Games Like Heavy Burden

Roll the boulder to the top.

Why similar: Physics 74.8%, Adventure 25.2%

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 38.9%, First-Person 18%, Exploration 14.8%, Adventure 12%, 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 58.2%, Adventure 25.4%, 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 75.5%, Story Rich 10.1%, Casual 7.3%, Adventure 7.1%

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 44.2%, Puzzle 26%, Simulation 19.4%, Casual 10.4%

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: Open World 31.9%, Physics 31.4%, Puzzle 21.6%, Adventure 10.8%, Simulation 2.2%

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 46.6%, Simulation 27.2%, Adventure 15.5%, 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 43%, First-Person 21.8%, Story Rich 18.2%, Exploration 8.7%, Adventure 6%

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: Psychedelic 15.3%, Psychological 14.8%, Physics 13%, Puzzle 12.3%, First-Person 9.4%

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 34.1%, Open World 25.4%, First-Person 17.3%, Exploration 15%, Adventure 5%

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 69.4%, Simulation 24.9%, Casual 5.7%

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 22.9%, Open World 14.6%, Puzzle 14.2%, First-Person 10.7%, Exploration 9%

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

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 37.7%, Simulation 26.3%, Casual 16%, Exploration 15.5%, Adventure 4.6%

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

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 30.8%, Adventure 20%, Exploration 19.6%, Casual 15.6%, 3D 14%

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

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 23.9%, Simulation 17.9%, Puzzle 17.2%, Adventure 14.4%, 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 22.6%, Exploration 18.3%, Story Rich 16.7%, Puzzle 15.5%, First-Person 10.6%

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.

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 27.2%, First-Person 23%, Story Rich 20.7%, Exploration 18%, Adventure 11.1%

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

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 41.9%, First-Person 22.4%, Exploration 17.1%, Adventure 10.2%, Puzzle 8.5%

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

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%, Puzzle 16.1%, Open World 15.4%, First-Person 12.2%, Story Rich 11%

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

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 15.4%, Story Rich 12.5%, First-Person 11%

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

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 35.9%, First-Person 25.3%, Exploration 11.8%, Story Rich 9.3%, Adventure 8.9%

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

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 24.9%, Open World 23.3%, First-Person 20.1%, Exploration 14.7%, Adventure 14.6%

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 23.3%, Immersive Sim 18.5%, Minimalist 14.9%, Story Rich 11.2%, First-Person 9.5%

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 19.2%, Exploration 16.1%, 3D 12.6%, Adventure 9.9%

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

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 22.7%, Open World 17%, Simulation 15.9%, Puzzle 14.1%, Adventure 12.4%

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 23.6%, Exploration 19.6%, First-Person 18.1%, Psychological 15.1%, 3D 12.7%

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

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 21.1%, Abstract 18.5%, Psychological 17%, Physics 9.8%, First-Person 9.1%

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

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 43.9%, Exploration 40%, Adventure 16.2%

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 27.8%, 3D 22.6%, Adventure 21.5%, Casual 17.7%, Simulation 10.3%

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 24.2%, Story Rich 23.4%, Exploration 19.5%, First-Person 13.3%, Adventure 9.8%

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 44.5%, Adventure 21.4%, Casual 21.2%, 3D 12.9%

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

Why similar: Logic 24.4%, Puzzle 12.7%, Open World 12.5%, Minimalist 11.4%, First-Person 11.1%

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 27.7%, Physics 22.8%, Story Rich 15%, Puzzle 14.4%, Simulation 7.8%

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 27.2%, Adventure 20.6%, 3D 17.9%, Casual 17.7%, Physics 16.6%

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%, Puzzle 12.2%, Exploration 8.7%

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

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%

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 17.5%, Cinematic 16.8%, Physics 16%, Stylized 13.5%, Exploration 12.2%

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

Why similar: Abstract 22.8%, Psychedelic 21.6%, Psychological 15.1%, Puzzle 11.4%, First-Person 8.4%

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

Why similar: Abstract 23.4%, Psychedelic 22.6%, Physics 14.6%, Puzzle 11%, First-Person 9.2%

You are the lifeline supporting an expedition into the unknown. Keep both yourself and your squad alive by interpreting instrument readings, explore the facilities, and uncover something ancient and eager to be born.

Why similar: Psychological 26.3%, Puzzle 16.7%, First-Person 15.8%, Exploration 12.3%, Simulation 11.1%

Pilot the MOLE, a monstrous post-war drilling machine built to descend deep below the Slavic soil. Fix failing systems, follow voices of the dead, and pray you can survive whatever is sharing your coffin. Will the vessel or your mind break first?

Why similar: Psychedelic 26%, Puzzle 14.9%, First-Person 13%, Simulation 12.9%, Exploration 9.9%

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 27.4%, Psychological 22.7%, First-Person 11.4%, Exploration 10.9%, Story Rich 9.8%

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 39.4%, Exploration 15.8%, Simulation 12.9%, 3D 11.4%, Adventure 11%

Existential Nature Simulation

Why similar: Simulation 64.9%, Casual 35.1%

In this game, you follow an eternal being who got bored in heaven and tries to make their way back into the world of the living. To return to earth it has to pass the path of trials... a path filled with traps, difficult jumps, and hidden secrets. A unique philosophical platformer awaits you.

Why similar: First-Person 31.4%, Stylized 24.1%, Exploration 15.7%, 3D 11.8%, Casual 11.5%

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 28.4%, Puzzle 17.6%, First-Person 13.4%, Exploration 13.1%, Story Rich 10.8%

Walk on walls. Manipulate gravity. Discover secrets. In this first-person puzzle game, delve deep into an ancient labyrinth of intricate conundrums, seeking an imprisoned god at the centre.

Why similar: Logic 26.3%, Physics 18.2%, Puzzle 13.1%, First-Person 12.9%, Story Rich 8.6%

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 38%, Puzzle 15.9%, First-Person 13.4%, Stylized 12.8%, Exploration 11.9%

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 29.3%, Psychological 21.6%, Story Rich 16.5%, Simulation 12.8%, Exploration 10.7%

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 44.2%, Exploration 18%, Casual 11%, Stylized 9.7%, 3D 9%

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 82.4%, Simulation 17.6%

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 37.9%, Casual 32.2%, Story Rich 29.9%

In this game, you follow the protagonist who initially fell from heaven back into the sky. Many obstacles, cliffs, and small environmental puzzles are waiting. Are you ready for a beautiful surreal adventure?

Why similar: First-Person 28.9%, Simulation 20.3%, Exploration 18%, 3D 13.9%, Casual 13.2%

A surreal first person walking sim about the end of humanity. Explore magnificent sky-bound ruins, and learn why they were built.

Why similar: First-Person 22%, Adventure 15.4%, Casual 12.5%, Exploration 11.4%, Story Rich 10.4%

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: Minimalist 23.5%, Exploration 21.7%, First-Person 13.8%, Stylized 13.4%, Adventure 11.3%

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 31.4%, Psychological 22.5%, Immersive Sim 14.3%, Simulation 11.2%, Story Rich 9.4%

A service industry adventure with an apocalyptic flavor. A manic genre mashup told across two broken realities. Step through the cracks: find your Exit.

Why similar: Psychedelic 24.6%, Immersive Sim 19.1%, Story Rich 11.2%, First-Person 11%, Simulation 10.5%

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

Why similar: Physics 24.8%, Psychological 20.5%, First-Person 14.3%, Simulation 12.4%, Story Rich 11.8%