Games Like Harold Halibut

Wayward Strand is a heartfelt story told in a curious way. Hop aboard an airborne hospital and meet its fully-voiced cast of eclectic characters. As time passes for everyone on board, explore the interwoven lives of the patients and staff; discover something new on each and every playthrough.

Why similar: Wholesome 27.7% ★, Cozy 21.6%, Emotional 11.5%, Story Rich 8.9%, Exploration 7%

Why You'll Like It: Like Harold Halibut, this game focuses on slow-paced, character-driven interactions within a confined, unique setting.

KENTUCKY ROUTE ZERO is a magical realist adventure game about a secret highway running through the caves beneath Kentucky, and the mysterious folks who travel it.

Why similar: Atmospheric 31.1%, Story Rich 23.4%, Adventure 20%, Indie 8.5%, Exploration 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares a similar theatrical, surreal, and deeply narrative-focused approach to storytelling that feels like a handcrafted experience.

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: Walking Simulator 38.6%, Story Rich 17.6%, Atmospheric 13.7%, Exploration 11.1%, Adventure 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: It is the gold standard for atmospheric walking simulators that rely on intimate character dialogue and a strong sense of place.

Stan, a professional diver in the North Sea, is struggling to overcome a life-changing loss during an extended mission underwater. Stuck in his self-imposed solitude, he starts to experience strange events and will have to make the most significant choice of his life...

Why similar: Cinematic 19.7%, Exploration 15.6%, Story Rich 15.3%, Third Person 13.7%, Atmospheric 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: Set in a beautiful, lonely underwater environment, this game mirrors the aquatic exploration and emotional depth of the seed game.

Leave home for the first time to collect memories before a mysterious cataclysm washes everything away. Ride, record, meet people, and unravel the strange world around you in this third-person meditative exploration game.

Why similar: Cinematic 16.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.9%, Walking Simulator 11.2%, Emotional 11%, Visual Novel 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It emphasizes a melancholic, atmospheric journey through a world that feels both grounded and dreamlike.

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: Walking Simulator 35.6%, Story Rich 24.2%, Atmospheric 13.2%, Exploration 10.4%, Adventure 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: This title offers a highly cinematic, narrative-driven exploration experience that focuses on the personal stories of its characters.

Beacon Pines is a cute and creepy adventure set within a mysterious book. Sneak out late, make new friends, uncover hidden truths, and collect words that will change the course of fate!

Why similar: Cozy 25%, Interactive Fiction 14.6%, Emotional 12.5%, Visual Novel 11.9%, Story Rich 9%

Why You'll Like It: This narrative-driven game uses a unique visual style and branching dialogue to create a cozy yet mysterious story.

Roleplaying in the ruins of interplanetary capitalism. Live the life of an escaped worker, washed-up on a lawless station at the edge of an interstellar society. Inspired by the flexibility and freedom of TTRPGs, explore the station, choose your friends, escape your past and change your future.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 30.7%, Story Rich 18.5%, Sci-fi 14.8%, Exploration 13.6%, Atmospheric 11.9%

Why You'll Like It: It captures a similar retro-future aesthetic and focuses heavily on the lives and struggles of individuals within a complex, enclosed society.

Rethink human’s dominion in The Invincible: a story-driven adventure set in a hard sci-fi world by Stanisław Lem. Discover planet Regis III as scientist Yasna, use atompunk tools looking for a missing crew and face unforeseen threats. Make choices in a philosophical story that’s driven by science.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 37.3%, Interactive Fiction 20.1%, Story Rich 12.3%, Sci-fi 12.2%, Exploration 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides a grounded, retro-futuristic sci-fi experience that prioritizes atmosphere and narrative discovery over action.

Named Game of the Year 2019 by Giant Bomb, Polygon, Eurogamer, and The Guardian, Outer Wilds is a critically-acclaimed and award-winning open world mystery about a solar system trapped in an endless time loop.

Why similar: Exploration 29.3%, Story Rich 25.2%, Atmospheric 16.4%, Sci-fi 12.9%, Adventure 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: While more systemic, it captures the same sense of wonder and mystery found in exploring a unique, self-contained world.

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: Cinematic 19%, Walking Simulator 17.4%, Interactive Fiction 16.7%, Emotional 8.8%, Story Rich 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: A quiet, narrative-focused walking simulator that captures the feeling of a personal, small-scale story.

Play as a tiny lil' mushroom who's lost in the forest and can't find its way home. Explore unique areas freely at your own pace, chat with friendly inhabitants, and take on different adventures to get back home!

Why similar: Wholesome 27.8% ★, Cozy 24.6%, Third Person 8.8%, Exploration 8.1%, Relaxing 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: This game emphasizes exploration and a gentle, cute narrative that feels very similar in tone to the seed game.

A thoughtful and deeply personal title with stripped-down mechanics. The lack of dialogue or text allows you to create your own narrative through your time with four characters. Each short story will allow players to be swept away by the haunting lyrics of over twenty original, nostalgic songs.

Why similar: Cozy 26.9%, Walking Simulator 19.5%, Interactive Fiction 16.9%, Emotional 10.4%, Visual Novel 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game tells its story entirely through atmosphere and music, mirroring the wordless, emotional beats of Harold Halibut.

Dive into the boundless galaxy and embark on an emotional adventure! Help little robot Emeth to fulfill a century-old promise by finding Earth in order to save Mankind—so step into the spaceship, operate a deep space telescope, and find out what’s out there in the unknown.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 17%, Visual Novel 13.8%, Story Rich 13%, Emotional 11.9%, Atmospheric 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A space-themed narrative game that focuses on the emotional weight of discovery and human connection.

NIGHT IN THE WOODS is an adventure game focused on exploration, story, and character, featuring dozens of characters to meet and lots to do across a lush, vibrant world.

Why similar: Story Rich 24%, Visual Novel 20%, Exploration 16.9%, Atmospheric 15.2%, Funny 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on the mundane yet profound lives of its characters, mirroring the focus on friendship and community.

Play as an interstellar custodian sent to clean up a polluted ocean planet. Pick up trash, explore the vibrant waters, and take care of axolotl-like alien creatures!

Why similar: Cozy 39.5%, Relaxing 13.3%, Exploration 10.9%, Sci-fi 9.8%, Atmospheric 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: The underwater exploration and focus on cleaning up a vibrant environment provide a relaxing, thematic parallel.

Oxenfree is a supernatural thriller about a group of friends who unwittingly open a ghostly rift. You are Alex, and you’ve just brought your new stepbrother Jonas to an overnight island party gone horribly wrong.

Why similar: Story Rich 39%, Atmospheric 21.9%, Walking Simulator 21.1%, Adventure 10.2%, Indie 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at naturalistic, dialogue-heavy storytelling that makes the characters feel like real people.

Slice of Sea is a peaceful adventure and puzzle game. You play as Seaweed, a sea creature clearly out of their element. Explore desolate world of dust, all hand-drawn on paper in unique art style. Collect items, solve puzzles and lead Seaweed back home to the sea.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 27.9%, Exploration 21.9%, Atmospheric 15.6%, Story Rich 12.4%, Adventure 12.2%

Why You'll Like It: The beautiful, hand-drawn art style and focus on exploration make it a visual and narrative match for the seed game.

Embark on an adorable adventure, discover new friends and uncover everything the island has to offer. Climb, Swim, Glide and slide your way into the hearts of the many different characters you meet on your travels!

Why similar: Wholesome 35.3% ★, Cozy 30.4%, Relaxing 8.4%, Funny 6.4%, Third Person 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: It captures the same sense of wholesome, cozy exploration and character-driven charm.

A lost soul and his dog set out on an otherworldly trek through the afterlife in this wholesome, non-linear adventure game. Pass into the world beyond, perform acts of kindness for other souls, and mend mistakes from a forgotten past life - all with a very good boy by your side!

Why similar: Wholesome 24% ★, Cozy 20.4%, Interactive Fiction 12.7%, Emotional 7.5%, Story Rich 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: A cozy, narrative-driven adventure that focuses on the emotional bonds between characters.

A neon-noir story in a rain-drenched cyberpunk metropolis. It’s your first night on the job working for the Cloudpunk delivery service. Two rules: Don’t miss a delivery and don’t ask what’s in the package.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 25.4%, Story Rich 14.4%, Third Person 14.2%, Sci-fi 12.6%, Atmospheric 12.6%

Why You'll Like It: The retro-future city setting and focus on narrative delivery through exploration provide a similar vibe to the city-sized spaceship of Harold Halibut.

Spiral is a third-person narrative exploration game that shares a poetic vision of cognitive degeneration. Step into the shoes of Bernard as you help him and support him while braving his unravelling mind and reliving his most treasured moments.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 22.7%, Emotional 15.8%, Story Rich 11.8%, Cinematic 11.6%, Third Person 11.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game focuses on emotional narration and walking-simulator mechanics to explore its themes.

It's 1986 - Meredith Weiss takes a break from her career in the big city to deliver mail in her hometown. How will she experience two weeks in beautiful Providence Oaks, with its iconic lake and quirky community? And what will she do next? It's up to you.

Why similar: Cozy 23.7%, Wholesome 21.2% ★, Walking Simulator 18.5%, Story Rich 9.1%, Relaxing 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game offers a slow-paced, cozy narrative experience that prioritizes character interactions over traditional gameplay challenges.

Award-winning cinematic narrative adventure set in a hand-drawn world of living forgotten objects. Lead Fig and the crew of the Volare through a story of identity, unity, and survival—where diplomacy, difficult choices, and moments of action shape the fate of five divided tribes.

Why similar: Cinematic 25.8%, Interactive Fiction 14.4%, Emotional 14.1%, Story Rich 10.3%, Exploration 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A cinematic and narrative-rich adventure that shares the indie, character-focused spirit of the seed game.

Hazel Sky is a heartfelt adventure about a young engineer facing his destiny and his desires. Fix ramshackle flying machines and jump, climb, swing, and slide through a beautiful, mysterious world.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 20.7%, Lore-Rich 18.8%, Emotional 12.6%, Third Person 11.2%, Story Rich 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: The atmospheric, story-rich journey of a young protagonist in a unique world mirrors the themes of Harold Halibut.

What if the physical objects of everyday life, the possessions we hold close, were actual windows to the past? Peer into distant memories and unseen futures in Hindsight.

Why similar: Cinematic 20.5%, Cozy 12.3%, Emotional 11.3%, Interactive Fiction 9.6%, Story Rich 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game uses exploration and memory to tell a deeply personal story, much like the narrative focus of the seed game.

Blue Wednesday is a relaxing and lovely adventure game focused on story, music, and characters. Explore the city, meet various characters, and have conversations. Listen to their stories, play mini-games, collect music albums, and play music.

Why similar: Wholesome 25.2% ★, Walking Simulator 16.9%, Cinematic 15.2%, Interactive Fiction 11.3%, Story Rich 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: A narrative-heavy game with a distinct art style that focuses on the personal lives and choices of its characters.

A teenage guitar prodigy sets out on a psychedelic journey to inspire his stage persona and confront the legacy of a dead folk legend. Starring voice performances by Michael Johnston, Caroline Kinley, Lena Headey, Jason Schwartzman, Mark Strong, and Carl Weathers.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.5%, Interactive Fiction 13.4%, Story Rich 12.8%, Third Person 9.9%, Sci-fi 9.3%

Why You'll Like It: It is a highly cinematic and visually distinct game that prioritizes the emotional journey of its protagonist.

From the creators of Amnesia: The Dark Descent comes SOMA, a sci-fi horror game set below the waves of the Atlantic ocean. Struggle to survive a hostile world that will make you question your very existence.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 31.9%, Story Rich 16.4%, Exploration 13.9%, Atmospheric 13.2%, Sci-fi 12.9%

Why You'll Like It: While darker, its deep-sea setting and focus on philosophical narrative make it a compelling sci-fi companion.

"A cozy exploration adventure where you journey across vibrant, hand-drawn planets, collecting discoveries to turn into stickers with your magical, upgradable Holobook. All woven into a heartfelt, engaging story about confronting a spreading darkness. "

Why similar: Wholesome 35.4% ★, Cozy 30.1%, Exploration 10.1%, Relaxing 7.8%, Adventure 5.4%

From the makers of Road 96 comes a groundbreaking narrative adventure. Your choices shape the story for other players! Follow in your friends’ footsteps, face the consequences of their actions and choose the fate of this plasticpunk world.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 23.4%, Walking Simulator 23.2%, Emotional 14%, Story Rich 11%, Exploration 9.3%

Travel on a wind-up boat and complete quests in the charming town of Whaleville located inside a whale.

Why similar: Wholesome 30.7% ★, Walking Simulator 21.7%, Third Person 11.8%, Exploration 9.3%, Relaxing 8.2%

The Magnificent Trufflepigs is a first-person, metal-detecting narrative game. It combines laid-back detecting and exploration with a dramatic story, all set in a beautiful English countryside. It’s a game about trying to find something.

Why similar: Story Rich 23.7%, Walking Simulator 21.5%, Atmospheric 16.8%, Interactive Fiction 16.5%, Adventure 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A quiet, mystery-focused game that relies on dialogue and atmosphere to tell its story.

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: Cinematic 21.7%, Walking Simulator 19.4%, Lore-Rich 13.4%, Emotional 10.6%, Interactive Fiction 8.4%

Meet silly seals, eat fibsh, swim, and relax!

Why similar: Wholesome 36.2% ★, Walking Simulator 20.1%, Story Rich 9.9%, Exploration 9.4%, Funny 7.3%

Panthalassa is a Point and click Puzzle game set in an underwater alien world. You play as an AI reborn in a highly advanced body they do not recognize. Interface with otherworldly technology and unlock the secrets behind this strange planet.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 22.6%, Visual Novel 14.9%, Story Rich 14.5%, Exploration 12.2%, Relaxing 9.4%

A cinematic gaming experience. Play as an animal in the spiritual realm. Explore a magical world. Collect Essence and find Artifacts. Journey across seven majestic landscapes and witness the emotional story of a family as they tackle the challenges ahead of them.

Why similar: Wholesome 21.8% ★, Cozy 15.7%, Walking Simulator 12%, Lore-Rich 9.8%, Interactive Fiction 7.5%

STARDROP is an interactive sci-fi cinematic experience.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 16.1%, Cinematic 15.2%, Lore-Rich 12.5%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 7.7%

Waddle and fly as a duck in space! Explore every corner of the galaxy and find curious creatures and materials along the way. Craft gadgets, upgrade your spaceship, and get cozy in this relaxing adventure.

Why similar: Wholesome 28% ★, Cozy 20.6%, Third Person 11%, Exploration 7.9%, Sci-fi 6.5%

A poignant narrative-driven game about rejection, belonging and the meaning of home. It follows the story of a newly adopted shelter cat whose space in the home is taken by a copycat. Bring the tissues.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 23.2%, Emotional 21.4%, Story Rich 14%, Third Person 9.8%, Atmospheric 9.4%

From the creator of The Stanley Parable and The Beginner’s Guide comes Wanderstop, a narrative-centric cozy game about change and tea.

Why similar: Cozy 51.1%, Third Person 14.7%, Story Rich 13.8%, Adventure 9.4%, Colorful 6.6%

Three friends uncover mysteries in the 1980s. Follow their amazing adventures in a game where your decisions really matter. Be prepared to spin like a record on your incredible journey back to the era of synthesizers, VHS Rental stores, 8 bits games and evil alien conspiracies.

Why similar: Third Person 28.1%, Story Rich 21.2%, Sci-fi 15.9%, Atmospheric 15.3%, Adventure 10.2%

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: Walking Simulator 29%, Emotional 14.5%, Story Rich 13.4%, Exploration 11.5%, Atmospheric 10.6%

Harold's Walk on Steam is a remaster of the original Harold's Walk game that debuted on the Nintendo 3ds in 2020. Odd and unusual spaces comprise most of your journey as you venture through this surreal collectathon.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 39.5%, Third Person 15.9%, Exploration 14.1%, Adventure 9%, Atmospheric 8.6%

An adventure about searching for a missing hunter and meeting with alien beings! Explore wild nature, climb on a rock, lure out a boar, meet a wolf, survive in a rockfall. Heal a deer and trick a creature! Meet the Unknown and find mystery!

Why similar: Walking Simulator 24%, Third Person 13.3%, Visual Novel 12.6%, Story Rich 11.9%, Exploration 9.4%

Embark on a heartwarming journey as a home cleaning specialist.

Why similar: Emotional 21.3%, Interactive Fiction 19.8%, Relaxing 12.7%, Visual Novel 11.5%, Atmospheric 10%

Let your empathy guide you as you play an exciting action-adventure, creature-saver game. Understand and tame the creatures of Ava and let them lead you through a variety of ecosystems – all in the hopes of saving the planet from a life-consuming infection.

Why similar: Wholesome 26.7% ★, Cozy 19.8%, Lore-Rich 13.8%, Emotional 7.4%, Exploration 7.2%

A game where you play as a slightly confused bear trying to assemble the ultimate meal no matter who tries to get in your way. Relax and fish, visit the grocery store, escape bureaucracy, and more on your way to achieve enlightenment via sandwich.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 40.2%, Lore-Rich 17.8%, Exploration 15.7%, Adventure 8.6%, Casual 8.1%

Live the perfect day, break the cycle, and discover the truth about yourself in this short, quirky sci-fi mystery about freedom, choice, and loneliness.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 28%, Walking Simulator 28%, Emotional 15.9%, Sci-fi 8.8%, Atmospheric 7.3%

Embark on a journey across vast landscapes in Caravan SandWitch, a captivating narrative-driven exploration adventure.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 33.2%, Third Person 22.9%, Exploration 17.8%, Adventure 8.7%, Colorful 8.3%

An action adventure about a ghost’s journey through the afterlife. Possess enemies and the environment and fend off hostile spirits in pursuit of starry fragments from a past life.

Why similar: Wholesome 25.5% ★, Cozy 17.8%, Cinematic 16.2%, Emotional 9.1%, Third Person 8.8%

Explore a unique and connected world. Understand its fragile balance, uncover its deepest questions, and find more than just the answers.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 30.6%, Exploration 15.3%, Atmospheric 11.1%, Sci-fi 10.8%, Adventure 9.8%

Beyond Blue is a single-player narrative adventure that takes you deep into our planet’s beating blue heart. Explore the awesome wonder and unbounded mystery that exists within the world’s ocean.

Why similar: Exploration 34.6%, Adventure 18%, Story Rich 15%, Indie 8.7%, Casual 7.4%

Play as Boris, a curious baby boar who must learn how to use his nose to reunite with his family after a forest fire. Explore beautiful landscapes, track scents, and uncover secrets as you slowly reconnect with nature in this cozy animal adventure.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 20.9%, Cozy 14.8%, Exploration 12.4%, Relaxing 10.6%, Atmospheric 9.8%

South Scrimshaw is the story of a newborn whale in a vast alien ocean. It is a richly illustrated experimental visual novel, written in the style of a nature documentary.

Why similar: Cinematic 30%, Lore-Rich 25.5%, Sci-fi 11.8%, Atmospheric 10.2%, Emotional 10%

Sail a fleet of customizable ships across an ocean whose ancient depths have swallowed the key to the mysterious past. Befriend fishfolk to expand your boat crews, take up arms against petulant pirates, and chart a course across an expansive watery world. Will you answer the call of High Adventure?

Why similar: Third Person 20.9%, Story Rich 17.8%, Exploration 15.4%, Atmospheric 14.1%, Relaxing 13.5%

Be a stone Golem and try to save Nature with the help of an adorable Fox! Reconnect ancient sources of energy in environmental puzzles. Discover secrets from a lost civilization and save animals on an emotional quest in a cozy, colorful world.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 24%, Third Person 13.9%, Emotional 12.9%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 9.8%

Meet Buddy and Bag Boy – two tiny robots with big hearts and an even bigger mission: spreading joy! After a mysterious explosion rains golden cogs and trash from the sky, it’s their job to collect, clean, and help each village while uncovering the secret behind the blast.

Why similar: Wholesome 32.9% ★, Cozy 26.7%, Story Rich 11.9%, Exploration 8.2%, Relaxing 6.5%

Button City is a cozy narrative adventure game about a fox and his friends banding together to save their local arcade! Explore a diorama world, play exciting arcade games, complete quirky quests and meet cute animal friends.

Why similar: Wholesome 27.9% ★, Cozy 20.5%, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Story Rich 7.8%, Funny 7.2%

A Walk with Yiayia is a heartfelt solo-developed, bite-sized adventure game about taking your Greek grandmother on a walk after she's lost her confidence from a scary fall. Connect through engaging conversations, explore a relaxing environment, and complete microquests in this thoughtful adventure.

Why similar: Cinematic 24.7%, Walking Simulator 23%, Interactive Fiction 16%, Visual Novel 11.2%, Exploration 8.5%