Games Like DISTRAINT: Deluxe Edition

You are Price, a man who sold his humanity to get a partnership from a leading company: McDade, Bruton & Moore. DISTRAINT 2 follows on from the events of the first game. It's a sinister tale about restoring hope and finding your purpose.

Why similar: Indie 46.5%, Psychological Horror 14.2%, Horror 10.5%, Pixel Graphics 6%, Story Rich 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: This direct sequel continues the dark, psychological journey of the protagonist with improved mechanics and the same poignant, unsettling atmosphere.

Join Brian Pasternack on his first working day at Sintracorp. Uncertain, unprepared, and massively unqualified, will Pasternack have what it takes to shine in Sintracorp’s hierarchy? It all depends on how he performs on his first assignment… and whether he survives it.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 26.5%, Horror 19.8%, Pixel Graphics 13.9%, Story Rich 8.3%, Dark Humor 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the 2D pixel-art style and corporate-horror setting, focusing on surreal, terrifying office environments and deep narrative mystery.

The Cat Lady follows Susan Ashworth, a lonely 40-year old on the verge of suicide. She has no family, no friends and no hope for a better future. One day she discovers that five strangers will come along and change everything...

Why similar: Indie 54%, Psychological Horror 11.6%, Horror 11.6%, Story Rich 4.4%, Psychological 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game is a masterclass in dark, psychological storytelling, featuring a gritty 2D aesthetic and mature themes of depression and trauma.

Fran Bow is a creepy adventure game that tells the story of Fran, a young girl struggling with a mental disorder and an unfair destiny.

Why similar: Indie 48.1%, Psychological Horror 18.9%, Horror 9.4%, Story Rich 4.7%, Dark 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: This point-and-click adventure uses a dark, surreal art style to explore the fractured psyche of a young girl dealing with trauma.

There is nothing Joe wouldn't do for his wife. But as they try to save their marriage with a romantic getaway, things go from bad to worse, and from worse... to insanity...

Why similar: Indie 64.1%, Psychological Horror 13.1%, Horror 8.1%, Story Rich 3.9%, Adventure 2.8%

Why You'll Like It: Created by the same developer as The Cat Lady, it offers a visceral, disturbing, and highly atmospheric 2D horror experience.

In this original and adult psychological survival horror, the masked protagonist must escape from a city ravaged by disease, by any means necessary.

Why similar: Indie 66%, Horror 12.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.2%, Psychological Horror 5.1%, Atmospheric 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: A quintessential 2D psychological horror game that emphasizes resource management and a surreal, dreamlike narrative.

Detention is an atmospheric horror game set in 1960s Taiwan under martial law. Incorporated religious elements based in Taiwanese/Chinese culture and mythology, the game provided players with unique graphics and gaming experience.

Why similar: Indie 60.5%, Horror 13.5%, Psychological Horror 11.7%, Story Rich 3.1%, Atmospheric 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: A chilling 2D atmospheric horror game set in 1960s Taiwan that excels at building tension through cultural folklore and psychological dread.

You play as a man called Jacob Reeves. A man who has lost his reason to live. He throws himself into a blackness to end his misery, but instead of it being the end he wakes up without a memory of his life before.

Why similar: Indie 62.4%, Horror 12.1%, Psychological Horror 10.2%, Adventure 2.6%, Dark 2.1%

Why You'll Like It: This 2D psychological horror game focuses on a man's descent into a nightmare world, mirroring the dark, introspective tone of DISTRAINT.

Welcome in Bad Dream: Coma. A point & click game where unique minimalistic art style creates an unforgettable and atmospheric experience. Travel through the surreal and disturbing dreamland where everything depends on your actions. You can't die but you can suffer greatly...

Why similar: Indie 54.8%, Psychological Horror 11.2%, Horror 10.5%, Psychological 4.5%, Dark 3.7%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal point-and-click horror adventure where your choices drastically impact the dark, ever-changing world around you.

What you are about to do has not been approved by the Vatican. As a young priest, struggle against demons, cultists, and your own weakening faith in this pixel horror game inspired by the era of classic 8-bit gaming and the "Satanic Panic" of the 1980s.

Why similar: Indie 56%, Psychological Horror 13.3%, Horror 11.1%, Pixel Graphics 7%, Dark 3.2%

Why You'll Like It: This retro-styled horror game uses minimalist visuals to create an incredibly oppressive and terrifying atmosphere.

Experience true psychological horror as you explore nightmares inspired by the creator's struggles with depression and OCD. The defenseless protagonist must avoid monstrous manifestations of what haunts his subconscious in his quest to wake up into reality.

Why similar: Indie 59.1%, Psychological Horror 15.9%, Horror 14.4%, Atmospheric 2.8%, Gore 1.7%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the feeling of a waking nightmare through its unique, hand-drawn art style and focus on mental health themes.

Are you ready to serve the guests in the Rusty Lake Hotel? Solve all mysteries in this dark and eerie puzzle game. Rusty Lake Hotel is a point-and-click adventure by the creators of the Rusty Lake & Cube Escape series.

Why similar: Indie 62.5%, Psychological Horror 9.5%, Horror 8.8%, Puzzle 3.6%, Point & Click 2.9%

Why You'll Like It: This surreal, dark puzzle game shares the eerie, unsettling atmosphere and point-and-click mechanics found in many psychological horror adventures.

The most terrifying journey of your life set in the beautiful winter scenery of the Ural Mountains. Uncover the horrific mystery behind the Dyatlov Pass Incident. Narrated by the famous Sean Bean.

Why similar: Horror 67.6%, Indie 21.7%, Psychological Horror 4.8%, Atmospheric 1.4%, Psychological 0.8%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric walking simulator that relies on environmental storytelling and a sense of isolation to build dread.

Set in the '90s, Kathy Rain tells the story of a strong-willed journalism major who has to come to terms with her troubled past as she investigates the mysterious death of her recently deceased grandfather.

Why similar: Point & Click 75.3%, Indie 16.7%, Pixel Graphics 2.6%, Psychological Horror 1.8%, Adventure 1.3%

Why You'll Like It: While more of a mystery, its pixel-art style and focus on a protagonist confronting their past make it a strong thematic companion.

Big Brother has arrived - and it’s you. Investigate the lives of citizens to find those responsible for a series of terror attacks. Information from the internet, personal communications and private files are all accessible to you. But, be warned, the information you supply will have consequences.

Why similar: Indie 82.8%, Story Rich 6.5%, Mystery 3%, Atmospheric 2.7%, Adventure 2%

Why You'll Like It: It explores the dark consequences of surveillance and moral choices, matching the heavy narrative weight of DISTRAINT.

Rusty Lake Paradise is set on a small remote island which is cursed by the ten plagues of Egypt. Solve all the mysteries of this dark, macabre puzzle adventure. Paradise builds upon the distinctive atmosphere and excitement from the Rusty Lake series.

Why similar: Indie 64.8%, Psychological Horror 10.5%, Horror 6.6%, Puzzle 4.2%, Point & Click 3.1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a similarly bizarre and dark narrative experience, utilizing point-and-click puzzles to uncover a disturbing family history.

Experience the quiet terror of this 1-bit love letter to Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft. Navigate a hellish roguelite reality with turn-based combat and unforgiving choices. Experiment with your deck of event cards to discover new forms of cosmic horror in every playthrough. The inevitable awaits...

Why similar: Horror 30%, Psychological Horror 28.4%, Pixel Graphics 15%, 2D 5.7%, Atmospheric 5.1%

Why You'll Like It: A cosmic horror game that uses a striking 1-bit pixel aesthetic to deliver a sense of impending doom and psychological decay.

Delve into a dark adventure following the boy with a prosthetic face and a tragic past. Unravel the sinister mysteries of Sally's world to find the truth that lies hidden beneath the shadows.

Why similar: Indie 54.7%, Psychological Horror 13.1%, Horror 8.3%, Story Rich 4.4%, Dark 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, story-driven adventure with a distinct 2D art style that explores unsettling mysteries and psychological trauma.

HOME is a feel-good walking simulator experience in which you create your own poem and music. Embark on a poetic and musical heartwarming journey about what home means to you.

Why similar: Indie 75.8%, Atmospheric 9%, Emotional 7.2%, Adventure 6.1%, Singleplayer 2%

Why You'll Like It: A unique pixel-art horror game that relies on player choices to shape the narrative and the mystery of its dark setting.

A Story About My Uncle is a first person platforming adventure game about a boy who searches for his lost uncle, and ends up in a world he couldn’t imagine existed. The movement is a crucial part of the games core gameplay – focusing on swinging through the world with a grappling hook that gives the player a wonderful sense of speed and...

Why similar: Indie 49%, Adventure 44%, Story Rich 2.5%, Atmospheric 2.4%, Puzzle 1.1%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person adventure that focuses on a personal, emotional narrative set in a surreal and atmospheric world.

A classic survival horror experience set in a dystopian future where humanity has uncovered a dark secret. Unravel a cosmic mystery, escape terrifying creatures, and scavenge an off-world government facility as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost dreams.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 50.3%, Dark 12.6%, Atmospheric 11.5%, Survival Horror 6.2%, Puzzle 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: While it features more complex mechanics, its retro-inspired visuals and deep psychological horror themes resonate strongly with fans of the genre.

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: Psychological Horror 31.9%, Horror 24.2%, Story Rich 8.9%, Dark 8.5%, Atmospheric 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person psychological horror game that excels at shifting environments and exploring the fractured mind of an artist.

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

Why similar: Indie 60.6%, Psychological Horror 13.3%, Horror 8%, Story Rich 4.1%, Dark Humor 2.5%

Why You'll Like It: This game balances dark, mature themes with a whimsical yet unsettling 2D presentation, focusing on the tragic story of its protagonist.

Stories: The Path of Destinies is an Action RPG, an enchanted storybook filled with madcap fantasy tales, each told by a zippy narrator attuned to the player’s choices and actions.

Why similar: Indie 62.3%, Adventure 35.5%, Story Rich 1.6%, Singleplayer 0.6%

Why You'll Like It: An action-adventure game where choices matter, leading to various dark outcomes that reflect the player's decisions.

A rogue-like river journey through the backwaters of a forgotten post-societal America. Forage, craft, evade predators.

Why similar: Indie 91.7%, Adventure 4.7%, Atmospheric 2.8%, Singleplayer 0.7%

Why You'll Like It: A survival-adventure game that uses a bleak, atmospheric setting to force players into difficult moral and survival decisions.

Hacknet is an immersive, terminal-based hacking simulator for PC. Dive down a rabbit hoIe as you follow the instructions of a recently deceased hacker, whose death may not have been the accident the media reports.

Why similar: Indie 79.1%, Story Rich 6.6%, Atmospheric 5%, 2D 4.4%, Adventure 3.3%

Why You'll Like It: A terminal-based simulation that captures the feeling of being trapped in a dark, digital mystery with high stakes.

Claire is alone, lost, and hunted. The world has quickly becomes shrouded in darkness with unseen threats stalking Claire from the shadows. Aided by her dog and armed only with a flashlight, Claire must conquer her fear and find her comatose mother. However, there are others lost in the darkness seeking salvation.

Why similar: Indie 71.1%, Horror 12.6%, Pixel Graphics 5.4%, Psychological Horror 4.1%, 2D 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: A 2D side-scrolling horror game that emphasizes psychological tension and the struggle to survive in a dark, shifting environment.

A fully moddable city sandbox with jobs, NPCs, apartments, garages, gangs, and more. Broke Protocol is an open-world action game focused on roleplaying and custom content. Define your goals and identity in a persistent, reactive world where you write your own story.

Why similar: Indie 100%

A short pixel psychological survival horror and gruelling story told with no words.

Why similar: Indie 36.5%, Psychological Horror 19.1%, Horror 18.1%, Pixel Graphics 11%, Dark Humor 5.1%

Guide Bob the sleepwalker to the safety of his bed by taking control of his subconscious guardian, Subob. Explore a surreal and hand-painted dream world, avoid dangers and get Bob safely back to bed.

Why similar: Indie 86.2%, Puzzle 13.2%, Singleplayer 0.7%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal puzzle game that uses a dreamlike, artistic visual style to explore themes of subconscious struggle.

12 is Better Than 6 is a dynamic top-down shooter with stealth elements, presented in a Wild West theme. The story puts you in the shoes of escaped slave fleeing to the United States in 1873.

Why similar: Indie 84.3%, 2D 3.6%, Atmospheric 3.6%, Adventure 2.5%, Dark Humor 2.2%

Why You'll Like It: A top-down shooter with a unique hand-drawn aesthetic that captures a gritty, dark tone through its minimalist visual style.

A first-person psychological horror with a strong emphasis on atmosphere and storytelling. Explore an ever-shifting Victorian mansion as a painter seeking to complete his masterpiece, even at the cost of his own sanity.

Why similar: Horror 50.8%, Indie 26.5%, Psychological Horror 13.7%, Atmospheric 2.5%, Story Rich 2%

2280 A.D. The last few survivors of a ruined Earth seek a new home: Mars, a planet whose inhabitants didn't take too kindly to outsiders. The Red Solstice is a tense, tactical, squad-based action game. Fight to survive with up to 8 players in co-op, or lead your own squad in single-player mode.

Why similar: Atmospheric 74.1%, Singleplayer 25.9%

Why You'll Like It: A tactical game that maintains a dark, sci-fi atmosphere and emphasizes the tension of survival in a hostile environment.

The Flayed Man is a short narrative-driven point and click horror game. Awaking without memories (or skin), you must uncover the sins of the past, pass judgement, and decide your fate in this macabre adventure.

Why similar: Indie 38.6%, Psychological Horror 18.1%, Horror 10.3%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%, Dark 6.3%

Murderous Pursuits is a kill-or-be-killed Victorian stealth-em-up for 1-8 players in which you must hunt and kill your quarry before your hunters do the same to you, all while avoiding witnesses.

Why similar: Indie 97.9%, Mystery 2.1%

Life on Tiny Planet was calm and carefree until a great disaster occurred - Tiny Planet was hit by a meteor! The world fell apart and now its future depends only on you! Use your imagination and creativity: in order to restore Tiny Planet and help its inhabitants you will have to fix a variety of machines and mechanisms as well as solve...

Why similar: Puzzle 32.7%, Point & Click 30.1%, Indie 27.7%, Story Rich 2.9%, Atmospheric 2.4%

Pleh! is a short psychological horror walking simulator that tells the story of a depressed game developer, his intrusive thoughts and his dark mysterious secrets.

Why similar: Indie 37.1%, Psychological Horror 19%, Horror 8.1%, Psychological 6%, Dark 5.5%

Turbo Pug is back and better than ever! In Turbo Pug DX you'll explore a variety of beautiful, passionately crafted environments. Collect treasures, score boosters, unlock other creatures to play as. Unlock secret mini games. Create custom level skins or enjoy skins created by other players.

Why similar: Indie 99.5%, Pixel Graphics 0.3%, Adventure 0.1%, 2D 0%, Singleplayer 0%

Braveland is a turn-based game inspired by old-school strategies with hexagonal battlefield. You will start as a humble warrior's son whose village was cruelly raided and will end as talented commander of your army.

Why similar: Atmospheric 45%, 2D 40.7%, Singleplayer 14.3%

Junk, junk and even more junk. Life on the trash-planet Deponia is anything but a walk in the park. No surprise that Rufus had enough of that and hatches one ludicrous plan after the other to escape this bleak place.

Why similar: Adventure 33.7%, Indie 31.6%, Point & Click 11.9%, Puzzle 7.8%, Story Rich 6.5%

Kingdom is a 2D sidescrolling strategy/resource management hybrid with a minimalist feel wrapped in a beautiful, modern pixel art aesthetic.

Why similar: Indie 73.9%, Pixel Graphics 10.6%, 2D 5.2%, Atmospheric 3.8%, Adventure 3.7%

Loot, shoot, cast and drive in this chaotic PvP Roguelite. Level up fast, draft wild skills, and create crazy combos on the fly. Explore a GTA-style battle royale with no queues or downtime as you prepare to win the final fight. Climb the ranks solo or with friends in 3-man squads!

Why similar: Indie 98.3%, Singleplayer 1.7%

Evolvation is a casual multiplayer and fast-paced and class based space flying shooter developed by a two-man-army (Eric and Jacob) from Amsterdam. Classes are: Highspeed, Fighter, Stealth, Support and Tank. Each class has its own special ability which provides a dynamic gameplay.

Why similar: Indie 100%

A perfect-information strategy game inspired by RTS, deckbuilders, and board games. Choose from three distinct technology classes and outwit your foes by snowballing your starting resources into a powerful cybernetic army. ABSOLUTELY NO PAY-TO-WIN.

Why similar: Indie 97.9%, Puzzle 1.4%, Singleplayer 0.7%

Flan's MS is a 2D story game with some puzzles and gameplay systems. After escaping from everything she is familiar with, Flan needs to retrieve her lost dream diary and find the answers she needs.

Why similar: Indie 49.2%, Psychological Horror 17.9%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, Horror 8.4%, Story Rich 5.1%

A long-form, choice-driven psychological horror and depression game in which the protagonist’s ending changes based on the choices made by “you,” the voice he hears in his head.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 33.1%, Horror 20.4%, Pixel Graphics 14.6%, Dark 8.9%, Story Rich 7.6%

Ignited Entry is a full length narrative driven psychological horror game with voice acting, dreamish visuals, and horror elements that will keep you on the edge of your seat. Some doors should never be opened. But you must go in.

Why similar: Indie 58.2%, Psychological Horror 13.7%, Horror 9.1%, Pixel Graphics 4.7%, Story Rich 4.2%

Where do you run to when your demons reside within you? Decarnation is a pixel art adventure/action puzzle game with a horrific story inspired by some of the most influential films and novels in the genre. Dive into a breathtaking thriller where nightmares and dreams intertwine…

Why similar: Indie 50.5%, Psychological Horror 11%, Horror 9%, Pixel Graphics 5.8%, Dark 4.1%

Fortified is an explosive strategy shooter where players will defend the Earth against a menacing Martian invasion in the 1950s. Play as one-of-four pulp inspired heroes as they fight swarms of terrifying robots with an arsenal of Cold War era weapons and experimental technology.

Why similar: Indie 100%

Slip on your flares, grab your shades and hop in your station wagon, it's time to work… as a professional mob cleaner. In this stylish award winning 2D action-stealth game you have to make sure you get in, clean up and get out without leaving a trace - Queue the funky 70s inspired soundtrack!

Why similar: Indie 93.6%, 2D 3.3%, Gore 2.4%, Singleplayer 0.8%

Hyperdrive Massacre is an 80s inspired arcade fragfest in Spacewar sauce designed around local multiplayer, focused on kinestetics, tactical and shooting skills at a frenzied pace.

Why similar: Indie 99.5%, Singleplayer 0.5%

Psychroma is a psychological horror side-scroller set in a haunted cyberpunk house. Collect cards and explore the memories stored on them to piece together your past. But the deeper you go, the more you expose yourself to the brightest heat, the warmest color...

Why similar: Psychological Horror 33%, Pixel Graphics 18.8%, Story Rich 11.2%, Dark 9.4%, Side Scroller 8.2%

Command a space-faring empire in Sins of a Solar Empire: Rebellion, the new stand-alone expansion that combines 4X depth with real-time strategy gameplay.

Why similar: Singleplayer 100%

Horns of Fear is a third-person psychological horror game set in a mysterious mansion...

Why similar: Psychological Horror 27.2%, Horror 20.2%, Psychological 9.1%, Dark 7.1%, 2D 5.8%

THIEF’S SHELTER is a 3D Point and Click Psychological Adventure where the world mirrors a crumbling mind. Nothing stays still, and even your own thoughts can’t be trusted.

Why similar: Indie 57%, Psychological Horror 11.2%, Psychological 6.9%, Dark 5.6%, Story Rich 5.1%

You’re a state-installed landlord in a totalitarian country. Place listening devices, steal and sneak into your tenants’ apartments. Use what you uncovered to report anyone capable of plotting against the state. You MUST! But WILL you?

Why similar: Indie 71.7%, Dark 6.3%, Story Rich 5.6%, Atmospheric 4.5%, Dark Humor 4.4%

Darkness is coming. How long can YOU survive? Build your base by day, defend it by night. Play in online or local co-op. Stay alive as long as you can.

Why similar: Indie 91%, Horror 7.7%, Gore 0.7%, Singleplayer 0.6%

Social welfare survival horror based on real events. Endure emotional pain and societal pressure. Stay entertained. Survive the routine and become the hero of your studio apartment—battle inner demons, hide skeletons in the closet, and most importantly… keep the bathroom clean.

Why similar: Indie 57.2%, Psychological Horror 10.7%, Horror 7.2%, Pixel Graphics 5.9%, Story Rich 4.6%

A horror channel browsing game where each channel holds a different nightmare to experience, explore them and find out the truth about what has happened in a small town where the inhabitants have disappeared.

Why similar: Indie 41.2%, Psychological Horror 12.5%, Horror 12.3%, Pixel Graphics 8.5%, Story Rich 5%