Games Like Essays on Empathy

The Red Strings Club is a cyberpunk narrative experience about fate and happiness featuring the extensive use of pottery, bartending and impersonating people on the phone to take down a corporate conspiracy.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 34.3%, Pixel Graphics 13.4%, Point & Click 12.6%, LGBTQ+ 10%, Dystopian 8.2%

A short exploration game about poking around a convenience store and finding a gift with the help of its owner. But sometimes the perfect gift finds you.

Why similar: Adventure 86.4%, Casual 8.9%, Atmospheric 4.6%

Coffee Talk is a coffee brewing and heart-to-heart talking simulator about listening to fantasy-inspired modern peoples’ problems, and helping them by serving up a warm drink or two.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 24%, Visual Novel 21.1%, LGBTQ+ 16.3%, Emotional 12.5%, Pixel Graphics 12.4%

2064: Read Only Memories is a cyberpunk point-and-click adventure set in Neo-San Francisco. Team up with Turing, the world's first sapient machine, to unravel a conspiracy that threatens to shake an entire society

Why similar: Cyberpunk 16.4%, Interactive Fiction 16%, Point & Click 12.9%, Visual Novel 11.4%, LGBTQ+ 8%

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: Interactive Fiction 28.1%, Visual Novel 21.4%, LGBTQ+ 19.8%, Emotional 15.7%, Atmospheric 8%

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

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 38.4%, Emotional 17.6%, Atmospheric 13.1%, Point & Click 10.7%, Adventure 10.1%

No Longer Home is a game about letting go of the life you've built due to circumstances beyond your control. Immerse yourself in the lives of Bo and Ao and learn about their dreams, frustrations and fears. Welcome the magic of the everyday and somewhat extraordinary.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.6%, Point & Click 17.6%, LGBTQ+ 15%, Emotional 12%, Visual Novel 12%

Tender is a narrative game that explores connection and rejection in the era of swipe culture. It’s a story told by and through the modern interface for finding love.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 29%, Visual Novel 19.5%, RPG 13.9%, LGBTQ+ 12.3%, Futuristic 10.8%

Emily is Away Too is a brand new story featuring new characters and multiple different endings. Message your friends, surf the web and choose your path through this branching narrative.

Why similar: Visual Novel 31.2%, Pixel Graphics 24.2%, RPG 19.3%, Casual 14.1%, Adventure 7.1%

A Pizza Delivery is a narrative exploration game with puzzle elements focused on connecting with people. Share pizza with charming characters to uncover their stories—and your own. Drive and explore a strange, meditative world filled with secrets.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 19%, Emotional 19%, LGBTQ+ 17.8%, Stylized 13.8%, Puzzle 13.2%

Is this a nascent ego—or just a nasty bug? Crash headfirst into cuddles, comfort, and maybe even love in this short visual novel about robots and the human heart.

Why similar: Artificial Intelligence 28.2%, Visual Novel 15.1%, Cyberpunk 15%, Emotional 10.7%, Comedy 10.5%

An emotional and immersive game about a man named Will and the people close to him. Experience his life through a story about love, memories and hope.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.9%, Point & Click 18.5%, LGBTQ+ 18%, Visual Novel 17.6%, Emotional 10.5%

ELECTROBASIS is a 3d dialogue-driven game, sprinkled with platforming and puzzle quests. Meet a cast of heavenly hosts that come with a MYRIAD of issues, and help to fix (most of) them! The casino yearns for a savior - she awaits a restoration.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 42.1%, Visual Novel 30.7%, LGBTQ+ 22.4%, Casual 4.8%

A collection of surreal tales, each connected to a stored-away object from childhood. Pick one to follow the moon, feed a hungry lizard or build a peculiar cabinet.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 21.1%, Point & Click 20.2%, Stylized 12.9%, Emotional 12.1%, Puzzle 9.1%

Wanderlust: Travel Stories is a bridge between literature and gaming. Step into the shoes of modern travelers—explore their desires, hopes and fears, and shape how their stories unfold. Make this journey your own.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 25.7%, Point & Click 20.7%, Visual Novel 18.5%, LGBTQ+ 16.6%, Adventure 7.6%

This is a modern adventure of young adults seeking love and meaning. Return to 2011's Castor Yard, tap on your keyboard, and make those letters dance: Use your online persona to make meaningful decisions for your clients and yourself.

Why similar: Typing 43.1% ★, Visual Novel 14.7%, Interactive Fiction 14.1%, Artificial Intelligence 12.4%, Pixel Graphics 6.7%

An interactive novel about identity, roleplay, and dreams.

Why similar: Typing 25.8% ★, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Abstract 13.6%, Visual Novel 10%, LGBTQ+ 9.7%

"May all stories find their best endings." "Depersonalization" is an anthology-style game featuring standalone chapters and diverse story genres. We continuously collect and create a wide variety of stories, ultimately housing them in a library that transcends the flow of time.

Why similar: RPG 33.9%, Pixel Graphics 32.8%, Puzzle 19.4%, Casual 10.8%, Adventure 3.2%

‘We. The Refugees: Ticket to Europe’ is a socially engaged, text-based RPG about a journalist looking for his big break by uncovering the plights of refugees travelling from Africa to Europe. It is a story inspired by true events.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 41%, Emotional 23.7%, RPG 13.2%, 2D 9%, Adventure 8%

Inspired by JCS videos and similar Interrogation analysis. Match evidence with statements. Play good cop/bad cop. Make choices. Learn what makes people tick. Unravel the mystery.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.1%, Abstract 18.8%, Point & Click 17.6%, Visual Novel 15.1%, Puzzle 9.6%

You can play as a newcomer, start a new life, and date 12 uncles

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.2%, LGBTQ+ 15.9%, Visual Novel 14.9%, Dystopian 13.1%, RPG 10.7%

When the truth is buried, go underground. Step into this new take on text-based adventure from the award-winning team behind Thomas Was Alone and Volume. A short story that hands you the fate of the world above, as a detective looking for answers on the Subsurface Circular.

Why similar: Visual Novel 27.8%, Cyberpunk 23.5%, Point & Click 22.8%, Futuristic 13.5%, Adventure 6.4%

"non-binary" is a video game that mixes text choices and bullet hell to tell the story of two non-binary people's journey of self-discovery. Make your choices. Dodge words. Go through things that hurt without breaking down. If you can.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 24.1%, LGBTQ+ 19.2%, Visual Novel 17.9%, Emotional 13.1%, Abstract 12.7%

An emo-inspired narrative rhythm game exploring growing pains, addiction, romance and music. Scream with Ash as he makes the transition from baby bat to elder emo, guide him through his crash outs and help him navigate his (teenage) dirtbag life through music.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 30.2%, Visual Novel 22.3%, LGBTQ+ 18.9%, Emotional 13.2%, Stylized 11.5%

Rumu is an intimate, narrative-driven adventure that follows the path into sentience of a robot vacuum cleaner.

Why similar: Artificial Intelligence 31.1%, Point & Click 21.7%, Emotional 16.6%, Puzzle 8.5%, Futuristic 5.9%

Millennium Whisper is a next-gen dating-sim set in 1999 at the fictional Escafeld College with an AI trained by real actors portraying the cast! Who will you confess your feelings to at the end of the millennium?

Why similar: Typing 37% ★, Artificial Intelligence 19.7%, Visual Novel 14.9%, RPG 10.1%, Pixel Graphics 8.2%

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: Interactive Fiction 30.6%, Visual Novel 23%, Point & Click 20%, Emotional 17%, Casual 5.4%

In this episodic visual novel, follow the adventures of MSPA Reader as they return to Alternia once more to save their friends... and realize that nothing is as it seems.

Why similar: Visual Novel 21%, Dystopian 18.2%, LGBTQ+ 16.9%, Cyberpunk 14%, Futuristic 7.3%

Fishbowl is a narrative game about dreams, grief, and hope. Rediscover your memories and find your way into the present in this intimate experience where slice-of-life meets surreal.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 26.5%, Visual Novel 19.3%, Emotional 18.6%, LGBTQ+ 14.4%, Pixel Graphics 9.7%

In a society plagued by visions of the future, a group of friends attempt to find their own way in a predestined life. This isn't easy, however, when they live under the Argus Corporation - a superpower dedicated to maintaining social order. A fully voice acted dystopic story/dating-sim. Play today!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 25.8%, Point & Click 20%, Visual Novel 19.6%, LGBTQ+ 18.9%, RPG 10.3%

VA-11 HALL-A: Cyberpunk Bartender Action is a booze em' up about waifus, technology, and post-dystopia life.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 22.5%, Dystopian 17.9%, Visual Novel 15%, Point & Click 13.7%, LGBTQ+ 12.2%

A surreal post-life adventure

Why similar: Abstract 24.7%, RPG 22.3%, LGBTQ+ 12.6%, Adventure 10.6%, Puzzle 8.3%

Short Stories Collection of Class Tangerine is a collection of five Visual Novels by indie-game team "Class Tangerine".

Why similar: Visual Novel 50.2%, Casual 26.2%, Adventure 23.5%

MINDS BENEATH US is an emotional sci-fi narrative game. Through the eyes of a humble individual, experience a mad world where humans are exploited as computing devices for AI. Listen to the concerns of those you meet and offer guidance. Together, face challenges and confront an uncertain destiny.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 20.1%, Dystopian 19.9%, Point & Click 14.4%, Visual Novel 14.3%, RPG 9%

"Curtain Call" is a visual novel about (literally) breaking through social masks by forming meaningful connections with incredibly deep personalities. Whether you’re looking to make new friends or something more, there’s a whole cast of characters just dying to meet you!

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 36.3%, Visual Novel 25.9%, LGBTQ+ 25.7%, 2D 6.5%, Casual 5.7%

Be the tax collector of a shady city hall in this narrative-driven resource management game. Talk to debtors, manage a team, make difficult choices, and challenge the city's moral decay. It's their money, but it's your job.

Why similar: Point & Click 47.3%, Puzzle 25.2%, Casual 14%, Adventure 13.5%

Emily <3 is a brand new story set on an old-new social media. Customize your facenook profile, send some friend requests and determine the outcome of your senior year.

Why similar: Typing 34.5% ★, Visual Novel 19.5%, Emotional 18.2%, RPG 10.7%, Casual 7.3%

You're an NPC who gives quests to heroes. Play through 7 scenarios in this humorous narrative adventure with management sim gameplay and a real sassy manager. Now get to work!

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 23.7%, Visual Novel 21.4%, RPG 16.8%, Pixel Graphics 9.7%, Comedy 9.5%

Discover a digital realm shrouded in mystery. Sequel to an award-winning narrative driven hacking simulator puzzle game. Play as an AI assistant in a major corporation. Deploy intricate social engineering tactics and expose hidden truths in a world of ambition and high-tech deception.

Why similar: Dystopian 40.6%, Point & Click 31.1%, RPG 13.8%, 2D 5.8%, Casual 4.6%

A visual novel about what it means to be human. A story about loneliness, self-identification, and the meaning of existence.

Why similar: Artificial Intelligence 27.8%, Interactive Fiction 17.3%, Visual Novel 15.5%, Cyberpunk 14.2%, Emotional 13.4%

Six stories about the most important things. And elves, gnomes, robots, aliens, adventure, and love.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 27.6%, Cyberpunk 21.8%, Visual Novel 20.4%, Comedy 10.6%, Pixel Graphics 8%

"What if you're born into this world without your permission?" DIVINATION is a very short visual novel where you act as a fortune teller in a futuristic world. Talk and listen to people's stories, then foresee their future using the runes they had drawn.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 28.9%, Point & Click 23.7%, Dystopian 22.3%, Visual Novel 21.1%, 2D 4%

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: Interactive Fiction 48.8%, Comedy 24.5%, Atmospheric 13.2%, Adventure 9.3%, Casual 4.2%

A narrative adventure about the momentum and whiplash of young adulthood. Explore the big city through 18-year-old Mara's eyes. Collect items, nurture ideas, and experience complex relationships while attempting to find your place in the world.

Why similar: Point & Click 21.7%, Interactive Fiction 20.6%, Visual Novel 15.1%, Emotional 14.5%, Comedy 13.1%

Trolley Problem, Inc. is a darkly comedic narrative game based on real-world philosophical papers, in which you are asked to make a series of impossible choices from two awful answers. Wrestle with your moral compass, decide the fate of millions – and compare your choices with the rest of the world.

Why similar: Artificial Intelligence 59.5%, Comedy 28.2%, Casual 12.2%

Games can really show someone's personality, don't you think? By way of a simple exploration-based adventure, this data-science game analyzes your actions to estimate your personality.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 28.2%, Visual Novel 19.3%, LGBTQ+ 13.7%, Emotional 13.2%, Pixel Graphics 10.1%

Presented by the team behind critically acclaimed "Moncage", this is a transformative adventure exploring the art of waiting. Clear the game by doing nothing, but discover the power of acceptance and patience in numerous situations from birth to death. Learn to embrace life as you wait.

Why similar: Comedy 30.9%, Visual Novel 24.3%, Puzzle 22.8%, Adventure 12.4%, Casual 9.6%

If Found... is a game about going home, coming out and erasing everything.

Why similar: LGBTQ+ 27.1%, Visual Novel 20%, Interactive Fiction 16.9%, Stylized 9.5%, Emotional 8.9%

A visual novel about emotional survival in an automated world. Play as Lina, the last human cab driver. It’s your first night driving the lonely streets of Los Ojos, and your best friend has just disappeared. Stay on the road. Stay on the search. Stay human.

Why similar: Cyberpunk 19%, Interactive Fiction 18.7%, Point & Click 15.1%, Visual Novel 13.9%, Emotional 8.8%

Countdown is a short visual novel that tells the story of an ordinary individual's journey through their thoughts and emotions as their life approaches its end. The plot includes critiques and discussions of social issues such as life, family, the workplace, and the healthcare system.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.4%, Emotional 29.9%, RPG 20.1%, 2D 4.7%

This is a cyberpunk-themed pixelated psychological horror, romance, and adventure game. Amidst a chance encounter in the rain and a forced gathering, an unexpected journey unfolds—a humorous romance and adventure story between you, a robot, and your furry companions.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 26.9%, Visual Novel 17%, RPG 13.6%, Futuristic 9.1%, Pixel Graphics 9.1%

Classic Zork meets Existential Crisis. A modern text adventure that explores themes of control, isolation and mental health while levelling up the genre with beautiful pixel art.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 31.3%, Artificial Intelligence 27.5%, Puzzle 11.2%, Atmospheric 10.2%, Pixel Graphics 9.9%

A strange journey throughout an elaborate labyrinth awaits, featuring hundreds of characters and happenings as you try to gather items that once brought happiness to others.

Why similar: Abstract 50.7%, Visual Novel 29.5%, Adventure 10.6%, Atmospheric 9.3%

A short and surreal meta-narrative experience. Explore the gallery and find a way to push The Button...

Why similar: Comedy 33.6%, Adventure 24.3%, Puzzle 24.1%, Atmospheric 18%

You're the bouncer of the Green Door club, where every decision matters. Reject the unworthy of partying with clever retorts, explore a neon-lit city, and immerse yourself in the Berlin-like city's underground techno scene. The beat is pumping—are you in?

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 29.2%, Cyberpunk 26.1%, Futuristic 16.8%, Pixel Graphics 11.7%, Atmospheric 9.2%

Anxiety Puppy is a 2D interactive narrative game that focuses on anxiety. In the game, anxiety is personified as a little puppy. Players will explore its story and try to coexist with it. Go find its traces and give it a hug.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 27.1%, Visual Novel 20%, Emotional 15.8%, Point & Click 13%, Adventure 8.4%

It’s 2065, and you are an interrogator-model android tasked with rooting out deviants among your own kind. You must probe for lies, monitor and exploit emotional spikes, earn the trust of your subjects, and make the final call: release, or destroy?

Why similar: Cyberpunk 24.8%, Dystopian 18.1%, Point & Click 12.8%, Emotional 12.1%, Visual Novel 11.5%

Wax Heads is a cozy-punk narrative sim about working in a struggling record store. Chat to quirky customers with unique tastes, explore a handcrafted record collection, fall in love with bands (and their drama!), or just slack off with your colleagues - whatever gets everyone’s groove back!

Why similar: Point & Click 21.8%, Interactive Fiction 21.7%, Stylized 18.8%, Visual Novel 15.4%, Puzzle 10.7%

The Test: Reality Check is one of multiple installments in an ongoing social experiment that can be classified as an atmospheric, psychological-simulation with horror elements. Dive deep into your own psyche to find answers to questions you've kept locked away, hidden from yourself for far too long.

Why similar: Visual Novel 44.9%, RPG 29.4%, 2D 13.7%, Casual 12%