Games Like Locke(d)

The Literature Club is full of cute girls! Will you write the way into their heart? This game is not suitable for children or those who are easily disturbed.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 32.7%, Visual Novel 28.6%, Anime 23.3%, Dark 11.6%, Singleplayer 1.8%

Why You'll Like It: Like Locke(d), this game uses the visual novel format to subvert expectations and deliver a chilling, meta-narrative psychological horror experience.

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: Experimental 24.1%, Visual Novel 20%, Psychological Horror 16.9%, Philosophical 15.9%, Interactive Fiction 12.1%

Why You'll Like It: It offers a similarly surreal, short, and highly atmospheric psychological exploration that feels deeply personal and unsettling.

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 45.8%, Interactive Fiction 24%, Atmospheric 7.3%, Adventure 7%, 2D 6.1%

Why You'll Like It: This title captures the eerie relationship between a user and an evolving AI, mirroring the central themes of algorithmic consciousness found in the seed game.

A visual novel about what it means to be human. A story about loneliness, self-identification, and the meaning of existence.

Why similar: Philosophical 28.3%, Artificial Intelligence 21.8%, Dialogue Heavy 12.4%, Visual Novel 11.8%, Interactive Fiction 10.2%

Why You'll Like It: A strong match that focuses on artificial intelligence and philosophical inquiry within a concise, emotional visual novel framework.

A sequel to Milk inside a bag of milk inside a bag of milk. Dive into demented and bizarre world once again and help the girl become a little happier.

Why similar: Visual Novel 38.5%, Psychological Horror 38.2%, Anime 8.8%, Point & Click 7.4%, 2D 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: The direct sequel continues the intense, dialogue-driven psychological journey with a unique visual style that complements the tone of the seed game.

"What if you're born into this world without your permission?" DIVINATION is a very short visual novel where you act as a fortune teller in a futuristic world. Talk and listen to people's stories, then foresee their future using the runes they had drawn.

Why similar: Philosophical 26.6%, Experimental 20.4%, Dialogue Heavy 16.3%, Visual Novel 11.9%, Point & Click 10.8%

Why You'll Like It: This short, cyberpunk-themed visual novel excels at philosophical world-building and experimental narrative delivery.

A reverse-detective adventure, where you control your character's face

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 25.8%, Point & Click 23.9%, Psychological Horror 23.4%, Visual Novel 23%, Casual 3.8%

Why You'll Like It: This experimental mystery game features a unique facial-control mechanic that forces players to engage with its psychological narrative in a deeply unconventional way.

Alone in the dead of night, you find yourself sent on a simple errand to check on a quiet gas station on the outskirts of town. But nothing here feels right. You can’t outrun this place. It wants you. And it will keep you.

Why similar: Philosophical 22.3%, Dialogue Heavy 19.4%, Visual Novel 12.2%, Psychological Horror 11.7%, Interactive Fiction 9.8%

Why You'll Like It: It shares the surreal, psychological horror aesthetic and the focus on impactful, choice-driven storytelling.

The Beginner's Guide is a narrative video game from Davey Wreden, the creator of The Stanley Parable. It lasts about an hour and a half and has no traditional mechanics, no goals or objectives. Instead, it tells the story of a person struggling to deal with something they do not understand.

Why similar: Philosophical 31.9%, Experimental 30.3%, Atmospheric 15.7%, Dark 7.7%, Psychological Horror 6.3%

Why You'll Like It: A profound meta-narrative experience that explores the relationship between creator, player, and the game itself, much like the philosophical inquiries in Locke(d).

The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe is an expanded re-imagining of 2013's The Stanley Parable. You will play as Stanley, and you will not play as Stanley. You will make a choice, and you will become powerless. You are not here to win. The Stanley Parable is a game that plays you.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 41.3%, Mystery 26.4%, Atmospheric 10.9%, Adventure 8.4%, Singleplayer 6.6%

Why You'll Like It: It is the definitive meta-narrative game that constantly questions the player's agency and the nature of the medium itself.

Hitchhiker is a mystery game set along lost highways, where your goal is to solve the puzzle of your own backstory.

Why similar: Philosophical 25.4%, Dialogue Heavy 23.5%, Mystery 14%, Interactive Fiction 8.9%, Dark 8.1%

Why You'll Like It: The atmospheric, dialogue-heavy nature of this road-trip mystery aligns perfectly with the pacing and tone of Locke(d).

You've moved to a new house where the previous owner was murdered. They never found his head. But, it has found you.

Why similar: Philosophical 22%, Experimental 21.1%, Visual Novel 12.3%, Interactive Fiction 11.6%, Psychological Horror 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: An experimental visual novel that leans into the same unsettling, psychological horror territory as the seed game.

Stories Untold is a compilation tape of four experimental adventures, including a remaster of the original hit episode “The House Abandon”.

Why similar: Psychological Horror 34.3%, Point & Click 27.5%, Atmospheric 18.9%, Adventure 10.1%, Mystery 5.7%

Why You'll Like It: This game masterfully uses retro interfaces and atmospheric storytelling to deliver a series of interconnected, mind-bending mysteries.

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: Experimental 43.7%, Dark 25.6%, Point & Click 22.1%, 2D 5%, Adventure 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: While it features card-based gameplay, its core is a dark, meta-fictional mystery that unravels through environmental storytelling and psychological tension.

Sci-Fi Mystery Visual Novel. Nine people are trapped in an underground research facility, forced to play a game of life and death. Check your log to find the truth that connects those apparent strangers - if you even want to, that is.

Why similar: Philosophical 28.4%, Visual Novel 17.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.9%, Mystery 15.8%, Anime 11.4%

Why You'll Like It: This title explores identity and consciousness through a sci-fi lens, mirroring the existential questions posed in the seed game.

How do you see the world when nothing is real? An experimental metafictional visual novel.

Why similar: Philosophical 30.5%, Experimental 24%, Visual Novel 13.4%, Anime 10.3%, Interactive Fiction 10%

Why You'll Like It: A meta-fictional visual novel that uses humor and anime aesthetics to deconstruct game tropes in a way similar to Locke(d).

A short psychological adventure about a stressed girl who wants to explore her ceiling.

Why similar: Point & Click 18.1%, Mystery 14.6%, Visual Novel 14.2%, Psychological Horror 13.6%, Anime 12.7%

Why You'll Like It: A short, point-click adventure that focuses on psychological introspection and multiple endings, much like the seed game.

Emily is Away is an interactive story. Create a screenname and choose your path through the branching narrative.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 50.2%, Visual Novel 29.1%, Casual 7.4%, Singleplayer 6.7%, Adventure 3.6%

Why You'll Like It: This title uses a simulated chat interface to create an intimate, dialogue-heavy narrative that feels grounded yet emotionally heavy.

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

Why similar: Philosophical 59.1%, Point & Click 14.4%, Atmospheric 12.1%, Adventure 9.7%, 2D 2.7%

Why You'll Like It: This atmospheric indie title captures the same sense of philosophical isolation and existential struggle.

"Life sometimes feels like it’s going in circles." Little Girl On Earth Asking Why She Asking Why is a short pixel art Visual Novel about a girl who tell herself this, forever. Maybe you can try to help her ?

Why similar: Philosophical 33.9%, Visual Novel 17.1%, Psychological Horror 14.8%, Interactive Fiction 12.1%, Point & Click 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: The title's focus on psychological horror and philosophical questioning makes it a thematic sibling to the seed game.

You wake up in a mysterious place, alone and freezing to death, the only person around seems to be a weird girl with a long sleeve soviet jersey.

Why similar: Philosophical 33%, Dialogue Heavy 22.9%, Visual Novel 18.5%, Anime 8.2%, Atmospheric 8.2%

Why You'll Like It: This noir-inspired visual novel provides a moody, philosophical experience that emphasizes atmosphere over action.

A short point & click narrative adventure inspired by the real life experience of a struggling solo indie game developer. A story about everything and hence nothing at all. Discover what truly matters to you.

Why similar: Philosophical 23.5%, Interactive Fiction 15.3%, Point & Click 13.9%, Psychological Horror 11.2%, Visual Novel 11.1%

Why You'll Like It: A minimalist, point-click interactive fiction game that focuses on the same themes of nihilism and psychological reflection.

Colin’s apartment maze has puzzles, dialogues, and some dry humor waiting for you. A surreal adventure of a special kind.

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 25.5%, Point & Click 17.7%, Mythology 14.5%, Psychological Horror 12.5%, Linear 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: A point-click adventure that uses dark humor and dialogue to build a claustrophobic, mystery-filled environment.

High school girls have been disappearing from Abbotsford. Unravel the mystery before all things wash away in a tidal wave of deep despair. An interactive visual novel with psychological and lovecraftian undertones.

Why similar: Philosophical 35.4%, Visual Novel 17.1%, Mystery 15.7%, Anime 14%, Dialogue Heavy 9.9%

Why You'll Like It: This visual novel blends Lovecraftian mystery with anime aesthetics, creating a dense, atmospheric narrative.

Outside the door is a mystic visual novel set within one office. You are about to figure out the stories of a few visitors without having a single memory of yourself.

Why similar: Visual Novel 24.8%, Anime 20.9%, Psychological Horror 19.8%, Dialogue Heavy 18%, Mystery 12%

Why You'll Like It: A pixel-art visual novel that excels at creating an unsettling, psychological horror atmosphere.

A short-form psychological thriller. Confront the mysterious Finn through a monitor. No strategy or puzzles—and you are given almost no freedom of choice. Simply face the absurd situation and witness the end.

Why similar: Visual Novel 28.3%, Mystery 19.7%, Psychological Horror 17.5%, Dark 16.6%, Point & Click 9.7%

Why You'll Like It: This choice-heavy visual novel focuses on dark, story-driven consequences that align with the seed game's interactive nature.

Shut your teeth is an absurdist mystery visual novel inspired by Thai culture, folklore and traditions. The complex plot full of dark atmosphere, vivid characters and psychological tension will keep you guessing until the very end.

Why similar: Philosophical 29.4%, Mythology 21.2%, Visual Novel 16.6%, Mystery 13%, Psychological Horror 11.2%

Why You'll Like It: A story-rich visual novel that uses investigation and mythology to keep the player engaged in its psychological mystery.

A short, twisted tale about a smuggler and a late night encounter in the English Channel. Control the camera and make tough choices, will you escape with your life?

Why similar: Philosophical 27.9%, Dialogue Heavy 16.2%, Interactive Fiction 16%, Visual Novel 13.8%, Point & Click 10.8%

Why You'll Like It: A short, choice-driven narrative experience that emphasizes the weight of player decisions in a mysterious setting.

A free 5-minute visual novel. A security concern demands your attention.

Why similar: Experimental 47.9%, Visual Novel 27.3%, Interactive Fiction 10%, Adventure 5.6%, Atmospheric 3.9%

Why You'll Like It: An experimental adventure that uses branching paths and choices to explore complex, psychological themes.

A short, interactive visual novel set in the mid-19th Century, in which a poet fights against time as she's writing the most important work of her life. Poetry is the answer, but what is the question?

Why similar: Visual Novel 15.3%, Psychological Horror 14%, Dialogue Heavy 13%, Mystery 12.8%, Interactive Fiction 12.4%

MOOD is a short visual novel combining horror, dark humor, and dialogues on a wide variety of topics, from old movies to ancient wars. You were the one who summoned your new companion, there is no backing out now!

Why similar: Philosophical 33.2%, Visual Novel 16.5%, Psychological Horror 14.3%, Anime 10.8%, Dark 10.4%

UNFORGOTTEN – a story-driven, non-linear visual novel, where you can immerse in the ethnic ambience of Northern myths and horrors. Can you solve the riddles of the past - without ever losing yourself in the present? Your fate is in your hands!

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 17.7%, Visual Novel 15%, Mythology 14%, Psychological Horror 13.7%, Mystery 12.4%

Why You'll Like It: This indie adventure focuses on atmospheric storytelling and emotional depth, fitting well within the visual novel genre.

Every why has a wherefore. You are trapped, and you must escape. But is that really the goal? Centum is an unreliable narrative-driven adventure where everything may be a lie.

Why similar: Philosophical 23.4%, Artificial Intelligence 17.1%, Point & Click 12.4%, Interactive Fiction 12.3%, Visual Novel 12%

A visual novel about raising a cute robot child, which may or may not go horribly wrong. Your choices decide the outcome.

Why similar: Philosophical 30.5%, Artificial Intelligence 22.5%, Visual Novel 13.6%, Mystery 12.2%, Anime 10.9%

My dream is a Lost Memory is a short interactive story about having Déjà vu, realizing that this Déjà vu came to you because of a dream, and then wondering if that dream is actually a memory. It's a story about work, limitations and self-respect.

Why similar: Philosophical 20.4%, Experimental 17.6%, Interactive Fiction 13.9%, Point & Click 12.5%, Visual Novel 12.2%

A horror channel browsing game where each channel holds a different nightmare to experience, explore them and find out the truth about what has happened in a small town where the inhabitants have disappeared.

Why similar: Visual Novel 19.1%, Psychological Horror 12.9%, Mystery 12.1%, Anime 11.9%, Point & Click 11.6%

This is a story with illustrations. You have to choose your destiny. You are obsessed with the idea of creating an ideal society. One day you come up with a genius idea, and you create a society that could live forever, BUT HOW IS THIS POSSIBLE!!?

Why similar: Philosophical 32.4%, Artificial Intelligence 15.8%, Visual Novel 12.7%, Interactive Fiction 12.4%, Dark 8.8%

Put on your headphones, close your eyes and watch the story in your imagination. What seems like a game may be something more. Is it a story waiting to be told or... felt? Enter the universe of Edgar A. Poe, where reason, like the devil, says "Goodnight".

Why similar: Philosophical 27.8%, Interactive Fiction 16.1%, Visual Novel 14.3%, Psychological Horror 13.1%, Linear 10.2%

In the not so distant past, the Isle of Abbot underwent a mysterious evacuation event. Delve into the secrets of this unsettling place and elicit the girls' tragic fate. An interactive visual novel with psychological and lovecraftian undertones.

Why similar: Philosophical 39.4%, Visual Novel 19.3%, Anime 15.7%, Mystery 15.2%, Dialogue Heavy 6.2%

Go about your normal every day life and meet new friends in this short visual novel!

Why similar: Visual Novel 37.5%, Psychological Horror 28.1%, Dark 12%, 2D 8%, Casual 8%

Point-and-click mystery adventure on the virtual SNS! Find secrets hidden by family, friends, companies, and idols.

Why similar: Mystery 18.2%, Interactive Fiction 17.4%, Visual Novel 17.3%, Psychological Horror 15.3%, Point & Click 13.3%

可愛い後輩と2人っきり……冷凍庫の中で。 低体温症、矛盾脱衣、幻覚などの苦痛を乗り越えた先にあるのは、「真相」と「死」のみ。

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 33%, Visual Novel 18.3%, Psychological Horror 18.1%, Point & Click 16.3%, Atmospheric 5.6%

A short visual novel about finding your name and a girl in the fog.

Why similar: Experimental 39.9%, Visual Novel 21.3%, Psychological Horror 19.1%, Interactive Fiction 13.8%, 2D 3.2%

A short story point-and-click visual novel about the afterlife.

Why similar: Interactive Fiction 22.7%, Visual Novel 22.1%, Philosophical 14.1%, Linear 12.9%, Adventure 8.4%

Type-NOISE: Shonen Shojo is a multi-ending mystery adventure game. A group of boys and girls who have lost their memories gather in a “Tokyo” that is both familiar and unfamiliar. They must trace their lost memories to escape the bizarre labyrinths. Are they prepared to confront their “true selves”?

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 22.9%, Visual Novel 18.1%, Anime 14.1%, Point & Click 12.3%, Mystery 10.6%

A linear visual novel about five short stories, unrelated at first glance. Be prepared for mysticism, gloomy atmosphere and light psychological horror. Not recommended to play if you are experiencing depression or severe psychological state.

Why similar: Visual Novel 17.6%, Psychological Horror 15.2%, Dark 11.1%, Mystery 10.4%, Interactive Fiction 10.3%

a side-scrolling, story-driven text adventure game in pixel art. The story is set in 2079, when a Replicant awakens in a lab facility amidst a life-or-death situation. The replicant aid agency tries to rescue him but fails. In the process they stumble on the real secret of the Replicant project...

Why similar: Artificial Intelligence 22.2%, Interactive Fiction 15.6%, Mystery 15%, Visual Novel 15%, Anime 14.4%

The definitive edition of the fan-favorite visual novel is here! A surreal, coming-of-age tale set in early 2010s Central Florida, Siren's Call is the small town you swore you'd always leave. Something inside you knows this is your last chance. Will you reach escape velocity?

Why similar: Philosophical 21.2%, Visual Novel 14%, Mystery 12.6%, Psychological Horror 12.6%, Interactive Fiction 11%

TOMORROW DON'T COME is a contextual puzzle game about depression and how it feels to be stuck.

Why similar: Experimental 23.5%, Interactive Fiction 14%, Mystery 12.6%, Visual Novel 11.3%, Psychological Horror 11.2%

A dark, dramatic medieval visual novel. On a stage at the boundary between life and death, an actress struggles through her hardest performance—directed by a jester, she relives her past for the the prize of resurrection...

Why similar: Philosophical 27.6%, Visual Novel 15.3%, Mystery 13.8%, Psychological Horror 13.8%, Anime 13%

Your end is my beginning. A short psychological visual novel with exploration and puzzle elements... it already lays shattered.

Why similar: Visual Novel 22.8%, Point & Click 21.7%, Psychological Horror 21%, Anime 15.7%, Atmospheric 7%

Together with Snezhana and her dog Ayda you will go to the woods for mushroom hunting. An ordinary adventure does not foreshadow adversity, until you decide to step into an uncharted plase… A short but atmospheric visual novel that will give you goosebumps.

Why similar: Visual Novel 21.9%, Linear 15.8%, Psychological Horror 15.2%, Anime 14.6%, Dark 11.1%

A short 10 minute visual novel about being a fragment in the universe and trying to find a way out of the ****.

Why similar: Philosophical 54.9%, Mystery 17.5%, Dark 15.9%, Atmospheric 9.9%, Adventure 1.4%

Log.in is a mystery-horror game where you explore a PC screen, digging through images, videos and files. Hidden somewhere in the system is the location of a girl being held captive. Your actions on the desktop will dramatically change the story and her fate.

Why similar: Mystery 27.2%, Point & Click 23.1%, Visual Novel 15.8%, Interactive Fiction 14.8%, Adventure 7.9%

In a final attempt to guarantee your place on the nice list, you decide to try and do some chores before midnight. Will Krampus take you? Take the test and find out.

Why similar: Philosophical 36.9%, Visual Novel 14.5%, Psychological Horror 14.2%, Mystery 12.1%, Dark 10.7%

A story-driven psychological experience where memory fades, silence deepens, and something waits in the dark.

Why similar: Visual Novel 47%, Dark 21.8%, Psychological Horror 13.9%, 2D 9.3%, Casual 5.4%

Classic Zork meets Existential Crisis. A modern text adventure that explores themes of control, isolation and mental health while levelling up the genre with beautiful pixel art.

Why similar: Artificial Intelligence 28.7%, Dialogue Heavy 24.9%, Interactive Fiction 24.7%, Atmospheric 11.3%, Adventure 5.4%

Memories swirl all around you...Or are these memories? Familiar faces and places you think you remember but somehow now seem so different. Why are you here? Where is here?

Why similar: Psychological Horror 24.9%, Dialogue Heavy 21.3%, Dark 17.9%, Visual Novel 14%, Linear 8.9%

✣ Dread Chess is an original and strange narrative story-puzzle game with sandbox elements. Uncover mysteries by speaking with gods in Latin. Immerse yourself in an atmosphere of madness, and reach one of many endings in an unfair game against Death that can be played ONLY ONCE...

Why similar: Visual Novel 26.6%, Mystery 19.6%, Artificial Intelligence 17.2%, Dark 16.3%, Atmospheric 9.6%

A mysterious woman is sitting in front of you. Who is she? And who are you? And why are you both there? Case #1472 is mystery information digging interrogation thriller game where there are more things going on than what meets the eye, but are you able to unravel what has happened?

Why similar: Dialogue Heavy 34.4%, Interactive Fiction 18.3%, Visual Novel 15%, Psychological Horror 9.9%, Mystery 8.7%