Games Like Darkness Ahead

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: Walking Simulator 22.9%, Mystery 15.1%, Horror 13.2%, Adventure 9%, Atmospheric 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It features a similar focus on exploring a desolate, atmospheric landscape to uncover the truth behind a missing person's mystery.

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 17%, Horror 16.6%, Adventure 15.4%, First-Person 11.3%, Indie 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the feeling of isolated, snowy exploration and survival in a remote mountain setting.

The era-defining first-person psychological horror in all its terrifying glory. All of the game’s chapters collected into one convenient package that allows you to plumb the depths of madness in pursuit of artistic revelation.

Why similar: Horror 18.4%, Dark 11.7%, Walking Simulator 11.7%, Adventure 11.1%, Mystery 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a deeply atmospheric, first-person horror experience that relies on environmental storytelling and psychological tension.

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 23.6%, Adventure 14.5%, Mystery 11.7%, Story Rich 10%, Atmospheric 9%

Why You'll Like It: It excels at narrative-driven exploration in a remote, wilderness setting that feels both beautiful and isolating.

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: Walking Simulator 17.3%, Horror 16.4%, Mystery 15.8%, Adventure 9.1%, Exploration 9%

Why You'll Like It: This title emphasizes exploration and piecing together a dark narrative through environmental clues in a secluded location.

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: Walking Simulator 22.6%, Story Rich 14.2%, Mystery 10.5%, Atmospheric 9.1%, Adventure 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game is a masterclass in environmental storytelling and walking-simulator mechanics that reveal a tragic, dark history.

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence.

Why similar: Horror 17.6%, Walking Simulator 14.3%, Dark 11.9%, Adventure 8.5%, First-Person 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: While more sci-fi, it shares a profound sense of dread and narrative depth that aligns with the story-rich nature of the seed game.

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: Horror 22.7%, Walking Simulator 21.1%, Adventure 20.3%, Indie 12.1%, First-Person 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a thick, Lovecraftian atmosphere with a heavy focus on first-person exploration and uncovering ancient secrets.

12 March 1938, Renée, 16, was ripped out of her world, her only fault was that of not knowing her place in the world.

Why similar: Horror 22.2%, Walking Simulator 15.4%, Adventure 12.9%, Indie 12%, Exploration 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: This psychological horror game focuses on walking-simulator mechanics to explore a dark and disturbing past.

Lost Brothers is a single-player first-person adventure, taking place in an abandoned mine. All you have is a walkie-talkie and a map. Explore a mysterious forest and a labyrinth of underground passages to rescue a mysterious lady.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 26.9%, Adventure 13.9%, First-Person 13%, Indie 11.7%, Atmospheric 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the core theme of searching for a lost family member in a lonely, atmospheric environment.

Featuring a beautiful, detailed open-world and a haunting soundtrack, Everybody’s Gone to the Rapture is non-linear storytelling at its best.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 42.4%, Indie 12.4%, Adventure 10.8%, Atmospheric 9.7%, Story Rich 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a slow-paced, atmospheric exploration experience that relies on uncovering the history of an abandoned place.

Set in a creepy amusement park hiding a dark and sinister secret, The Park is a first-person psychological horror experience focused on exploration and storytelling.

Why similar: Horror 26.4%, Walking Simulator 24.2%, First-Person 11.2%, Adventure 9.5%, Mystery 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: It is a short, narrative-focused horror experience that captures the feeling of searching through an unsettling, abandoned environment.

A first-person horror adventure game that will take you on a journey through an ancient castle and that lies beneath. Dangers and forgotten horrors await in the dark...

Why similar: Adventure 19.7%, Horror 17.6%, Indie 17.1%, Walking Simulator 14.8%, Mystery 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: This indie horror title focuses on exploration and walking-simulator mechanics to build a sense of unease.

An orphan returns to the house of the deceased fortune-teller to uncover the secret of his family's death. He must accept his legacy and become a prognostic before supernatural madness engulfs people of his town.

Why similar: Horror 18%, Walking Simulator 15.4%, Adventure 12.3%, Indie 9.4%, First-Person 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a story-rich, first-person horror experience that relies on investigating a dark, realistic environment.

'The Guest' is a gloomy adventure full of enigmas where the exploration of your surroundings comes to prominence; puzzles, secrets and riddles will help you discover who has locked you in this somber hotel room and most importantly, why.

Why similar: Horror 19.5%, Adventure 16%, Indie 15.8%, Mystery 12.9%, Puzzle 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: It is a mystery-focused, first-person exploration game that relies on environmental storytelling.

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: Walking Simulator 51.2%, Indie 10.7%, Exploration 8.1%, First-Person 7.6%, Atmospheric 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on uncovering a personal story through the exploration of a single, atmospheric location.

A psychological horror short story. Explore the untouched wilderness of rural Wales as you uncover the forgotten remains of a mysterious facility and find the truth behind the missing villagers of Hearth.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.3%, Horror 17.6%, Dark 13.4%, Mystery 9.7%, First-Person 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides a narrative-heavy, atmospheric horror experience that relies on exploring a remote, mysterious area.

INFRA puts you into the boots of a structural analyst on a routine mission. Quickly though, your task turns into a fight for survival, all caused by deep-rooted schemes of the past. Your tools are simple: your camera and the wits to navigate a labyrinth of debris.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.8%, Adventure 10.9%, Horror 10%, Mystery 9.7%, Exploration 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game emphasizes exploration and puzzle-solving in a decaying, atmospheric world.

The original first‑person cyberpunk horror detective tale set in a decaying, neon‑scarred future. As an Observer who invades minds to hunt for clues, you will sift through corrupted memories to track down a mysterious killer and confront your own dark past.

Why similar: Horror 26.4%, Walking Simulator 18.4%, Atmospheric 10.3%, Adventure 10.3%, First-Person 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game delivers a dark, atmospheric, and story-rich experience that emphasizes first-person investigation.

Immerse yourself in the obscure and mysterious autumnal forest, where every wrong step could be your last. As you travel uncover the dark story behind this place, where beauty and danger have become as one.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22%, Adventure 12.2%, Dark 11.1%, Horror 11.1%, Mystery 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on atmospheric, nature-based exploration that feels both beautiful and inherently dangerous.

Ether One is a first person adventure that deals with the fragility of the human mind. There are two paths in the world you can choose from. At its core is a story exploration path free from puzzles where you can unfold the story at your own pace.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 21.8%, Adventure 19.2%, Indie 14.1%, First-Person 11%, Exploration 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines exploration with puzzle-solving in a surreal, narrative-heavy environment.

Backrooms: Exploration is a single-player horror game, which takes place in 2020. Two friends have lost their jobs due to COVID-19, but they still have to bring food to the table. After a failed heist, one of them ends up in the Backrooms. Now your only mission is to survive.

Why similar: Horror 24.7%, Adventure 15.7%, Walking Simulator 12.9%, Dark 12.3%, First-Person 12.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the feeling of being lost in an atmospheric, unsettling, and mysterious space.

Amnesia: The Dark Descent, a first person survival horror. A game about immersion, discovery and living through a nightmare. An experience that will chill you to the core.

Why similar: Horror 39.4%, Dark 9.9%, First-Person 8.6%, Adventure 7.6%, Walking Simulator 7%

Why You'll Like It: It is a classic first-person horror game that prioritizes atmosphere and exploration over combat.

A one-of-a-kind horror shocker – a game aware of your fear!Check out the improvements introduced with Update 2.0!

Why similar: Horror 49.4%, Adventure 17.3%, Indie 13.6%, Walking Simulator 9.5%, Atmospheric 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: It is a pure exploration-based horror game that relies on building dread through its environment.

Explore an abandoned building, encountering puzzles and clues to discover what happened, as you try to escape in both your nightmares and the waking world. Be immersed in the hauntingly beautiful 3D atmosphere in this puzzle exploration mystery game.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 17.2%, Horror 14.3%, Mystery 10.1%, Atmospheric 9.8%, Adventure 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It features a quiet, atmospheric, and lonely exploration experience that mirrors the tone of the seed game.

Penumbra: Overture is a first person survival horror game, emphasizing on survival and problem solving instead of mindless violence and gore.

Why similar: Horror 35.9%, Adventure 14.9%, First-Person 10.8%, Dark 10.1%, Indie 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a tense, atmospheric, and puzzle-heavy exploration experience in a dark, isolated setting.

Missing Hiker is a short indie horror game, where your brother Ethan went missing while hiking and you need to find him.

Why similar: Horror 24.9%, Walking Simulator 15.8%, Dark 14.7%, Adventure 11.3%, First-Person 9.2%

It Happened At Night is a short horror game where the player must complete basic objectives to advance the story and immerse themselves through the eyes of the protagonist.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22%, Horror 21.1%, Mystery 13.4%, First-Person 9.4%, Exploration 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides a focused, atmospheric exploration experience centered on uncovering a dark mystery.

On a task to find your sister, you find yourself exploring an old abandoned house. But you soon find out that things are not as they seem.

Why similar: Horror 19.9%, Walking Simulator 17.9%, Adventure 16.5%, Dark 11.7%, Mystery 5.7%

They have no names, only serial numbers. They have no freedom, no memories from the past. You are one of them. Explore the last center of civilization on a shattered Earth to understand what is really going on.

Why similar: Adventure 25.4%, Walking Simulator 22.2%, Indie 20.8%, Mystery 12.9%, Exploration 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: It is a short, atmospheric walking simulator that focuses on exploration and narrative discovery.

Deep Sorrow is a horror/adventure game which leads you to a bunker and makes you feel desperate to get out.

Why similar: Adventure 22.8%, Indie 19.7%, Horror 14.9%, Walking Simulator 13.5%, Dark 10.2%

You come to your senses in this place, you do not understand what is happening, but you know that it is better to get out of here as soon as possible

Why similar: Adventure 20.7%, Indie 19%, Horror 16.7%, Walking Simulator 13.7%, Mystery 8.6%

Wander through intricate maze under the bed, and discover the secrets hidden in the long, dark tunnels. Document the existence of monsters. Retrieve the stolen treasures and memories.

Why similar: Horror 21.2%, Dark 13.8%, Mystery 12.2%, Adventure 11.5%, First-Person 10.9%

LiDAR Exploration Program is a relaxing atmospheric game with light horror elements, where you explore in complete darkness using a scanner to reveal the world around you.

Why similar: Horror 22%, Walking Simulator 20.7%, Adventure 16.5%, Indie 10%, First-Person 9.9%

The main character wakes up in a tunnel of the subway and tries to find out that happened to it and other passengers of the train. To understand that after all it happened to the gone passengers, the player should investigate strange catacombs being deeply underground.

Why similar: Indie 40.1%, Horror 21.8%, Walking Simulator 11.3%, Adventure 10.5%, First-Person 9.8%

Immerse yourself in the atmosphere of ruthless and mysterious world of Ridge, in order to all the secrets have finally been revealed. Not everyone dares to wade through.

Why similar: Adventure 66.4%, Indie 33.6%

What hides in the depths of the forest?!

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.2%, Horror 21.2%, Adventure 12.9%, Dark 10.5%, First-Person 9%

Take part in a one-man investigation and solve the mystery of your brother’s disappearance. Find out the truth by exploring unsettling liminal locations. Discover the story chapter by chapter, with each one unveiling their common tragedy.

Why similar: Horror 71%, First-Person 15.8%, Atmospheric 13.2%

There is a legend about an ancient pyramid, great treasure and mighty emperor who was damned by the gods. Play as an archeologist studying the pyramid. The earthquake during the expedition blocked the entry. Try to find the exit... or search for the treasure of the Pharaoh? It's up to you!

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.1%, Horror 18.4%, Indie 16.2%, Adventure 15.2%, Puzzle 8.7%

Curse of Anabelle is a story driven adventure-horror/puzzle game which players can experience in the first person perspective. The storyline is based on real world myths and legends.

Why similar: Adventure 33.8%, Indie 30.1%, Horror 7.7%, Walking Simulator 5.7%, Dark 5.4%

Blasfemia is a first-person horror game. You are trapped in a seemingly normal apartment but realize early on that you're not alone. Explore a handcrafted, detail rich environment in a tense and terrifying atmosphere and try to find a way out before an ominous entity gets to you.

Why similar: Horror 19.3%, Dark 15.7%, Walking Simulator 15.2%, Adventure 13.5%, Indie 9.2%

The main character, travels to a remote snowy valley with his brother for a skiing trip. But soon after their arrival, strange events begin to unfold. What was meant to be a peaceful getaway quickly turns into a nightmare. Over time, he realizes that something terrible is live in the valley...

Why similar: Horror 23.2%, Walking Simulator 19.3%, Adventure 19%, Dark 17.6%, Indie 5.6%

Explore and experience this horror story, as you embark on an ghostly adventure unlike anything you have played before. Come face-to-face with terror itself as you look for your missing sister.

Why similar: Horror 25.7%, Adventure 24.2%, Indie 21.5%, Walking Simulator 16.5%, Puzzle 6.7%

Immersed into dark and unexplored ancient woods in a search of the almost forgotten "Legend of the Ancients". But not everything goes as planned as the place keeps a never revealed horrifying secret. Hidden is a first person horror point n' click adventure game, with focus on story, puzzles and exploration.

Why similar: Adventure 33.2%, Horror 28%, Indie 23.9%, Dark 13%, Singleplayer 1.9%

Doorways is an immersive horror adventure, featuring a complex story and deep atmosphere.

Why similar: Horror 32.1%, Adventure 14.6%, Indie 11.4%, Dark 9.4%, Walking Simulator 8%

Short atmospheric first person horror game with elements of quest and shooter about being lost in the middle of nowhere, surrounded by weird mist.

Why similar: Horror 23.8%, Walking Simulator 21.9%, Indie 16%, First-Person 9.6%, Atmospheric 9.1%

Сlassic indie horror for one evening. The game has no tips, you need to solve all the puzzles yourself and avoid the monster that wants to devour your soul. Therefore, you need to be very careful and attentive to escape from the nightmare.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22.3%, Horror 21.9%, Adventure 16.9%, Indie 13.8%, First-Person 8.5%

You have to explore the mysterious forest and complete many tasks to get out of there alive.

Why similar: Dark 40.6%, Exploration 18.9%, Puzzle 15.3%, First-Person 13.3%, Atmospheric 9.3%

Your father needs a beer, and it's your job to get it. He doesn't care what it takes, so do what you must. Be quick though - it's not so safe in the dark.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22.9%, Horror 22.8%, Dark 15%, Adventure 13.3%, Atmospheric 8.1%

In a lonely station atop a mountain, a train rumbles its precious cargo to places unknown. Now is your shift. Keep the pace. Uncover a mystery. Fight for your last breath. The air is thin up here.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 18.3%, Horror 17.6%, Dark 13.9%, Mystery 8.7%, Adventure 7.6%

Left Alone plunges you into a first-person psychological horror journey, where darkness and memories intertwine. As secrets emerge from shadows, use your wits to solve puzzles and explore haunting, forgotten locations. Every step echoes with the past; can you face the truths that await?

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.7%, Horror 15.6%, First-Person 9.5%, Dark 8.7%, Mystery 8.7%

Silent Nights - A short horror game with realistic graphics, touching storyline and scary moments.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 21.4%, Horror 20.6%, Dark 13.9%, Adventure 8.2%, First-Person 7.8%

Scarred is a first-person atmospheric horror puzzle game where you must uncover the truth about one of your schoolmates before it’s too late. Traverse a world of nightmares inspired by nostalgic Singaporean architecture as you fight to survive.

Why similar: Horror 20.5%, Dark 17.1%, Adventure 15.1%, Atmospheric 8.3%, Puzzle 7.3%

You are here to listen to The Voice, do what he says. But don't listen to other voices...

Why similar: Horror 23.1%, Dark 15.2%, Adventure 14.9%, Walking Simulator 14%, Atmospheric 8%

Like Clay is a story driven adventure game with horror elements. Find out what happened to a friend of yours by reading messages and listening to audio files. Search for hidden doors and items, solve light puzzles and survive deadly foes and lethal traps.

Why similar: Indie 39.3%, Horror 31.7%, Adventure 29%

"Nightwatch : Closer" is a first-person horror game whose goal is to hold out for 10 minutes by preventing unknown anomalies in a small post. In a dark, narrow post, you have to hold out until the shift worker comes, keeping out the anomalies by yourself.

Why similar: Horror 24.2%, Adventure 19.8%, Dark 14.8%, Walking Simulator 14.3%, Indie 10.4%

A lone man's journey through a strange world. Dimension switching mechanic - switch between the dimensions to traverse the world and solve puzzles.

Why similar: Dark 22.3%, Horror 20.1%, Mystery 16.7%, Puzzle 11.7%, Adventure 9.6%

Despite only being able to burn for 10 seconds, a little candle journeys into the darkness, with the purpose of seeking light.

Why similar: Adventure 38.3%, Indie 35.4%, Puzzle 10.5%, Story Rich 9%, Atmospheric 4.7%

When The Devil Takes Hold is a first-person psychological horror game. Step into the shoes of James Davidson, a fearless content creator whose search for views leads him to a cursed location. Explore the haunted grounds and solve puzzles to uncover the dark past.

Why similar: Horror 22.6%, Walking Simulator 19.5%, Dark 15.5%, Adventure 13.6%, Indie 12.6%