Games Like LISA: The Painful

Explore a strange world full of colorful friends and foes. When the time comes, the path you’ve chosen will determine your fate... and perhaps the fate of others as well.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 21.4%, Psychological Horror 20%, Party-Based RPG 11.5%, Story Rich 9.8%, Pixel Graphics 8.3%

Why You'll Like It: It masterfully uses a turn-based RPG framework to explore deep psychological trauma and surreal, unsettling imagery.

Fear & Hunger is a horror dungeon crawler set in the dark and hopeless dungeons of fear and hunger. The game is a hybrid of survival horror and dungeon crawler genres with its influences ranging from Silent Hill to Nethack. There are roguelike elements to the game as well as a heavy foundation of a j-RPG.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 22.1%, Horror 19.4%, RPG 15.6%, Dark 14.9%, JRPG 13.4%

Why You'll Like It: This game shares the brutal, unforgiving difficulty and dark, mature themes that make the world of LISA feel so dangerous and oppressive.

F&H 2: Termina is oppressive, relentless and hopeless. A mix of jRPG and Survival Horror. Turn-based combat meets resource management. 3 days to explore the wicked town of Prehevil and find out about its dark secrets. 3 days until the pale and sickly green moon rises at its apex. Termina is upon us!

Why similar: Party-Based RPG 25%, JRPG 23.9%, Psychological Horror 15.2%, Horror 12.8%, RPG 9.6%

Why You'll Like It: It continues the tradition of punishing, choice-heavy RPG design where survival is a constant, desperate struggle against a bleak world.

“I’m the Batter. I’ve been entrusted with a sacred mission.” -- One of the most influential RPGs of the last 20 years is finally coming to Steam. Take control of the Batter as he seeks to purify an uncanny and hopeless world haunted by specters, guided by a cryptic, grinning cat called The Judge.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 18.5%, JRPG 15.6%, Psychological Horror 13.9%, RPG 13.8%, Pixel Graphics 10.3%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational surreal, meta-narrative RPG that heavily influenced the indie horror scene with its abstract world and unsettling tone.

One day, Jimmy looked inside.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 20.7%, RPG 16.5%, JRPG 13.7%, Horror 11.5%, Psychological Horror 8.6%

Why You'll Like It: This title perfectly captures the surreal, emotionally heavy, and dark RPG Maker aesthetic that defines the LISA experience.

UNDERTALE! The RPG game where you don't have to destroy anyone.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 27.9%, Choices Matter 12.6%, Funny 9.2%, Story Rich 9.1%, Comedy 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the subversion of traditional RPG tropes and a deep focus on how player choices impact the narrative and characters.

A surreal RPG with a unique graphical style and droll scenario.

Why similar: Party-Based RPG 28.1%, Great Soundtrack 24.7%, RPG 17.1%, JRPG 13.6%, Pixel Graphics 4.4%

Why You'll Like It: Provides an abstract, surreal, and visually distinct turn-based RPG experience that feels as strange and unsettling as LISA.

Hylics is a recreational program with light JRPG elements.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 35.1%, JRPG 18.7%, RPG 17.9%, Atmospheric 8.1%, Indie 7.3%

Why You'll Like It: The precursor to the unique, clay-animated surrealism that creates a dreamlike, often disturbing atmosphere.

OneShot is a surreal top down Puzzle/Adventure game with unique gameplay capabilities. You are to guide a child through a mysterious world on a mission to restore its long-dead sun. The world knows you exist.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 29.3%, Story Rich 13.9%, Choices Matter 12.7%, Pixel Graphics 12%, Atmospheric 7.6%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-narrative adventure that focuses on the weight of player choices and the emotional impact of the world's fate.

Pathologic 2 is a groundbreaking open-world horror RPG. Resist the plague. Make medicine. Heal people. Perform an autopsy. Trade to get what you need. Fight and kill if necessary. Survive. Struggle with an outbreak in a secluded rural town that is rapidly turning into hell.

Why similar: Choices Matter 19.9%, Psychological Horror 18.7%, Story Rich 14.3%, Dark 14%, RPG 11.8%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a similarly oppressive, choice-driven experience where the player must make impossible moral decisions in a dying world.

This is a game in which you traverse the extremely dark world inside a dream.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 26.2%, Dark 16.9%, Horror 15.5%, Pixel Graphics 12.9%, Atmospheric 9.5%

Why You'll Like It: A foundational surreal exploration game that prioritizes psychological atmosphere and unsettling imagery over traditional combat.

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: Dark Humor 30.5%, Psychological Horror 15.1%, Choices Matter 13.4%, Story Rich 11.3%, Funny 10.1%

Why You'll Like It: Explores the darker, more melancholic side of growing up and societal decay through a narrative-heavy, character-driven lens.

Experience the quiet terror of this 1-bit love letter to Junji Ito and H.P. Lovecraft. Navigate a hellish roguelite reality with turn-based combat and unforgiving choices. Experiment with your deck of event cards to discover new forms of cosmic horror in every playthrough. The inevitable awaits...

Why similar: Psychological Horror 26%, Horror 25.6%, Pixel Graphics 15.4%, RPG 12.1%, Atmospheric 8.4%

Why You'll Like It: A cosmic horror RPG that blends turn-based combat with a bleak, oppressive atmosphere inspired by Junji Ito.

Disco Elysium - The Final Cut is a groundbreaking role playing game. You’re a detective with a unique skill system at your disposal and a whole city to carve your path across. Interrogate unforgettable characters, crack murders or take bribes. Become a hero or an absolute disaster of a human being.

Why similar: Choices Matter 28.6%, RPG 21.6%, Story Rich 20.9%, Funny 9.8%, Atmospheric 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: Features deep, cynical writing with a heavy emphasis on psychological depth and the consequences of a broken protagonist's actions.

In this original and adult psychological survival horror, the masked protagonist must escape from a city ravaged by disease, by any means necessary.

Why similar: Horror 21%, Great Soundtrack 14.1%, Pixel Graphics 12.8%, Psychological Horror 9.3%, Dark 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A survival horror game that emphasizes psychological instability and resource management in a crumbling environment.

An UNCONVENTIONAL ADVENTURE RPG that takes place in an inexpressible world filled with amusing musical battles and strange delightful encounters. To put it simply: You are in for a ride.🍄

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 46.6%, Story Rich 14%, Pixel Graphics 11.9%, RPG 11%, 2D 6.5%

Why You'll Like It: A surreal, rhythm-based RPG that challenges the player with dark themes and existential questions through unconventional gameplay.

A comedic RPG about the cynical and hilarious realities of social interaction, personal growth, and confronting your inner demons.

Why similar: Dark Humor 23.8%, Great Soundtrack 16.3%, RPG 14.5%, Comedy 10.1%, Funny 7.8%

Why You'll Like It: A direct homage to the dark, humorous, and emotionally raw style of RPGs that prioritize character-driven storytelling.

In a creaky old tavern, in a forgotten corner of the video-game universe, a storm is raging. An anonymous caller suggests that there is a murder plot. Six video game protagonists are the only plausible suspects...

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 17.7%, Psychological Horror 17.1%, Story Rich 11%, Dark 10.4%, Funny 7.9%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-narrative mystery that deconstructs various game genres with a dark, cynical tone that fans of LISA will appreciate.

A classic survival horror experience set in a dystopian future where humanity has uncovered a dark secret. Unravel a cosmic mystery, escape terrifying creatures, and scavenge an off-world government facility as Elster, a technician Replika searching for her lost dreams.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 43.9%, Dark 27.6%, Atmospheric 18.2%, Adventure 5.9%, Singleplayer 4.5%

Why You'll Like It: A masterclass in psychological horror that captures the same sense of dread, isolation, and mystery found in LISA.

The Cat Lady follows Susan Ashworth, a lonely 40-year old on the verge of suicide. She has no family, no friends and no hope for a better future. One day she discovers that five strangers will come along and change everything...

Why similar: Psychological Horror 22.5%, Horror 21.2%, Dark 15.9%, Story Rich 15.2%, Atmospheric 7.7%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, mature psychological horror game that deals with heavy themes of depression, trauma, and societal decay.

The End Is Nigh is a sprawling adventure platformer where you die a lot, but thats ok because you are probably already dead anyway.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 40.7%, Post-apocalyptic 14.6%, Dark 8.6%, Indie 7.3%, Pixel Graphics 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: Shares the bleak, post-apocalyptic setting and punishing difficulty associated with the creator of the LISA universe.

Explore a beautiful, vast and ruined world riddled with dangers and lost technologies.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 35.7%, Pixel Graphics 17.8%, Post-apocalyptic 14.3%, Atmospheric 10.5%, RPG 6.2%

Why You'll Like It: A visually stunning, atmospheric action-RPG that conveys a story of decay, loss, and sickness without using words.

Inscryption is an inky black card-based odyssey that blends the deckbuilding roguelike, escape-room style puzzles, and psychological horror into a blood-laced smoothie. Darker still are the secrets inscrybed upon the cards...

Why similar: Dark 29.6%, Horror 28.8%, Story Rich 23.9%, Pixel Graphics 9.4%, 2D 5.2%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, meta-fictional experience that constantly subverts player expectations and genre norms to create a sense of unease.

Welcome to the charming world of Eastward - population declining! Journey through a society on the brink of collapse. Discover delightful towns, strange creatures and even stranger people! Wield a trusty frying pan and mystic powers on an adventure into the unknown…

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 19.1%, JRPG 18%, Pixel Graphics 10.5%, Dark 9.4%, Comedy 9.2%

Why You'll Like It: A post-apocalyptic adventure that balances charming pixel art with a surprisingly dark and melancholic narrative.

Pony Island is a suspense puzzle game in disguise. You are in limbo, trapped in a malevolent and malfunctioning arcade machine devised by the devil himself. It is not a game about ponies.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 23%, Great Soundtrack 19.3%, Dark 11.8%, Pixel Graphics 11.8%, Horror 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-horror game that uses the medium of gaming to trap and torment the player, similar to the meta-elements in LISA.

Dive into the parallel story to UNDERTALE! Fight or spare your way through action-packed battles as you explore a mysterious world alongside an endearing cast of new and familiar characters. Chapters 1-5 are available now, with more planned as free updates!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 29%, Funny 11.2%, Story Rich 10.6%, Comedy 10.1%, Pixel Graphics 9.9%

Look Outside is a survival horror RPG set in a single apartment building. A mysterious event turns anyone who looks out the window into grotesque monsters, leaving the world in absolute chaos. Scavenge the building to seek food, supplies, and weapons while encountering strange characters.

Why similar: RPG 22.3%, Horror 19.7%, Pixel Graphics 15.7%, Great Soundtrack 12.1%, Dark 10.4%

Control a car full of jerks as they explore cities, recruit weird people, rescue dogs, argue with each other, and face gigantic swarms of slow zombies. Randomly generated for a new story and rare events every time you play!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 30%, Pixel Graphics 22.5%, Comedy 17.7%, RPG 10.4%, Funny 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, humorous survival game that forces players to make brutal, life-or-death choices in a post-apocalyptic setting.

A short story about what sort of challenges everyday little things can be. Help the girl buy milk, be the first not to disappoint her.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 45%, Horror 26.2%, Pixel Graphics 9%, Story Rich 8%, Adventure 7.1%

Why You'll Like It: A short, intense psychological experience that mirrors the unsettling, fragmented tone of LISA's narrative.

Led by her new friend, Mr. Voice, Misfortune ventures into the woods, where mysteries are unraveled and a little bad luck unfolds.

Why similar: Dark Humor 20.4%, Psychological Horror 16%, Choices Matter 12.6%, Horror 9%, Story Rich 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A dark, story-rich adventure that explores tragic themes through a deceptive, childlike lens that masks deep sorrow.

There is nothing Joe wouldn't do for his wife. But as they try to save their marriage with a romantic getaway, things go from bad to worse, and from worse... to insanity...

Why similar: Psychological Horror 22.1%, Great Soundtrack 19.1%, Horror 12.9%, Story Rich 11.6%, Dark 8.7%

Why You'll Like It: A grim, psychological horror adventure that explores themes of guilt, madness, and personal tragedy.

Thanks to next generation AI technology, BUDDY SIMULATOR 1984 simulates the experience of hanging out with a best buddy! Your buddy learns from you, constantly adapting to your interests and personality. But most importantly, your buddy can play games with you!

Why similar: Psychological Horror 26%, Horror 17.6%, Story Rich 13.6%, Pixel Graphics 12.7%, RPG 10.4%

Why You'll Like It: A psychological horror game that explores the unsettling and manipulative relationship between the player and the game's AI.

A memory of madness.

Why similar: RPG 31%, Dark 27%, Horror 18.7%, Psychological Horror 11.3%, 2D 9.1%

Join Brian Pasternack on his first working day at Sintracorp. Uncertain, unprepared, and massively unqualified, will Pasternack have what it takes to shine in Sintracorp’s hierarchy? It all depends on how he performs on his first assignment… and whether he survives it.

Why similar: Dark Humor 28.8%, Psychological Horror 16.8%, Choices Matter 12.9%, Horror 11.7%, Pixel Graphics 10%

The adventure plunges you into the tortured and hidden past of five humans. Delve into their darkest fears. Outwit the Master Computer AM in a game of psychological warfare. Disturbing, compelling. An adventure you won't easily forget !!

Why similar: Psychological Horror 18.2%, Horror 17.7%, Post-apocalyptic 16.2%, Dark 11.3%, Great Soundtrack 11.1%

A surreal post-life adventure

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 20%, RPG 15.6%, Psychological Horror 9.7%, Choices Matter 9.6%, Dark 8.9%

Brutal Orchestra is a Turn-Based Roguelike Strategy Game. You died, someone killed you. You are in Purgatory and you will never escape. Make a deal with the "demon" Bosch and set off into Purgatory finding ​all manner of demented friends and foes on your quest to get petty revenge.

Why similar: Dark Humor 35.6%, Dark 14.8%, RPG 12.4%, Pixel Graphics 10.4%, Story Rich 9.3%

West of Loathing — a slapstick comedy stick-figure wild west adventure role-playing game.

Why similar: Comedy 20.4%, Great Soundtrack 18.3%, RPG 14.1%, Funny 14%, Choices Matter 11.2%

Unlucky Seven will take you on a space walk and tell you a story about love, hate, and craving for human flesh.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 15.9%, Choices Matter 14.9%, Story Rich 10.8%, Funny 10.7%, Pixel Graphics 10%

Pixel adventure inspired by classics like Zelda and Silent Hill.

Why similar: Dark Humor 24.2%, Psychological Horror 15.6%, Horror 12.5%, Pixel Graphics 9.9%, Choices Matter 9%

A bonkers time-loop tragicomedy murder mystery thriller featuring multiple casualties and a suspicious cat, from the creator of To the Moon & Finding Paradise.

Why similar: JRPG 16.6%, Psychological Horror 14.1%, Comedy 12.8%, Story Rich 10.3%, Pixel Graphics 9.9%

A dark comedy RPG set in streets and psyches.

Why similar: JRPG 23.4%, Psychological Horror 20.4%, RPG 14.6%, Pixel Graphics 14.2%, Story Rich 11%

Moscow: somewhere in the near future. The city and perhaps the Earth's surface has turned into a radioactive ash. Those who decided that they could not exist in such conditions began to live under the ground.

Why similar: Post-apocalyptic 29.1%, Great Soundtrack 19.4%, Story Rich 13.1%, RPG 7%, Atmospheric 7%

An immersive power fantasy simulator with tactical stealth elements set in a sewage infused garbage world

Why similar: Dark Humor 45.5%, Psychological Horror 31.8%, Post-apocalyptic 22.7%

Delve into a dark adventure following the boy with a prosthetic face and a tragic past. Unravel the sinister mysteries of Sally's world to find the truth that lies hidden beneath the shadows.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 20.3%, Dark Humor 20.2%, Dark 14.7%, Story Rich 12.3%, Horror 12.1%

Nuclear Throne is a post-apocalyptic roguelike-like top-down shooter. Not 'the final hope of humanity' post-apocalyptic, but 'humanity is extinct and mutants and monsters now roam the world' post-apocalyptic. Can you reach the Nuclear Throne?

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 32.6%, Post-apocalyptic 27.5%, Pixel Graphics 20.4%, Indie 7.2%, RPG 5.8%

Jazzpunk is a comedy adventure set in an alternate reality Cold War World, plagued with corporate espionage, CyberCrime, and sentient martinis. Gameplay is inspired by spoof comedy films and cartoons of yesteryear, with a focus on weird gadgets, exotic locales, and open-world style exploration.

Why similar: Comedy 49.9%, Funny 23.8%, Adventure 9.1%, Indie 7.4%, Great Soundtrack 6.5%

The five crew members of the Tulpar are stranded in the empty reaches of space, shrouded in perpetual sunset. God is not watching.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 26.8%, Dark Humor 16.1%, Horror 15.2%, Dark 13.6%, Story Rich 11.7%

Dropsy is a non-traditional take on the classic point and click adventure formula starring the game’s perpetually carefree namesake clown as he explores a richly detailed world full of colorful characters and sinister secrets, doling out hugs along the way.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 38.6%, Adventure 15.2%, Pixel Graphics 13.3%, 2D 8.8%, Dark 7.3%

Shovel Knight: Treasure Trove is the complete Shovel Knight collection, containing all 5 games in the epic saga! Dig, blast, slash, and bash your way through a fantastical, 8-bit inspired world of pixel-perfect platforming, memorable characters, and world-class action-adventure gameplay.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 42%, Pixel Graphics 17.3%, Side Scroller 13%, 2D 7.4%, Indie 5%

Social welfare survival horror based on real events. Endure emotional pain and societal pressure. Stay entertained. Survive the routine and become the hero of your studio apartment—battle inner demons, hide skeletons in the closet, and most importantly… keep the bathroom clean.

Why similar: Dark Humor 35.7%, Psychological Horror 13.4%, Story Rich 10.2%, Comedy 9.5%, Horror 8.5%

Take back your identity in Muffles’ Life Sentence- a darkly quirky RPG set in a prison where inmates are remade to match their crimes.

Why similar: Dark Humor 27.4%, JRPG 18.3%, Funny 9%, RPG 8.3%, Story Rich 7.9%

Heartbound is a non-traditional role-playing game about a boy, his dog, secrets, and sanity.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 17.3%, Psychological Horror 12.4%, Choices Matter 10.9%, Horror 8.5%, Funny 8.2%

Downwell is a curious game about a young person venturing down a well in search of untold treasures with only his Gunboots to protect him.

Why similar: Pixel Graphics 40.2%, Great Soundtrack 20.5%, Indie 13.9%, 2D 13.6%, Adventure 8%

Spelunky is a unique platformer with randomized levels that offer a challenging new experience each time you play. Journey deep underground and explore fantastic places filled with all manner of monsters, traps, and treasure.

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 29.3%, 2D 22.9%, Indie 22.8%, Side Scroller 15.8%, Adventure 5.8%

Crypt of the NecroDancer is an award winning hardcore roguelike rhythm game. Move to the music and deliver beatdowns to the beat! Groove to the epic Danny Baranowsky soundtrack, or select songs from your own MP3 collection!

Why similar: Great Soundtrack 60.5%, Pixel Graphics 18.9%, RPG 7.5%, Indie 5.6%, 2D 3.9%

Two doctors traverse backwards through a dying man's memories to fulfill his last wish. This is To the Moon's standalone sequel, but can also be played first.

Why similar: JRPG 21.2%, Comedy 14.1%, Funny 12.1%, Story Rich 11%, Pixel Graphics 10.8%

Experience YIIK: A Postmodern RPG 1.5 (I.V) update with revamped battles and cutscenes. A child relinquishes her name for a birthday invite, hoping to find her brother. Alex's reality unravels, guided by a mysterious cat, witnessing a woman vanish, igniting an obsession that threatens his world.

Why similar: JRPG 27.4%, Psychological Horror 18.9%, Great Soundtrack 12.2%, Funny 10.9%, Choices Matter 10.8%

A Lovecraftian Retro MetaRPG. Marty Stu got reincarnated as a prince in another world. But happily-ever-after comes with Daemon Sultan Azathoth, naturally, and a tough decision to make. When Marty finally realizes life is never that easy, he also learns something is unspeakably wrong...

Why similar: Party-Based RPG 23.5%, Dark Humor 19.7%, Post-apocalyptic 18%, JRPG 15.8%, Pixel Graphics 6.8%

In Felvidek, a JRPG set in 15th century Slovakia, you embrace the role of an alcoholic knight Pavol. Meet diverse and interesting characters to help you drive out the Hussites and Ottomans who blight this land.

Why similar: JRPG 37.5%, RPG 19.9%, Pixel Graphics 15.8%, Atmospheric 11%, 2D 7.7%