Games Like Forgotten, Not Lost - A Kinetic Novel

Forgotten Fields is a game about yearning and nostalgia. Play as Sid - a struggling writer who travels back to his childhood home one last time before it's sold off. Visit old friends, relive memories and play through sections of Sid's book in this warm game about the passage of time.

Why similar: Visual Novel 66.4%, Story Rich 27.7%, Singleplayer 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric narrative game that captures the struggle of creativity and the passage of time.

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: Casual 74.3%, Indie 18.8%, Singleplayer 6.9%

Why You'll Like It: A short, powerful exploration of dementia and the fading nature of personal history.

A story-driven experience about two doctors traversing backwards through a dying man's memories to artificially fulfill his last wish.

Why similar: Story Rich 41.7%, Indie 21.7%, Casual 18.9%, RPG 12.2%, Singleplayer 5.5%

Why You'll Like It: A masterpiece of emotional storytelling that centers on exploring a dying man's memories to fulfill his final wish.

A heartbreaking kinetic novel about the meeting of a depressed thirty years old man with a lost little girl he takes in his house.

Why similar: Casual 46.7%, Visual Novel 32.6%, Anime 13.7%, Indie 6%, Singleplayer 0.9%

Why You'll Like It: Shares the kinetic novel format and focuses on heavy, emotional themes of personal struggle.

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

Why similar: Casual 53.8%, Visual Novel 28.8%, Indie 9%, Story Rich 6.6%, Singleplayer 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: A deeply emotional narrative about identity and memory told through the pages of a diary.

When the Past was Around is an adventure point-and-click puzzle game about love, moving on, letting go, and the joy and pain of everything in between.

Why similar: Casual 77.9%, Story Rich 16%, Singleplayer 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: A wordless, point-and-click experience that beautifully depicts the stages of love and letting go.

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: Casual 39.9%, Visual Novel 35%, Story Rich 13.2%, Indie 8.6%, Singleplayer 3.4%

Why You'll Like It: A semi-autobiographical, slow-paced narrative that deals with the transition of life and saying goodbye.

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 44.4%, Visual Novel 34.6%, Story Rich 13.5%, Indie 4.7%, Singleplayer 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: A short, hand-drawn experience that directly addresses the weight of grief and emotional recovery.

The Heroes Around Me tells a story of a family of 3: the hard-working and quiet father – Nan, his daughter Lili, and their pet dog Sesame. Players will experience the harshness and warmth in the simpler time of the 1990s, where lots of stories are untold.

Why similar: Visual Novel 56.5%, RPG 17.2%, Story Rich 13.6%, Indie 8.6%, Singleplayer 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional, slice-of-life visual novel that focuses on the quiet, impactful moments of daily existence.

Florence Yeoh feels a little... stuck. Her life is an endless routine of work, sleep, and spending too much time on social media. Then one day, she meets a cello player named Krish who changes everything about how she sees the world and herself.

Why similar: Casual 60.7%, Visual Novel 19.5%, Indie 8.9%, Story Rich 8.5%, Singleplayer 2.4%

Why You'll Like It: A short, impactful interactive story that captures the highs and lows of a relationship and personal growth.

This is an Visual Novel game. It's a story about time leap.

Why similar: Casual 70.9%, Visual Novel 18.8%, Indie 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: A small-scale, emotional visual novel that focuses on the passage of time and personal history.

一份工作，让秦幽羽的父亲从此失踪，紧接着又是母亲的突然离去。虽然从未放弃过寻找，可是事情却毫无进展，直到那天……

Why similar: Casual 66.6%, Visual Novel 24.1%, Indie 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: Explores themes of memory and loss through a quiet, visual novel perspective.

Wander No More is a Kinetic Novel (visual novel without choices) which centers around the life of renowned samurai Kouichirou Nabatame, and Chiyo, a young village girl. Wander No More tells the story of how these two met, became a family, and attempted to restore their lives to what they once were.

Why similar: Casual 36.8%, Visual Novel 25.4%, Anime 15%, Simulation 9.2%, Story Rich 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: Fits the kinetic novel style perfectly with a focus on a personal, introspective journey.

What if you lost all your memories? An emotional family drama seen through the eyes of a woman with Alzheimer's disease. As Annie’s life slowly unravels, uncover memories of her deceased brother as her past bleeds into the present.

Why similar: Story Rich 63.2%, Indie 26.5%, Singleplayer 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: A first-person narrative experience that prioritizes drama and emotional connection.

In this visual novel, experience the story of Ethan Syfran, who by an accident got him and his family caught in a whirlpool of crime in a catastrophe-swept world. How would he struggle to get out and save everything he cherished... or carry up all the sins he'd done and keep going?

Why similar: Visual Novel 47.3%, Anime 29%, Story Rich 12.6%, Indie 7%, Singleplayer 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional drama presented in a visual novel format that emphasizes character-driven storytelling.

—Look at the world around you, and see that left long forgotten. Room 301 is a narrative game portraying the lived experience of those with Alzheimer's. Progress through similar puzzles time and again. Each day, you must sort through your belongings to see your past: your slowly fading memories

Why similar: Simulation 35.5%, Casual 35.2%, RPG 16.6%, Singleplayer 9.1%, Indie 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: A character-driven story that deals with emotional trauma and memory in a contained setting.

Do you remember that high school crush you never confessed your love to? Do you ever wonder what could have been if things had gone different back then? This short Visual Novel/Dating Sim explores those questions that we constantly ask ourselves.

Why similar: Casual 41.7%, Visual Novel 25.8%, Anime 10.4%, Simulation 9%, Indie 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A short, narrative-focused experience that mirrors the reflective tone of the seed game.

An experimental short from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise: A simple & surreal 1-hour interactive animation about a boy and an injured bird, told without dialogues.If you're looking for To the Moon-like experience, I'd suggest playing Finding Paradise first.

Why similar: Casual 23.1%, Story Rich 22.8%, Visual Novel 22%, Indie 16%, RPG 11.3%

Why You'll Like It: A wordless, melancholic narrative that captures a sense of loneliness and companionship similar to the seed game.

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 52%, Visual Novel 27.5%, Indie 13%, Singleplayer 7.4%

Why You'll Like It: Explores family history and the memory of lost relatives through unique, narrative-driven vignettes.

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 65.3%, Simulation 13.7%, Story Rich 10.5%, Indie 6.8%, Singleplayer 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: Uses environmental storytelling to explore a character's life stages and the memories attached to their belongings.

This is a visual novel about 60 minutes in length, telling a story of memories."Once'" is a story which will recall the experience of many individuals. Regardless of if you're in your springtime of life having full of dreams for the future, or if you're a matured adult who has already stepped into the society and owns a family,...

Why similar: Indie 100%

Why You'll Like It: A short, narrative-driven visual novel that focuses on the simplicity of human connection.

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: Casual 34.2%, Visual Novel 29.9%, Anime 12.4%, Simulation 8.5%, Story Rich 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A cozy, slice-of-life game that focuses on listening to the intimate stories of others.

A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.

Why similar: Visual Novel 67.7%, Anime 20.6%, Story Rich 5.8%, Indie 4%, Singleplayer 1.9%

Why You'll Like It: A short, intense psychological narrative that explores the internal state of the protagonist.

Is what is recorded in a photograph necessarily true? I don't think so. "But I think that even if it's a fake photo, the emotions of its creator are real after all." She said. So, your memories, then, must be real? Visual novel "Frozen Memories" gives you a fictionalised version of a real memory.

Why similar: Casual 59.2%, Simulation 16%, Indie 8.5%, Visual Novel 8.3%, Anime 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: Explores themes of memory and personal history through a casual, story-rich lens.

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: Story Rich 55%, Indie 33.2%, Singleplayer 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: A reflective, narrative-heavy experience that examines the relationship between creator and player.

Gris is a hopeful young girl lost in her own world, dealing with a painful experience in her life. Her journey through sorrow is manifested in her dress, which grants new abilities to better navigate her faded reality.

Why similar: Casual 44.1%, Indie 24.3%, Story Rich 17.5%, Singleplayer 7.3%, Anime 6.8%

Why You'll Like It: A beautiful, wordless journey through the stages of grief and emotional healing.

A sequel to Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk. Dive into demented and bizarre world once again and help the girl become a little happier.

Why similar: Visual Novel 55.9%, Casual 17.2%, Anime 9.9%, Story Rich 9.3%, Indie 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: Continues the introspective, psychological narrative style with a focus on mental health and memory.

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: Story Rich 47.1%, Indie 44.3%, Singleplayer 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: Focuses on uncovering the history and secrets of a family through exploration and environmental storytelling.

Don’t Forget is a 3D singleplayer story and exploration game inspired by dementia. Recollect your memories by looking for clues and playing brain-stimulating minigames whilst battling the effects of dementia. Explore three different key events of your life to figure out what has happened.

Why similar: Casual 76.1%, Story Rich 16.7%, Singleplayer 5.7%, Indie 1.5%

Your girlfriend has lost her memory and now is clueless about who you are. Isn’t it the perfect opportunity to relive all the best memories and create them once again? Explore each other in a mix of a dating sim, a life sim and a visual novel that is SEX Amnesia 🔞!

Why similar: Casual 37.2%, Visual Novel 23.8%, Anime 14%, RPG 9.1%, Simulation 8.6%

Memories...One of the most important things in our lives. But what happens if you forget who you are? If you don't remember anything? Then you can only hope that the people that do know who you are help you out...This is your journey...On your way to finding new memories...

Why similar: Casual 42.1%, Visual Novel 37.1%, Story Rich 11.3%, Indie 3.5%, Singleplayer 3.2%

Step onto the stage in Forgetmenots, a story-driven puzzle adventure where memories take center stage. Explore a theatrical world that unfolds like a live performance, solving puzzles in a whimsical yet bittersweet journey about loss and remembrance.

Why similar: Casual 57.1%, Story Rich 31.4%, Indie 8%, Singleplayer 3.4%

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: Casual 48.4%, Visual Novel 29.2%, Simulation 12%, Indie 7%, Singleplayer 3.5%

My dream is a Lost Memory is a short interactive story about having Déjà vu, realizing that this Déjà vu came to you because of a dream, and then wondering if that dream is actually a memory. It's a story about work, limitations and self-respect.

Why similar: Casual 56.2%, Visual Novel 34.3%, Indie 5.5%, Story Rich 4%

You return to the family farm to find it in disrepair. Maybe you have what it takes to bring it back to its former glory? Who knows who you'll meet on you're way? An old friend? That special someone? Anything is possible in Summerset.

Why similar: Casual 57.4%, Visual Novel 25.2%, Anime 12.7%, Indie 3.1%, Singleplayer 1.7%

Last Days of Spring is a YA (Young Adult) Otome Visual Novel following a group of high school seniors in their last week of school as they come to terms with questions about love, life and destiny. Follow the steps of Yuka Kishimoto as she navigates across her final week as a high school student and sees her life come to a complete...

Why similar: Casual 41.1%, Visual Novel 30.6%, Anime 10.6%, Simulation 7.7%, Indie 5.8%

Find harmony in the Japanese countryside as you help Sparky uncover lost memories in this modern take on the farming and life simulator. Build a thriving homestead, cultivate new relationships, and chase your own happiness in SunnySide.

Why similar: Casual 56.9%, Anime 15.6%, RPG 10.4%, Simulation 9.7%, Story Rich 7.4%

You wake up on the beach of a foreign island, unable to recall anything. Alone and equipped with only basic farming tools provided by the town residents, you aim to recover your memories. Complete quests and explore Omoide Island to unfold your story.

Why similar: Simulation 80.2%, Singleplayer 19.8%

A fully-animated visual novel about a boy who wakes up in an unknown house with two beautiful sisters, their mother, and an unspoken truth.

Why similar: Casual 37.6%, Visual Novel 31.7%, Anime 20.2%, Story Rich 9.2%, Singleplayer 1.2%

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 37.2%, Visual Novel 30.6%, Story Rich 9.2%, RPG 8.8%, Simulation 7.8%

A visual novel about a memory that a boy named Mark tries very hard to forget, and a girl named Myra who unearths it.

Why similar: Visual Novel 45.9%, Anime 27.8%, Simulation 13.8%, Story Rich 12.5%

Set sail on the romantic adventure of the season! “True Lover’s Knot” follows the story of Emma, a London-based tech genius, as she and her best friend, Lucas, take to the high seas in a luxurious cruise that will change their lives forever!

Why similar: Visual Novel 34.8%, Casual 29.9%, Anime 17.5%, Simulation 6.8%, Story Rich 6.8%

Gideon Ragnason was banished from Ruti's party because he was "not strong enough." Since then, he has retired from the front lines of battle and changed his name to Red. Now, he has opened an apothecary in the frontier land of Zoltan, and hopes to live a slow and happy life there!

Why similar: Anime 57.7%, Simulation 35.9%, Singleplayer 6.5%

an Visual Novel & Puzzle Game

Why similar: Visual Novel 41.2%, Casual 34.2%, Anime 20%, Indie 4.5%

Exclusive Memories "is a first person immersive suspense love full dynamic live action interactive video game. A sudden accident caused you to lose your memory. Can you retrieve your memories and everything that belongs to you in the turbulent undercurrents?

Why similar: Simulation 46.9%, RPG 19.2%, Story Rich 16.5%, Indie 9.7%, Singleplayer 7.7%

What do you do when you lose someone you love? A Taste of the Past is an emotional sidescroller about reconnecting with your Chinese culture while navigating a train to the afterlife. Featuring a wholesome story, cooking minigames, and hope.

Why similar: Visual Novel 63.2%, Anime 36.8%

The jury selection of the 22nd Japan Media Arts Festival. I woke up alone in the countryside, where people had disappeared and I lost my memory.What is the truth that I see at the end of my journey through the memories of Natsugiri? ...... A Novel / Walking simulator.

Why similar: Indie 100%

“Love in the Glen” is a romantic otome visual novel/dating sim with a fun and charming match 3 minigame. Follow in the steps of Zoe Richardson, an interior designer living and working in Los Angeles’ exclusive and stylish Westside, as she explores the true meaning of love, commitment and passion and how it exists on so many different...

Why similar: Casual 45.4%, Visual Novel 30.5%, Simulation 11.3%, Indie 8.3%, Story Rich 4.6%

Play as a fairytale hero and help him garden, since saving the princess didn't go that well. A fantasy gardening visual novel and clicker game.

Why similar: Visual Novel 37%, Casual 19.6%, Anime 15.8%, Simulation 11.4%, Story Rich 10%

Experience all the stages of dementia in this mood-swinging psychological horror game that we call FORGOTTEN. Travel as a fox through progressively disturbing stages searching for memories explaining the protagonist's life. Pay close attention to what the fox is trying to offer before it's too late

Why similar: Story Rich 56.2%, Indie 23.9%, Singleplayer 19.9%

A visual novel about the ever-changing nature of relationships and the hardships of dealing with loss.

Why similar: Visual Novel 54.3%, Simulation 29.5%, Indie 16.2%

New Leaf Traveler and Youth's Memories "is a short story RPG that involves playing the role of a young owner of a forest tavern and trying to run your own business to repay your debts. Meeting various guests and understanding their stories...

Why similar: RPG 33.7%, Anime 33.4%, Simulation 32.9%

One day, you find a shivering, barefooted girl in ragged clothes knocking on your door. She has no recollections of her past, and she doesn’t even remember her name. You can help her recover her memories or let her stay at your side forever.

Why similar: Visual Novel 32%, Casual 31.1%, Anime 19.7%, Simulation 12.1%, Indie 4%

Kaito wakes to find himself in a strange room, with no memories, and a taciturn girl named Yonagi by his side. Upon learning of his role, he immerses himself into three wondrous dream worlds with her. When all three stories meet a bitter end, Kaito recovers his memories, and the true story unfolds.

Why similar: Visual Novel 46.6%, Casual 34.9%, Story Rich 15.6%, Singleplayer 2.8%

Don't Let Me Fade is an interactive adventure about memory, identity, and loss. Piece together fragments of a life - even if a simple teddy bear is the last symbol of connection to oneself in a world without time.

Why similar: Visual Novel 70.2%, Indie 13.2%, Story Rich 12.8%, Singleplayer 3.8%

免费美少女小说游戏，玩家将以男主角的视角，体验与女主角CnGal看板娘相遇后，共同重建CnGal资料站的故事。

Why similar: Visual Novel 36.3%, Casual 29.6%, Anime 18.5%, RPG 10%, Indie 2.7%

Forgotten Hope is a short, single-player narrative-driven video game presented through the eyes of a teenage girl who is trying to reconnect with her past to find answers.

Why similar: Casual 75.8%, Story Rich 18%, Indie 3.7%, Singleplayer 2.4%

No matter how long you’re gone, there will always be a girl waiting for you in the same place. This is a story about forgetting, and about waiting. After countless restarts and countless memories lost… how long will you stay with her this time?

Why similar: Simulation 32%, RPG 30.9%, Anime 25.7%, Indie 8.3%, Singleplayer 3%

Put down roots on your new farm in the peaceful town of Forgotten Valley. Bring life to the land by cultivating crops and raising animals, find love among the town's friendly folk, and make lasting memories with a family of your very own.

Why similar: Casual 62.9%, RPG 17.4%, Simulation 16.8%, Singleplayer 2.9%