Games Like Hope Deferred

TBA...

Why similar: Nonlinear 16%, Abstract 15.2%, Psychedelic 13.8%, Surreal 12.5%, Survival Horror 12%

A psychological-cosmic horror experience, unique in story, art, and heart. Bear witness to a tale of girl's love, rage, hurt, and healing. Only you can bring it an end. Only you can bring World Revolution.

Why similar: Psychedelic 19.2%, Abstract 14.6%, Psychological Horror 13.5%, Surreal 11.7%, Horror 11.4%

A dungeon crawler RPG inspired by the classics. Fight or Commune with the demonic denizens of the Abyss in turn-based encounters. Travel through the realm of despair and head towards the Zenith point. In the distance lies the mighty mansion Melancholia. Will you only find glory, agony, or freedom?

Why similar: Psychedelic 14.1%, Dungeon Crawler 13.2%, Abstract 12.6%, Lore-Rich 11.3%, Surreal 10.1%

A story about a woman who lives alone near the forest.

Why similar: Psychedelic 13.8%, Surreal 13.4%, Supernatural 12.7%, Abstract 11.6%, Psychological Horror 10.9%

A girl named Hailey struggles to remember the face of her dead sister for a paintings as a suicidal bunny plush & a shadowy hare monster infiltrate her life.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 12.7%, Philosophical 12.5%, Abstract 12.2%, Surreal 11.9%, Psychedelic 11.2%

In a Bit of Tales is an episodic "kind of" horror game. Featuring 7 unorthodox stories delivered in an omakase-style experience. While each is untangled, They all feature unique experiences.

Why similar: Psychedelic 20.7%, Abstract 19.3%, Surreal 13.6%, Psychological Horror 10.8%, Multiple Endings 9.2%

You open your eyes in a surreal space, paralysed. The only thing you can do is to scarcely move your right arm, and scribble. Scribble in a notepad before you to move forward. Towards a goal you must reach, despite something horrific trying to reach you. Create the cure. You don't have much time.

Why similar: Abstract 15.6%, Psychological Horror 15.2%, Surreal 13.7%, Horror 12.8%, Psychedelic 11%

This is an art horror game where you snatch souls, cast spells, and die repeatedly. Select from 4 colorful characters and occasionally listen to them yap about their problems. It's very "mood." No penalty for death and you'll have fun even when you lose.

Why similar: Psychedelic 16.6%, Dungeon Crawler 15%, Surreal 12.9%, Horror 8.4%, Psychological Horror 8.1%

A psychological horror game where you play as a prisoner exploring the depths of a large and horrific medical facility. You must survive the many creatures and abominations inside and find all the secrets hidden within the strange new labyrinth.

Why similar: Supernatural 16.3%, Psychedelic 14.9%, Survival Horror 14.3%, Surreal 13.1%, Psychological Horror 11.7%

An esoteric horror puzzle adventure, where your thoughts and mood affect the environment around you.

Why similar: Philosophical 20.4%, Surreal 13.8%, Psychological Horror 11.7%, Lore-Rich 11.5%, Nonlinear 10.8%

Sorrow Asylum is a looping horror game, a mix of an abandoned asylum and your mind's prison.

Why similar: Abstract 17.9%, Survival Horror 15%, Surreal 13.7%, Psychological Horror 12.1%, Psychedelic 11.2%

Immerse yourself in an adaptation of an old story about Ewan Berrington.

Why similar: Psychedelic 17.7%, Abstract 16.5%, Philosophical 15.2%, Surreal 14.2%, Psychological Horror 11.6%

A first-person supernatural horror inspired by the legends of Bhangarh Fort. Explore India’s most haunted place, uncover your brother’s disappearance, and survive the ancient curse that still haunts the ruins.

Why similar: Supernatural 22.9%, Lore-Rich 21.4%, Psychological Horror 13.9%, Horror 11.3%, Multiple Endings 10.1%

“With an analog camera, a gift from my father, a photo of the missing tourists and the illusion of my first big news I prepare to enter with the brothers to the enigmatic baptistery.”

Why similar: Survival Horror 18.8%, Dungeon Crawler 16.6%, Nonlinear 16.1%, Multiple Endings 13.1%, Horror 11.6%

You are trapped in a Sunday School, plagued by eerie childlike hallucinations. Observe your surroundings carefully to spot anomalies, and descend deeper only when you’re certain it’s safe.

Why similar: Surreal 14.8%, Survival Horror 13.1%, Psychological Horror 12.5%, Psychedelic 12.4%, Supernatural 12%

A mysterious story about the consequences of loneliness and unfulfilled dreams. Help artificial intelligence in the form of a little girl and avoid facing a ruthless monster.

Why similar: Psychedelic 18.9%, Nonlinear 14.4%, Survival Horror 14%, Psychological Horror 13.1%, Multiple Endings 11.5%

Your Canvas is a Text-Based Psychological Horror game set during three therapy sessions with different time periods where the player will be presented with various choices for deciding the outcome of the story.

Why similar: Abstract 14.8%, Dungeon Crawler 13.6%, Psychological Horror 12.7%, Choices Matter 10.6%, Horror 10.1%

A horrifying experience in a strange and timeless universe. Explore, solve puzzles, fight for your survival and try to escape this nightmare.

Why similar: Nonlinear 21.7%, Survival Horror 17.2%, Supernatural 15%, Surreal 14.4%, Dark 9.9%

Cerebral is a short psychological horror game where every mistake hurts your memory. Save your mind or surrender it to the system. What remains of you either way?

Why similar: Survival Horror 16.3%, Surreal 16.3%, Nonlinear 16.2%, Psychological Horror 14.4%, Multiple Endings 12.3%

You’re invited to a birthday sleepover in May 1985. But when the laughter fades, the nightmare begins. Explore, solve puzzles, and survive the night in this psychological horror inspired by MADiSON and Stranger Things.

Why similar: Survival Horror 19.2%, Psychological Horror 16.1%, Lore-Rich 14.5%, Horror 13.5%, Supernatural 13%

An anthology of 7 horror tales within a connected universe. Join a murderous marshmallow bound by their past down an atmospheric descent, brought into question by an odd game show host. Follow a Witch trying to seduce her love with sweet things. Plus 5 other surprisingly twisted yet emotional tales.

Why similar: Psychedelic 18.5%, Abstract 16.9%, Surreal 14.8%, Psychological Horror 12.6%, Multiple Endings 10.2%

In a world shattered by false gods and endless cycles, you awaken as The Fool - a Jester bound to a cursed, living hat. Explore a surreal land, confront ancient deities, and shape the fate of tribes driven by wrath and illusion. Power comes with pain. Can you escape the joke, or will it consume you?

Why similar: Psychedelic 16.4%, Philosophical 15.5%, Abstract 15.1%, Dungeon Crawler 13.9%, Lore-Rich 13.2%

No one ever listened to you. Because they never truly knew you. Now the forest whispers, the fire rises, and they all watch you. Could you be innocent, or are you merely a well-hidden disaster?

Why similar: Supernatural 15.2%, Psychological Horror 14.9%, Multiple Endings 12.7%, Dark 12.2%, Survival Horror 12%

You've been invited to participate in a study for the newly developed Circadial pills, a medicine designed to remedy your life-long insomnia. Explore the empty halls of the facility and the landscapes of your dreams to uncover the source of your night terrors. You will never be the same.

Why similar: Abstract 19.1%, Lore-Rich 15.6%, Surreal 14.9%, Psychological Horror 13.5%, Supernatural 11.1%

LOCURA is a survival horror action-adventure game. Immerse yourself in a non-linear plot of mysterious secrets of the island and unravel the secrets of its inhabitants. In the penumbra you can find the answers...

Why similar: Nonlinear 23.9%, Survival Horror 14.7%, Psychological Horror 12.7%, Horror 11.5%, Choices Matter 11.4%

A Short Tale of Solitude is an adventure horror game, combining exploration, puzzles and survival where the gameplay is focused on fear mechanics.

Why similar: Survival Horror 15.9%, Psychedelic 12.9%, Old School 12.8%, Philosophical 12.2%, Psychological Horror 10.8%

Eye of the Beholder is a stealth-based horror game. Flee monsters and conquer your memories to gain power. See the unseen, turn your memory to ash, and escape with your sanity intact.

Why similar: Dungeon Crawler 21.5%, Psychedelic 14.8%, Abstract 14.7%, Survival Horror 10.2%, Psychological Horror 10%

In Witch Stories, the forest doth whisper thy name, and the witch’s gaze falleth heavy upon thee. The world shall not wait, though thou choosest to act or abide still. From sunrise to sunrise, face trials dark and truths most grievous.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 15%, Nonlinear 14.8%, Surreal 12.4%, Philosophical 10.2%, Psychological Horror 9.9%

Crawl through the darkness in this psychological horror visual novel with multiple endings, where you will traverse a surreal nightmare as you choose your own path and explore strange spaces in an attempt to wake up, if you can...

Why similar: Psychedelic 16.5%, Abstract 15.6%, Surreal 15.4%, Psychological Horror 13.1%, Philosophical 12.6%

A 2.5D indie horror game with a strange reverse-fish-eye presentation. Explore and uncover lore and scares. Contains jumpscares and atmospheric/story-driven elements. Be thorough to unlock both endings if you are a completionist, but watch out behind you.

Why similar: Abstract 16.8%, Lore-Rich 16.2%, Survival Horror 14.7%, Supernatural 12.7%, Psychological Horror 9.4%

A surreal survival horror that explores how your unfulfilled desire will manifest as your greatest torment. Explore the ruins of an ancient kingdom, fight monsters, and try to survive in this brutal world. Will you become its savior, or will you seek to destroy it? The choice is yours.

Why similar: Nonlinear 16.3%, Survival Horror 14.8%, Psychedelic 14.2%, Surreal 12.6%, Psychological Horror 11.9%

Shadow of Ether is a first person horror game where a man with a spiritual power goes deep into the lower astral plane to banish an archon in a secluded haunted house in a forest.

Why similar: Philosophical 19.5%, Supernatural 15.2%, Survival Horror 13%, Abstract 12.1%, Psychological Horror 10.7%

Gates of Despair is a captivating single-player survival horror game with multiple chapters. Experience randomized gameplay, creepy jumpscares and terrifying enemies. Uncover the captivating story through cutscenes and master a variety of challenges. Are you brave enough?

Why similar: Psychedelic 22%, Survival Horror 16.1%, Surreal 15.3%, Supernatural 13.8%, Psychological Horror 12.6%

Help out a highschool girl as she explores the wonders of social media for the first time, as well as the dangers.

Why similar: Surreal 16.3%, Abstract 16.3%, Psychological Horror 14%, Psychedelic 12.8%, Philosophical 11.5%

'Noosphere' is a first person psychological horror puzzle game about 'Personalities'. Vincent survived a car accident but only to find out that another entity is living within him.

Why similar: Psychedelic 23.3%, Abstract 15.2%, Surreal 13.2%, Survival Horror 12.4%, Psychological Horror 10.6%

A game about hunting rats, feeding them to your family, and going to bed.

Why similar: Abstract 16%, Old School 15.1%, Psychological Horror 12.7%, Surreal 12.5%, Dark 11.1%

An atmospheric retro inspired survival horror game. Enjoy the late shift at 'The Month' in an abstract and unsettling night of terror, spooks and convenience.

Why similar: Psychedelic 16.5%, Lore-Rich 15.8%, Survival Horror 15.4%, Abstract 15.2%, Old School 13.5%

You’re playing a game in the dark. Something in your room is not. In this Sit & Survive type psychological horror game, you're a child playing on your console, while something roams your room. Observe your surroundings, listen carefully and manage your stress to survive this nightmarish night.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 19.1%, Survival Horror 18.5%, Psychological Horror 17.5%, Dark 14%, Supernatural 13%

A psychological visual novel where struggling artist Clara explores surreal dreams through reality-warping painting minigames. Solve abstract puzzles, make story-altering choices, and uncover dark truths across multiple endings. Will her art bring salvation... or unravel into madness?

Why similar: Lore-Rich 15.5%, Philosophical 15.3%, Abstract 14.4%, Surreal 14.2%, Psychedelic 13.6%

You are trapped on the Phantom Floor. You must find a way to escape, but keep quiet, it's always listening.

Why similar: Survival Horror 24.9%, Horror 16.4%, Nonlinear 13.7%, First-Person 11.5%, Old School 10.5%

This software is not a game. A cross between a walking sim and a tarot card reading, TSOTG asks you to find 12 evocative dioramas and answer a single question : What do you see? Answer instinctively and receive one of five different endings and a final reading meant to stimulate self-reflection.

Why similar: Psychedelic 26.4%, Philosophical 17.3%, First-Person 10.2%, Dark 10.1%, Surreal 9.1%

Night shifts at a cursed 24/7 drive-thru. Each night brings new rules, strange customers, and darker events. Follow instructions, complete orders, and save money for your dream car-if you survive all seven shifts. Don’t serve the same car twice.

Why similar: Survival Horror 24.9%, Psychological Horror 20.7%, Horror 17.7%, Nonlinear 14.5%, Choices Matter 8%

There must be an exit somewhere. Keep your wits about you as you traverse a seemingly endless labyrinth of dingy yellow walls and moldy carpet. Find candy bars and almond water to keep your strength, and stay out of the shadows to keep your sanity.

Why similar: Survival Horror 16.1%, Psychedelic 16%, Dungeon Crawler 14%, Nonlinear 12.8%, Psychological Horror 12.2%

Aphantasia is an Indie RPG created in the RPG Maker engine with a surreal art style.

Why similar: Abstract 21.5%, Surreal 19%, Psychedelic 18.7%, RPG 12%, Multiple Endings 11.9%

You wake up and find yourself in the midst of a psychotic infestation, and gotta find a way out and avoid being chewed up into a red paste...

Why similar: Psychedelic 21.7%, Supernatural 14.2%, Dark 11.8%, Psychological Horror 11.5%, Survival Horror 11.3%

Supermarket simulator meets horror. You’re a clerk at a 24-hour convenience store. During the day - serve customers and hit your sales goals. At night - beware of strange clients. Try to survive 7 days in the Far North.

Why similar: Supernatural 15.8%, Surreal 14.5%, Survival Horror 13%, Psychological Horror 10.6%, Choices Matter 10.2%

The Backrooms: Found Footage is a survival horror game with rogue-lite elements, where you explore 600 million miles of randomly generated office space, contend with entities, collect unique and useful lore- all while attempting to maintain your sanity as you try to escape.

Why similar: Dungeon Crawler 16.5%, Nonlinear 16.4%, Lore-Rich 14.9%, Surreal 13.6%, Abstract 13.3%

Set out on an adventure that challenges all the codes of the RPG genre, toying with its boundaries to create something unlike anything you've ever seen. In a world full of magic and adventure, a young boy starts his apprenticeship to become a knight... And it will change his life... and yours.

Why similar: Nonlinear 18.1%, Philosophical 17.6%, Surreal 15.4%, Psychedelic 14.8%, Medieval 9.8%

In this puzzle-adventure horror game you must find an exit in a dreamscape-like maze. An all seeing creature watches over this environment, stay quiet and out of its sight. Solve puzzles, stay alive, and wake up.

Why similar: Nonlinear 23%, Lore-Rich 19.1%, Abstract 16.8%, Multiple Endings 11.4%, Horror 10.8%

Find a way out of an old mansion as a priest, you have been tasked to exorcise a woman who has been possessed. Solve puzzles and complete objectives to cure her demonic possession in this SURVIVAL HORROR experience.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 22.2%, Supernatural 19%, Survival Horror 16.2%, Multiple Endings 12.8%, Horror 12%

Your entire life has been a lie. There are catacombs under every home and building, stretching down for miles. Something calls you deeper into the labyrinth. Delve into the depths, and discover the monstrosities below.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 22.7%, Dungeon Crawler 18.9%, Horror 12.8%, Surreal 11.8%, Supernatural 10.1%

Explore the underground ruins of Athemore and learn about the forgotten past. Will you make it out alive?

Why similar: Dungeon Crawler 18.8%, Lore-Rich 16.6%, Survival Horror 14.8%, Medieval 13.8%, Choices Matter 11.6%

Explore a hauntingly surreal landscape filled with unused characters from a cancelled project in Bad Dream: Purgatory. Will you give them purpose, or will they be doomed to suffer?

Why similar: Abstract 18.7%, Surreal 14.9%, Lore-Rich 13%, Multiple Endings 12.1%, Choices Matter 11.4%

Cross the boundaries of time in a total VR installation recognized by art galleries. From dark matter to ethereal mist—Out of Time is an audio-visual, wordless experience offering emotional catharsis. Let your thoughts flow freely in absolute freedom. Enter and experience it.

Why similar: Psychedelic 20.9%, Philosophical 18.1%, Abstract 16%, Nonlinear 14.7%, Surreal 14.2%

Roam around the catacombs, collect everything and avoid being found at all cost. Collect rare item drops while doing so.

Why similar: Abstract 22.8%, Survival Horror 18.9%, Surreal 16.9%, Psychological Horror 15.4%, Horror 11.9%

Rediscover gravity and explore an Escher-esque world of impossible architecture. Witness infinity in first-person and master its rules to solve physics-defying puzzles. Cultivate a garden to open new paths forward, where an eternal expanse awaits.

Why similar: Abstract 19.2%, Psychedelic 18.3%, Philosophical 16.8%, Surreal 16.1%, Nonlinear 15.6%

Andrew's Nightmare is a Psychological horror game. Immerse yourself in a haunting and thought-provoking experience that will make you question the nature of sanity and perception.

Why similar: Survival Horror 19.9%, Psychological Horror 16.1%, Philosophical 13.5%, Dark 13.2%, Surreal 12.5%

DEMON DUST is a Survival Horror Dungeon Crawler with a unique, mouse driven interface. Gain knowledge to survive and reach deeper and deeper floors.

Why similar: Dungeon Crawler 21.5%, Nonlinear 21%, Surreal 16.6%, Survival Horror 12.5%, Horror 10.3%

INTO THE BACKROOMS - Psychological horror in which you will experience the true experience of fear.If you’re not careful and you noclip out of reality in the wrong areas you’ll end up in the Backrooms

Why similar: Nonlinear 16.9%, Psychedelic 14.5%, Survival Horror 13.6%, Psychological Horror 12.3%, Supernatural 10.9%

Timore Narhelma is a surreal experience about human mind and horrors within.

Why similar: Lore-Rich 16.6%, Surreal 16.1%, Abstract 15.4%, Philosophical 12.8%, Survival Horror 11.9%