Games Like Dinner Date

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: Experimental 59.6%, Indie 20.1%, First-Person 16.1%, Singleplayer 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title shares the meta-narrative, introspective, and experimental nature of experiencing a character's subconscious thoughts.

Share thoughts and hot food with your last ever clients, as you wait for the world to end.

Why similar: Casual 40.3%, First-Person 37.1%, Simulation 16.7%, Singleplayer 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the specific tension of waiting in a diner setting while exploring deep psychological themes through dialogue.

Bientôt l’été is a videogame for two players. Two players who pretend to be lovers. They pretend to be lovers separated from each other by lightyears of deep space. They have lonely walks along the shore of a simulated ocean, thinking wistful thoughts of each other. Thoughts from ancient Earth literature by Marguerite Duras.

Why similar: Experimental 49.9%, Indie 24.9%, Casual 17.6%, Simulation 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: Like Dinner Date, this is an experimental, surreal exploration of loneliness and human connection through a minimalist, atmospheric lens.

This surprising first-person story tells the tale of a heist gone wrong. Encounter high-flying schemers, lovelorn criminals, and more stray kittens than you can shake a stick at.

Why similar: Experimental 74.7%, First-Person 12%, Indie 7.2%, Casual 3.7%, Singleplayer 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in short-form, experimental narrative that relies on environmental storytelling rather than explicit exposition.

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: First-Person 100%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply emotional and psychological experience that focuses on the weight of human connection and personal drama.

A dark/sad/weird/funny first person exploration game. You play a man on his last night alive as he obsesses over a mysterious painting. More of a story game in that it emphasizes mood and character over gameplay. Takes ten minutes to play and has "next-gen" features like a shrimp tank.

Why similar: Indie 55.6%, First-Person 36.1%, Singleplayer 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: This short, experimental game uses a domestic setting to deliver a powerful, unsettling, and deeply personal psychological narrative.

4PM is a short, narrative driven game, made by one person as an attempt to tell a real, thriller story in the form of an interactive experience. It has high production values and a cinematic style. It is, with your support, a first in a series of smaller, narrative driven experiences, that spare no expense on audio-visual style.

Why similar: Indie 59.7%, First-Person 35.2%, Singleplayer 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A short, first-person experience that focuses on the internal monologue and the mundane reality of a character's day.

Smuggle contraband VHS tapes across the border. Discover the remnants of illicit industry. Prepare for an assassination. This is Paratopic, an atmospheric retro-3D horror adventure through a cursed fever dream.

Why similar: Experimental 74%, Indie 20.1%, First-Person 5%, Singleplayer 1%

Why You'll Like It: Its surreal, dreamlike, and fragmented first-person narrative mirrors the subconscious exploration found in Dinner Date.

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: Indie 52.5%, First-Person 41.6%, Singleplayer 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It excels at using a domestic space to tell a personal, intimate story through the objects left behind.

In Midnight Ramen, you play as the owner of a late-night ramen stand and his apprentice. You interact with your customers, listen to their troubles, and help them out whenever you can. But as the bowls of ramen are cooked and served, troubles are beginning to brew in your own life as well...

Why similar: Casual 41.8%, Indie 31.5%, Simulation 15.2%, Singleplayer 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the intimacy of conversation and the emotional weight of simple, daily interactions in a food-centric setting.

A haiku platformer. It's short and vague.

Why similar: Experimental 80.2%, Casual 11.2%, Indie 6.5%, Singleplayer 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: An experimental, surreal experience that focuses on the internal struggle and the feeling of being trapped in one's own mind.

An elaborate puzzle challenge combined with an unconventional story.

Why similar: Experimental 62.7%, Indie 19.3%, Casual 12.9%, First-Person 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: An introspective, experimental adventure that uses a unique point-and-click interface to explore a character's memories and trauma.

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: First-Person 45.7%, Indie 29.8%, Singleplayer 13%, Casual 11.5%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses heavily on the feeling of isolation and the power of one-sided communication to build a character-driven narrative.

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

Why similar: Indie 46.9%, First-Person 42.9%, Singleplayer 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: An experimental, short-form narrative game that uses unique mechanics to explore the passage of time and memory.

The Novelist asks one central question: can you achieve your dreams without pushing away the people you love? The game focuses on Dan Kaplan, a novelist struggling to write the most important book of his career while trying to be the best husband and father he can be.

Why similar: Experimental 63.3%, Indie 13%, First-Person 12.9%, Casual 7.6%, Singleplayer 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on the domestic life of a family and the impact of the player's choices on their personal relationships.

The Stanley Parable is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will never end.

Why similar: First-Person 42.9%, Indie 42%, Casual 7.9%, Singleplayer 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential experimental narrative game that plays with the player's expectations and the nature of choice.

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: First-Person 51.8%, Indie 36.2%, Singleplayer 12%

Why You'll Like It: Uses experimental, short vignettes to explore the lives and deaths of a family, mirroring the character-portrait style of the seed game.

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: Casual 42.3%, Indie 32%, Simulation 15.3%, Singleplayer 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: Uses the mundane act of organizing a living space to tell a profound, non-verbal story about a character's life.

“Thing-in-Itself” is a short interactive story about the struggles of understanding another human being. Using Immanuel Kant’s concept as a framework, it leads the player through stages of a relationship, exploring how perceptions may clash and surroundings can alter.

Why similar: Indie 33.9%, First-Person 25.6%, Casual 22.4%, Simulation 10.3%, Singleplayer 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply philosophical and emotional walking simulator that explores the nature of existence and memory.

Late Bird is a short interactive story about birds, movies, suicidal thoughts and not growing up in time.

Why similar: Experimental 60.5%, Casual 25.4%, Indie 11%, Singleplayer 3%

Why You'll Like It: A short, interactive fiction piece that captures a specific, quiet moment in time with a focus on character reflection.

It's not what you say, it's how you say it. We should talk is a short-form narrative game that will make you think carefully about the words you choose. Can your relationship survive the night?

Why similar: Indie 43.3%, Casual 41.3%, Simulation 11.5%, Singleplayer 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: A short, narrative-focused game that uses conversation mechanics to explore the complexities of a relationship.

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

Why similar: Indie 55.3%, Casual 34.9%, Singleplayer 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: Provides a brief, meaningful, and atmospheric experience that focuses on the journey rather than the destination.

An interactive exploration into the aesthetics of food.

Why similar: Experimental 66.6%, Casual 17%, Indie 7.8%, Simulation 6.5%, Singleplayer 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: An experimental, sensory-focused simulation that treats food as an artistic and interactive medium.

A 15 minute heist game by Crows Crows Crows & Directed by William Pugh (The Stanley Parable). Slip into the soft-soled shoes of the mastermind responsible for the greatest heist- oh god I can’t do this any more, i’m joining the strike. good luck writing the steam description. -tina

Why similar: Experimental 43.5%, First-Person 24.7%, Indie 20.7%, Casual 6%, Singleplayer 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A short, meta-narrative experience that plays with the boundaries of the game world and the player's role.

Be the Universe in this epic, award-winning reality simulation game - featuring thousands of playable characters, endless exploration, an extraordinary soundtrack and narration from Alan Watts.

Why similar: Experimental 54.5%, Casual 17.8%, Indie 16.7%, Simulation 8.6%, Singleplayer 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: A philosophical, experimental experience that encourages players to contemplate their place in the universe.

Donut County is a story-based physics puzzle game where you play as an ever-growing hole in the ground. Meet cute characters, steal their trash, and throw them in a hole.

Why similar: Casual 47.7%, Indie 45.4%, Singleplayer 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A short, experimental game that uses a simple, satisfying mechanic to explore a quirky and character-driven story.

You receive a dinner invite from an awkward new neighbor and things go great.

Why similar: Indie 43.6%, Simulation 21.8%, First-Person 12.9%, Casual 12%, Singleplayer 9.7%

"DINNERDINNNER" is a horror adventure game set in the modern era. You become a diner staff member and encounter strange events – customers with bizarre stories, engaging in trivial conversations, and discussing incomprehensible matters.

Why similar: Casual 53%, First-Person 37.8%, Indie 6.5%, Singleplayer 2.7%

You are alone on a cold, Christmas night, stuck at home, in a foreign country. You get through it by cooking a hot dish intended for six people. A short experience about the bittersweet feeling of making hot pot alone.

Why similar: Experimental 46.8%, Narration 23.8%, First-Person 11.9%, Indie 7.3%, Simulation 5.3%

A short and mysterious free point and click adventure game, inspired by the feeling of oddness in an everyday situation.

Why similar: Singleplayer 100%

Swipe right for the brand new NON-VR crazy physics-based dating simulator, Table Manners! Tonight's the night, you've secured a date and you're off to the most glamorous restaurant you know, there's only one problem - you're a disembodied hand with a knack for catastrophe!

Why similar: Simulation 81.9%, First-Person 18.1%

A short visual novel about isolation. You try to search for comfort in the lonesome people around you. Keeping the darkness at bay with small embers of light. Will you let the fear change you?

Why similar: Simulation 93.7%, Singleplayer 6.3%

Depression The Game is an interactive game simulating major depression. You are joining a young man on one of his really bad days trying to handle his thoughts and survive that day... Will he?

Why similar: First-Person 53.8%, Simulation 28.1%, Singleplayer 18.1%

Drinks with Abbey is a short, slice-of-life visual novel about a first date.

Why similar: Simulation 62.4%, Indie 37.6%

Prepare a meal for the Vietnamese Lunar New Year dinner. But hurry, your guests are arriving soon! A short hand-drawn experience full of delicious surprises.

Why similar: First-Person 36.7%, Casual 33%, Indie 23%, Singleplayer 7.2%

A third-person thriller about three people and a gun in a single apartment. Navigate escalating real-time narrative events whilst managing Sims-esq stats to stay strong for an inevitable showdown. You play as Arthur, a young man trying to make it day to day before a gun turns his life upside down.

Why similar: Casual 60.9%, Singleplayer 13.6%, Indie 12.9%, Simulation 12.6%

FIRSTDATE: LATE TO DATE is a romantic-comedy interactive cinematic (FMV) game in which the audience determines the progress of the movie with the options that appear every minute.

Why similar: Casual 68.7%, Simulation 27.6%, Singleplayer 3.8%

7th Chance is a short (20-30 minute) story-based exploration adventure game. Waking up from a night of heavy drinking ... something isn't right.

Why similar: First-Person 53.5%, Indie 37.1%, Singleplayer 9.4%

It’s March of 2020; you were just sent home from college because of the coronavirus, you have a few small regrets, mainly not telling someone how you really feel.

Why similar: Casual 39.3%, Indie 35.8%, Simulation 18.6%, Singleplayer 6.3%

A Raven Monologue is a short experimental silent story about a raven that does not know how to croak and his relationship with the people in the town.

Why similar: Experimental 63.5%, Indie 18%, Casual 16.9%, Singleplayer 1.6%

Unable to sleep, you navigate a quiet condo complex. There's no rush - just you, the building, its inhabitants, and the stories they hold.

Why similar: First-Person 57.7%, Indie 29.4%, Singleplayer 13%

A short narrative and exploration game about Zach, June, and a strange phenomenon. You're Zach and, stuck in your home, you will do everything to keep hearing June's voice messages. What is happening out there?

Why similar: Narration 41.3%, Indie 37.1%, First-Person 21.6%

Guilt Free is a visual novel crossed with a point and click made to offer perspective on mental health and eating disorders. Navigate a couple's rocky relationship and encounter "flaws" or "quirks" that may actually be symptomatic behaviors.

Why similar: Experimental 84%, Casual 15.2%, Singleplayer 0.8%

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: Casual 49.4%, Indie 37.8%, Singleplayer 12.8%

A date on the beach, small talk, a little bit of nostalgia and an important decision. All of that taking place to the accompaniment of the summer breeze.

Why similar: Indie 52.5%, First-Person 35.6%, Singleplayer 11.9%

This game is about a person who kept running through his life, never looking back at the past. Once during a trip, he gets into trouble. Now he's lying on the cold ground, buried beneath his bicycle. Slides of various moments fly through his head.

Why similar: Indie 37.7%, Casual 36%, Simulation 15.4%, Singleplayer 10.8%

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: Indie 40.9%, First-Person 28.2%, Casual 22.2%, Singleplayer 8.7%

A new life begins in a low-cost apartment. Strange occurrences at night and the suspicious behavior of neighbors gradually push the protagonist to the edge.

Why similar: Casual 51.5%, First-Person 24.2%, Indie 20.1%, Singleplayer 4.3%

A small "horror" narrative game about isolation and depression.

Why similar: Casual 35%, Narration 31.8%, First-Person 28.9%, Simulation 2.3%, Singleplayer 2%

Secretly playing your Generic-90s-Handheld-Video-Game-Console during a first date? Shame on you!

Why similar: First-Person 42.6%, Simulation 40.8%, Singleplayer 16.6%

"Consumption Line" is a short, fully free, experimental indie game about the food industry, deceptive advertising and the downsides of modern life. A sarcastic 30‑minute experience designed to make you reflect, not grind.

Why similar: Experimental 65.4%, Casual 14.7%, Indie 10.4%, Simulation 7.4%, Singleplayer 2.2%

It’s a story about an 8-year-old boy Kevin who was left alone at home at Christmas. Protect your house from a crazy robber and wait for your parents. Can you handle with it? We’ll find out.

Why similar: First-Person 48%, Indie 25.9%, Simulation 18%, Singleplayer 8.2%

The year is 2036. In this famine-riddled world, food-centric sovereignty has been established. Living alone inside a food-inspection booth, you are striving to find truth and peace beyond the borderline.

Why similar: Simulation 65.3%, Singleplayer 34.7%

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: Experimental 72.6%, Indie 11.7%, Casual 6.8%, Simulation 5.8%, Singleplayer 3.1%

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: Casual 57.6%, Indie 27.8%, Singleplayer 14.6%

"From Head to Toe" is a short interactive story about winter, existential guilt and your ex-classmates.

Why similar: Experimental 55.7%, Indie 22.4%, Casual 21.8%

Coming home after visiting your doctor for the last time, you are told that you only have three more days to live. A sequence of short memory fragments flashing through as you try to run away from what you have done.

Why similar: Indie 100%

TOMORROW DON'T COME is a contextual puzzle game about depression and how it feels to be stuck.

Why similar: Experimental 67.2%, Indie 15.3%, Casual 14.7%, Singleplayer 2.9%