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 27.5% ★, Cozy 21.8%, Emotional 11.6%, Story Rich 8.9%, Exploration 7%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares a similar focus on slow-paced, character-driven narrative within a contained, atmospheric setting.

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 19.5%, Exploration 15.4%, Story Rich 15.3%, Third Person 13.9%, Atmospheric 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: This title features a similar underwater setting and an introspective, atmospheric narrative experience.

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 31.4%, Story Rich 23.6%, Adventure 20.1%, Indie 8.7%, Exploration 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: It is a masterpiece of atmospheric, narrative-driven exploration that mirrors the surreal and grounded tone of Harold Halibut.

Play as an Artificial Intelligence guiding a stranded xenobiologist through a beautiful and mysterious alien ocean. A non-violent sci-fi story, enter a world of wonder, fear and vulnerability, unraveling the history and ecology of an impossible planet. What will you discover together?

Why similar: Exploration 22.3%, Story Rich 21.9%, Atmospheric 17.7%, Adventure 16.7%, Indie 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a unique underwater exploration experience with a heavy focus on narrative and discovery.

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 25.1%, Interactive Fiction 14.6%, Emotional 12.6%, Visual Novel 11.8%, Story Rich 8.9%

Why You'll Like It: This story-rich game offers a unique visual identity and emotional weight similar to Harold Halibut.

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 15.3%, Funny 11.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game excels at capturing small-town community dynamics and deep, relatable character relationships.

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 17.7%, Atmospheric 13.7%, Exploration 11.1%, Adventure 8%

Why You'll Like It: It is excellent at building atmosphere and narrative depth through exploration and dialogue-heavy interactions.

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 13.4%, Exploration 10.4%, Adventure 4.6%

Why You'll Like It: This game provides masterful environmental storytelling and a poignant, narrative-focused experience.

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 8.9%, Story Rich 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on narrative and atmosphere in a grounded, character-driven way that feels very personal.

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 14.7%, Exploration 13.7%, Atmospheric 11.9%

Why You'll Like It: It features a deep, character-driven sci-fi narrative set within a struggling, isolated community.

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

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 33.3%, Third Person 22.8%, Exploration 17.8%, Adventure 8.5%, Colorful 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines exploration-heavy gameplay with a strong narrative and atmospheric world-building.

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 27.6% ★, Cozy 24.9%, Third Person 8.7%, Exploration 8.1%, Relaxing 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: A charming, exploration-focused adventure that emphasizes nature and discovery.

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 38.9%, Atmospheric 21.9%, Walking Simulator 21.2%, Adventure 10.1%, Indie 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: The game places a strong emphasis on dialogue-driven narrative and complex character dynamics.

Embark on an unique and unforgettable journey and guide Sable through her Gliding; a rite of passage that will take her across vast deserts and mesmerizing landscapes, capped by the remains of spaceships and ancient wonders.

Why similar: Story Rich 21.8%, Exploration 19.6%, Atmospheric 17.3%, Relaxing 14.9%, Sci-fi 14.4%

Why You'll Like It: It features a distinct, hand-drawn art style and meditative, exploration-focused gameplay.

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 35.1% ★, Cozy 30.7%, Relaxing 8.4%, Funny 6.4%, Third Person 5.9%

Why You'll Like It: This wholesome, exploration-heavy adventure captures a similar spirit of curiosity and lightheartedness.

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 24.9%, Wholesome 21.8% ★, Walking Simulator 19.2%, Story Rich 9.4%, Relaxing 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a slow-paced, character-focused experience in a contained, peaceful setting.

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 39.8%, Relaxing 13.4%, Exploration 10.9%, Sci-fi 9.8%, Atmospheric 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers underwater exploration with a focus on cleaning and relaxing, cozy vibes.

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 25.1% ★, Walking Simulator 17%, Cinematic 15.3%, Interactive Fiction 11.4%, Story Rich 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: This narrative-heavy game features a distinct art style and a focus on the daily life 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 19.4%, Interactive Fiction 13.4%, Story Rich 12.8%, Third Person 9.9%, Sci-fi 9.4%

Why You'll Like It: It prioritizes a stunning visual journey and a narrative-driven experience over complex mechanics.

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 25.4% ★, Cozy 17.9%, Cinematic 16.2%, Emotional 9.2%, Third Person 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: It features a beautiful hand-drawn aesthetic with a focus on exploration and gentle puzzle-solving.

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 19%, Emotional 12.7%, Third Person 11.2%, Story Rich 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: An adventure-focused game with a strong narrative and atmospheric mystery set in a unique world.

Hike, climb, and soar through the peaceful mountainside landscapes of Hawk Peak Provincial Park as you make your way to the summit.

Why similar: Exploration 23.7%, Relaxing 19.9%, Walking Simulator 18.3%, Adventure 10.6%, Third Person 8.8%

Why You'll Like It: A cozy, exploration-focused adventure that captures a similar sense of wonder and charm.

When humans get too lonely, they turn into monsters… Set sail across a beautiful and evolving world of darkness and light, and discover what it means to be human.

Why similar: Emotional 49.7%, Atmospheric 23.7%, Adventure 22.5%, Singleplayer 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game explores emotional themes through a unique, atmospheric lens and a stylized world.

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 16.5%, Sci-fi 12.8%, Adventure 10%

Why You'll Like It: While more complex, it shares the deep sense of discovery and atmospheric world-building found in Harold Halibut.

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 27.7% ★, Cozy 20.8%, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Story Rich 7.8%, Funny 7.2%

Why You'll Like It: This narrative-driven game features a distinct visual style and a heartwarming focus on community.

As the last mother fox on Earth, your cubs need all your care to survive in a merciless world that slowly destroys itself. You have to help them, teach them and save them. And you should never forget that extinction is forever – in the real world and in this 2023 BAFTA award winning experience.

Why similar: Emotional 27.8%, Walking Simulator 19.3%, Atmospheric 12.8%, Exploration 12.1%, Story Rich 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: An emotional, narrative-driven experience that uses a unique perspective to tell a powerful story.

"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 35.1% ★, Cozy 30.4%, Exploration 10%, Relaxing 7.8%, Adventure 5.3%

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 25.8% ★, Cozy 22.3%, Interactive Fiction 13.7%, Story Rich 7.6%, Exploration 6.9%

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

Why similar: Wholesome 36% ★, Walking Simulator 20.1%, Story Rich 9.9%, Exploration 9.4%, Funny 7.3%

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

Why similar: Walking Simulator 31.8%, Third Person 15.9%, Exploration 13.9%, Relaxing 12.2%, Atmospheric 10.4%

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 15.9%, Story Rich 11.8%, Cinematic 11.6%, Third Person 11.5%

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%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, first-person exploration game centered on a grounded, intimate mystery.

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 23.2% ★, Cozy 16.9%, Walking Simulator 12.8%, Lore-Rich 10.6%, Interactive Fiction 8%

STARDROP is an interactive sci-fi cinematic experience.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 16.1%, Cinematic 15.2%, Lore-Rich 12.6%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 7.7%

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 26.5% ★, Cozy 20%, Lore-Rich 13.9%, Emotional 7.5%, Exploration 7.2%

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 51.5%, Third Person 14.6%, Story Rich 13.7%, Adventure 9.3%, Colorful 6.6%

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 29.4%, Emotional 14.9%, Story Rich 13.6%, Exploration 11.7%, Atmospheric 10.8%

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 28.3%, Walking Simulator 28%, Emotional 16.1%, Sci-fi 8.7%, Atmospheric 7.3%

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 39.7%, Third Person 15.9%, Exploration 14.1%, Adventure 8.9%, Atmospheric 8.7%

Embark on a heartwarming journey as a home cleaning specialist.

Why similar: Emotional 21.6%, Interactive Fiction 19.8%, Relaxing 12.8%, Visual Novel 11.5%, Atmospheric 10.1%

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 29.2%, Walking Simulator 21%, Interactive Fiction 18.1%, Emotional 11.3%, Story Rich 7.3%

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 25.4%, Walking Simulator 22.7%, Lore-Rich 15.8%, Emotional 12.5%, Exploration 8.4%

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 12%, Exploration 9.5%

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 28.2%, Exploration 21.8%, Atmospheric 15.6%, Story Rich 12.4%, Adventure 12%

Uncover the mystery of Thalassa, a first-person psychological drama set under the sea. Ill-fate has fallen on your former crew and friends and it’s up to you to find answers onboard the wreckage. Experience the melancholic underwater journey of human stories facing life and loss.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 28.8%, Emotional 17.1%, Atmospheric 10.9%, Story Rich 10.6%, Walking Simulator 10.4%

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 13.8%, Emotional 13%, Story Rich 10.2%, Exploration 9.8%

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 17.5%, Visual Novel 14.1%, Story Rich 13.4%, Emotional 12.3%, Atmospheric 9.9%

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 32.7% ★, Cozy 27%, Story Rich 11.8%, Exploration 8.2%, Relaxing 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 23.3%, Emotional 21.4%, Story Rich 14%, Third Person 9.8%, Atmospheric 9.4%

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 24.8%, Walking Simulator 23%, Interactive Fiction 16.1%, Visual Novel 11.2%, Exploration 8.5%

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 30.7%, Exploration 15.3%, Atmospheric 11.1%, Sci-fi 10.8%, Adventure 9.6%

A Tiny Sticker Tale is a cozy miniature adventure about changing the world, using the power of stickers!

Why similar: Cozy 31.2%, Wholesome 29.9% ★, Emotional 14.5%, Exploration 8%, Relaxing 7.1%

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 20.8%, Story Rich 17.8%, Exploration 15.4%, Atmospheric 14.2%, Relaxing 13.6%

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 30.1%, Lore-Rich 25.6%, Sci-fi 11.6%, Atmospheric 10.2%, Emotional 10%

You wake up on a floating island with no idea how you got there. Find ways to reach new and strange islands and meet other survivors all while uncovering the story of how you all got there.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 19.9%, Lore-Rich 19.1%, Interactive Fiction 17%, Story Rich 9.6%, Atmospheric 7.3%

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 17.8%, Story Rich 15%, Indie 8.8%, Casual 7.4%

Unable to sleep, you navigate a quiet condo complex. There's no rush - just you, the building, its inhabitants, and the stories they hold.

Why similar: Walking Simulator 34.9%, Interactive Fiction 13.9%, Exploration 12.3%, Atmospheric 10.1%, Emotional 10.1%

Be Flint, who is doing his best to keep his grandma's park up and running and make it a place for the campers to enjoy. Learn the camper's wishes and build whatever their hearts desire to attract even more quirky characters and look forward to whimsical conversations and quests.

Why similar: Wholesome 27.5% ★, Cozy 25%, Third Person 9.9%, Exploration 9.3%, Relaxing 7.3%