In this interactive noir story, lead the investigation using advanced technology, as Detective James Karra who risks it all in pursuit of a serial killer targeting the city’s elite.
Why similar: Investigation 26.3%, Walking Simulator 22.3%, First-Person 18.1%, Story Rich 16.5%, Atmospheric 10.9%
- #50 Under The Waves
69% matchMostly Positive78% of 2,020 reviews2023
Dev: Parallel StudioPub: Spotlight by Quantic Dream
Windows
Median: 2.8 hrsMean: 21.2 hrs≥1hr: 72%
Stan, a professional diver in the North Sea, is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss during an extended mission underwater. Stuck in his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events and will have to make the most significant choice of his life...
Why similar: Story Rich 23.7%, Adventure 21.7%, Exploration 18.5%, Atmospheric 15.8%, Indie 6.3%
- #51 TOEM: A Photo Adventure
68% matchOverwhelmingly Positive99% of 11,845 reviews2021
Dev: Something We Made
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 4.5 hrsMean: 5.1 hrs≥1hr: 72%
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: Puzzle 34.1%, Exploration 19.7%, Adventure 17%, Atmospheric 16.6%, Casual 8.1%
- #52 The Pedestrian
70% matchOverwhelmingly Positive97% of 6,071 reviews2020
Dev: Skookum Arts
Windows · Mac · Linux
Median: 2.6 hrsMean: 3.3 hrs≥1hr: 66%
I can see the signs in my sleep now, always guiding me closer. Will this really work? Have we almost achieved the impossible?
Why similar: Female Protagonist 17.9%, Puzzle 17.6%, Mystery 14.7%, Surreal 13.4%, Emotional 10.3%
- #53 Riven
67% matchVery Positive92% of 2,853 reviews2024
Dev: Cyan Worlds, Inc.
Windows · Mac
Median: 5.3 hrsMean: 7.1 hrs≥1hr: 81%
Uncover a story of intrigue, betrayal, and a civilization teetering on the brink of collapse as you solve intricate puzzles to unlock the secrets of Riven. Built from the ground-up and expanded from the award-winning original game released in 1997.
Why similar: Puzzle 12.7%, Mystery 10.1%, Investigation 10%, First-Person 9.9%, Walking Simulator 9.7%
- #54 Marie's Room
70% matchVery Positive93% of 6,682 reviews2018
Dev: Kenny Guillaume
Windows
Median: 54 minMean: 14.7 hrs≥1hr: 42%
Marie's Room is a short story exploration game about an unconventional friendship between two classmates. You play as Kelsey, remembering Marie's room as it was twenty years ago. But something’s off. What happened to Marie?
Why similar: Walking Simulator 17.4%, Story Rich 17.1%, Female Protagonist 13.4%, Atmospheric 8.9%, First-Person 8.7%
- #55 Beyond Blue
69% matchVery Positive88% of 1,505 reviews2020
Dev: E-Line Media
Windows
Median: 2.9 hrsMean: 28.1 hrs≥1hr: 68%
Beyond Blue is a single-player narrative adventure that takes you deep into our planet’s beating blue heart. Explore the awesome wonder and unbounded mystery that exists within the world’s ocean.
Why similar: Exploration 23.7%, Adventure 20.8%, Female Protagonist 18.2%, Story Rich 13.2%, Indie 9.2%
- #56 Evan's Remains
69% matchVery Positive88% of 2,110 reviews2020
Dev: maitan69Pub: Whitethorn Games
Windows · Mac
Median: 2.7 hrsMean: 4.8 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Years after a boy genius named Evan disappears, a bizarre letter arrives. Evan wants a girl named Dysis to come find him. As Dysis, you’ll need to solve an intricate series of puzzles to unravel the entire mystery—and bring Evan home.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 23.6%, Puzzle 16.1%, Mystery 15.1%, Story Rich 14.2%, Atmospheric 8.1%
- #57 Aspire: Ina's Tale
68% matchVery Positive83% of 452 reviews2021
Dev: Wondernaut StudioPub: Untold Tales
Windows
Median: 2.2 hrsMean: 3.7 hrs≥1hr: 61%
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: Female Protagonist 21.3%, Surreal 18.9%, Puzzle 12.5%, Story Rich 10.9%, Atmospheric 9.6%
- #58 Mythwrecked: Ambrosia Island
65% matchVery Positive93% of 140 reviews2024
Dev: Polygon TreehousePub: Whitethorn Games
Windows
You’re shipwrecked on a lost mythical island. As backpacker Alex, you must befriend the forgotten gods of Greek mythology and restore their memories. Explore the dynamic island and its story sandbox to build new friendships, solve the mystery and save the gods.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 17.3%, Puzzle 13.1%, Mystery 12.4%, Story Rich 11.8%, Emotional 11.1%
- #59 Still Wakes the Deep
63% matchVery Positive88% of 12,762 reviews2024
Dev: The Chinese RoomPub: Secret Mode
Windows
Median: 4.8 hrsMean: 6.2 hrs≥1hr: 84%
1975. Disaster strikes the Beira D oil rig off the coast of Scotland. Navigate the collapsing rig to save your crew from an otherworldly horror on the edge of all logic and reality in this 3x BAFTA Games Award-winning narrative horror experience.
Why similar: Lovecraftian 46.5%, Walking Simulator 14.1%, First-Person 10.8%, Story Rich 9.9%, Atmospheric 6.9%
- #60 Syberia - Remastered
64% matchMostly Positive72% of 831 reviews2025
Dev: Virtuallyz GamingPub: Microids
Windows
Median: 4.7 hrsMean: 5.0 hrs≥1hr: 71%
Rediscover the clockpunk universe of Benoît Sokal in this fully remastered version of the first Syberia game. Join Kate Walker and Oscar, a strange and charming automaton, in pursuit of the brilliant inventor Hans Voralberg, and embark on an adventure more immersive and poetic than ever.
Why similar: Female Protagonist 18.4%, Puzzle 15.5%, First-Person 12%, Investigation 11.6%, Story Rich 10.2%