Games Like Heavy Burden

Roll the boulder to the top.

Why similar: Physics 76%, Adventure 24%

Why You'll Like It: It directly tackles the myth of Sisyphus with a focus on physics-based movement and psychological endurance.

Travel around The Great Gales to climb challenging peaks in this physics-based climbing adventure set in 1887. Meet like-minded mountaineers, unlock helpful climbing gear, and become a pioneer of mountaineering.

Why similar: Physics 39.4%, First-Person 18.2%, Exploration 14.5%, Adventure 11.3%, Story Rich 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a challenging, physics-driven climbing experience set in atmospheric, isolated environments.

This is a difficult game about climbing.

Why similar: Physics 59%, Adventure 24.6%, Casual 16.4%

Why You'll Like It: The game mirrors the frustrating, physics-heavy climbing mechanics found in the seed game.

A game I made for a certain kind of person. To hurt them.

Why similar: Physics 76.3%, Story Rich 9.8%, Casual 7.2%, Adventure 6.7%

Why You'll Like It: This is the definitive game about the Sisyphean struggle of overcoming repetitive, physics-based failure to reach a summit.

You're so exhausted you can only crawl, but still refuse to sleep.

Why similar: Physics 44.8%, Puzzle 25.1%, Simulation 19.7%, Casual 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: This game captures the feeling of mundane struggle through awkward, physics-based movement and comedic frustration.

Human Fall Flat is a hilarious, light-hearted platformer set in floating dreamscapes that can be played solo or with up to 8 players online. Free new levels keep its vibrant community rewarded.

Why similar: Physics 32.5%, Open World 31.3%, Puzzle 21.3%, Adventure 10.5%, Simulation 2.3%

Why You'll Like It: The game relies on clumsy, physics-based puzzle-solving that requires patience and persistence to navigate.

You are bread. Your mission, become toast! Take on all hazards to deliciousness as you head on an epic adventure in one of the the toughest games ever baked. All of the game modes (including Bagel Race) are now unlocked so there's sure to be something to suit everyone's taste!

Why similar: Physics 47%, Simulation 27.7%, Adventure 14.8%, Casual 10.6%

Why You'll Like It: It features the same brand of intentionally difficult, physics-based navigation that makes simple tasks feel like a monumental burden.

The Talos Principle is a first-person puzzle game in the tradition of philosophical science fiction. Made by Croteam and written by Tom Jubert (FTL, The Swapper) and Jonas Kyratzes (The Sea Will Claim Everything).

Why similar: Puzzle 42.4%, First-Person 22.2%, Story Rich 18.3%, Exploration 8.8%, Adventure 5.8%

Why You'll Like It: It combines first-person puzzle-solving with deep, existential philosophical questions similar to the themes of the seed game.

Perception is reality. In this mind-bending first-person puzzler, you escape a surreal dream world through solving impossible puzzles using the ambiguity of depth and perspective.

Why similar: Psychological 15.7%, Psychedelic 15.6%, Physics 13.9%, Puzzle 12.3%, First-Person 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: This first-person puzzle game plays with perspective and logic in a surreal, atmospheric environment.

You wake up, alone, on a strange island full of puzzles that will challenge and surprise you.

Why similar: Puzzle 33.7%, Open World 25.1%, First-Person 17.8%, Exploration 15.1%, Adventure 4.9%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a deep, meditative puzzle-solving experience set within a vast, open-world island.

Experience the extreme simulated sporting sensation that's sweeping our digital nation! Mount Your Friends is a fiercely competitive sporting event for you to play with your friends in the contextual security of your own home, assuming that your home is not composed of sexual innuendo.

Why similar: Physics 69.3%, Simulation 25.1%, Casual 5.6%

Why You'll Like It: A physics-based climbing game that emphasizes the repetitive and often humorous struggle of vertical movement.

Go on a voyage of discovery following the traces of a mysterious culture. Discover diverse landscapes, investigate abandoned artifacts, and wake strange machines from their slumber.

Why similar: Logic 23%, Open World 14.2%, Puzzle 14%, First-Person 10.8%, Exploration 9.1%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on puzzle-solving and exploration within a beautifully realized, atmospheric world.

Discover the truth about Quern’s past, unfold the mysteries of its present, and be the explorer who shapes its future. Quern introduces reusable puzzle mechanics to the classic genre, making the player think about the game as a whole, and not just as a series of individual challenges.

Why similar: Cinematic 19.1%, Puzzle 15.9%, Open World 15.1%, First-Person 12.4%, Story Rich 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: This first-person puzzle game emphasizes exploration and logic in a mysterious, isolated setting.

A man embarks on a journey toward the top of a mountain, to discover the truth of his existence. Along the way, he ponders the nature of life itself. Drizzlepath: Deja Vu is a spiritual revisitation of Tonguç Bodur's very first game, Drizzlepath.

Why similar: First-Person 31.1%, Exploration 19.7%, Adventure 19.3%, Casual 15.7%, 3D 14.2%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, meditative walking simulator that focuses on the journey rather than the destination.

Be the Universe in this epic, award-winning reality simulation game - featuring thousands of playable characters, endless exploration, an extraordinary soundtrack and narration from Alan Watts.

Why similar: Open World 36.7%, Simulation 27.4%, Casual 16.3%, Exploration 15.6%, Adventure 4.1%

Why You'll Like It: This game explores philosophical concepts through a unique perspective, mirroring the existential tone of the seed game.

You woke up and found yourself in an anomalous endless place from which it is not so easy to get out. Carefully observe your surroundings to find a way out of this place.

Why similar: Immersive Sim 24%, Simulation 18.3%, Puzzle 16.7%, Adventure 13.8%, First-Person 10.8%

Why You'll Like It: This game combines puzzle-solving with an atmospheric, repetitive loop structure that mirrors the feeling of a burden.

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: Open World 22.1%, Exploration 18.7%, Story Rich 16.9%, Puzzle 15%, First-Person 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: It focuses on existential exploration and the cycle of repetition within a mysterious, atmospheric universe.

A short atmospheric adventure game about finding meaning in a meaningless world.

Why similar: Adventure 100%

Why You'll Like It: It directly references the myth of Sisyphus in an atmospheric, indie adventure setting.

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 42%, First-Person 22.7%, Exploration 17%, Adventure 10%, Puzzle 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: An atmospheric, story-rich experience that uses environmental storytelling to explore heavy, life-altering themes.

Jung's Labyrinth is a psychological exploration game that uses Jungian psychology, mythology, alchemical and dream symbolism in a series of active imaginations to map the process of individuation. Confront your inner archetypes, collect messages that other travelers left behind and reach your Self.

Why similar: Psychological 27.6%, First-Person 23.1%, Story Rich 20.6%, Exploration 18%, Adventure 10.7%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological, first-person exploration game that delves into the subconscious and philosophical themes.

The Stanley Parable is a first person exploration game. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will follow a story, you will not follow a story. You will have a choice, you will have no choice. The game will end, the game will never end.

Why similar: Psychological 36.4%, First-Person 25.5%, Exploration 11.7%, Story Rich 9.2%, Adventure 8.5%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-narrative walking simulator that challenges the player's agency and the nature of their repetitive actions.

Depression The Game is an interactive game simulating major depression. You are joining a young man on one of his really bad days trying to handle his thoughts and survive that day... Will he?

Why similar: Psychological 24.7%, Immersive Sim 19.1%, Physics 15.6%, Story Rich 12.3%, First-Person 10.9%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological, interactive fiction game that uses atmosphere to convey heavy, emotional burdens.

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: Story Rich 25%, Open World 22.9%, First-Person 20.5%, Exploration 14.9%, Adventure 14.2%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a grounded, first-person narrative experience set in an atmospheric, isolated wilderness.

“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: Psychological 25.2%, Immersive Sim 19.9%, Minimalist 16%, Story Rich 11.9%, First-Person 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A philosophical, indie walking simulator that explores the nature of existence through simple, interactive environments.

BLACKSHARD is a first-person exploration game. Wander through a strange megastructure, the Labyrinth, to unravel its mysteries... Your behavior within the Labyrinth will define the outcome of your journey. What path will you choose to take?

Why similar: Choose Your Own Adventure 42.2%, First-Person 19.3%, Exploration 16.1%, 3D 12.8%, Adventure 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal, atmospheric walking simulator that emphasizes exploration and narration in a dreamlike world.

You are trapped in a strange dream from which there is no waking. It is stitched from Chinese nostalgia, childhood echoes, and liminal spaces—where sense and nonsense blend freely. All you can do is keep exploring, until you must choose: return to restless reality, or stay in the dream forever?

Why similar: Psychedelic 20.8%, Abstract 18.3%, Psychological 17.4%, Physics 10.1%, First-Person 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: It provides a psychological, surreal exploration experience that feels both atmospheric and isolating.

You will have to face hundreds of different doors, and decide which one you should go to in order to get to the main secret. You have to open the doors in many locations of this world, each of which is dedicated to its type of doors.

Why similar: Abstract 22.6%, Open World 16.7%, Simulation 16.5%, Puzzle 13.9%, Adventure 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: An indie exploration game that focuses on puzzle-solving and atmospheric discovery.

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: Puzzle 23.2%, Exploration 19.7%, First-Person 18.3%, Psychological 15.4%, 3D 12.9%

Why You'll Like It: This game blends exploration and puzzle-solving in a narrative-driven, first-person experience.

As punishment for dirtying Olympus's marble halls, Sisyphus, the dung beetle, must push his ball of dung up and down Mount Olympus every day, for the rest of his life. That is, unless he can complete the seemingly impossible task of reaching Olympus before the sun sets

Why similar: Puzzle 43.6%, Exploration 40.6%, Adventure 15.8%

Reach a summit never climbed before in this survival-climber from the creators of Furi and Haven. Climb anywhere and plan your route carefully, managing pitons and resources to survive unforgiving Mount Kami. Discover what Aava is willing to sacrifice to achieve the ascent of a lifetime.

Why similar: Open World 17.7%, Cinematic 17.4%, Physics 16.4%, Stylized 13.9%, Exploration 11.4%

A game about a very happy guy and his boulder. (Warning: As an accurate representation of the ancient Myth of Sisyphus, this is likely the most difficult and punishing game you will ever play.)

Why similar: Physics 31.7%, 3D 25.5%, Adventure 22.9%, Casual 19.8%

Capybara: The Story of Sisyphus is a game about a very lazy capybara who wants to take a bath at the top of the mountain. To do this, the capybara must gain speed and cling to the obstacles with a rope with a barrel so as not to fall!

Why similar: Physics 45.3%, Casual 21.1%, Adventure 20.5%, 3D 13.1%

In a lonely station atop a mountain, a train rumbles its precious cargo to places unknown. Now is your shift. Keep the pace. Uncover a mystery. Fight for your last breath. The air is thin up here.

Why similar: Choose Your Own Adventure 24%, Story Rich 23.2%, Exploration 19.7%, First-Person 13.4%, Stylized 10.2%

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

Why similar: Logic 24.2%, Puzzle 12.4%, Open World 12.3%, Minimalist 11.5%, First-Person 11.2%

After an eternity of toiling away at meaningless divine punishment, Sisyphus has finally snapped. Join Sisyphus in his quest for revenge as he weaponizes the very rock chaining him down to steamroll and swing his way to the top of Mount Olympus, while breaking a few laws of physics along the way.

Why similar: Physics 100%

Why did the humans disappear? How was the AI created? Who created the AI and what is the purpose of the AI? An open-world sci-fi forklift adventure in which you must uncover the truth behind the mystery.

Why similar: Open World 27%, Physics 23.5%, Story Rich 15%, Puzzle 14.1%, Simulation 8%

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: Choose Your Own Adventure 25.4%, Cinematic 18.1%, Minimalist 14.1%, Puzzle 12%, Simulation 9%

Why You'll Like It: A short, atmospheric indie adventure that focuses on the emotional weight of a single, repetitive journey.

Andarin Weppes is a first person puzzle experience of a man with ever advancing dementia...

Why similar: Abstract 22.6%, Psychedelic 21.3%, Psychological 15.4%, Puzzle 11.2%, First-Person 8.5%

Roll a boulder up a hill with your friends in this Online Co-op adventure based off the ancient Myth of Sisyphus.

Why similar: Simulation 27.8%, Adventure 19.7%, 3D 18%, Casual 17.7%, Physics 16.8%

From the depths of hell, climb chained to your friends through diverse worlds. Solo or co-op, try to reach the summit and discover what awaits you there...

Why similar: Physics 27.8%, Simulation 19.7%, Exploration 19.2%, Adventure 18.7%, Casual 14.6%

Andarin Weppes is a first person puzzle experience of a man with ever advancing dementia...

Why similar: Abstract 23.2%, Psychedelic 22.3%, Physics 15.1%, Puzzle 10.8%, First-Person 9.3%

Longing for light, a sunless world begins devouring itself. Every step shifts the landscape beneath you as you search for what remains of her.

Why similar: Psychedelic 37.2%, Puzzle 15.7%, Stylized 13.7%, First-Person 13.6%, Exploration 12.1%

You're working overtime again in your dead-end job, whilst your boss is on vacation. However, strange things are happening throughout the office. Complete your daily work tasks, explore your office, report any anomalies you may find, and you may just find yourself getting a promotion...

Why similar: Immersive Sim 27.6%, Psychological 23%, First-Person 11.5%, Exploration 10.9%, Story Rich 9.7%

A casual heavy equipment experience. Mine ore, Move dirt, Build and repair.

Why similar: Choose Your Own Adventure 29.7%, Simulation 14%, First-Person 13.4%, Open World 12.6%, Exploration 11.1%

Are you The Rightful King™ or just a filthy peasant? The sword is waiting for you to lift it, but it gets longer and heavier each time someone else succeeds...

Why similar: Cinematic 39.2%, Exploration 15.8%, Simulation 13.3%, 3D 11.6%, Adventure 10.5%

A story rich narrative puzzle game in which an artist comes to terms with their grief. Explore an infinitely recursive world of strange fractal beauty and solve mind-bending puzzles. Confront the ineffable and chat with your cat in a search for meaning and hope.

Why similar: Abstract 28.3%, Puzzle 17.4%, First-Person 13.6%, Exploration 13.2%, Story Rich 10.8%

You didn’t ask to lead this expedition, but here you are. Stuck in the ice, Captain missing, miles from civilisation. Someone has to take charge. Manage your meagre resources, balance safety and morale, make the hard calls, and head in the only direction you can - through The Pale Beyond.

Why similar: Choose Your Own Adventure 29.1%, Psychological 21.9%, Story Rich 16.3%, Simulation 13.2%, Exploration 10.7%

A challenging 3D platformer with little room for error. Escape a dungeon by jumping to the top, and sacrifice your collectables for items to aid in your ordeal.

Why similar: Adventure 100%

Your way to freedom only involves your intelligence and the puzzles!

Why similar: Abstract 18.6%, Minimalist 14.6%, Puzzle 11.4%, Psychedelic 11.3%, First-Person 11.2%

A boy. A laptop. A dream. In this game, you search through a young teenager's laptop, trying to find out his story. Solve hidden puzzles and read between the lines that he wrote in your quest to unravel the mystery of Jay Zhang.

Why similar: Adventure 81.4%, Simulation 18.6%

The first step that you never knew you needed to take to get to wherever you're wanting to go...

Why similar: Choose Your Own Adventure 31.1%, Psychological 22.7%, Immersive Sim 14.3%, Simulation 11.5%, Story Rich 9.3%

Reaching for Petals is a poetic adventure about love, loss, and ambition. You will travel to the peak of the ever-reaching mountain to uncover the true nature of your mysterious and seemingly unguided journey.

Why similar: Adventure 36.9%, Casual 32.8%, Story Rich 30.2%

Unaccessible is a third-person wheelchair platformer about struggling to get a health insurance claim approved on a mysterious island without accessibility ramps. Tackle stairs, climb obstacles and hop your way through the pain of the claims approval process.

Why similar: Physics 31.8%, Puzzle 27.3%, Exploration 24.6%, 3D 16.3%

This is a short story in a sci-fi setting with a top-down view, telling the story of a nameless man lost in routine in the middle of a cold world and soulless machines. But what if it could be different?

Why similar: Story Rich 23.2%, Exploration 21.1%, Stylized 20.2%, Adventure 15.6%, Simulation 14.6%

Fight against brain-rot in this story-driven educational physics puzzle game. You will need to learn and apply high school physics concepts to solve increasingly challenging problems and uncover a galaxy spanning plot. When you have finished, you will be able to take a college level physics course.

Why similar: Logic 25.9%, Physics 21.4%, Puzzle 13%, Story Rich 11.6%, Simulation 9.5%

Incremental physics based game about pushing levers, clicking buttons and coming to terms with obsession.

Why similar: Physics 25.1%, Psychological 20.5%, First-Person 14.2%, Simulation 12.6%, Story Rich 11.7%

Discover the tale of two peculiar characters: the Old Pilgrim and the Little Star, as they embark on a journey up the Great Mountain of Wonders. Guide them both simultaneously with a single controller. Join this poetic adventure that will challenge your mind and skills!

Why similar: Puzzle 30.9%, Story Rich 27%, Adventure 18.5%, Casual 15.9%, 3D 7.6%

In the heat of deserted lands, a child and their mother weakened by sickness try to survive a harsh world. Through a kid’s perspective, take action and explore the remains of a lost past. Protect yourself from the sun’s deadly intensity and help your family get back on the road.

Why similar: Choose Your Own Adventure 44%, Exploration 17.9%, Casual 11%, Stylized 10.2%, 3D 9.2%

Have game developers often forced you to climb somewhere with no purpose? This time, your goal is to hit rock bottom and nothing else. It should be simple enough, good luck to everyone.

Why similar: Abstract 24.1%, Open World 22.8%, Physics 21%, Exploration 9.9%, Adventure 7.6%