Games Like Forwards

A story-based exploration game about the very far future. With the help of two Artificial Intelligences, explore a universe conquered by humanity, uncover your purpose in it, and try to stop it from falling apart.

Why similar: Philosophical 34.5%, Walking Simulator 18.3%, Interactive Fiction 14.6%, Minimalist 13%, Exploration 11.2%

The 52 Fragments are an experimental, esoteric series of games and experiences. Beginning Nov. 1, 2023, one fragment will be added to the library each week for one year. These games examine themes related to identity, agency, perception, and the creative process.

Why similar: Philosophical 30.1%, Game Development 29.2% ★, Emotional 10.5%, Minimalist 10.4%, Interactive Fiction 10.1%

Soul Nexus is a text-based adventure game where you explore strange environments and interact with even stranger individuals. Will you wander the spaces forever or will you eventually fulfil your goal of being free?

Why similar: Philosophical 22.9%, Interactive Fiction 15.1%, Text-Based 13.6%, Walking Simulator 13.5%, Linear 8.6%

Look for your car in a series of mazes and parking lots while you talk to your therapist about feeling lost. An interactive short story about trying to make sense out of the unreal. Based on real dreams!

Why similar: Philosophical 33.2%, Walking Simulator 18.4%, Emotional 16.6%, Exploration 10.4%, Interactive Fiction 7.9%

This video game realized how boring it had been and now is trying its best to fix that.

Why similar: Game Development 31.9% ★, Philosophical 25.5%, Emotional 17.7%, Interactive Fiction 14.1%, Minimalist 5.2%

A Van Veen original game. Because everything else is irrelevant.

Why similar: Philosophical 56.5%, Minimalist 21.7%, Puzzle 10.8%, First-Person 5.8%, 3D 5.1%

Abyssal Reflections is short Atmospheric depressing "non-jumpscare" game where you go through a total of 8 different time periods. You'll have to take care of your owners and how you relate to them is up to you.

Why similar: Philosophical 22.5%, Interactive Fiction 15.6%, Walking Simulator 14.8%, Emotional 13.9%, Minimalist 13.4%

Summerland is a first-person narrative game about morality and the afterlife. You take control of Matthew, a detective reliving the events of his past, being questioned on his morals along the way. In every door lies another memory, and every memory unlocks another door.

Why similar: Philosophical 27.6%, Walking Simulator 16.8%, Interactive Fiction 14.1%, Linear 7.9%, Emotional 7.8%

Join us for a walk down memory lane with never-before-released Lightmatter prototypes. Get a peak behind the game design curtains and learn how we made a first-person puzzle game about lights and shadows.

Why similar: Game Development 27.6% ★, Interactive Fiction 14.7%, Walking Simulator 14.5%, Emotional 10.7%, Minimalist 10.4%

AI Unbound is a captivating, atmospheric puzzle-adventure game where you dive into a unique experience crafted by an AI, complete engaging puzzles, and unveil the story behind your enigmatic journey in this thought-provoking world. Note: this description was written by an AI.

Why similar: Game Development 28.6% ★, Philosophical 20%, Minimalist 17.6%, Exploration 9.7%, Puzzle 7.8%

A boy and an old man stand in front a pond, waiting for a swan's song. Meanwhile, they talk about life, death, and the passage of time.

Why similar: Philosophical 36%, Emotional 21.9%, Interactive Fiction 14.3%, Text-Based 13.1%, Relaxing 7.3%

Between the veil of night and dawn, a cat once loved still wanders on. A meditative walking simulator about cats, patience, love, and loss.

Why similar: Philosophical 34.1%, Emotional 20.7%, Walking Simulator 16%, Exploration 7.8%, Relaxing 6.4%

Explore fantastic environments as Lula, as she journeys to discover the meaning of the Genie and fulfill her destiny.

Why similar: Philosophical 28.4%, Walking Simulator 18.2%, Linear 12.7%, Emotional 10.8%, Exploration 9.4%

PULMO is a casual puzzle game where you control a lone character in a world full of faceless crowds.

Why similar: Philosophical 27.3%, Walking Simulator 13.7%, Minimalist 13.3%, Emotional 13%, Linear 10.5%

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: Interactive Fiction 20.6%, Walking Simulator 18.6%, Philosophical 15.9%, Emotional 13.2%, Exploration 11.3%

EXISTENTIAL is a first-person story-driven puzzle game that offers a unique solution that will put your existence into the game world.

Why similar: Philosophical 38.8%, Walking Simulator 16%, Linear 11.3%, Exploration 9.6%, Puzzle 9.2%

Horror Stories: PLEASE COMPLY is a short interactive horror experience with a dark twist on Maslow’s hierarchy of needs that will leave a long lasting chill down your spine. The only hope of escape its to comply. But how much are you ready to give up for a chance of freedom?

Why similar: Philosophical 26.3%, Interactive Fiction 14.2%, Walking Simulator 13.3%, Minimalist 12.8%, Linear 10.6%

Have you ever wandered inside images? Images that blow your soul away? In Drizzlepath: Picturae, you embark on a journey of gorgeous landscapes. While some of these landscapes melt your heart, some will give you the chills.

Why similar: Philosophical 34.5%, Walking Simulator 18.5%, Emotional 15.2%, Linear 13.9%, Exploration 9.4%

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: Philosophical 32.6%, Emotional 18%, Walking Simulator 14.3%, Minimalist 13.6%, Exploration 8.1%

Veil: Mirages is a short, movie-like, narrative-focused psychological thriller with philosophical themes. Chase, a 19 year old boy in search of meaning, is haunted by memories of what he once had. Will he overcome his internal struggles, opening the door to reconciliation?

Why similar: Philosophical 28.8%, Interactive Fiction 15.6%, Emotional 15.3%, Linear 10.8%, Walking Simulator 10.7%

Play as the developer of a tropical island game in this unique puzzle adventure! 🏝 Edit various object properties to achieve your goals and unlock more of the story. Experiment, undo, and repeat; no action is irreversible. Flex your creative skills to make an experience that is entirely your own!

Why similar: Game Development 46% ★, Minimalist 13.5%, Puzzle 9.2%, Linear 8.2%, Exploration 6%

A thrilling, poignant story-driven experience about a daughter who returns to her childhood home after receiving a letter that her estranged mother has left something mysterious for her. Explore, interact and experience a narrative about love, hope and umm.... HAUNTING DARK PAST!? WHAT?

Why similar: Philosophical 31.3%, Walking Simulator 15.8%, Emotional 13.6%, Interactive Fiction 13.3%, Exploration 8.6%

An experimental serious meta game.

Why similar: Philosophical 39.4%, Minimalist 18.2%, Game Development 15.5% ★, Linear 10.2%, Exploration 8%

A deity creates everything in pursuit for the most heartfelt human soliloquy, pulling him deeper into an existential journey. Traverse an endless desert filled with structures that defy meaning while you carefully choose your words.

Why similar: Philosophical 25.6%, Dynamic Narration 16.9% ★, Walking Simulator 15.6%, Minimalist 10.7%, Emotional 10.6%

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: Game Development 30.4% ★, Emotional 17.7%, Walking Simulator 16.8%, Minimalist 9.3%, Linear 8.6%

Set in a darkened arctic tundra, you follow the life of Jupyter, an axolotl-like creature that had to say goodbye to their partner as they chased their dreams of a better life. Brave the frozen tundra, retrace your partner’s steps, and rekindle your connection to another’s soul.

Why similar: Philosophical 39.6%, Emotional 20.7%, Linear 8.3%, Exploration 7.6%, Minimalist 6.9%

After school today, I talk with her again. Through the window, I see the sunset and someone playing in the schoolyard. We simply watch the scene or share memories from the past."TABLE GAME END" is an adventure game.

Why similar: Game Development 34.2% ★, Philosophical 26.1%, Walking Simulator 13.3%, Relaxing 7.4%, Exploration 6.6%

36 people. 36 questions designed to make them fall in love. One virtual park dedicated to this moment in time.

Why similar: Philosophical 24.7%, Walking Simulator 15.7%, Text-Based 12.8%, Linear 10.2%, Minimalist 9.8%

A psychological exploration through a liminal dreamscape: no guides, no paths, just you and small environmental mysteries.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 25.6%, Walking Simulator 21.4%, Exploration 14.9%, Linear 11.4%, Puzzle 10.5%

Explore the shifting manor of the enigmatic Henri Villemaine and uncover the truth behind his family’s sudden disappearance. Bend reality to recreate the scenes from his diary and expose long-buried secrets. What if your role in this case went beyond that of a simple investigator?

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.6%, Interactive Fiction 17.8%, Emotional 17.6%, Dynamic Narration 15.6% ★, Puzzle 10.6%

“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: Philosophical 31.1%, Emotional 18.9%, Walking Simulator 14.3%, Interactive Fiction 13.5%, Minimalist 12.1%

HOW WE KNOW WE'RE ALIVE is an award winning, hour long melancholy, point-and-click narrative mystery set in the bible belt of Sweden.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 25.2%, Philosophical 23.9%, Walking Simulator 22.9%, Emotional 18.8%, Linear 7.8%

Day In Day Out is a varied collection of mini-games inspired by events of daily life. The game offers a unique gaming experience that allows you to immerse yourself in the world of Mr. Lüneberg.

Why similar: Philosophical 19.8%, Dynamic Narration 18.4% ★, Interactive Fiction 17%, Minimalist 11.1%, Linear 10.4%

Life on the Hook - is a short story about the life of a lonely fisherman named Hrafn, who lives his life in a small house on a lake with a dock and an old boat.

Why similar: Philosophical 27.9%, Walking Simulator 17.1%, Emotional 16%, Linear 10.6%, Exploration 8.9%

TMOY is a series of interactive art installations hidden inside a first person adventure game. Explore the “museum” and the surreal void space it resides in, make choices, discover new worlds, play (or suffer through) a variety of strange minigames - it’s up to you. It is your museum, after all.

Why similar: Philosophical 33.2%, Minimalist 14.7%, Walking Simulator 12.1%, Dynamic Narration 8.5% ★, Text-Based 7.7%

Wander through vast, unsettling liminal spaces as a quiet presence grows alongside you. Inner Rooms is a psychological atmospheric exploration game set in a world that appears calm and peaceful, yet constantly radiates unease.

Why similar: Philosophical 33.1%, Walking Simulator 16.9%, Minimalist 13.9%, Exploration 9.3%, Interactive Fiction 8.9%

Beauty and the Beast is a narrative mystery adventure game. Explore, uncover, and unravel the mystery behind the Beast and his residence in this heartwarming take on the classic story.

Why similar: Philosophical 21.6%, Interactive Fiction 16.5%, Walking Simulator 15.7%, Emotional 11.7%, Minimalist 10.9%

"Intuitive Level Design" is an interactive course designed for aspiring game developers. Find and activate commentary nodes scattered throughout the game to learn about the core principles of intuitive level design, illustrated with dozens of practical examples. Learn while having fun!

Why similar: Game Development 58.3% ★, Walking Simulator 19%, Minimalist 9.1%, Linear 9%, 3D 4.5%

Recover an inter-generational story of migration told through real audio recordings of a Lebanese family coming to America in the early 1990's. Maneuver a forgotten strip of audio tape through puzzling landscapes to piece together the voices of the past.

Why similar: Philosophical 23.6%, Interactive Fiction 19.7%, Minimalist 13.2%, Linear 13%, Emotional 10.8%

"EYE TO ME" is a modern-era adventure game. I am creating your "video game" and showing it while eating fries at a store. I wanted a place to share memories with you. You stare at me with big eyes.

Why similar: Game Development 29.5% ★, Philosophical 28.6%, Walking Simulator 12.6%, Exploration 9.6%, Relaxing 7.7%

Some folk call these barren plains the narrow space between this world and the next. The final place for souls to find a measure of peace. A train travels through endless landscapes. You seek clues about the fleeting life of Empress Roxelana. Finally, the train arrives at ...

Why similar: Emotional 20.2%, Interactive Fiction 16.3%, Walking Simulator 16.1%, Text-Based 10.1%, Exploration 9.1%

Uncover a story of intrigue, betrayal, and a civilization teetering on the brink of collapse as you solve intricate puzzles to unlock the secrets of Riven. Built from the ground-up and expanded from the award-winning original game released in 1997.

Why similar: Philosophical 21.6%, Emotional 16.7%, Walking Simulator 14.8%, Exploration 11.5%, Puzzle 10.6%

Two games in one! - Prove you are not human by completing 9 impossible challenges. - Explore various scenes directly inspired by a poem, solving a few riddles along the way.

Why similar: Philosophical 25.4%, Walking Simulator 22.8%, Exploration 14.5%, Linear 12.5%, Puzzle 11%

Ekphrasis is a 2D puzzle game where you can solve and examine a collection of artifacts. Piece together historical artworks, arrange musical notes, and decipher codes. Uncover the secrets behind the artifacts and those that curated them through a branching story.

Why similar: Philosophical 33.9%, Minimalist 18.3%, Interactive Fiction 16.4%, Emotional 12%, Puzzle 8.8%

Unishroom, an indie developed video game. About a poor mushroom that was kicked of his hometown because of his irregular color. Join him in the journey of finding a new hometown.

Why similar: Philosophical 31.7%, Emotional 24.7%, Minimalist 19.8%, Walking Simulator 12.4%, Story Rich 5.4%

Fall down further. Find them where they have always been. Help them remember. Explore multiple worlds, solve mysteries, and set your retail-hardened will against a mysterious cosmic force in the second installment of the beloved videohole series.

Why similar: Philosophical 28.2%, Interactive Fiction 21.1%, Walking Simulator 18%, Emotional 8.9%, First-Person 5.8%

"All Songs are from the King," a haunting psychological horror experience that transcends traditional gaming boundaries.

Why similar: Philosophical 31.9%, Emotional 16.7%, Interactive Fiction 15.6%, Walking Simulator 8.6%, Exploration 7.5%

Awakening is a first person experimental puzzle game with a unique gameplay based on pattern recognition. Guide a soul that decided to find meaning by solving puzzle machines with videos. Use inductive reasoning to discover the challenges while exploring an oneiric environment.

Why similar: Philosophical 59.6%, Puzzle 14.5%, First-Person 11.2%, Exploration 7.2%, 3D 4.6%

一位总是能露出温柔笑容的金发修女，将众人联系。白发女子总是无言。［想 知 道 你 父 母 的 下 落 吗 ？准 备 好 ］浅冰背后，为何会有寒意深藏？战斗，悬疑，治愈，推理，剧情持续反转，不断的匿名威胁，绑架，真相到底是……

Why similar: Philosophical 39.5%, Interactive Fiction 20.9%, Linear 10%, Puzzle 8.5%, Emotional 7.5%

Have you ever felt the Nihility? A feeling that everything is meaningless and feeling down because of it... Come to Nihiland to relax and meditate and hopefully you will have all the answers.

Why similar: Philosophical 39.1%, Minimalist 18.1%, Walking Simulator 17.4%, Exploration 8.7%, Linear 8%

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: Emotional 25.4%, Walking Simulator 23.4%, Minimalist 13.3%, Linear 11.6%, Exploration 10.7%

The world ends in 1 hour. It can't be saved. Wanna chat?

Why similar: Game Development 35.1% ★, Philosophical 22.9%, Emotional 18.7%, Interactive Fiction 14.1%, Text-Based 7.3%

In this dark interactive novel you will play as a lost soul wandering a forsaken desert, accompanied by a mysterious girl. Explore ancient ruins and face obscure choices. Your decisions will shape their journey—often in ways you’ll never fully understand. Will you find peace, or something else?

Why similar: Philosophical 29.5%, Dynamic Narration 20.1% ★, Interactive Fiction 17.4%, Emotional 13%, Minimalist 9.8%

Step into the space between subconscious and reality. Explore strange liminal worlds, solve sound-driven puzzles, and unravel the secrets behind the enigmatic device left by a vanished scientist.

Why similar: Philosophical 44.2%, Exploration 13.1%, Emotional 12.3%, Puzzle 8.8%, Walking Simulator 8.1%

Beyond Memoria is a first-person narrative journey between dream and memory. Explore a surreal world and use photography to uncover forgotten fragments and piece together your story.

Why similar: Philosophical 27.9%, Walking Simulator 26.3%, Emotional 17.5%, Exploration 12.3%, Linear 5.3%

Explore an unknown and abandoned world. Each step, each puzzle, brings you closer to discovering the history and secrets of a lost civilization. Can you find the light?

Why similar: Philosophical 28.8%, Walking Simulator 17.5%, Emotional 17.2%, Linear 8.7%, Relaxing 7.4%

Immerse yourself in the fascinating ancient world of cube puzzles, where each step reveals a new mystery. You will explore different zones, each filled with unique puzzles that require the use of cubes to solve them.

Why similar: Philosophical 36.3%, Walking Simulator 18.6%, Exploration 10.4%, Puzzle 10.1%, First-Person 8.7%

Of Moons and Mania is an interactive psychotic break, based on lived experience. It uses elements of its design to explain the struggles of psychosis, and tells a personal story about mental illness.

Why similar: Emotional 38%, Interactive Fiction 25.2%, Text-Based 15.3%, Linear 14.2%, Story Rich 6%

Memory has weight. The departed are not gone. Step into a village drowned by flood and memory, and search for the final answer about guardianship and farewell among the shattered past.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 20.3%, Interactive Fiction 17.7%, Linear 12.6%, Emotional 11.4%, Exploration 11.2%

It's a short, text-based interactive book with a psychological theme.▶TRIGGER WARNING◀ Contains childhood trauma, suicidal thoughts, and emotional abuse, but ultimately conveys hope and growth.

Why similar: Philosophical 29.9%, Emotional 21.8%, Text-Based 17.3%, Interactive Fiction 17%, Linear 11.5%